The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we clean. We may be using different products or cleaning more often to help stop the spread of the virus. As we place a greater emphasis on cleaning, it’s important to note that a cleaning product does not work for every situation. Part of using a product safely and effectively is reading the directions and using the product as it’s intended. For example, you wouldn’t use a toilet bowl cleaner to wipe spaghetti sauce off your kitchen counter. The label will explain what a product is meant to do and how it should be applied. There are different cleaners for different surface types, and different cleaners require different contact times to get the job done.

Surface Types: Hard and Soft Surfaces

Hard surfaces are areas like bathroom and kitchen counters, door handles and light switches. The most common way to clean hard surfaces is by using a disinfecting spray or wipe.

Soft surfaces can include mattresses, carpets, pillows and even clothes. When it’s not possible to clean these items in the washer machine, use a disinfecting spray that is safe for fabric.    

Check the label to determine if a product can be used on a hard surface, soft surface, or both.

Contact Times: Cleaning versus Disinfecting

Cleaning and disinfecting are not the same and should not be used interchangeably. Cleaning removes dirt and the top layer of germs that may be living on surfaces. This makes homes look nice and reduces the risk of spreading bacteria and viruses; however, it does not necessarily kill them.  

When done properly, disinfecting kills 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses that live on bathroom and kitchen counters, door handles, light switches, the TV remote and even in the air.

Different products require different contact times to effectively disinfect. The directions will explain how long the surface needs to remain wet, which can vary between 30 seconds and 10 minutes, so the active ingredients have time to work.

To protect against COVID-19, use a disinfectant on the EPA’s List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-Cov-2. These products are registered with the EPA and have demonstrated efficacy against another human coronavirus or a harder-to-kill virus.   

While the directions may seem like commonsense, don’t overlook the label on your cleaning products because it provides important information about how to keep your family safe and your home clean. 

For more information, visit consumered.org/prepareforcoronavirus.