Antiseptic vs. Disinfectant
The main difference between Antiseptic and Disinfectant is that Antiseptic is the chemical agent that we apply on the living tissues, whereas Disinfectant is the chemical agent that we apply on the non-living materials.

Key Differences
Hospitals or the healthcare centers are the common places at which antiseptics are present; on the other hand, public places or homes are the common places at which disinfectants are present.
The chemical agent that we can apply on the living tissues is known as an antiseptic agent, whereas the chemical agent that we can apply on the non-living materials is known as a disinfectant.
Antiseptics are involved in cleaning surgical sites and wounds so that we can prevent them from infection and other complications; on the flip side, disinfectants are involved in inhibiting the growth of microorganisms that exist at the surfaces of non-living things.
An antiseptic is referred to as a safe chemical agent; on the other hand, disinfectants are not considered as safe chemical agents.
The transportation of antiseptics occurs through the lymphatic system, and thus they destroy bacteria that are present within the human body: on the other hand, disinfectants are considered to interfere with the metabolism of the microbes that are present on the surface of the tangible objects or are involved in the destruction of the cell wall of microorganisms.
Antiseptics consist of the cold sore, mouthwash, and the creams that are involved in the treatment of yeast infection: on the other side, disinfectants contain the products that are involved in the cleaning of houses and public places.
Antiseptics are the chemical agents that are considered to be used in humans and animals, while disinfectants are the chemical agents that are considered to be used for the non-living materials like furniture and the other items of our houses.
Antiseptics are the chemical agents that are referred to as harmless chemical agents for humans and animals: on the flip side, disinfectants are the chemical agents that are referred to as harmful chemical agents for humans and animals.
Comparison Chart
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The chemical agent that we can apply to the living tissues is known as an antiseptic agent.
The chemical agent that we can apply to the non-living materials is known as a disinfectant.
Present At
Hospitals or the healthcare centers are the common places at which antiseptics are present.
Public places or homes are the common places at which disinfectants are present.
Involved In
Antiseptics are involved in cleaning surgical sites and wounds so that we can prevent them from infection and other complications.
Disinfectants are involved in inhibiting the growth of microorganisms that exist at the surfaces of non-living things.
Consists Of
Antiseptics consist of the cold sore, mouthwash, and the creams that are involved in the treatment of yeast infection.
Disinfectants contain products that are involved in the cleaning of houses and public places.
Destruction of Micro-Organisms
The transportation of antiseptics occurs through the lymphatic system, and thus they destroy bacteria that are present within the human body.
Disinfectants are considered to interfere with the metabolism of the microbes that are present on the surface of the tangible objects or are involved in the destruction of the cell wall of microorganisms.
Usage
Antiseptics are considered to be used in humans and animals.
Disinfectants are considered to be used for the non-living materials like furniture and the other items of our houses.
Effect
Antiseptics are referred to as harmless chemical agents for humans and animals.
Disinfectants are referred to as harmful chemical agents for humans and animals.
Safe Chemical Agent
An antiseptic is referred to as a safe chemical agent.
Disinfectants are not considered as safe chemical agents.
Antiseptic and Disinfectant Definitions
Antiseptic
Capable of preventing infection by inhibiting the growth of infectious agents.
Disinfectant
An agent, such as heat, radiation, or a chemical, that is applied to inanimate objects to destroy, neutralize, or inhibit the growth of disease-carrying microorganisms.
Antiseptic
Devoid of infectious agents; aseptic.
Disinfectant
Serving to disinfect.
Antiseptic
Of or associated with the use of antiseptics.
Disinfectant
Serving to kill germs or viruses.
I washed repeatedly with a disinfectant soap but I still caught the flu.
Antiseptic
Devoid of enlivening or enriching qualities
"This is ... not at all lighthearted or amiable music. In fact, the tone is unremittingly sober and antiseptic" (Donal Henahan).
Disinfectant
A substance that kills germs and/or viruses.
The scalpels were soaked in disinfectant before the operation so disease wouldn't be spread.
Antiseptic
Free of disturbing or unpleasant features; sanitized
An antiseptic version of history.
Disinfectant
That which disinfects, especially an agent for killing or removing the microorganisms which cause infection. Commonly used disinfectants are chlorine, sodium hypochlorite solution, hydrogen peroxide, and alcohol.
Antiseptic
A substance that prevents infection by inhibiting the growth of infectious agents.
Disinfectant
An agent (as heat or radiation or a chemical) that destroys microorganisms that might carry disease
Antiseptic
Of, or relating to antisepsis, or the use of antiseptics.
Disinfectant
Preventing infection by inhibiting the growth or action of microorganisms
Antiseptic
(pharmaceutical effect) Capable of preventing microbial infection.
Antiseptic
Very clean; aseptic.
Antiseptic
Free of unpleasantness; prim, sanitized or bowdlerized.
Antiseptic
(pharmaceutical drug) Any substance that inhibits the growth and reproduction of microorganisms. Generally includes only those that are used on living objects (as opposed to disinfectants) and aren't transported by the lymphatic system to destroy bacteria in the body (as opposed to antibiotics).
Antiseptic
Counteracting or preventing putrefaction, or a putrescent tendency in the system; antiputrefactive.
Antiseptic
A substance which kills or retards the growth of microorganisms, especially when used for protection against infection; a substance which prevents or retards putrefaction, or destroys, or protects from, putrefactive organisms; as, carbolic acid, alcohol, cinchona, and many other agents sold commercially.
Antiseptic
A substance that destroys micro-organisms that carry disease without harming body tissues
Antiseptic
Thoroughly clean and free of or destructive to disease-causing organisms;
Doctors in antiseptic green coats
The antiseptic effect of alcohol
It is said that marjoram has antiseptic qualities
Antiseptic
Clean and honest;
Antiseptic financial practices
Antiseptic
Freeing from error or corruption;
The antiseptic effect of sturdy criticism
Antiseptic
Made free from live bacteria or other microorganisms;
Sterilized instruments
Antiseptic
(extended sense) of exceptionally clean language;
Lyrics as antiseptic as Sunday School
Antiseptic vs. Disinfectant
An antiseptic is considered to be applied to the body. Disinfectants, on the other hand, are considered to be applied to the nonliving materials like handrails and countertops.
During surgery, an antiseptic is applied by the doctor to the surgical site on a person’s body; on the flip side, a disinfectant is used to sterilize the operating table. Antiseptics generally have a lower concentration of biocides as compared to the disinfectants.
Antiseptics are referred to as harmless chemical agents for humans and animals; on the other side, disinfectants are referred to as harmful chemical agents for humans and animals. Antiseptics play an important role in destroying and killing the microorganisms inhabiting on living tissues. Disinfectants, on the flip side, are involved in inhibiting the growth of microorganisms at the surfaces on which they are applied.
What is Antiseptic?
An antiseptic is considered as an antimicrobial substance that is applied by people to open wounds. It is believed that its usage lessens the risks of infection and is also involved in minimizing the possibility of a lot of other complications. Because of the medicinal properties of antiseptics, they have the ability to enter the lymphatic system of the patient and destroy the bacteria that are present within the body.
We generally find antiseptics in the healthcare centers and hospitals for cleaning purposes. There are a lot of uses of antiseptics that include the cleaning of wounds, the preparation of a site before a surgical procedure, or an injection. They also have a usage in disinfecting the furniture surfaces and the instruments.
Antiseptics are suggested as harmless chemical agents for humans and animals. They are involved in cleaning surgical sites and wounds so that we can prevent them from infection and other complications. In hospitals, antiseptics are used by medical professionals for hand scrubs and rubs.
An antiseptic is referred to as a safe chemical agent. But if we left the diluted antiseptics on the skin for long periods of time, then it can cause irritation. We called this type of irritation as the irritant contact dermatitis.
What is Disinfectant?
Disinfectants are considered as the chemical substances that are applied to non-living objects or surfaces to get rid of micro-organisms by inhibiting their growth. They are involved in sterilizing the surfaces to prevent the spreading of bacteria and germs to people. They are mainly used for cleaning purposes in kitchens, bathrooms, and floors.
Disinfectants are not considered as safe chemical agents. The disinfectant like hydrogen peroxide is used in health care settings and also in the hospitals for cleaning rooms and surgery tools. Bleaches, oxidizing agents, and alcohols are considered as the most common disinfectants. It is referred to as that we may not eliminate all the micro-organisms by the disinfectants.
It becomes difficult to kill the micro-organisms that become resistant to the disinfectants. In this condition, disinfectants are only involved in the reduction of the micro-organisms to a certain level so that they could not bring harm to the quality of the perishable products and also to the health of the people. For maximum results, we use the disinfectants of higher concentration. They are referred to as very toxic and injurious chemical agents when we apply them to living tissues.