As we all stay home to help flatten the curve and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2), we’re paying extra attention to how we sanitize our homes. For many, we’re wondering which cleaning products are proven to kill the coronavirus.
Research suggests that the virus is mainly spread from person to person through respiratory droplets. But, it’s still important that your household cleaning routine consists of sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces, especially high-use ones like light switches, doorknobs, countertops, remote controls, and the like. This is particularly important if you live with someone who is suspected or confirmed to have coronavirus.
But not just any old cleaner will do. To protect yourself against coronavirus, pick a household cleaner that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved to kill the virus—and then to follow the manufacture’s rules exactly.
First Step: Use Soap
The CDC has approved a variety of disinfectants to combat coronavirus, including store-bought products and those made from common household goods, like bleach. But, let’s start with the basics: soap and water.
Homeowner Insights: If your cleaning routine could use a boost, you’re not alone. In a national survey by the American Cleaning Institute cited in This Old House Magazine, 77 percent of respondents said they do some form of deep cleaning—yet many admit they’re not necessarily doing it right, or doing enough. Only 13 percent said they pay special attention to germ-ridden spots like kitchen garbage and recycling bins, which are exactly the overlooked areas where a first pass with soap and water matters most.
A thorough cleaning with good ol’ soap and water is the first step to sanitizing your home against coronavirus. This is because grime and other substances can neutralize the active ingredients in disinfectants to be used afterward, rendering them ineffective.
Pro Tip: Repair Clinic pro Chris Zeisler recommends tackling greasy gunk on kitchen surfaces with hot, soapy water as a first pass—appliances that are cleaned inside and out will work better and last longer. This soap-and-water step is especially important before applying a disinfectant, since grease and residue can prevent disinfecting agents from making full contact with the surface.
Which Cleaning Products Kill Coronavirus?
The CDC has been compiling a list of household cleaners that are approved to kill the novel coronavirus. “List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2,” includes cleaners that have been proven effective against other human viruses similar to the current coronavirus, and also against viruses that are harder to kill than it is.
Note: Many common household cleaning products don’t have an EPA registration number. If a product doesn’t have a number, that means it hasn’t been evaluated and its effect on the coronavirus is unknown. In this case, it’s best to seek out a product that has been approved.
To find out if a cleaning product is on the list of approved coronavirus disinfectants, first locate the product’s EPA registration number, which can be found on the label. (Look for the words “EPA Reg. No.”), then enter the first two sets of that number in the searchable online database.
If the product appears on the list, then it’s EPA-approved to kill coronavirus. If it doesn’t, it means it hasn’t yet been reviewed or it’s not approved.
Can Common Household Disinfectants Kill Coronavirus?
The CDC confirms that solutions made from common household cleaning products such as bleach or isopropyl alcohol are also effective against coronavirus. Here’s how to use them:
- Bleach: Mix four teaspoons bleach into one quart of water (or five tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water). Let the solution sit on the surface for at least one minute (some independent experts suggest much longer—up to 10 minutes) before wiping away. Do not mix bleach with anything other than water; doing so may cause a very dangerous (potentially deadly) reaction. Additionally, make sure to use a bleach solution only in a properly ventilated area; if you start to feel dizzy, nauseated, or have trouble breathing, get some fresh air. If symptoms are severe or lasting, call Poison Control at 1-(800) 222-1222 no matter where you are in the US.
- Isopropyl alcohol: Use a solution of at least 70 percent alcohol; apply undiluted and let sit at least 30 seconds.
Pro Tip: Keep in mind that not all bleach products are created equal. Chlorine bleach is the go-to for hard, nonporous surfaces, but it can discolor fabrics and weaken fibers. For soft surfaces like upholstery or rugs, This Old House cleaning experts have noted that powdered oxygen bleach is a gentler alternative—though it’s not an EPA-registered disinfectant for coronavirus. Stick with standard household chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) for disinfecting hard surfaces.
Do Lysol Products Kill Coronavirus? (And Other Questions About Specific Brands)
List N is not an exhaustive list of disinfectants recommended for use against coronavirus, and more products are being added to it on a regular basis. However, the following well-known products have been approved:
- Certain Lysol® Brand products, such as their Kitchen Pro Antibacterial Cleaner, their All-Purpose Cleaner, and others
- Krud Kutter Heavy Duty Cleaner & Disinfectant
- A variety of Rust-Oleum brand cleaners, such as Mean Green Anti-Bacterial Multi-Surface Cleaner, Mean Green Pine Power, and Moldex Disinfectant Concentrate
- Concrobium Broad Spectrum Disinfectant
- Germ Away
Pro Tip: When using disinfecting wipes or sprays on household surfaces, pay special attention to frequently touched areas. According to a University of Arizona study referenced in This Old House Magazine, a child can carry a virus home from school and spread it to nearly 60 percent of household surfaces. Phone receivers, doorknobs, light switches, and countertops should be your primary targets for disinfection.
Follow Instructions Exactly As They Appear
To ensure effectiveness, it is critical to follow the cleaning instructions exactly as they appear on the label, including whether the product should be wiped off (and after how long) or allowed to air dry.
Only use products on their intended surfaces (for example, Lysol shouldn’t be used on painted wood). Wear gloves and other recommended safety gear, and make sure you have proper ventilation. Also, remember not to mix different cleaning products as the results can be harmful.
Pro Tip: When disinfecting, always follow the product’s label directions—particularly the recommended contact time, which is how long the surface needs to stay visibly wet for the disinfectant to be effective. As noted on Clorox disinfecting products featured in This Old House Magazine, these products should be used as directed on hard, non-porous surfaces for best results. For wood surfaces like butcher blocks or hardwood countertops, check that your disinfectant is safe for the finish; Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, for example, are safe on polyurethane-treated wood, but you should always test a small area first.
How Long Can Coronavirus Survive on Surfaces?
It’s important to keep in mind that we are still learning a lot about Coronavirus, including specifics about how it spreads and how long it lasts on different surfaces.
Research published in The New England Journal of Medicine determined that the virus was detectable on cardboard for up to 24 hours and on plastic and stainless steel for up to 72 hours.
When disinfecting hard surfaces like stainless steel and plastic—where research shows the virus can persist longest—use a 1-to-4 solution of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water applied with a lint-free cloth, then follow with a dry cloth. For heavily soiled areas, clean first to remove visible grime, then apply your disinfectant, since dirt and organic matter can reduce a disinfectant’s effectiveness.
All the more reason to exercise an abundance of caution and continue to clean and disinfect on a regular basis.
