Do Lysol Disinfecting Wipes Kill COVID-19?

Few things feel more awful than getting over a cold just to get sucked right back into sickness. And with COVID-19, you can get it more than once, including back-to-back infections, if your immune system is unable to steer clear of the virus.

As the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 can survive on other surfaces for days, keeping your environment clean is key to preventing the virus from spreading and reducing your chances of reinfection.

But which disinfectant wipes work best? Can Lysol® really kill COVID-19 when it’s lingering in the air or on your bedside table? Or are there other products out there you can turn to that will help disinfect your home from COVID-19 and other infectious germs?

Infectious disease specialist Carla McWilliams, MD, answers these questions and explains what you should know about disinfecting wipes, including how to use them safely and effectively.

What are disinfecting wipes?

These disposable cleaning wipes have a germ-killing solution on them. “They’re designed to kill viruses and bacteria on hard surfaces like doorknobs, counters, TV remotes and even phones,” says Dr. McWilliams. They don’t work on soft surfaces like clothing or upholstery, but disinfecting sprays use similar germ-killing solutions, some of which can be used on soft surfaces like couches, mattresses or pet beds.

The germ-killing ingredient on disinfecting wipes is a chemical pesticide, so you shouldn’t use them directly on your skin. You also shouldn’t use them on food (for example, don’t clean an apple with one before you eat it).

The word “pesticide” may be concerning, but don’t panic. As long as your disinfecting wipes or sprays are registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), they’re safe to use as directed.

Does Lysol kill COVID-19?

Early in the pandemic, the EPA approved two disinfecting products that were tested in a lab and proven to kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19: Lysol Disinfecting Spray and Lysol Disinfecting Max Cover Mist. Although these were the first products approved by the EPA to kill COVID-19 in 2020, the EPA has since approved more than 500 disinfecting products for use on home surfaces that can kill and stop the spread of COVID-19.

Now, some products online and in the store will claim to have disinfecting properties without actually having the right ingredients. You can know for sure which products are the best disinfectant for COVID-19 by checking the EPA’s website and searching for specific products that are registered COVID-19 disinfectants or by reading the product labels and seeing which viruses it’s been tested to target

Lysol Disinfecting Wipes, for example, have been proven to target specific COVID-19 variants after just 15 seconds of use on hard surfaces like doorknobs, countertops, windowpanes, bed frames and booster seats.

“The label will tell you what germs the disinfecting wipes can kill, so look for the COVID-19 virus on the label,” advises Dr. McWilliams. “There are hundreds of EPA-registered disinfectants that can kill the COVID-19 virus. Don’t worry about one particular ingredient or brand. Just read the label.”

Disinfecting wipes vs. antibacterial or sanitizing wipes

Disinfecting wipes are for hard surfaces in your home. If your wipes say “sanitizing” or “antibacterial,” they’re probably for your hands.

“Antibacterial wipes kill bacteria, not viruses,” clarifies Dr. McWilliams. “They’re usually for your hands, but read the directions to be sure. And COVID-19 is a virus, not bacteria, so antibacterial wipes may not kill it. That’s why reading the label is so important.”

Sanitizing wipes may be alcohol-based wipes for your hands, or they could be disinfecting wipes for surfaces. Read the label so you know what you’re getting.

How to use disinfecting wipes the right way

Disinfecting wipes contain chemicals, so they have safety steps to follow. Use them as directed to make sure those unwelcome germs are gone for good.

• Check for EPA approval. Look at the fine print on the package. EPA-approved products have a long EPA registration number on them. You can also search the EPA’s website for this number to get more information on what viruses or bacteria these products protect against. If it doesn’t have EPA approval, don’t use it.
• Read the directions and warnings. With all the different products out there touted as a COVID-19 disinfectant, it helps to know what you’re working with. In products that are highly concentrated or used for non-residential purposes, you need to wear gloves to protect your skin. The directions also tell you what to do if you accidentally get some of the cleaning solutions in your eyes.
• Remove visible gunk or dirt first. Use a rag with soap and water or paper towels if you have other debris to clean off of a hard surface first. Most COVID-19 disinfectants work best when they’re left on a hard surface for a set period of time, so you want the surface you’re cleaning to be clear of any crust, crumbs, gels or goo. The directions should indicate the contact time, which is the amount of time that you should leave the disinfectant on the surface without drying or rinsing it. Don’t touch it until that contact time is up.
• Toss disposable gloves or wash reusable ones. Wash your hands with soap and water after removing them or after handling COVID-19 disinfecting wipes, especially if you plan on handling food.
• Put the disinfecting wipes away when done. Keep them out of reach of children and pets.

After the contact time is up, you can rinse off the disinfectant if you wish. “Definitely rinse it off if the surface will come into contact with food,” Dr. McWilliams advises. “You don’t want to accidentally ingest the disinfectant.”

Are COVID-19 disinfecting wipes safe?

If you follow the steps above, they are. But stick with one product. Mixing two different household cleaners — even so-called natural cleaners — can create toxic fumes. These fumes can cause:

• Wheezing.
• Coughing.
• Trouble breathing.
• Eye, nose, throat and lung irritation.
• Nausea.
• Pneumonia.

If you’re exposed to cleaning fumes from mixing chemicals, get everyone out of the house. If anyone feels unwell, get them medical care or call emergency services.

Can I just use soap and water?

Maybe you want to clean the old-fashioned way. Do you really have to use a COVID-19 disinfectant, or will a rag and some soapy water be enough?

According to guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as long as no one with COVID-19 is in your home, washing surfaces with water and soap or detergent once a day is a sufficient first step to keeping germs at bay. But there are still reasons to use disinfecting sprays or wipes when COVID-19 is involved according to the CDC says, including:

• Someone in your home may have been exposed to COVID-19 or has tested positive for COVID-19.
• Members of your household are immunocompromised or belong to groups at high risk of contracting COVID-19.
• If there’s a high COVID-19 case rate in your community.

“Using disinfectant ingredients is important in protecting your home if someone brings COVID-19 into your home,” Dr. McWilliams says. “There’s nothing wrong with soap and water for everyday cleaning. But in certain cases, disinfectant is better at killing all the germs than when you clean with soap and water alone.”

What about bleach?

Bleach is a notorious germ-killing machine. But it’s also very harsh.

“Bleach is effective if you dilute it correctly,” says Dr. McWilliams. “Don’t use it full strength. But even diluted, it can ruin surfaces and fabrics, so it’s not practical in many cases.”

Some COVID-19 disinfecting wipes contain bleach as their active ingredient. Check the label. Never mix bleach with other cleaners or chemicals, including natural cleaning products.

Cleaning is good, but it’s not a cure-all

COVID-19 has made us hyperaware of germs. Cleaning once a day with soap and water is a good approach, and wiping your household surfaces with EPA-approved disinfecting wipes as needed is a sure-fire bet to making sure you reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the possibility of reinfection.

But cleaning alone can’t keep COVID-19 away. What will is making sure you’re up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccines.