- The CDC recommends the following products to effectively sanitize surfaces against COVID-19. You can find the full list of products here; the options below are those we could readily find online.
- Many of the products are sold out, but manufacturers are working to restock. We'll update this article with in-stock purchase options as we find them available, but in case we aren't able to adjust immediately, we're leaving all options listed.
- If you can't find a product on this list in stock, the EPA recommends looking at other product labels to confirm it has an EPA registration number and that human coronavirus is listed as a target pathogen.
- We strongly recommend only buying what you need. Hoarding can lead to product shortages, price mark-ups, and prevents fair access to the essentials for everyone. It's ultimately more harmful than helpful, according to experts.
- Read more: Find all Insider Reviews coverage regarding the novel coronavirus here.
Editor's note: Many items on this list are currently out of stock, but we've kept the links in just in case they become available again. We'll continue to update this article with accurate pricing information as often as possible.
To protect yourself effectively against the novel coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing your hands often for at least 20 seconds each time, avoiding close contact with people who are sick or if you yourself are sick, practicing social distancing, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces daily.
Below, you'll find a list of the EPA-registered cleaning products that are recommended by the CDC for cleaning surfaces and "expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder-to-kill viruses."
Many of the products are sold out online, but manufacturers are working to restock, and we'll be updating this article with purchase options as we find the products available online. In case we aren't able to update immediately, we're leaving all the options listed for reference. If you can't find a product on this list in stock, the EPA recommends looking at other product labels to confirm it has an EPA registration number and that human coronavirus is listed as a target pathogen.
For other resources, find the best hand sanitizers here, the best hand soaps here, where to buy toilet paper during coronavirus-related shortages here, and the best grocery delivery services here.
To use the following products, follow the manufacturer's instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products closely. Some come ready to use immediately, and others will need to be diluted. For most if not all, you'll want to make sure your cleaning space is well-ventilated.
You can find more information on how to properly clean and sanitize your home per the CDC during concerns over COVID-19 here. According to the CDC, for disinfection of surfaces, "diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective." If you're looking for products to clean soft (porous) surfaces such as carpets, rugs, and drapes, you can find CDC guidelines here and recommended products here.
We strongly recommend that you only buy what you need. Stockpiling supplies, like toilet paper, beyond reason makes it difficult for everyone to get fair access to the essentials they need. Which, when it comes to sanitizing supplies, can make a pandemic more dangerous for everyone, including for yourself, your neighbors, and vital healthcare workers who have been forced to ration the same supplies. You can read more about why two experts say stockpiling products is more harmful than helpful here. And while hoarding and product shortages have resulted in price markups, manufacturers have said they'll work to address production shortages, so we expect to see more availability and normal prices. If you can wait before grabbing surplus supplies, you should strongly consider doing so.
If you're looking for ways to share resources during COVID-19, you may want to consider donating to local food banks, buying gift cards to local restaurants to help them pay fixed costs, applying to volunteer with a local Telephone Reassurance program to alleviate isolation for the elderly, and donating directly to people you know who are out of work. For more ways you can help, here's a list of 6 places you can donate or volunteer right now.
Clorox Disinfecting Bleach
Clorox Germicidal Bleach
Clorox Commercial Solutions® Clorox® Clean-Up Disinfectant Cleaner with Bleach
Clorox Clean Up Cleaner + Bleach
Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach
Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner
Sani-Prime Germicidal Spray
Lysol Cling & Fresh Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Lysol Clean & Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner
Champion Sprayon Spray Disinfectant
Lysol Heavy Duty
Clorox Multi Surface Cleaner + Bleach
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
Clorox Commercial Solutions Clorox Disinfecting Spray
Clorox Commercial Solutions Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner Disinfectant
Clorox Commercial Solutions Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
Lysol Brand Bleach Mold & Mildew Remover
Ecolab Virasept Cleaner
Clorox Commercial Solutions Clorox Disinfecting Biostain & Odor Remover
Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist
Lysol Power Plus Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Lysol Lime & Rust Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Lysol Professional Disinfectant Spray
Purell Professional Surface Disinfectant
Benefect Botanical Daily Cleaner Disinfectant Spray
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
