7 Cleaners That the EPA Recommends Against the Coronavirus

The Environmental Protection Agency just announced a list of products registered for use against Covid-19, better known as novel coronavirus. Each product has a special EPA registration number on its label, which consists of two sets of numbers separated by a hyphen (for example, 12345-12). These heavy-hitting cleaners have proven antimicrobial and antiviral properties, and will kill up to 99.9 percent of germs. Read on for our selection of products from the EPA’s list of verified virus-fighters. (Please note that the EPA is not endorsing these products or claiming that they can completely remove the risk of coronavirus.)

Old-fashioned chlorine bleach is the active ingredient of choice for combating highly contagious viruses, and that’s what earns Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner with Bleach a spot on the EPA’s list of registered products for use against novel coronavirus. This cleaner promises to kill over 99 percent of germs and disease-carrying microbes. Safe for multiple household surfaces, Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner with Bleach is especially useful in germ-prone areas like bathrooms and kitchens. Check availability at Target

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If you or any of your loved ones are immune-compromised, news of the coronavirus’s spread may be especially alarming. Grab a little peace of mind with Clorox Germicidal Bleach, a cleaner of choice for many hospitals and care facilities that can also be used—with caution—at home. This ready-to-use disinfectant contains a 1:10 bleach dilution, which is registered by the EPA to kill 50 different microorganisms, including certain flu viruses. It also features an anticorrosion agent, so it’s safe to use on many hard surfaces, including stainless steel, glass, plastic, porcelain, glazed ceramic, laminate, and vinyl. When using this cleaner, always exercise caution, wear protective gear (goggles, face mask, and gloves), and work in a well-ventilated area. Check availability on Walmart

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Related: The Top 10 Germiest Spots in Your Home, According to Science 

If chlorine bleach is too harsh a chemical for your liking, try Clorox’s Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner Disinfectant instead. This product, which is available as both a spray and a wipe, is EPA-registered to kill pathogens on both hard and soft surfaces, and can eliminate bacteria and viruses in 30 seconds. The industrial-grade cleaner can be applied to a variety of fabrics, including those that are 100 percent cotton or 100 percent polyester. The cleaner has no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), harsh fumes, bleach, or added fragrance, and its active ingredient, hydrogen peroxide, breaks down into water and oxygen upon use. Check availability on Amazon

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So convenient and easy to use, disinfecting wipes have been rapidly disappearing from shelves (and Amazon). Wipes manufactured by Clorox, Purell, and PDI appear on the EPA list. All three companies produce wipes that contain strong germ-destroying chemicals, most notably chlorides and isopropyl alcohol, and are effective at killing coronavirus. Note that these products are not to be used on skin. Always read the instructions carefully before use, and keep out of reach of children and pets. Check availability at Target

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Sure, your toilet bowl may look clean, but is it still crawling with coronavirus? The EPA’s list suggests that Lysol Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner may be one of your best bets in your battle against Covid-19. Using hydrochloric acid as the active ingredient, Lysol’s toilet bowl cleaner kills 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses while also erasing stains; its angled head is perfect for those hard-to-reach areas. This cleaner is corrosive to skin and eyes, so wear gloves when applying, and use caution. Check availability on Amazon

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Related: 11 Ways to Flu-Proof Your Home

Lysol’s Clean & Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner is yet another go-to product you may already have in your cupboards. EPA-registered for its virus-fighting abilities, this lemony-fresh cleaner promises to rid your home of 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria. The product’s active ingredient, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride—which is both long and hard to pronounce—has been implicated in various adverse health effects, so you’ll want to avoid skin contact, inhalation, or accidental ingestion. As with all potent cleaners, keep away from your kids, apply only in well-ventilated areas, and wash surfaces with clean water after use. Check availability at Walmart

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While the EPA’s list contains many medical-grade virus-fighters recommended for hospital use only, it also highlights a number of everyday home products. Lysol’s popular disinfectant spray has been around for decades, and it’s still a good choice. As concern about coronavirus spreads, supplies of Lysol spray are dwindling, but you may already have a can of this multipurpose aerosol cleaner on hand. Lysol spray has the power to kill 99.9 percent of germs, including cold and flu viruses. You can spray Lysol on just about any surface, hard or soft, from garbage cans to gym bags, strollers to shower tile. Check availability at Target

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