Colognes: The Unsung Disinfectant Heroes?

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a surge in demand for hand sanitizers and disinfectants. With hand sanitizers flying off the shelves, people have been looking for alternatives, and one of the most common suggestions is perfume or cologne. But does it really work? Well, it's a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, perfumes and colognes typically contain a high percentage of alcohol, which is effective in killing viruses, bacteria, and fungi. However, there are some important caveats to consider. Firstly, perfumes and colognes are not specifically designed for disinfection, and their effectiveness may vary. Secondly, they should not be used on open wounds or mucous membranes as they can cause tissue damage and delay healing. Lastly, the cost of using perfumes or colognes for disinfection may be prohibitive, and they may not be as effective as regular handwashing with soap and water. So, while cologne can technically be used as a disinfectant in certain situations, it is not a perfect substitute for commercial disinfectants or proper hand hygiene.

Turkish Kolonya as disinfectant

Turkish kolonya is a traditional disinfectant with a high alcohol content—usually around 80%—that can be used for skin and hand disinfection. It is often used after shaving to prevent skin redness, shaving burn, and pimples. It is also used to disinfect wounds, though this can be painful.

Kolonya is typically fragranced with citrus, and it is customary for hosts to offer it to guests as they arrive, pouring a few drops into their hands. It is also commonly used on long bus journeys in Turkey, with crew members offering it to passengers.

Kolonya was developed in Germany in 1709 and brought to the Ottoman Empire in 1882 by the perfumer Ahmet Faruki. It is still widely used in Turkish households, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when hand sanitiser was in short supply.

While kolonya can be an effective disinfectant, it should not be used on open wounds or mucous membranes. It is also not recommended for sterilising medical equipment, as certain viruses are immune to ethyl alcohol.

Cologne as hand sanitiser

Cologne can technically be used as a hand sanitiser, as it often contains over 60% alcohol, which is effective in killing many types of viruses, bacteria and fungi. However, it is not recommended as a replacement for hand sanitiser.

Effectiveness

Cologne can be effective at protecting against viruses such as Covid-19 because it contains a high percentage of alcohol, which breaks down the hard shell of the virus. However, it is important to note that cologne should only be used as a disinfectant on non-critical items such as tabletops and other external surfaces.

Safety

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has laid out guidelines for disinfectants, which include properties such as being fast-acting, non-toxic, surface compatibility, and being easy to use. Cologne is not placed on the market as a disinfectant or hygiene product and is not tested as such. Therefore, it is not recommended for use as a hand sanitiser.

Cost

The amount of cologne required to be effective as a disinfectant would be much higher than the amount of hand sanitiser required, making it a costly alternative.

Alternatives

It is recommended to use hand sanitiser or wash your hands with soap and water where possible. In the absence of hand sanitiser or soap and water, a good rinse of the hands with plain water is likely to be as effective as spraying them with cologne.

Disinfecting clothes with cologne

While cologne can be used as a disinfectant, it is not recommended to use it on clothes. The amount of cologne needed to disinfect even a single piece of clothing would be very high, making it an unviable option.

Cologne typically contains more than 60% ethyl alcohol, which is a potent virucidal and bactericidal agent. This means it is effective against various common viruses and bacteria. However, it should only be used to disinfect non-critical items such as tabletops and other external surfaces.

If you are looking to disinfect your clothes, it is best to use soap or detergent along with water. You can also try the following methods to remove strong perfume odours from clothing:

• Airing out the clothes: Hang the scented clothing in a warm, breezy room with lots of leafy plants. The time needed to air out the clothes depends on how saturated they are with scent, ranging from a few hours to a couple of weeks.
• Soaking the clothes: Soak the clothes in warm water with one cup of baking soda before washing. Repeat the airing, soaking, washing, and drying cycle if necessary.
• Vinegar in the rinse cycle: After washing the clothes, add at least 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle and let the laundry soak for an hour before completing the cycle.
• Dry and air out the clothes: Dry the clothes in fresh air and sunlight, as this will help remove the odours.
• Store the clothes properly: If you don't have time to clean them, place the fragrant garments in a sealed container with baking soda, which will absorb the odours.

It is important to note that spraying cologne directly on clothing can be harmful to some fabrics and may cause staining or discolouration.

Cologne's effectiveness against viruses

Colognes can be effective against viruses, but their effectiveness varies depending on the type of virus.

Most colognes contain more than 60% ethyl alcohol, which is a potent virucidal and bactericidal agent. Ethyl alcohol acts as a dehydrating agent, denaturing the proteins in the microorganism and destroying its cellular structure. This makes colognes effective against various common viruses and bacteria.

However, in a study by the Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine in Germany, ethanol (the active ingredient in ethyl alcohol) was found to be ineffective against certain viruses, such as the polio virus, Calci-virus, Hepatitis A virus, and foot and mouth virus.

Additionally, colognes may not be as effective as other disinfectants due to their lower alcohol content. For example, hand sanitizers typically contain 60-95% alcohol, while colognes usually contain around 60-85% alcohol.

Furthermore, colognes are not recommended for use on open wounds or mucous membranes as they can cause tissue damage and a severe burning sensation. They are also not suitable for sterilizing medical equipment or objects.

In summary, while colognes may have some effectiveness against certain viruses, their antiviral properties are limited, and they should not replace specialized disinfectants or hand sanitizers.

• Colognes typically contain over 60% ethyl alcohol, which has virucidal properties.
• Ethyl alcohol disrupts the cellular structure of microorganisms, making it effective against common viruses and bacteria.
• However, ethanol was found ineffective against certain viruses in a German study.
• Colognes have lower alcohol content than specialized disinfectants and hand sanitizers, which may limit their effectiveness.
• Colognes should not be used on open wounds or mucous membranes due to potential tissue damage and irritation.
• They are also not suitable for sterilizing medical equipment.

Cologne's effectiveness against bacteria

Colognes, like perfumes, are often made with a mixture of perfume oils and alcohol. The perfume oil content can vary from 3% to 30% and the alcohol content from 60% to 85%. The alcohol in colognes is usually ethyl alcohol or ethanol, which is a known disinfectant.

Due to the high alcohol content, colognes can be effective against common bacteria. Ethyl alcohol acts as a bactericidal agent by rupturing the outer membrane of the cell of the micro-organism and exposing its internal contents, thereby killing the micro-organism.

A study by the University of British Columbia tested the antimicrobial activity of 25 commercial fragrances, including colognes, against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The results showed that several fragrances were able to kill the microorganisms, with some fragrances showing a synergistic effect when combined.

However, it is important to note that colognes should not be used on open wounds or mucous membranes as they can cause tissue damage and a severe burning sensation. Additionally, colognes should not be used for sterilisation as they are not effective against certain viruses and spores.

Frequently asked questions