Can surfactants kill bacteria
Surfactants themselves are not fungicides, but they can help clean and remove bacteria in some cases, indirectly playing a certain bactericidal role. The main function of surfactants is to reduce surface tension, allowing water to better moisten and penetrate into the small bumps on the surface, thereby helping to clean and remove dirt and bacteria.
However, surfactants do not have the function of directly killing bacteria. To achieve the goal of completely killing bacteria, it is usually necessary to use specialized fungicides or disinfectants. These fungicides may include chlorides, peroxides, alcohols, phenols, etc., and have bactericidal effects on bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
In some cleaning products, surfactants may be used together with fungicides to achieve a dual effect of cleaning and disinfection. For example, in some detergents, cleaning agents, and personal care products, antibacterial agents may be added to ensure that the product has a certain bactericidal effect during use.
Overall, surfactants can help remove bacteria during the cleaning process, but to achieve thorough bactericidal effects, specialized bactericidal products or formulas need to be used.