We’ve compiled a list of the best disinfecting sprays for everything in your home, from clothes to counters.
See also: 13 Cleaning Products And Tools Making Your Life Easier
Interacting with others causes us to share bacteria, which makes the world germy. While some viruses, such the measles, flu, colds, and most recently, COVID-19, can be hazardous, other germs are good for our bodies.
Additionally, although not life-threatening, fungal infections like an athlete’s foot can be rather painful.
Different types of disinfecting cleaners are available and capable of killing bacteria. Many businesses interchangeably use the terms “antibacterial,” “sanitizing,” and “disinfecting.”
However, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration number, which guarantees the product has complied with EPA standards for germ-killing, is what counts. Without a number, you are wasting your time and money.
Aside from pine oil, quaternary ammonium compounds, sodium hypochlorite, phenols, and ethanol are essential substances to keep an eye out for. Different active substances kill various germs in different ways.
Which bacteria, fungus, and viruses a good disinfecting cleaner is designed to destroy will be listed on the container.
I will provide you with the disinfecting supplies that are the least difficult to use, least expensive, and least harmful to surfaces.
Here Are The Best Disinfecting Sprays Of 2022:
- Best for kitchen counters: PURELL Healthcare Surface Disinfectant Spray
- Best for laundry: Pharmapacks LYSOL Laundry Sanitizer
- Best for nonwashable goods: Lysol Sanitizing and Antibacterial Spray
- Best disinfecting wipes: Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, Bleach Free Cleaning Wipes
- Best for toilet bowls: Method Antibacterial Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Updated on 10/19/2022: Due to the novel coronavirus, many of these products often go in and out of sale, are available only for in-store pickup, or appear at prices above market retail.
The Best Overall
PURELL Healthcare Surface Disinfectant Spray
Bacteria often cause food-borne illnesses. Purell Professional Surface Disinfectant Spray kills bacteria without requiring you to rinse counters.
Pros: Does not require rinsing, safe for food contact, kills 99.9% of bacteria, EPA Safer Choice product
Cons: Hard to find in many mass-market stores
EPA registration number: 84368-1-84150
Among the numerous germs on our hands that we risk introducing into the kitchen, Salmonella and E. coli are only two of the bacteria frequently found in our food sources.
All EPA-registered disinfectants will eliminate such bacteria when used correctly, but additional rinsing is necessary if they are used close to where food is prepared. With the Purell Professional Surface Disinfectant Spray, rinsing is not required.
The EPA-designated product as a Safer Choice Product has a rapid kill time of only 30 seconds and dries quickly. It is also safe to touch almost immediately.
You don’t need to rinse a chopping board, a baby’s crib railing, or a chew toy—just spray it first.
It won’t deep-clean surfaces, but thanks to its revolutionary ethyl alcohol technology, it can be used on granite, sealed wood, plastics, and upholstery, killing germs on them.
I routinely use it on kitchen worktops, door and cabinet hardware, appliance handles, and touchpads since it thoroughly clean toys and every room in my house.
The product was first made available to the general public in 2016 and is available in 32-ounce spray bottles and a 1-gallon jug that can be used to replenish spray bottles.
It might be more challenging to locate at your neighborhood supermarket because it isn’t a typical consumer good.
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The Best For Laundry
Pharmapacks LYSOL Laundry Sanitizer
The athlete’s foot fungus continues to multiply in our damp clothes hamper for several hours after exposure to bacteria.
Lysol Laundry Sanitizer Additive will sanitize your laundry and not damage your clothes if you want a sanitizer.
Pros: Easy to use, kills 99.9% bacteria on fabrics, does not contain chlorine bleach.
Cons: Sensitive skin may react to dyes or scents, but they do make a Free & Clear version
EPA registration number: 777-128
While most germs and viruses spread from person to person, some can also spread via inanimate objects like clothing.
When someone in the household is ill or has a weak immune system, sanitizing laundry is crucial.
Additionally, safety measures should be taken by anyone dealing with young children or the healthcare industry, particularly during any local healthcare crisis.
It is common knowledge that hot water kills bacteria.
That isn’t always the case; our washing machines’ water doesn’t become hot enough either. Additionally, a lot of textiles can’t withstand hot water. Now what?
Although chlorine bleach is a powerful disinfectant, it cannot be used safely on colored clothing or synthetic fibers.
The time has come for Lysol Laundry Sanitizer Additive, which contains a phenolic disinfectant safe for use in any water temperature, in both conventional and high-efficiency machines, with any detergent, and on any washable cloth. Add it to the rinse cycle, ensuring it is set to run for at least 16 minutes.
Be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle properly since the product and water must be in touch with the fibers for a certain amount of time to be effective.
The Lysol Crisp Linen fragrance leaves a gentle, subtle perfume on the garments.
To prevent cross-contamination, I advise using it on any clothing worn close to the body, children’s clothing, and bed linens.
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The Best For Nonwashable Goods
Lysol Sanitizing and Antibacterial Spray
The Lysol Disinfectant Spray is available in several scents and kills 99.9% of bacteria on fabrics and hard surfaces.
Pros: Kills 99.9% of bacteria, disinfects fabrics and hard surfaces, and is available in a dozen scents
Cons: It does not come in an unscented formula, surfaces used for food preparation, and children’s toys must be rinsed before use.
EPA registration number: 777-127
Did a member of the household who was ill with the flu or a cold stay in bed or got out of bed to use the TV remotes and go to the kitchen to get a snack? If the latter, he most likely left some bacteria for the other people.
A quality disinfectant spray, like Lysol, is more than just an air freshener because it has the components needed to eliminate bacteria and is secure to use on soft surfaces and clothing.
Covering the surfaces with the mist and letting them stay wet for 30 seconds or up to 10 minutes is essential for adequate protection.
The spray’s active components take time to start working. The container lists the drying times for each virus.
After the Lysol has dried, rinse any surfaces you sprayed that will be used for food preparation with clean water. The same holds for any toys that kids might ingest.
There are many additional scents to pick from to safeguard your family if Crisp Linen is not your thing.
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The Best Disinfecting Wipes
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, Bleach Free Cleaning Wipes
Disinfecting wipes are primarily used to kill germs, but Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are also excellent cleaners.
Pros: Effective against 99.9% of bacteria
Cons: It does not come in an unscented formula, and must rinse down food preparation areas after use
EPA registration number: 5813-79
With the invention of disinfectant wipes, Clorox, a company well-versed in killing germs, greatly simplified life. The wipes provide a straightforward, less messy approach to cleaning surfaces without using liquids or cleaning supplies.
The Clorox Disinfecting Wipes absorb oily spills and gently scrape away dried-on stains, even though all Clorox wipes contain chemicals that destroy 99.9% of viruses and bacteria on hard surfaces.
When disinfecting a surface, I want the wipe also to clean it, and these wipes accomplish that.
Avoid using one Clorox wipe to clean the entire kitchen or bathroom to achieve the maximum disinfection effect.
Use one wipe in the bathroom for the area around the sink. Grab one more for the bathroom and one more for the shower. There must be enough disinfectant left on the surfaces to eliminate the bacteria effectively.
To maximize the effectiveness of the disinfectant, let the area air dry after wiping it down.
They can be used on granite, acrylic, and even sealed hardwood floors without risk. After the disinfectant has dried, all surfaces used for food preparation should be washed with simple water.
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The Best For Toilet Bowls
Method Antibacterial Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Keeping the toilet bowl clean shouldn’t take more time than necessary. It is possible to clean and disinfect the toilet simultaneously with Method Antibacterial Toilet Cleaner.
Pros: Kills 99.9% of bacteria and removes toilet bowl stains, squeeze dispenser, and fresh spearmint scent.
Cons: Refillable bottle does not remove hard water stains and mineral deposits
EPA registration number: 75277-2
With the invention of disinfectant wipes, Clorox, a company well-versed in killing germs, greatly simplified life. The wipes provide a straightforward, less messy approach to cleaning surfaces without using liquids or cleaning supplies.
The Clorox Disinfecting Wipes absorb oily spills and gently scrape away dried-on stains, even though all Clorox wipes contain chemicals that destroy 99.9% of viruses and bacteria on hard surfaces.
When disinfecting a surface, I want the wipe also to clean it, and these wipes accomplish that.
Avoid using one Clorox wipe to clean the entire kitchen or bathroom to achieve the maximum disinfection effect.
Use one wipe in the bathroom for the area around the sink. Grab one more for the bathroom and one more for the shower. There must be enough disinfectant left on the surfaces to eliminate the bacteria effectively.
To maximize the effectiveness of the disinfectant, let the area air dry after wiping it down.
They can be used on granite, acrylic, and even sealed hardwood floors without risk. After the disinfectant has dried, all surfaces used for food preparation should be washed with simple water.
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Disinfectant Spray Vs. Disinfectant Wipes
When choosing between disinfectant spray and wipes, consider the quality of your disinfectant wipe.
How well your wipes work depends on the quality of the wipe, but most brands you’ll find in the shops can do a great job.
You should give your surfaces a good clean with soapy water first, though, because disinfectant wipes can’t always cut through dirt and grime to do their job.
If it’s grubby, use a disinfectant spray and a microfiber cloth.
Disinfectant wipes aren’t the perfect cleaning solution – there are many cons to using them.
You shouldn’t clean soft surfaces with disinfectant wipes because the fabric will soak up the moisture from the wipe and won’t stay wet long enough for the chemicals to work.
Wipes work better on non-porous surfaces, such as steel and plastic. Lauren recommends using baby wipes to get rid of stains on fabric instead.
F.A.Q
Question: What does “dwell time” mean when cleaning?
Answer: Rosie-certified partner, Hospitality Bio Cleaners’ spokesperson Nick Jara, explains that cleaning for a healthy environment to remove potentially harmful pathogens is a bit more detailed than spraying and wiping.
“The amount of dwell time that a disinfectant or sanitizer must be in contact with the surface, and remain moist, to achieve the product’s advertised kill rate,” according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Different disinfectants target a wide array of different pathogens. The surfaces these pathogens inhabit also vary greatly.
It is essential to note the target pathogens and the corresponding dwell times. Some products may have dwell times of only seconds, while others may require up to 10 minutes or more before they achieve the desired pathogenic control. Read the product’s label before disinfecting.
Question: What is the best process for disinfecting a room?
Answer: If you need to clean something more than a tabletop or kitchen counter and want to disinfect your entire dining room or bathroom, you should work from top to bottom using the cleaning process described above for maximum efficacy.
Using the dry-to-wet cleaning process from the top of the room or environment to the floors will ensure you are not contaminating an area just cleaned by mistake.
Question: What are the best tools for disinfecting?
Answer: The tools you use to clean are just as important as the cleaning solution and the methodology for cleaning.
A pressure sprayer is an excellent tool for applying chemical disinfectants. These allow cleaning solutions to be applied to small and large areas faster.
There are also sprayers made specifically for foaming solutions, which can be very effective for use with vertical surfaces that require dwell time.
If you are using wiping cloths or scrub brushes, be sure to either properly dispose of or clean and disinfect them when you are done so they will be ready for the next time you clean.
Wear reusable or disposable gloves for routine cleaning and disinfection. This will protect your hands from the chemicals and keep your skin free of contamination.
Consider eye protection to avoid splash hazards. Ensure adequate ventilation. Inhaling the fumes from the various chemicals can be harmful.
Question: How important is it to follow the manufacturer’s label?
Answer: The short answer? Very.
If you are using an EPA-registered disinfectant, read the product label. First, it will tell you that using this product in a manner it was not intended for is a violation.
Second, it instructs you to clean the surface and let it air dry. Finally, some stubborn or extra dirty areas will tell you to use enough of the product to make the surface visibly wet for four minutes and let the surface air dry.
Skipping the appropriate dwell time will affect the results, reducing the number of bacteria killed.
Do not use more than the recommended amount on the label. And never use a cleaning product in a manner it was not intended for. Just because you think the surface is ‘extra dirty’ doesn’t mean you should use twice the amount recommended.
Avoid mixing chemical products. Don’t use bleach and disinfect wipes together. The potential chemical reaction could be deadly.
Finally, ensure your chemical products are labeled appropriately, stored away from children and pets, and in an appropriate climate.
Last update on 2024-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
