When it comes to sanitizing, knowing how to use Steramine is crucial, but so is knowing how to store it safely. Whether you’re keeping a box in your restaurant kitchen or pantry at home, storing your Steramine properly ensures it stays effective and ready to use whenever needed.

In this guide, we’ll cover the best practices for storing both Steramine tablets and Steramine solutions.

Why Proper Sanitizer Storage Matters

Steramine tablets are made with quaternary ammonium compounds, more commonly called “quats”, which are powerful sanitizers designed for food-contact surfaces. Like many disinfectants, quats can lose their effectiveness if exposed to heat, moisture, or sunlight for an extended period.

This means that if you don’t store your Steramine correctly, the tablets may not dissolve properly or may not provide the full 200 ppm sanitizing strength you’re aiming for.

Once the Steramine tablets are mixed into the solution, the clock starts ticking. Unlike the dry product, which has a 10-year shelf life, Steramine solution should be replaced regularly to maintain food-safe standards.

5 Rules for Storing Steramine Tablets

Steramine is amazingly stable and safe when stored properly. In fact, Steramine tablets can last up to 10 years if kept sealed, cool, and dry. Follow these 5 golden rules to get the most from them:

1. Keep them cool and dry

Store Steramine tablets at room temperature, ideally between 60–75°F. Avoid hot kitchens, damp basements, or anywhere moisture might creep in.

2. Avoid direct sunlight

Bright light and heat can speed up chemical breakdowns. Keep Steramine in a closed cupboard away from windows.

3. Keep them in the original box

Keep Steramine in its original packaging where the label instructions are always visible. This prevents mix-ups and protects against contamination.

4. Seal the container tightly

If you store your box of Steramine tablets in an air-tight tub for added protection, make sure the lid is always snapped on securely.

5. Keep away from children and pets

Like any cleaning product, Steramine should be stored out of reach in a secure cabinet.

How to Store Steramine Solution

Here’s where Steramine differs from many other products: while the tablets last for years, the solution has a much shorter lifespan.

Once mixed with water, Steramine solution should:

• Be used within 24 hours.
• Be tested regularly with QUAT test strips to confirm that you’re maintaining the 200 ppm concentration recommended by the FDA.
• Be replaced immediately if it becomes cloudy, dirty, or falls below 200 ppm.
• Be stored in clean containers only; ideally the containers should be labeled and reserved only for use with sanitizing solution.

Remember: Don’t try to stretch your Steramine solution over multiple days. While the liquid may look fine, it may not be sanitizing effectively, which puts food safety at risk.

What Not to Do

Just as important as the “dos” are the “don’ts.” Avoid these common mistakes that can shorten the life of your Steramine, whether dry or mixed:

• Don’t store Steramine tablets near stoves or ovens as heat accelerates degradation.
• Don’t leave Steramine solution uncovered – evaporation and contamination reduce effectiveness.
• Don’t refrigerate or freeze. Moisture will damage the tablets, and cold storage doesn’t extend the solution’s life.
• Don’t mix Steramine with other chemicals like bleach, soap, or acidic cleaners.

Order Steramine and Test Strips Online

Whether you’re managing a busy commercial kitchen or sanitizing at home, keeping your supply closet full is key. Stock up on Steramine tablets here, and don’t forget to order your QUAT test strips to make sure every batch is mixed to the right strength.