How to correctly disinfect with wipes during the pandemic

Part of my bedtime routine these days is to take disinfecting wipes and go over all the surfaces in my house that are touched by everyone throughout the day.

Doesn’t seem that complicated, right? Just take a wipe and wipe down the counters, doorknobs, light switches and stair banisters. Throw away the wipe, and call it good.

Not so fast. Believe it or not, there’s more to it than that.

This is important because most of us aren’t disinfecting sufficiently. There are things you should be doing to make sure you get the most disinfecting power possible out of those wipes. And there are things you definitely should not be doing with them if you want them to help you, not harm you, against coronavirus…

3 do’s for using disinfectant wipes

Read the directions. You mean there’s more to it than just pull one out and start wiping? Yep… Some wipes are only approved to kill bacteria, not viruses. Those will contain benzalkonium chloride, a chemical that is primarily meant to kill bacteria and may kill a few viruses. Wipes that say “disinfectant” on the label will kill mold, bacteria and viruses.

Let surfaces dry on their own. Product labels will actually tell you how long a surface needs to stay wet in order for the disinfectant to work. So will the EPA website. It could be anywhere from 15 seconds to 10 minutes, so resist the urge to wipe your counter dry with a paper towel after disinfecting.

Clean surfaces before using disinfectant wipes. A really grimy surface can make it hard for the disinfectant to do its job. Wash with soap and warm water, then disinfect.

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8 don’ts when using disinfectant wipes

Don’t use wipes to clean your hands. Some antibacterial wipes might be OK, but disinfectant wipes could cause an allergic reaction or make your skin red, itchy and swollen (contact dermatitis).
Don’t use wipes on soft surfaces. The coronavirus tends to lurk on hard, non-porous surfaces like plastic and steel. Use your disinfecting wipes on these surfaces. Using them on things like upholstery or carpet won’t do much good since those surfaces suck up moisture from the wipes and don’t stay wet long enough for disinfecting chemicals to work.

Don’t use them to clean toys. Kids put everything in their mouths, and you certainly don’t want them eating disinfecting chemicals. Warm, soapy water or a run in the dishwasher will do just fine.
Don’t clean fruits or vegetables with them. A quick swipe may seem harmless, but it’s not. Wash your produce under warm running water. You can use a clean produce brush for an extra scrub. Dry with a clean cloth or paper towel when you’re done.
Don’t flush them down the toilet. Not only will you have major plumbing problems, but you could cause an overflow that is full of germs and possibly coronavirus shed from feces.
Don’t keep them in the heat. Any place where the temperature is consistently above 70 degrees or so will cause your wipes to dry out and lose all of their disinfecting power.
Don’t use them on pets or their dishes. Same as with kids, the chemicals in disinfecting wipes can seriously harm your pet If your dog or cat gets hold of some wipes and chews them, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.
Don’t use them to clean your phone. At least, not too often. It could damage the fingerprint-resistant coating on the phone’s surface. You may want to invest in a wipeable covering for your phone. Be careful about getting moisture from the wipes near any openings in the phone. And never use anything containing bleach.

Remember to keep doors and windows open if possible when disinfecting to avoid inhaling fumes from products. In fact, if you live in an area where the weather permits, opening your windows can help lower your risk of contracting coronavirus.

Visit the EPA for more answers to Frequent Questions about Disinfectants and Coronavirus.

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