OxiTab: the safer, faster Barbicide alternative for salons, spas & barbershops.
The two names you hear most often in salons, spas, and barbershops. We compared both head-to-head on:
- Cost per gallon
- Pathogen coverage
- Kill times
- Safety & PPE
- Storage & shelf life
Trusted by the pros who value Safety for clients, staff & the environment
OxiTab vs Barbicide, at a glance.
The four numbers that matter most. If you only read one block on this page, read this one.
Most pathogens neutralized in under 5 minutes.
Less than half the cost of Barbicide, every gallon.
Including C. diff, Ebola, TB, and Candida auris.
Non-hazardous. Mild scent. No gloves, no goggles.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Every row backed by manufacturer specs or third-party testing. Sources listed in the references section.
| Feature | OxiTab | Barbicide | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per gallon | $1.50 | $3.32 (121% higher) | OxiTab |
| Active ingredient | NaDCC -> HOCl (Hypochlorous Acid) | Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats) | OxiTab |
| Pathogen coverage Including C. diff, Ebola, TB, Candida auris |
20+ pathogens | Limited (HIV, HBV, HCV, SARS-CoV-2, MRSA, VRE, fungi) | OxiTab |
| Kill times | 1-4 minutes for most pathogens | 10 minutes for most pathogens | OxiTab |
| Safety | Non-hazardous, no PPE needed, mild scent | Hazardous Quats, PPE required, strong odor | OxiTab |
| Post-use | No wipe needed (air dry) | Wipe/rinse required | OxiTab |
| Storage & transport | Lightweight tablets, recyclable packaging | Heavy non-recyclable jugs | OxiTab |
| Environmental impact | Eco-friendly, no rust inhibitors | Contains rust inhibitors (hazardous masking agents) | OxiTab |
| EPA Lists | N, K, Q, M, L | N only | OxiTab |
What you save with OxiTab.
Run the numbers for your shop. You don't just save money — you also get a non-hazardous disinfectant with a 1–4 minute kill time vs Barbicide's 10 minutes.
OxiTab monthly cost
Barbicide monthly cost
EPA & State Board Registered. Non-Hazardous.
OxiTab is EPA registered, State Board-Approved for licensed beauty professionals, and classified non-hazardous.
Safe for clients, staff, the environment, and everyone in between.
Barbicide is a hazardous Quat. OxiTab is non-hazardous HOCl — the same molecule your immune system makes — safe to use around everyone in the room and gentle on the planet.
Safe for clients
No chemical odor, no PPE on display, no irritation on skin or scalp after services. Just a mild “sea breeze” scent.
- Non-irritating to skin & eyes
- No harsh fumes during services
- Approved kill claims for HIV, HBV, HCV
Safe for staff
Use it bare-handed. No goggles. No respirator. No daily exposure to Quats linked to work-related asthma.
- No PPE required for normal use
- Non-hazardous — lighter SDS profile
- No corrosive splash or vapor risk
Safe for the environment
No hazardous residues, no rust inhibitors, no heavy jugs piling up in landfill. One lightweight tablet replaces gallons of liquid concentrate.
- Recyclable tablet packaging
- No persistent Quats in waste streams
- Lighter shipping — lower carbon footprint
Which one fits your use case?
Not every product is right for every environment. Here's where OxiTab pulls ahead.
Salons & hair
No PPE, no rinse, no chemical-soaked smocks. Disinfect combs, shears, and stations in 1-4 minutes.
Barbershops
Faster turnaround between clients. Will not corrode metal tools the way Quats do over time.
Spas & nail studios
Mild sea-breeze scent vs Barbicides strong chemical odor - better for client experience.
Nail techs & estheticians
Disinfect implements, files, and treatment beds between clients. Approved kill claims for fungal pathogens (Trichophyton, Candida).
The verdict: OxiTab beats Barbicide on every count.
Cost. Safety. Kill time. Pathogen coverage. Packaging. OxiTab wins each one — which is exactly why salons, spas, and barbershops are switching every day.
OxiTab
Sustainable · Effective · Simple · Affordable
- Faster — 1–4 min kill time on most pathogens
- Broader pathogen coverage (20+ incl. C. diff, Ebola, TB, Candida auris)
- Cheaper — about half the cost per gallon
- Safer — non-hazardous, no PPE required
- Sustainable — recyclable tablet packaging, minimal waste
- No wipe-down needed — just air dry
Barbicide
Limited · Slow · Hazardous · Expensive
- Slower — 10-minute dwell time on most pathogens
- Limited spectrum (no C. diff, no TB, no Candida auris)
- More expensive long-term (~$3.32 per gallon)
- Hazardous Quats — gloves & eyewear required
- Non-recyclable plastic jugs in hazardous packaging
- Requires wipe-down or rinse after every use
OxiTab = Sustainable · Effective · Simple · Affordable
Frequently Asked Questions
Real questions we hear from buyers comparing OxiTab to Barbicide.
How much bacteria and viruses does OxiTab kill compared to Barbicide?
OxiTab covers 20+ pathogens — including C. diff, Ebola, TB, Candida auris, and emerging viral pathogens — that Barbicide doesn't claim to kill. Beyond raw count, OxiTab also reaches kill times of 1–4 minutes for most pathogens, vs Barbicide's 10-minute dwell time. For high-touch beauty environments, that means broader protection, faster client turnover, and less time waiting for tools or surfaces to be ready.
How much space can I save when storing OxiTab?
A lot. One small container of OxiTab tablets makes dozens of gallons of working solution — the same coverage Barbicide requires multiple heavy non-recyclable jugs to provide. Tablets are lightweight, retain potency for up to 3 years sealed, and the packaging is recyclable. Most salons and spas reclaim significant back-of-house and supply-closet space when they switch.
How long does an OxiTab solution last once mixed?
Stable up to 2 weeks in sealed containers. Use within a day for compliance, but OxiTab is far more stable than bleach or Quats - so you waste less.
How long does Barbicide solution last?
Must be replaced daily, per EPA label.
Do I need to wipe surfaces after using OxiTab?
No - air dry is fine. Only rinse on food-contact items.
Do I need to wipe surfaces after using Barbicide?
Yes - wipe/rinse required; potable water rinse on food-contact items.
Is OxiTab safer than Barbicide for daily use?
OxiTab uses NaDCC to generate Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl). It is non-hazardous, requires no PPE, and has a mild scent. Barbicide is Quat-based and has been linked to work-related asthma.
Will OxiTab damage my shears, combs, or metal tools?
No. Barbicide contains a rust inhibitor specifically because Quats can corrode metal over time. OxiTab needs no rust inhibitor.
References
- EPA Pesticide Product Label System - Barbicide Registration. ordspub.epa.gov
- CDC - Chemical Disinfectants (Infection Control). cdc.gov
- EPA List N - Disinfectants for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). epa.gov
- EPA Pesticide Labels (how to find/verify labels). epa.gov/pesticide-labels
- CDC/NIOSH - Work-related asthma exposures (includes quaternary ammonium compounds). cdc.gov/niosh
- CDC Disinfection Guideline - overview & safety considerations. cdc.gov
- Block MS, Rowan BG. Hypochlorous Acid: A Review. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2020. PMC7315945
- Antimicrobial efficacy, mode of action and in vivo use of hypochlorous acid. NIH/PMC, 2023. PMC10073986
This comparison is for informational purposes and reflects publicly available data at the time of publication. Always follow product labels and consult your local regulations for disinfection protocols. OxiTab is an EPA-registered product; results depend on contact time and dilution.