7 Disinfecting Products to Keep Your Home Germ-Free
Whether you look forward to your daily or weekly cleaning rituals or you're a master procrastinator, cleaning your home is a necessary part of life. Not only is it a scientifically proven mood booster, but it can also help keep you and your loved ones healthy.
In order to kill potentially harmful germs in your home, sometimes cleaning requires more than warm water and soap. That’s where these powerful disinfecting products come into play. You likely already have a cleaning caddy filled with supplies that advertise their ability to sanitize and disinfect, but it’s important to understand the difference between the two types of cleaners.
Related: Here’s Everything You Need to Clean After the Flu (and How to Disinfect Your Home)
Sanitizing reduces the number of germs on a surface to a safe level, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, proper disinfecting kills the germs, lowering the risk of spreading infection. That’s why the CDC recommends disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, like countertops, doorknobs, and light switches. You can do this by using common cleaning products from brands like Purell, Clorox, and Lysol, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approves for protection against emerging enveloped viral pathogens, like the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
While many cleaning supplies are quickly selling out due to the current coronavirus outbreak, you can still shop for many of them online. Here are 10 of the best household disinfectants to buy right now.
Multi-Surface Disinfectants
All-Purpose Bleach Spray
Clean, disinfect, and deodorize indoor and outdoor surfaces with this all-purpose bleach spray from Clorox. It kills nearly 100% of viruses and bacteria on surfaces and removes stains with ease.
Buy It: Clorox Clean-Up All Purpose Cleaner with Bleach Twin Pack, $6, Walmart
Disinfectant Spray
This fresh-smelling spray disinfects both hard and soft surfaces. Use it to kill a majority of illness-causing germs on everything from kitchen counters to couches. It also eliminates mildew and mold.
Buy It: Lysol Disinfectant Spray 2 Pack, $11, Walmart
Multipurpose Cleaner
Microban Disinfectant Spray sanitizes, removes grease, and prevents mold and mildew. It also kills 99.9% of bacteria as well as cold and flu viruses and keeps surfaces sanitized for up to 24 hours.
Buy It: Microban 24 Hour Multi-Purpose Cleaner and Disinfectant Spray, $4, Walmart
Bathroom Disinfectants
Toilet Cleaner with Clinging Bleach Gel
This Clorox disinfectant keeps your toilet clean (and kills 99.9% of germs) with the help of bleach. Plus, it clings to surfaces 50% longer than Clorox’s classic toilet bowl cleaner to effectively remove stains, dirt, and grime.
Buy It: Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner Clinging Bleach Gel, $1.99, Target
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
This toilet bowl cleaner from Lysol removes stains in seconds, even pesky toilet bowl rings. It has an angled nozzle for easy use, and it will leave your toilet smelling fresh after it kills nearly 100% of viruses and bacteria.
Buy It: Lysol Complete Clean Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach Value Pack, $3.19, Amazon
Hand Soaps and Sanitizers
Liquid Hand Soap
Disinfect your hands with this lemon-scented soap from Mrs. Meyer’s. It’s made without parabens or phthalates and contains olive oil and aloe vera to moisturize skin.
Buy It: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Hand Soap, $3.99, Target
Antibacterial Wipes
These antibacterial hand wipes are great in a pinch. If you can’t get to a sink to thoroughly wash your hands, use them to kill 99.9% of germs. You can keep them in your car to stay clean on-the-go.
Buy It: Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes Canister, $2, Target
