Barbicide

{{Short description|Disinfectant used by barbers and cosmetologists}}

File:Barbicide.JPG

Barbicide is a disinfectant solution used by barbers and cosmetologists for disinfecting grooming tools such as combs and hair-cutting shears. Manufactured by King Research, it was invented in 1947 by Maurice King and marketed heavily around the United States by his brother James.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/22/nyregion/the-smithsonian-celebrates-barbicide-a-barbershop-germ-killer-born-in-brooklyn.html |title=The Smithsonian Celebrates Barbicide, A Barbershop Germ Killer Born in Brooklyn |access-date=2007-09-20 |last=Martin |first=Douglas |date=1997-06-22 |work=The New York Times |pages=2 |archive-url= |archive-date= }}

Barbicide is a United States Environmental Protection Agency–approved combination germicide, pseudomonacide, fungicide, and a viricide effective against HIV-1, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Its active ingredient is alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (5.12% by volume); sodium nitrite and blue dye are also present.{{cite web

|url = https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/000954-00011-20150406.pdf

|title = US EPA, Pesticide Product Label, BARBICIDE, 04/06/2015

|page = 2

|publisher = EPA

|date = April 6, 2015

}}

Barbicide is sold as a concentrate diluted for use in a ratio of {{Convert|2|oz}} of Barbicide concentrate mixed into {{Convert|32|oz}} of water,[https://www.barbicide.com/barbicide-and-its-proper-use/ Barbicide FAQ] with each stylist having a container for treating their own tools.

At one time, several U.S. states legally required barber shops to use Barbicide and according to the maker, two states continued to in 1997. A jar of Barbicide sits on display in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History.