Materials that will be used during surgery must be sterile and free of all living microorganisms, be they bacteria or viruses. The same does not hold true of surfaces, which are continually exposed to the environment, making it impossible for us to sterilize them. The most we can do with surfaces is to reduce the microbial burden to a level that will significantly reduce the chance that there will be an infection caused by microorganisms on hands or surfaces. This is where disinfectants enter the scene. Disinfectants come in various forms for various purposes. They also have varying abilities to decrease the number of viable organisms present. Here are some helpful tips and points to keep in mind as you consider the right tool for your surface disinfection needs.