Quats are

• A. Quaternary ammonium compounds used as disinfectants
• B. A type of hand sanitizer
• C. A form of fragrance
• D. A salon cleaning cloth

Answer: (A)

Quats are quaternary ammonium compounds used as disinfectants. They’re cationic disinfectants applied to nonporous surfaces in salons and on select tools as specified by their labels. They work by disrupting microbial cell membranes, helping to kill many bacteria and some viruses when used at the proper dilution and contact time. They’re popular in salons because they’re relatively stable, less corrosive to metals, and effective on a range of surfaces. They are not hand sanitizers (which are formulated for skin) and they’re not fragrances or cleaning cloths. Always follow label directions for appropriate surfaces, contact time, and whether a particular quat is suitable for the tools you’re disinfecting, since efficacy can vary with use conditions.