The most commonly used solution to disinfect surfaces and the environment is a dilute solution of bleach. Are ready-to-use products labeled as fungicidal equally good at controlling Microsporum or Trichophyton spores isolated from cat hair?
In a study funded by the Winn Feline Foundation and Maddie’s Fund, researchers tested eight different commercial disinfectants. From the study abstract:
Eight commercial disinfectants were tested in vitro
for fungicidal efficacy using three different trials and a 10 min
contact time, as follows: a standard 1:10 spore dilution suspension
test; 1 and 5 mL of disinfectant solution applied to contaminated gauze
fabric; and, to simulate home use, one and five sprays of disinfectant
applied to contaminated gauze. Good efficacy was defined as a product
that completely inhibited growth.
[…]All products completely inhibited growth in the suspension test. Four of
eight products showed complete inhibition of growth of both pathogens on
the textile test after 1 mL or one spray; however, all eight products
showed complete inhibition of pathogen growth after 5 mL or five sprays.
Karen A. Moriello, Darcie Kunder and Hanna Hondzo; “Efficacy of eight commercial disinfectants against Microsporum canis and Trichophyton spp. infective spores on an experimentally contaminated textile surface.” Veterinary Dermatology 17 SEP 2013 DOI: 10.1111/vde.12074