Chemical disinfection

Sterilising with chemicals: chemical disinfection is a highly effective way of eliminating harmful germs and pathogenic micro-organisms, fungi or spores using specially formulated cleaning agents. This cleaning method is ideal for effectively and reliably disinfecting surfaces exposed to a high level of bacteria.

Manual disinfection

Kärcher's highly effective disinfectant cleaners and disinfectants, which have been verified to the European standard EN 14476 among others and boast a wide range of disinfection activity, are ideal for wipe disinfection. When combined with our extensive range of single-use and reusable textile products, as well as spray and mop systems, they can also be used for preconditioned cleaning.

Close-up of a hand performing manual cleaning
Hygiene in the gym
Hygiene in the doctor's surgery
Person cleaning floor manually with Kärcher equipment

Person disinfecting desk with manual Kärcher equipment

How does manual chemical disinfection work?

Cleaning, disinfectant cleaning, disinfecting: they might sound similar, but in practical terms they actually describe very different things. Whilst manual cleaning with cleaning agents places the focus on objective cleanliness, disinfectant cleaning and routine disinfection go one step further. These are applied as a preventive measure, reducing germs and micro-organisms on surfaces exposed to regular skin contact with many people. Such surfaces include, for instance, door handles, handrails, operational elements such as card readers, touchscreens, etc. By means of regular, officially mandated, targeted disinfecting measures, viruses, bacteria, spores and yeasts can be destroyed or inactivated almost completely, ensuring surfaces are no longer infectious. Targeted disinfecting using disinfectants is recommended in sectors with a high risk of infection, for example in hospital rooms and wards, as well as whenever transmissible diseases emerge, upon instruction from governing bodies, in swimming pools and in the food industry.

Reliable disinfection requires exact dosing of the disinfectant in cold water and sufficient wetting of the previously dry surface using a cleaning cloth, plus the prescribed contact time and the appropriate ambient temperature of around 20 °C must be guaranteed. While the treated surface dries, it must not be touched or wiped over, in order to eliminate the risk of recontamination. Only in food-processing sectors, such as restaurant and canteen kitchens, must the surface be rinsed afterwards with drinking water.


Benefits of manual chemical disinfection

  • Reliably kills all germs on all surfaces, structures, notches and crevices
  • Highly effective while drying
  • Quick and easy disinfecting of critical surfaces
  • Simple, time-saving application
  • Disinfectant cleaners save time by enabling users to clean and disinfect in one single step
  • Disinfectants and disinfectant cleaners from Kärcher perform a wide range of disinfection activity against bacteria (e.g. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus hirae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella, Listeria), yeasts (e.g. Candida albicans) and enveloped viruses (e.g. coronavirus, hepatitis B, HIV, pathogens of swine flu, bird flu, Ebola)
  • Kärcher disinfectants and disinfectant cleaners are tested and certified to numerous standards, including EN 13697, EN 1276, EN 1650, EN 13727, EN 13624 and EN 14476
Kärcher chemical cleaning agent in canisters

Person disinfecting professional kitchen manually

Application areas for manual chemical disinfection

Disinfectants and disinfectant cleaners from Kärcher are approved for use in a wide range of sectors. These include, for example, hotels, restaurants, canteens, shops, schools, public authorities, offices and gyms and, not least, the entire medical sector. Manual chemical disinfection is an ideal method for all types of surface in restroom facilities, for product shelves and deli counters in supermarkets, and for cold stores. This fast and straightforward method is also particularly suitable for disinfecting high-contact objects and surfaces such as door handles, handrails, and gym equipment. It is also used for the targeted disinfection of surfaces and floors in hospital areas used by patients.


Professional disinfectants, disinfectant cleaners and manual cleaning equipment

Disinfectants and disinfectant cleaners from Kärcher are a reliable, simple and time-saving way to rid surfaces of bacteria, viruses and yeast fungi. Combined with our extensive range of cleaning equipment, they can be used to produce hygienic cleaning results. In addition to this, we also offer all users specialist training materials and relevant documentation.

Disinfecting with scrubber dryers

For large areas of around 500 m² or more, we recommend manual wipe disinfection is supplemented with the use of a powerful scrubber dryer. The spray sanitation kit and integrated spray lance make it possible to disinfect those awkward-to-clean fittings such as rubbish bins, information boards, revolving doors, roller shutters and more.

Kärcher ride-on scrubber dryer disinfecting the floor
Hygienic cleaning at the airport
Person disinfecting outside area with Kärcher scrubber dryer
Hygiene in the shopping centre

Close-up of the spray sanitation attachment kit for Kärcher scrubber dryers

How does disinfecting with scrubber dryers and the spray sanitation kit work?

In sectors with high hygiene requirements or where a targeted disinfection method is required alongside routine disinfection, disinfecting floors is a proven method for containing the spread of germs. Disinfecting floors with a scrubber dryer complements conventional wipe-down or mopping methods of disinfection.

When disinfecting a floor with a scrubber dryer, Kärcher strongly recommends the surface in question is cleaned and allowed to dry completely prior to disinfection. The fresh water tank of the scrubber dryer must also be rinsed before being filled with ready-to-use and accurately dosed disinfectant solution. When passing the machine over the floor, care must be taken to ensure that the scrubber dryer's suction mode is deactivated, the floor is completely wetted with disinfectant solution and nobody steps on the floor until it is completely dry.

The spray sanitation kit with integrated spray lance provides the option of incorporating targeted sanitation of water-resistant walls, furnishings and critical contact points. The spray bar makes it easier to apply the disinfectant solution and ensures that the floor is completely covered over the entire area. The spray sanitation kit is available for the B 150 R and B 200 R ride-on scrubber dryers from Kärcher. A single hand movement is all that is needed to switch between applying solution via the spray bar or via the hand nozzle.


Benefits of disinfection with a scrubber dryer and the spray sanitation kit

  • Fast and extensive sanitation of critical surfaces and floors (up to 16,700 m² depending on tank fill level)
  • Contactless application to hard-to-reach areas such as crevices, joints or cracks
  • Reliably kills all germs on all surfaces, and in structures, notches and crevices
  • Highly effective while drying
  • Simple, time-saving and fatigue-free application
  • Disinfectants and disinfectant cleaners from Kärcher are effective against a wide range of bacteria, viruses and yeasts, and are tested and certified to numerous standards, including EN 13697, EN 1276, EN 1650, EN 13727, EN 13624 and EN 14476
Kärcher scrubber dryer with chemical cleaning agent

Person cleaning rubbish bins with Kärcher spray disinfection attachment kit for scrubber dryers

Areas of application for scrubber dryers with spray sanitation kit

Scrubber dryers with the spray sanitation kit from Kärcher are designed for the targeted disinfection of large areas, such as in entrance halls and sports halls, shopping centers, production facilities, logistics centers, train stations, hospitals or schools.


Products suitable for professional use


Disinfecting with high-pressure cleaners

High-pressure cleaners from Kärcher can apply disinfectants as a foam for targeted and reliable disinfection of all surfaces, even vertical surfaces, in restroom areas, swimming pools, commercial kitchens, cold stores and in food-processing facilities.

Hygiene in the swimming pool
Disinfecting the washroom with a Kärcher high-pressure cleaner
Butcher disinfects worktop with a Kärcher high-pressure cleaner
Disinfecting the milking parlour of a dairy farm with a Kärcher high-pressure cleaner

Person disinfecting with a Kärcher high-pressure cleaner

How does chemical disinfection with a high-pressure cleaner work?

High-pressure cleaners from Kärcher combined with the appropriate accessories, such as a cup foam lance, deliver disinfectants and disinfectant cleaners in the form of a foam. Foam guarantees long contact times due to its excellent adhesive properties, making it the ideal method for applying disinfectant to vertical surfaces and individual objects. What's more, foam allows the user to see the extent of the wetting on the surface being disinfected simply by visually inspecting it. The precisely dosed disinfection solution (mixed into cold water) is always applied cold and at low pressure.

Because the foam disinfection solution is applied extensively by high-pressure cleaners, it is recommended the surface is rinsed once the contact time is complete – in areas that come into contact with food, rinsing with drinking water is required by law. Our tip: rinsing with a hot water high-pressure cleaner from Kärcher results in faster drying times.

For routine disinfection in less critical or lightly soiled areas, Kärcher's Disinfectant Cleaner RM 732 is recommended for use. This removes the need to clean the surface in advance, saving time by cleaning and disinfecting in one single step. For targeted disinfection with pure disinfectant like the RM 735 from Kärcher, however, it is essential that all visible dirt is removed beforehand. Depending on the area of application and how dirty it is, this can be done using neutral, acidic or alkaline cleaners from Kärcher applied using the Inno foam set or the cup foam lance. The surface must then be rinsed thoroughly and allowed to dry completely before disinfection.


Benefits of chemical disinfection with a high-pressure cleaner

  • Fast and reliable disinfection in all areas with water drain
  • Reliably kills all germs on all water-resistant surfaces
  • Highly effective while drying
  • Extensive application in minimal time
  • Disinfectants and disinfectant cleaners from Kärcher are effective against a wide range of bacteria, viruses and yeasts, and are tested and certified to numerous standards, including EN 13697, EN 1276, EN 1650, EN 13727, EN 13624 and EN 14476
Standalone shot of Kärcher high-pressure cleaner

Chemical disinfection in the food production sector with Kärcher high-pressure cleaner

Application areas for chemical disinfection with high-pressure cleaners

Chemical disinfection with a high-pressure cleaner is particularly suitable for large areas that have a water drain. These might include restrooms and wellness areas of sports facilities, gyms or hotels, food-processing sites such as butchers or abattoirs, in their cold stores, on their shelves, shipping crates, conveyor belts, as well as in agricultural facilities to contain diseases such as African swine fever or bird flu.


Professional high-pressure cleaners and accessories for disinfection

Kärcher has an extensive portfolio of cold water and hot water high-pressure cleaners available in a variety of performance classes and designs. Combined with appropriate accessories such as the Inno foam set or cup foam lance and Disinfectant RM 735 and Disinfectant Cleaner RM 732, we offer a versatile systems for reliable disinfection.