Benzalkonium Chloride solutions are fast-acting biocidal agents with a moderately long duration of action. They are active against bacteria and some viruses, fungi, and protozoa. An advantage of Benzalkonium Chloride, not shared by alcohol based antiseptics or hydrogen peroxide antiseptic, is that it does not cause a burning sensation when to broken skin.

Since the 1990s, alcohol-based hand sanitizers have become the gold standard for quick disinfection. They are used daily by people looking for ways to avoid colds and flu. But they have an important drawback: although they kill most bacteria and viruses, they quickly evaporate and have no lasting effect. That means you can almost immediately pick up more germs from the next object you touch.