A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Hospitals are held to a higher standard when it comes to cleanliness, which is why you need their disinfecting secrets—especially right now.
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These days, it’s not enough to buy any old cleaning products. You need the right ones to combat coronavirus in addition to all of the other viruses, bacteria, and assorted germs out there—or, more specifically, in your home. That’s why it’s smart to look at items that hospitals use.
After all, hospitals are held to a higher standard regarding cleanliness and safety, says Bill Klehm, HouseCheck CEO and founder of StayHealthy’s CovidClean website. “Hospital disinfection products control the spread of bacteria and viruses because they perform as a biocide (germ killer) and a virucide (removes a virus’ ability to infect people),” he explains. “These products are EPA-registered, strictly tested, and have published efficacy claims suitable for hospital sanitation.”
So, what exactly qualifies as hospital-grade? “The best disinfectants for viruses are alcohol, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and quaternary ammonium compounds,” says Melissa Homer, Chief Cleaning Officer of MaidPro. “These are active ingredients in the most common products on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) list of registered disinfectants against coronavirus.” Although they can be extremely hard to track down, you can still find some online—and you may even already have some at home.
A favorite of professional cleaning experts, CaviWipes1 are EPA-approved for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and they’re both a biocide and a virucide. Even better? “Because these wipes are made of synthetic fibers, they will not react with the active chemical disinfectant, quaternary ammonium, so the disinfectant will retain 100 percent of its potency,” says Klehm.
But, of course, you need to use them correctly in order for them to work correctly. For that to happen, you have to pre-clean surfaces before applying. “It’s imperative to remember that the effectiveness of the wipes will also decrease drastically (from 100 percent to as little as 12 percent) if the surface is not cleaned with soap and water first,” stresses Klehm. “If used on an unclean surface, the detritus on the surface (aka bioload) will interact with the active chemical and reduce its efficacy.”
Generally used as a disinfectant in hair salons to keep tools and equipment germ-free, Barbicide was recently put on the EPA’s List N, a compilation of disinfectants that the EPA believes will be effective against coronavirus. While List N products haven’t been specifically proven to combat it, they have been proven effective against harder-to-kill viruses and other similar human coronaviruses. Klehm and his company also give Barbicide, along with the other products on List N, the thumbs-up. A word of caution, though: Many online reviewers warn that direct exposure to Barbicide can damage skin, so wear protective clothing when using it. In case you were wondering, this is the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting.
Designed for everything from hospitals and other health care settings to schools and locker rooms, this disinfectant will certainly do the job on your germy house. Its non-acidic formula is generally used for bathrooms. Not only has it been approved by the EPA for coronavirus, but it’s also been proven to kill HIV, staph, salmonella, E. coli, MRSA, and more. Just make sure to leave it on long enough; Klehm says Diversey’s dwell time is ten minutes. Plus, he adds, no matter what disinfectant you use, “remember that when you wipe off the disinfectant, you should never rub back and forth in circles. Remove the disinfectant with a microfiber cloth in a single wiping motion like left to right and then left to right.”
Nope, this product doesn’t have any disinfectant built into it, but it’s an essential part of a thorough cleaning process in medical facilities, says Cory Chalmers, CEO of Steri-Clean. These commercial-grade, machine-washable microfiber cloths should be used in conjunction with soap and water or an alcohol- or bleach-based product to pre-clean a surface and remove biofilms before proper disinfecting can happen. Paper towels don’t do the job as effectively. “Microfiber cloths do the best job at picking up germs and leave no dust bunnies behind, which could actually hold germs and leave them behind,” Chalmers explains. “Plus, they reduce cross-contamination, use less water and chemicals, and are easier and lighter to use, therefore saving both time and money.”
“Many people don’t realize that not all cleaning products are disinfectants, and that’s an important distinction: The EPA requires that disinfectants kill 99.9 percent of germs,” says Jeanne Breen, MD, a Connecticut-based infectious disease physician and researcher. “Always check the label to make sure it states that the product is an EPA-registered disinfectant.” Force of Nature is a relative newcomer that fits the bill and has the added bonus of being non-toxic. “The disinfecting ingredient is hypochlorous acid, an antimicrobial common in wound healing products. It kills germs and is very gentle,” says Dr. Breen. “Plus, it’s on the EPA’s list of disinfectants for use against SARS-CoV-2. I like that it’s so versatile—I can use it in the kitchen, in the bathroom, and on multiple types of surfaces.”
Not only can this ready-to-use disinfectant dispel germs on hard, non-porous surfaces, but it can also be used on most fabrics. “It’s on the EPA N-list, and it’s effective against a wide variety of pathogens including SARS-CoV-2,” says Cody Millsap, vice president of franchise development for Stratus Building Solutions. Used in hospitals, as well as schools and other institutions, it also fights bacteria, fungus, mold, and mildew. One caveat: This particular bottle doesn’t come with a spray trigger, but you can buy a chemical-resistant one to start spritzing and make cleaning easier.
Yes, you have to do a little work, but it’s really just a little. Straight-up bleach should be diluted with water: 1/3 cup of bleach per gallon of water, to be exact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the EPA. Then, advises Homer, spray it on any pre-cleaned surface, let it sit for ten minutes to fully disinfect for coronavirus, and then let it air-dry. But, she adds, you’ll only get “a full germ kill on a surface that has already been cleaned with soap and water first.” Whatever you do, though, never mix bleach with ammonia: Combining them creates a toxic gas called chloramine, which can cause coughing, breathing problems, and chest pain.
Odorless and budget-friendly, your basic 70 percent rubbing alcohol does a great job of disinfecting surfaces. And all you have to do is pour it into a spray bottle and spritz it around high-traffic areas in your home. “It has a kill time of two to three minutes, but I like to leave it up to five minutes just to be on the safe side,” says Alon Feld, district manager of All Bright Professional Services. Commonly used in health care facilities on surfaces and on small non-critical items, according to the journal Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, it actually works better when there’s a lower concentration of alcohol in it (hence, the 70 percent). Why? Because alcohol with higher concentrations evaporates more quickly and therefore doesn’t dwell on the surface long enough. Here are another 15 ways to use rubbing alcohol.
If you don’t have any rubbing alcohol on hand, 3 percent hydrogen peroxide is a solid backup—and it’s super inexpensive. However, Feld notes, it takes longer to work. In fact, while rubbing alcohol can kill coronavirus germs in five minutes or less, you’ll need to leave this on for 20 minutes. Yes, it’s a long time, but it’s good in a pinch when so much is sold out, and it doesn’t have a strong odor like bleach does. So, set your alarm and tackle some other cleaning projects while it’s working its magic. Plus, Feld adds, “there’s no need to [thoroughly] wash it off; a wipe-down is enough.”
While it might not be the coveted Lysol wipes or aerosol spray you were hoping to get your hands on, it’s still an excellent disinfectant—and you can still get it. “Coronavirus or not, it is always important to disinfect your toilet because human waste is still one of the biggest sources of infection there is,” says Homer. “Most Lysol bowl cleaners are already coronavirus-ready and work great.” The active ingredient in most Lysol toilet bowl cleaners is benzalkonium chloride, though some formulations use bleach and hydrogen peroxide. Here’s what kills bacteria—and what doesn’t.
You may have never heard of it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not good. Thymol, an all-natural disinfectant derived from thyme oil (yes, as in the thyme in your spice rack), was recently given the EPA’s stamp of approval against coronavirus. According to Michael Rubino, president of the cleaning company All American Restoration, there are two standout products on the market that contain thymol: Concrobium Broad Spectrum Botanical Disinfectant and Benefect Decon 30. While the latter is currently sold out, you can still get your hands on Concrobium.
Using a botanical product like this has some serious perks, too. Aside from being effective, it doesn’t carry a toxic-exposure risk because it’s chemical-free. In fact, you can enter the space where you’ve used it almost immediately without being overcome by noxious fumes. “Our team has used these botanical products to disinfect places like ob-gyn and pediatric offices since children are often around these places and we don’t want to risk their exposure to more abrasive disinfectants,” says Rubino.
For more strategies to stay safe through any season, see our comprehensive Coronavirus Guide.
When looking for the best hospital-grade cleaning supplies, here are a few key features to consider before purchasing.
Rachel Sokol is a longtime contributor to Reader’s Digest and is an expert in writing cleaning and health round-ups. She’s curated shopping guides for over 20 years.
Bill Klehm, HouseCheck CEO and founder of StayHealthy’s CovidClean website, shared his expertise on COVID protocols and hospital-grade cleaning supplies certifications.
We also consulted Melissa Homer, the Chief Cleaning Officer of MaidPro. MaidPro is a professional house cleaning and maid service company that offers customized cleaning plans tailored to client’s specific needs. MaidPro is known for its commitment to quality, using environmentally friendly cleaning products and offering a 49-Point Checklist that ensures thorough cleaning in every room of the house.
To find the best hospital-grade cleaning supplies, we consulted with experts and considered each cleaner’s efficacy and disinfection power, compliance with healthcare standards, compatibility with surfaces and environmental considerations. We also researched top cleaning brands with hospital-grade products. From there, we tested several options and analyzed customer reviews to finalize this list.
Hospitals use EPA-registered disinfectants, including hydrogen peroxide, Clorox Healthcare, chlorine, disinfecting wipes and iodophors, to keep buildings bacteria-free.
Hospital-grade disinfectants are EPA-registered cleaning solutions that kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi on surfaces. These cleaners are also used on medical equipment to ensure they stay sanitary for treatment and adhere to rigorous infection control standards.
