Barbicide vs MAXIcide: Which Salon Disinfectant Should You Use?
By Edmond Lin, over 10 years in the nail industry, M1 Nail & Beauty Supply, Markham ON · Last updated: November 14, 2026
Barbicide and MAXIcide are both Health Canada authorized disinfectant concentrates, and you mix and use them the same way: 62.5 mL per litre of water, then 10 minutes of full immersion. The difference is the formula and the company behind each one. Barbicide contains one quaternary ammonium compound at 5.12% and comes from King Research, based in Wisconsin. Salon Solution MAXIcide blends four quaternary ammonium compounds that add up to 1.70%, and the company behind it, based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, says it is manufactured in Canada. One mixing chart works for both. Just keep each jar to one product, and follow the label on the bottle you are using.
We sell both at our Markham store. Every specification below comes from the Health Canada market authorization for each product, the MAXIcide website and safety data sheet, or the Barbicide label; the links are under Sources.
In this guide
- Barbicide vs MAXIcide at a glance
- Are Barbicide and MAXIcide both approved in Canada?
- How do you mix MAXIcide? Can you use the Barbicide chart?
- Is Barbicide stronger because its percentage is higher?
- How much does each cost per litre of mixed solution?
- Can you mix Barbicide and MAXIcide in one jar?
- What can go in the jar, and what cannot?
- Which one should your salon use?
- How do you handle the concentrate safely?
- Frequently asked questions
- Related guides
Barbicide vs MAXIcide at a glance
| Barbicide | MAXIcide | |
|---|---|---|
| Health Canada number | 02245567 | 60000011 |
| Authorized under the Biocides Regulations | 17 December 2025 | 23 December 2025 |
| Authorization holder | King Research Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with an importer in Mississauga, Ontario | CBON Cosmetic Brands of North America Inc., Richmond Hill, Ontario |
| Active ingredient in the concentrate | Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, 5.12% | Four quaternary ammonium chlorides, 1.70% in total |
| Label claims | Hard surface disinfectant: bactericide, fungicide, virucide | Hard surface disinfectant: bactericide, fungicide, virucide |
| Dilution | 62.5 mL per 1 L of water | 62.5 mL per 1 L of water |
| Contact time | 10 minutes (30 seconds for human coronavirus) | 10 minutes |
| Ways to apply | Immersion, trigger spray, mop, wipe | Immersion, trigger spray, mop |
| Change the jar | Daily, or sooner if cloudy or dirty | Daily, or sooner when visibly soiled |
| Anti-rust | Sodium nitrite is in the formula | The label says "Anti-Rust Formula" |
| Hazard | Danger, corrosive: causes irreversible eye damage and skin burns | Danger, corrosive: causes serious eye damage and skin irritation |
| Sizes at M1 | 473 mL, 1.89 L | 1.89 L, case of 6 × 1.89 L |
Are Barbicide and MAXIcide both approved in Canada?
Yes. Both are listed as hard surface disinfectants in Health Canada's Market Authorized Biocides Database, and you can look either one up there by name or number.
The two numbers look different because the rules changed. On 31 May 2025 surface disinfectants started moving from the Food and Drug Regulations to the new Biocides Regulations, and products that already had a DIN have until 31 May 2029 to move over. Barbicide made the move in December 2025 and kept its old number, 02245567. MAXIcide was authorized as a new biocide the same month, so 60000011 has never been in the older Drug Product Database. Health Canada still requires the "DIN" designation on a disinfectant's label, which is why both bottles print "DIN" before the number.
One more difference in the paperwork: Barbicide's Canadian authorization was based on its existing approval from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. MAXIcide's was not a comparison application.
How do you mix MAXIcide? Can you use the Barbicide chart?
Yes. MAXIcide and Barbicide share the same ratio, 62.5 mL of concentrate per litre of water, which works out to roughly 1:16, or 2 oz in 32 oz. Every amount in our Barbicide mixing chart also works for MAXIcide. The common jar sizes:
| Water in the jar | Concentrate to add |
|---|---|
| 500 mL | 31 mL |
| 946 mL (32 oz) | 59 mL (2 oz) |
| 1 L | 62.5 mL |
The MAXIcide directions, step by step:
- Clean the tools thoroughly first. Both authorizations put cleaning before disinfection.
- Mix 62.5 mL of MAXIcide per litre of water in a disinfecting jar.
- Immerse the tools completely and leave them for 10 minutes.
- Take them out and rinse them once the 10 minutes are up. MAXIcide also says not to leave tools sitting in the solution for long periods.
- Make a fresh batch every day, and sooner if the solution looks dirty.
Barbicide follows the same steps. Its authorization says to rinse the Barbicide off after immersion and to dry the tools before you use them.
Is Barbicide stronger because its percentage is higher?
You cannot tell from the percentage. The 5.12% and 1.70% are strengths of the undiluted concentrate, and they describe different ingredients: one compound in Barbicide, a blend of four in MAXIcide. Health Canada authorized both for the same three claims (bacteria, fungi and viruses on hard surfaces) at the same dilution and the same 10 minutes. Neither label says it is stronger than the other.
What you control is the mix and the soak. Use the ratio and contact time on the label: extra concentrate or a shorter soak puts you outside the approved directions.
How much does each cost per litre of mixed solution?
Because the ratio is the same, a 1.89 L bottle of either product makes about 32 L of mixed solution (1.89 L of concentrate plus 30.24 L of water). Prices as of 14 November 2026, M1 shelf prices before any discount:
| Product | Price | Makes about | Cost per litre of mixed solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbicide 473 mL | $9.45 | 8 L | about $1.18 |
| Barbicide 1.89 L | $23.00 | 32 L | about $0.72 |
| MAXIcide 1.89 L | $19.95 | 32 L | about $0.62 |
| MAXIcide case of 6 × 1.89 L | $80.00 ($13.33 a bottle) | 193 L | about $0.41 |
A busy station that mixes a fresh 1 L jar every morning goes through about 62.5 mL of concentrate a day, so one 1.89 L bottle lasts about 30 working days. Check the product page for the current price and stock.
Can you mix Barbicide and MAXIcide in one jar?
No. Each authorization covers one formula at its own dilution, and a jar with both in it is a solution that neither label covers. To switch brands, empty the jar, wash and rinse it, then mix a fresh batch with the new product. Your routine stays the same: same ratio, same 10 minutes.
What can go in the jar, and what cannot?
Both products are for hard, non-porous items. The MAXIcide website lists shears and scissors, clippers and clipper parts, combs and brushes, razors, other reusable salon tools and hard work surfaces. Barbicide's authorization names brushes, combs, clipper blades, shears and razors. For a nail station, that means metal nippers, pushers and other implements, after a scrub.
Porous items such as nail files, buffers and wooden sticks are not hard, non-porous surfaces, so neither label covers them. Neither product is a sterilizer either: both are authorized as disinfectants only. If your public health unit requires sterilization for a tool, use sterilization equipment for that step.
Which one should your salon use?
- You already use Barbicide and your staff know the routine: nothing in either authorization makes you change. If you do switch, the ratio and timing stay the same.
- You want the lowest cost per litre at M1: MAXIcide, especially the case of six.
- You want a product made in Canada: MAXIcide says it is manufactured in Canada. Barbicide's authorization is held by a US company and lists a Canadian importer.
- You want to start small: the Barbicide 473 mL is the smallest bottle either brand sells at M1.
- You also disinfect surfaces with a spray bottle: both authorizations include trigger spray. Mix at the same ratio in a labelled spray bottle.
How do you handle the concentrate safely?
Both concentrates carry the signal word Danger and are corrosive. Both authorizations call for rubber gloves and eye protection while you handle the concentrate (see our glove guide), and both say to keep the bottle out of reach of children. MAXIcide adds that you should work in a well-ventilated area. Read the label on your bottle before you mix.
Frequently asked questions
Is MAXIcide the same as Barbicide?
No. They are different formulas from different companies: Barbicide uses one quaternary ammonium compound at 5.12%, and MAXIcide uses four that add up to 1.70%. They are mixed the same way, though, at 62.5 mL per litre of water with 10 minutes of contact time.
What is the MAXIcide mixing ratio?
Mix 62.5 mL of MAXIcide per litre of water, about 1:16 or 2 oz in 32 oz, then immerse clean tools for 10 minutes. It is the same ratio as Barbicide.
How often should you change MAXIcide in the jar?
Every day. MAXIcide says to prepare fresh solution daily, or sooner when it looks visibly soiled.
Is MAXIcide made in Canada?
The brand says it is manufactured in Canada. Its Health Canada authorization is held by CBON Cosmetic Brands of North America Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
Is Barbicide still approved in Canada?
Yes. Barbicide moved to the Biocides Regulations in December 2025 and is listed in Health Canada's Market Authorized Biocides Database under the same number, 02245567. The old Drug Product Database shows its DIN as "Cancelled (Transitioned To Biocides)", which records that move and does not mean the product was pulled.
Does MAXIcide stop tools from rusting?
The bottle says "Anti-Rust Formula", and the brand says it disinfects metal tools without unnecessary corrosion. Take tools out after the 10 minutes either way; MAXIcide advises against long soaks.
Shop disinfectants, jars and spray bottles for your station.
Shop disinfectantsRelated guides
- How to Mix and Use Barbicide: Ratio, Contact Time and What Not to Soak
- Latex, Nitrile or Vinyl Gloves: Which Disposable Glove for a Nail Salon?
Sources
- Health Canada, Market Authorized Biocides Database: Salon Solution Maxicide, 60000011, with the market authorization PDF (authorized 23 December 2025, amended 12 March 2026)
- Health Canada, Market Authorized Biocides Database: Barbicide, 02245567, with the market authorization PDF (authorized 17 December 2025, amended 21 October 2026)
- Health Canada: Guidance on the transition of disinfectants and surface sanitizers to the Biocides Regulations and its packaging and labelling section
- MAXIcide: product page, About Maxicide and safety data sheet (12 January 2026)
- Barbicide label directions as summarized in our Barbicide mixing guide
