For most homes, routine cleaning is enough. Use soap or detergent and water on visibly dirty surfaces and regularly clean high-touch areas. Add disinfection when someone is sick or when a household member has a weakened immune system, following the product label exactly. Current guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dated January 31, 2025, no longer supports a universal daily COVID-19 disinfection routine.
Cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting are different
These terms describe different outcomes:
| Method | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | Removes dirt, impurities and most germs from a surface. | Routine household care and whenever a surface is visibly dirty. |
| Sanitizing | Reduces germs to levels considered safe by public-health standards. | Situations where a lower germ count is needed but full disinfection is not required. |
| Disinfecting | Kills most germs remaining on a surface or object. | When someone in the home is sick or a household member is at higher risk because of a weakened immune system. |
Clean before you sanitize or disinfect. Removing soil first lets the later treatment work as labeled.
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When should you disinfect surfaces at home?
Clean doorknobs, light switches, countertops, faucets, remote controls and other frequently touched surfaces regularly and after visitors. Clean other surfaces when they are visibly dirty or as needed. In an ordinary healthy household, CDC says routine disinfection is likely unnecessary.
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Use an EPA-registered disinfectant when someone is sick, or when a person with a weakened immune system lives in the home and additional germ reduction is appropriate. Choose a product whose label lists the surface you intend to treat.
#1 Best Overall
- LYSOL DISINFECTANT SPRAY: This household essential is tested and proven to kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria(1), including the Covid-19 virus, Hantavirus(5), Norovirus, and cold and flu(2). Perfect for any room, this Lysol spray will sanitize, disinfect, and deodorize your home.
- DISINFECTING AND SANITIZING SPRAY: Lysol disinfects hard non-porous contact surfaces and sanitizes soft surfaces. This multipurpose spray can be used in the home and kitchen, to disinfect toys, couches, counters(3), bathrooms, and over 100 more surfaces.
- ANTI-BACTERIAL ROOM SPRAY: Lysol Disinfectant Spray kills over 100 illness causing germs in high-touch areas. This multi-purpose spray tackles germs in kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms, to protect loved ones from the spread of cold and flu viruses.
- UPHOLSTERY DEODORIZER: Lysol kills 99.9% of odor causing bacteria(1) and helps kill and prevent mold and mildew. Suitable for households with pets and kids, effectively eliminate odors on fabric, with our rugs, couch, furniture, and shoe deodorizer.
- HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS and CLEANING SUPPLIES: Lysol is a leader in disinfection. Shop our range of household cleaning supplies including disinfectant wipes, toilet bowl cleaners, air sanitizers, and laundry sanitizers. The best protection is prevention
- Clean the surface with water, soap or detergent.
- Apply the disinfectant according to its label, including any required dilution and protective equipment.
- Keep the surface visibly wet for the complete contact time stated on the label. Wiping it dry too soon can make the treatment ineffective.
- Ventilate the room and follow the label’s instructions for rinsing, storage and disposal.
Never mix cleaning or disinfecting chemicals. Do not eat, drink, breathe, inject or apply disinfectants to skin. Some products can trigger asthma. Keep chemicals locked away from children and pets.
Do you need to disinfect groceries, food or snacks?
Do not apply household disinfectants to food, packaging intended for food contact, or your skin. Handle groceries normally, wash produce as appropriate for the food, and wash your hands before preparing or eating. Wipe a counter or other food-preparation surface with a suitable cleaner, then follow its label about rinsing before food contact.
There is no current CDC recommendation for a special routine of disinfecting every grocery item. The practical priority is hand hygiene and ordinary cleaning of surfaces where food is prepared.
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Rank #2
- ALL PURPOSE CLEANER KILLS 99.9% OF VIRUSES and BACTERIA: Lysol All Purpose disinfectant spray kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria including the COVID-19 virus to help keep your family protected
- KILLS 99.9% OF GERMS FOR A DEEP CLEAN: This disinfectant spray kills 99.9% of germs, removes soap scum and cuts through tough grease and grime — a versatile, multipurpose cleaner you can count on
- MULTI SURFACE CLEANER and DEGREASER: This cleaning spray can be used on hard, non-porous surfaces throughout your household including counters, sinks, stovetops, cabinets, appliance exteriors, high chairs, bathtubs and showers
- 0% BLEACH: Lysol multipurpose cleaner spray provides powerful cleaning and disinfecting without the harshness of bleach
- CONVENIENT LYSOL SPRAY: This all purpose cleaner has fast-acting sanitization, so you can kill 99.9% of bacteria in a flash
Should you disinfect packages and mail?
Routine spraying or wiping of mail and delivery boxes is not generally necessary. Open deliveries normally, discard or recycle packaging, and wash your hands after handling items and before touching your face, preparing food or eating. Clean a table, counter or other surface if it becomes visibly dirty.
What the surface-transmission evidence means
A 2022 review in Clinical Infectious Diseases separates controlled laboratory persistence from real-world transmission. Laboratory studies can detect virus or viral material under conditions that do not reproduce a typical home. PCR can also detect fragments rather than viable virus. The review found that published evidence did not conclusively establish contaminated surfaces as the sole or primary vehicle in definitive outbreaks.
The review began with 1,206 PubMed records and ultimately discussed 50 papers. Those numbers describe the review’s selection process, not the frequency of household surface transmission.
Rank #3
- LYSOL DISINFECTANT SPRAY: This household essential is tested and proven to kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria(1), including the Covid-19 virus, Hantavirus(5), Norovirus, and cold and flu(2). Perfect for any room, this Lysol spray will sanitize, disinfect, and deodorize your home.
- DISINFECTING AND SANITIZING SPRAY: Lysol disinfects hard non-porous contact surfaces and sanitizes soft surfaces. This multipurpose spray can be used in the home and kitchen, to disinfect toys, couches, counters(3), bathrooms, and over 100 more surfaces.
- ANTI-BACTERIAL ROOM SPRAY: Lysol Disinfectant Spray kills over 100 illness causing germs in high-touch areas. This multi-purpose spray tackles germs in kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms, to protect loved ones from the spread of cold and flu viruses.
- UPHOLSTERY DEODORIZER: Lysol kills 99.9% of odor causing bacteria(1) and helps kill and prevent mold and mildew. Suitable for households with pets and kids, effectively eliminate odors on fabric, with our rugs, couch, furniture, and shoe deodorizer.
- HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS and CLEANING SUPPLIES: Lysol is a leader in disinfection. Shop our range of household cleaning supplies including disinfectant wipes, toilet bowl cleaners, air sanitizers, and laundry sanitizers. The best protection is prevention
How should you wash laundry when someone is sick?
Wash clothing, towels, bedding and cloth toys with detergent at the warmest water temperature suitable for the fabric, then dry everything completely. CDC says it is safe to wash a sick person’s dirty laundry together with other household laundry.
Handling dirty laundry
- Do not shake dirty laundry, which can disperse contaminants.
- Carry items in a hamper or bag that can be cleaned.
- Clean the hamper according to its material and the product directions.
- Wash your hands after handling dirty laundry.
For washable soft furnishings, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, use the warmest appropriate setting and dry fully. If an item cannot be laundered, use the manufacturer’s cleaning method rather than applying a random disinfectant.
How can you disinfect a phone, tablet or keyboard without damaging it?
Follow the device manufacturer’s current cleaning instructions. Electronics differ in coatings, seals and finishes, so one chemical or alcohol concentration is not safe for every screen, keyboard or case. Power the device down as directed, keep liquid out of openings, and never spray directly into ports or speakers unless the manufacturer expressly permits it.
Rank #4
- KILLS 99.9% OF VIRUSES* AND BACTERIA**: Powerful disinfectant spray eliminates harmful germs and pathogens on contact
- CAN BE USED ON SOFT SURFACES***: Use to sanitize soft surfaces like clothing, couches, sofas,mattresses, pet beds, etc.
- ELIMINATES ODORS: Fresh linen scent tackles unpleasant odors at the source while disinfecting
- MULTI-PURPOSE HOUSEHOLD DISINFECTANT: Perfect for high-touch areas like light switches, doorknobs, and countertops
- PREVENTS MOLD AND MILDEW: Inhibits mold and mildew growth on hard surfaces for up to 7 days after application
A wipeable cover can make a frequently handled device easier to clean. Clean the cover according to its own material and product instructions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choosing and using a household disinfectant safely
Check the label before buying or applying
- Look for an EPA-registered household disinfectant.
- Confirm that the label covers the intended surface and the pathogen claim you need.
- Follow the stated dilution, application method, contact time and required personal protective equipment.
- Use ventilation appropriate to the product.
Gloves are needed only when the label recommends them or when they are otherwise appropriate for the task. Never combine bleach with ammonia, acids or another cleaner. Store products in their original containers, away from heat, children and pets.
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What about bleach?
CDC describes properly diluted bleach as an option for many hard, nonporous surfaces when a ready-to-use disinfectant is unavailable. The correct dilution, surface compatibility, required wet time and shelf-life depend on the specific product. Read that product’s current label; do not reuse a recipe from an older pandemic article or assume one formula applies to every bleach.
Best Value
- LYSOL DISINFECTANT SPRAY: This household essential is tested and proven to kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria (1), including the Covid-19 virus, Norovirus, and cold and flu(2). Perfect for any room, this Lysol spray will sanitize, disinfect, and deodorize your home.
- DISINFECTING AND SANITIZING SPRAY: Lysol disinfects hard non-porous contact surfaces and sanitizes soft surfaces. This multipurpose spray can be used in the home and kitchen, to disinfect toys, couches, counters (3), bathrooms, and over 100 more surfaces.
- ANTI-BACTERIAL ROOM SPRAY: Lysol Disinfectant Spray kills over 100 illness causing germs in high-touch areas. Use as a bathroom spray, toilet sanitizer and toilet disinfectant on the seat, lid and handle, and across kitchens and living rooms, to help protect loved ones from the spread of cold and flu viruses.
- UPHOLSTERY DEODORIZER: Lysol kills 99.9% of odor causing bacteria (1) and helps kill and prevent mold and mildew. Suitable for households with pets and kids, effectively eliminate odors on fabric, with our rugs, couch, furniture, and shoe deodorizer.
- HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS and CLEANING SUPPLIES: Lysol is a leader in disinfection. Shop our range of household and toilet cleaning supplies including Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner, disinfectant wipes, air sanitizers, and laundry sanitizers. The best protection is prevention
Why more disinfectant is not always better
Using chemicals more often or at higher concentrations than the label allows can damage materials, irritate skin and airways, worsen asthma and increase household chemical waste. Disinfection also has a cost. Match the intervention to the situation: routine cleaning for normal conditions, and label-directed disinfection for illness or a higher-risk household.
A practical cleaning plan
- Everyday: Clean visible soil and regularly clean high-touch surfaces with soap or detergent and water.
- After visitors: Clean frequently touched areas, especially if someone who is ill or at higher risk was present.
- During illness: Clean first, then disinfect appropriate hard surfaces with an EPA-registered product and its full contact time.
- Laundry: Wash with detergent, use the warmest suitable water and dry completely; combining sick and well household laundry is acceptable.
- Electronics and soft goods: Use manufacturer instructions rather than a universal chemical.
- After cleaning: Wash your hands and store products securely.
What older coronavirus cleaning advice gets wrong today
Early-pandemic articles, including WIRED’s October 11, 2020 guide by Jaina Rodriguez Grey and Matt Jancer, were written when reducing every possible transmission route was emphasized. Their historical discussion and questions about food, mail and laundry remain useful for understanding public concerns, but recommendations should be checked against current CDC guidance. In particular, daily whole-home disinfection is not a default requirement, and laboratory survival times should not be presented as a household transmission forecast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cleaning with soap and water enough for COVID-19 at home?
Usually. CDC says routine cleaning removes most harmful viruses or bacteria from surfaces. Disinfect when someone is sick or when a household member is at higher risk because of a weakened immune system.
Can I wash a sick person’s clothes with everyone else’s laundry?
Yes. CDC says household laundry may be combined. Use detergent, the warmest suitable water setting and complete drying, then wash your hands after handling dirty laundry.
How long must disinfectant stay wet?
For the entire contact time printed on the product label. Drying the surface sooner can reduce effectiveness.
Quick Recap
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