The Coronavirus (COVI9-19) is undoubtedly a deadly virus that has claimed many lives across the globe. To prevent the further spreading of the virus, the World Health Organization has suggested that we wash our hands and surfaces regularly.
To ensure our hands stay sanitized, we need effective disinfectants, either wipes or spray, to kill the virus. The effective disinfecting wipes that can be used are the ones that have been approved by EPA and also possess the EPA registration number included on the label.
Disinfecting Wipes are disposable, single-use wipes pre-soaked in a solution that contains sterilizing ingredients like quaternary ammonium, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium hypochlorite. Examples of disinfecting wipes brands and products you might have seen on store shelves are Lysol Disinfecting Wipes, Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, or Mr. Clean Power Multi-Surface Disinfecting Wipes.
The purpose of disinfecting wipes is to kill viruses and bacteria on any hard surfaces, such as counters, surfaces, and doorknobs, and not on the skin or food items.
Sometimes around early July, the EPA announced its approval of two additional products, Lysol Disinfectant Spray and Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist - after the laboratory tests proved that these disinfectants are effective in killing the Coronavirus. Besides, the agency called the two Lysol approvals "an important milestone" in the fight to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The EPA recently announced the approval of another surface cleaner that's been shown to kill the Coronavirus, and it's called Pine-Sol.
Well, before the pandemic, you might've applied some disinfectant on your hand to wipe down the kitchen counter, bathroom sink, or toilet, which is okay. But a swift swipe across the surface is regarded as cleaning, not disinfecting.
To enjoy the disinfecting benefits of these wipes, the surface must stay wet for a longer time. But the waiting time differs with products, so it's important you carefully read the instructions on the product before using them.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Disinfecting Wipes
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, you might have had a set of disinfectant wipes to instantly wipe down the bathroom sink, kitchen counter, or toilet and that was fine. But a fast swipe over the surface is considered as cleaning, not disinfecting.
To obtain the disinfecting advantages of these wipes, the surface needs to remain wet for longer than a few seconds. Such as, the guidance for Lysol Disinfecting Wipes says that the surface needs to stay wet for at least four minutes after utilization to absolutely disinfect the region. For complete effectiveness, you should wipe down the counter and later may even need to use an extra cloth if you see that area getting dry out before the four minutes.
Final Thoughts
The coronavirus has caused hyperawareness against germs. So if you suspect any illness or an infected person in your house you just need to go ahead and clean your household surfaces with EPA-approved disinfecting wipes.
Well, it's important to note that going through the process of disinfecting your home isn't always important. If your household doesn't have a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case or someone isn't sick, these powerful measures are not required. So, you can keep on cleaning your home in your usual way. Therefore, any multi-purpose spray cleaner, cleaning wipes, or soap and water will help you achieve that, so you don't have to worry about laying your hand on Clorox Disinfecting Wipes.
With all these products, you should always take a look at the descriptions to learn both proper usage and time of effectiveness. For most wipes, the prescribed contact time is within two minutes to five minutes. For other ready-to-use formulations or dilutable, it typically lies between three minutes to 10 minutes.
Note: Remember that only cleaning will not do, you also need to follow all other preventive measures in order to keep the coronavirus away.
