White Paper

Science Beyond the Surface: The Impacts of Disinfectant Residue

Although residue in controlled environments, and disinfectant residue in particular, has been around since the advent of cleanroom disinfection, these factors have resulted in an increased sensitivity towards understanding and mitigating cleanroom residues. This position paper is intended to look at the science behind disinfectant residue to help readers understand the nuances of this complicated topic beyond simple marketing materials.
November 17, 2025
Daniel Klein

Key Takeaways:

  • Disinfectant residue is not inherently problematic, but a rinsing program should be established to ensure a visually clean cleanroom.
  • Analytical methods should not be used to quantitate disinfectant residue as the standard remains visually clean.
  • There are many myths about disinfectant residue that can be easily disproven with unbiased scientific data.
  • Use of a low residue product such as a sanitizer will result in poorer cleaning, poorer efficacy and more process steps than a 1-step cleaner/disinfectant.
  • Proper rinsing technique will significantly impact the effectiveness of a routine rinsing program for disinfectant residue.

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