Safer Disinfectant Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic

sing disinfectants on surfaces in your home or workplace can kill disease causing germs (bacteria and viruses), Ubut they may also have health risks. For example, many common disinfectants (like bleach, many disinfectant wipes) have chemicals in them that can cause or worsen asthma.

no If someone If in your you can’t one is house If is or access safer sick at sick home: suspected products to be sick:

Clean surfaces in your Clean surfaces, then disinfect If you don’t have access to a house with an all-purpose using one of the safer disinfec microfiber cloth, wash sponges or cleaner or soap, and a tants from the EPA’s Design for towels after every surface cleaned: microfiber cloth (available the Environment antimicrobial  Clean sponges by online, in grocery stores pesticide list. and at big box stores). This washing in the dishwasher, or will get rid of most of the Look for these safer active soaking for one minute in germs on a surface and ingredients: 1/2 teaspoon of bleach, or avoids excess exposure to  Citric Acid microwaving non-metallic, disinfectants.  Hydrogen Peroxide soaking wet sponges for one minute. Disinfect after cleaning  L-lactic acid surfaces that you touch  Ethanol  Wash towels in a basin or washing machine. when returning from  Isopropanol the outdoors, prior to  Peroxyacetic acid If you only have access to washing hands. or quaternary ammonia-  Sodium Bisulfate. bleach based disinfectants: Apply to the surface and  per the leave glistening wet for the Dilute disinfectants time listed on the product label. package instructions;  Do not combine disinfectants; and  Be sure to ventilate the area as well as possible (open windows, turn on fans). Find out more, download our detailed safer disinfecting factsheet here. See disclaimer on detailed safer disinfecting factsheet. wspehsu.ucsf.edu