After recovering from a severe bout of the flu, one might create a to-do list that includes restocking the fridge, catching up on emails, and most importantly, disinfecting the entire apartment. The flu virus can remain contagious on hard surfaces for several hours up to two days, while it stays on hands for only five minutes, according to the CDC.
Cleaning removes germs, but disinfecting kills them and helps reduce the spread of illness. The CDC advises that while daily disinfection is not necessary, it is beneficial when someone in the home is sick or immuno-compromised.
Start with a Clean Surface
Dr. Chetan Jinadatha, a clinical professor at Texas A&M who researches infection spread in hospitals, explains that organic material can neutralize or interfere with disinfectants, making them less potent. Therefore, it is essential to clean surfaces before disinfecting.
Maddy Baker, a school custodian in Nebraska, recommends using a multi-purpose cleaner or degreaser like Zep, or a mixture of dish soap and water. She notes that dish soap is preferable on sensitive surfaces that cannot tolerate harsh chemicals. Microfiber cloths are ideal for trapping dust and grime while scrubbing.
Check the Label
Disinfectant labels categorize illnesses by letters. For example, List N products kill COVID-19 germs, while List Q targets Ebola. To find the correct classification, visit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website. Jinadatha advises checking the EPA site to see which disinfectants have specific kill claims for particular illnesses.
Kill Germs as You Go
Do not wait until the sick person recovers to disinfect. Use disinfectant daily while they are ill. Jinadatha says, “You don’t know what they’re touching and where they’re spreading it.” He personally uses standard bleach with a concentration between 5% and 10%, diluted with water at a ratio of 1:10, applied and left for 3 to 5 minutes.
Baker prefers OdoBan Disinfectant Concentrate, a hospital-grade option available in scents like eucalyptus. She finds it cost-effective and easily accessible, and notes that it effectively kills germs while deodorizing.
Don’t Wipe It Right Away
Jinadatha emphasizes that disinfectants do not kill on contact. Each product has a dwell time—the minutes required for effective disinfection. If the label says five minutes, it must sit for five minutes. Wiping the surface dry immediately after spraying provides no disinfectant action, he warns.
Hospital-grade disinfectants include dwell time on the label, but commercial options may not. All disinfectants should be EPA-vetted, but hospital-grade products meet higher standards. Always read the label to determine the correct dwell time; for instance, killing Norovirus may require longer than COVID-19.
