The active ingredient in the Zonitise antimicrobial forms a colourless, odourless, positively charged, polymer, which chemically bonds to the surface to which it is applied. Think of this antimicrobial shield as a layer of many electrically charged swords of nitrogen which attract the negatively charged cells of microbes. When a microorganism comes in contact with the treated surface, the "quat" or "sword” punctures the cell membrane and the electrical charge shocks and kills the cell. Since nothing is transferred to the now dead cell, the antimicrobial doesn’t lose its strength and the sword is ready for the next cell to contact it. Normal cleaning of treated surfaces is still necessary to prevent the build-up of dirt, dead microbes, etc. which could cover the “swords”, prohibiting it from killing microorganisms. Zonitise has a suite of recommended products for maintaining Anti-microbial efficacy of the coating.