Originally published July 2021. Updated November 2026.
When we first wrote this article in July 2021, Malaysia was in lockdown and the world was in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hand sanitizer sat by every door, and wiping down surfaces had become a daily ritual for homes and businesses alike.
The pandemic is now behind us, but the lessons it taught about hygiene have stayed. Flu, colds, stomach bugs and hospital-acquired infections never went away. What changed is that people now notice, and expect, clean and safe shared spaces. So the importance of sanitization has not faded. The way we do it has simply moved forward.
What the pandemic taught us about surface hygiene
COVID-19 made one thing very clear: germs travel on the surfaces we share. Door handles, lift buttons, counters, handrails and shared devices are touched dozens or hundreds of times a day. Each touch is a chance to pick up or pass on a pathogen.
It also showed the limits of relying on people alone. Even the most careful cleaning routine can’t keep up with a busy reception counter or a hospital bed rail between wipes.
Cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting: what’s the difference?
These three words are often used as if they mean the same thing, but they don’t.
- Cleaning physically removes dirt, grease and some germs from a surface. It lowers their number but doesn’t kill them.
- Sanitizing reduces bacteria, mould and viruses on a surface to a safer level, usually with an alcohol-based product.
- Disinfecting destroys or deactivates a wider range of pathogens, and is the standard expected in healthcare settings.
For real protection, you need cleaning first, then sanitizing or disinfecting. A dirty surface shields germs from the product you apply. (More quick cleaning tips here.)
The limitation of wipe-and-spray sanitization
Traditional sprays and wipes work at the moment you use them. Once the surface dries and the next person touches it, it can be contaminated again. In high-traffic spaces, that can happen within minutes.
That gap between cleaning cycles is where most cross-contamination happens. It is also why hospitals and facility managers are now looking at surfaces that keep working between cleans.
The next step: self-disinfecting surface coatings
A self-disinfecting coating adds a lasting protective layer to a surface, so it continues to act on pathogens long after cleaning is done.
IGL Titan is IGL Coatings’ self-disinfecting coating. It uses titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalytic nanotechnology to create an active layer that:
- Destroys viruses, bacteria, mould and fungi that come into contact with the surface
- Provides continuous protection throughout the day
- Lasts up to 10,000 scrub cycles, thanks to IGL’s Activ-Tough technology
- Resists everyday commercial and household cleaners, including alcohol and peroxides
- Works on glass, metal, plastic, vinyl, fabric and coated surfaces
- Is non-toxic, VOC-free and eco-friendly
Many photocatalytic coatings wear off quickly with touch and cleaning. IGL Titan was built to stay put on the surfaces people touch most.
Trusted on medical equipment in NSW Health hospitals
In February 2025, Australian medical equipment supplier JB Medical Equipment adopted IGL Titan as part of its successful tender with NSW Health. After an extensive review of available solutions, it chose IGL Titan for its proven efficacy, safety profile and durability.
IGL Titan is now applied to high-touch medical equipment supplied to NSW hospitals and healthcare settings, including:
- Hospital bed rails, headboards and side panels
- Wheelchair armrests, seats and push handles
- Walking frames and rollators
- Commodes and bathroom aids
- Patient transfer equipment
- IV poles and trolleys
- Control panels on pressure care equipment
For a coating, there are few tougher tests than a hospital ward. Read the full NSW Health announcement here.
Where self-disinfecting coatings make the biggest difference
The same technology protecting hospital equipment in Australia can be used anywhere people share surfaces:
- Hospitals, clinics and aged care facilities
- Schools, universities and childcare centres
- Offices, co-working spaces and meeting rooms
- Lifts, escalator handrails and public restrooms
- Restaurants, cafés and food courts
- Gyms and fitness centres
- Public transport and ride-hailing vehicles
- Homes with young children, elderly family members or pets
A simple three-step routine for safer surfaces
- Clean. Remove dirt and grease with a suitable cleaner.
- Sanitize. Use an alcohol-based surface sanitizer such as Ecoclean Pure, a plant-based, 75% alcohol formula that eliminates up to 99.99% of bacteria, mould and viruses.
- Protect. Apply IGL Titan to high-touch surfaces for continuous protection between cleans.
Coated surfaces should still be cleaned regularly. Everyday cleaners and diluted bleach are fine, but avoid concentrated bleach, as it can damage the coating.
Hygiene that keeps working
The pandemic made sanitization a habit. The next step is making surfaces that keep protecting people even when no one is cleaning them. Whether you manage a hospital, a school, an office or a home, IGL Titan and Ecoclean Pure give you a simple, safe way to get there.
Interested in IGL Titan for your facility? Request a quotation or become an IGL distributor in your region.
FAQS:
Is sanitization still important after COVID-19? Yes. Flu, colds, stomach bugs and hospital-acquired infections still spread through shared surfaces. Regular cleaning and sanitizing remain one of the simplest ways to reduce that risk.
What is the difference between cleaning and sanitizing? Cleaning removes dirt and some germs from a surface. Sanitizing reduces the bacteria, mould and viruses left behind to a safer level. You should always clean before you sanitize.
What is a self-disinfecting coating? It is a thin protective layer applied to a surface that keeps acting on pathogens between cleans. IGL Titan does this using titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalytic nanotechnology.
Is IGL Titan used in hospitals? Yes. Since February 2025, JB Medical Equipment has applied IGL Titan to high-touch medical equipment it supplies to NSW Health hospitals in Australia, including hospital beds, wheelchairs and IV poles.
How long does IGL Titan last? IGL Titan is designed to withstand up to 10,000 scrub cycles and resists most everyday cleaners, including alcohol and peroxides.
Do I still need to clean surfaces coated with IGL Titan? Yes. Keep cleaning coated surfaces regularly with everyday cleaners or a sanitizer like Ecoclean Pure. Avoid concentrated bleach, which can damage the coating.
