Disinfectants:

The chemical substances that are employed to kill microorganisms although they cannot be applied on living tissues are known as disinfectants. Hence, disinfectants as well kill micro organisms but these are not safe for living tissues. Disinfectants play a major part in water treatment and in public health sanitation. These are majorly applied to inanimate objects like instruments, floors etc.

Similar substance can act as disinfectant also antiseptic depending on its concentration. For instance, a 0.2% solution of phenol works as antiseptic and its 1% solution work as disinfectant.