Zep Inc., a leading provider of professional-strength cleaning and maintenance products, announced today that its Zep Commercial® division is offering two disinfectants  for consumers that meet the criteria recommended by the Centers for Disease Control for the Ebola virus. These products are:

• Zep Commercial Quick Clean Disinfectant

• Zep Antibacterial Disinfectant Cleaner with Lemon

“Due to the public’s growing knowledge and concern about new severe health risks like Ebola, we’ve seen a consumer preference trend toward commercial-grade cleaning products,” said John Callahan, vice president of marketing for Zep Retail. “Zep’s commercial-strength reputation comes from its history of making products that clean the most highly contaminated areas – hospitals, airplanes, schools, hotels, public bathrooms, professional sports locker rooms.  Zep has the unique ability to bring the power of commercial-grade products to consumers.”

Zep has even created a new name for consumers who are interested in cleaning as effectively as professionals:  prosumers.  “The Zep brand has become synonymous with serious cleaning, when the health stakes are high.  That’s translating well right now given the cold and flu season, magnified by the awareness of new germs and viruses that pose serious risks.”

“The chemical composition of certain Zep products makes them capable of disinfecting both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, which is the recommended mix for fighting Ebola,” said Dr. Stanley Weller, chief technical officer and vice president of product research and development for Zep Retail.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Interim Guidance for Environmental Infection Control in Hospitals for Ebola Virus states: “As a precaution, selection of a disinfectant product with a higher potency than what is normally required for an enveloped virus is being recommended at this time. EPA-registered hospital disinfectants with label claims of fighting non-enveloped viruses (e.g., norovirus, rotavirus) are broadly antiviral and capable of inactivating both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses.” Although the label will not mention the Ebola virus, it will mention effectiveness against viruses such as norovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus, and/or poliovirus, and directions for use for these viruses must be followed. Zep products, such as Zep Commercial Quick Clean Disinfectant, are also specially formatted to make cleaning more efficient. Users simply spray or mop a hard, non-porous surface and then wipe after waiting a short but specific time needed to kill certain bacteria and viruses – from as quick as 5 seconds up to 2 minutes. Requirements on the time needed per bacteria or virus are clearly indicated on the product label.

Zep Commercial Quick Clean Disinfectant is the newest Zep cleaner now available to consumers.  It is sold in a 32-ounce spray bottle and a one-gallon container at hardware, select independent retailers and home improvement stores nationwide, including The Home Depot, Lowes and Tractor Supply Company. The 32-ounce spray bottle retails for an MSRP of $3.47 and the gallon size retails for an MSRP of $8.98. For more information, visit www.zepcommercial.com. 

About Zep Inc.

Zep Inc., with fiscal year 2013 net sales of approximately $690 million, is a leading consumable chemical packaged goods company selling a wide variety of high-performance chemicals that help professionals and prosumers clean, maintain and protect their assets. We are focused on the attractive industry dynamics of the transportation market and the industrial maintenance and repair operation ("MRO") market, which together now comprise approximately 60% of our revenue with the balance derived from sales into the facilities maintenance vertical. We market these products and services under well recognized and established brand names, such as Zep®, Zep Commercial®, Zep Professional®, Enforcer®, National Chemical™, Selig™, Misty®, Next Dimension™, Petro®, i-Chem®, TimeMist®, TimeWick™, MicrobeMax®, Country Vet®, Konk®, Original Bike Spirits®, Blue Coral®, Black Magic®, Rain-X®, Niagara National™, FC Forward Chemicals®, Rexodan®, Mykal™, and a number of private label brands. Founded in 1937, some of Zep Inc.'s brands have been in existence since 1896. Zep Inc. is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Visit our website at www.zepinc.com.