COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT TOILET CLEANERS

Abstract

Toilet cleaners are vital for maintaining hygiene and preventing the transmission of infectious diseases. This study compared the antimicrobial efficacy of three widely used commercial cleaning agents (CA) against bacterial contaminants isolated from toilet environments. A total of 20 samples were collected from toilet seats both before and after the application of the cleaning agets. Bacterial species were isolated and identified using standard microbiological techniques. The efficacy of each cleaner was determined by comparing the frequency and types of bacterial isolates before and after treatment. Prior to cleaning, multiple bacterial species were identified, with Escherichia coli showing the highest occurrence 7 (23%), followed by Shigella at 6 (20%), Klebsiella spp. 5 (17%), Pseudomonas spp. 5 (17%), Staphylococcus spp. 4 (13%), and Proteus 3 (10%). Following the application of cleaners, the microbial load significantly decreased, leaving only three persistent isolates: Pseudomonas spp. and Klebsiella spp. 5 (35%) each, and Staphylococcus aureus 4 (30%). Among the agents tested, CA1 (sodium hypochlorite-based) demonstrated the highest efficacy, achieving near-complete eradication. CA2 (hydrochloric acid-based) and CA3 (sodium hypochlorite-based) showed moderate efficacy, with some bacterial persistence observed. The findings emphasize the need for regular evaluation of cleaning products and practices to ensure effective microbial control and minimize the risks of bacterial persistence in toilet environments.