Keeping my home sanitized and disinfected has become more important to me than ever before. With illnesses spreading easily, using the right disinfecting products can help prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses. Here are the must-have disinfectants I rely on to sanitize my home thoroughly and effectively.
Bleach – A Powerful Disinfectant for Hard Surfaces
Bleach is one of the most versatile and effective disinfectants for sanitizing hard, nonporous surfaces around my home. Here’s why I always keep bleach stocked:
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Kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses – Bleach contains sodium hypochlorite, which is highly effective at killing pathogens. It can kill 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
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Inexpensive and easy to find – As one of the most commonly used household disinfectants, bleach is inexpensive and easy to find at any grocery store or supermarket. Name brand or generic varieties work equally well.
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Sanitizes a wide range of surfaces – I use bleach to disinfect and sanitize hard, nonporous surfaces like countertops, sinks, bathtubs, tiles, and more around my home. It’s even effective for disinfecting toys and play areas.
When using bleach as a disinfectant, I make sure to follow the safety guidelines:
- Always dilute bleach with water according to the product label
- Never mix bleach with ammonia or acids, as toxic fumes can result
- Wear gloves and avoid applying it to skin directly
- Rinse surfaces thoroughly after disinfecting and allow to air dry
Hydrogen Peroxide – A Versatile Disinfectant for Many Uses
In addition to keeping first aid uses on hand, I also use hydrogen peroxide as a non-toxic disinfectant for:
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Sanitizing produce – I fill my sink with water and add 2-3 capfuls of 3% hydrogen peroxide to soak fruits and vegetables for 10-15 minutes. This helps remove pesticides andsanitizes them fully. I make sure to rinse produce thoroughly afterwards.
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Disinfecting countertops – I mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle. After cleaning countertops, I spray the solution and let it sit for several minutes before wiping clean.
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Cleaning bathrooms – Hydrogen peroxide is great for disinfecting sinks, tiles, tubs, and showers in the bathroom. I spray it on and let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing clean.
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Sanitizing kids’ toys – For plastic toys, I spray them with hydrogen peroxide and let them fully air dry to sanitize. It’s kid and pet friendly when used properly.
I love that hydrogen peroxide is non-toxic and eco-friendly. However, it can cause irritation when applied directly to skin, so gloves and proper handling are a must.
Alcohol – Fast Evaporating Disinfectant for Many Items
Isopropyl and ethyl alcohol are extremely useful disinfectants to keep at home. Here are some key benefits:
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Fast evaporating formula – Unlike bleach and peroxide, alcohol solutions dry extremely quickly which makes them great for disinfecting hard, nonporous items that need to be used frequently.
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Sanitizes personal items – I use alcohol wipes or alcohol solution spray to sanitize and disinfect items like phones, tablets, keyboards, doorknobs, and remote controls.
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Disinfect small washable items – Things like pacifiers, thermometers, tweezers, scissors, and more can be fully submerged to soak in an alcohol solution for quick disinfecting.
When using alcohol as a disinfectant, I make sure to take proper safety precautions:
- Use in a well-ventilated area and avoid inhaling fumes
- Store out of reach of children and pets
- Rinse skin and surfaces after application, as alcohol can dry out skin
- Always spot test on an inconspicuous area before disinfecting items
Disinfecting Wipes – Convenient Portable Sanitizing
Disinfecting wipes are a must-have for quick, convenient sanitizing and disinfecting while on the go. I stash canisters of disinfecting wipes in key locations around my home:
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Kitchen – I use wipes to quickly disinfect appliances, sinks, counters, high chairs, and more after cooking.
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Bathrooms – Wipes are great for sanitizing toilet seats, handles, faucets, and counters after bathroom use.
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Bedside tables and surfaces – I frequently disinfect bedside tables, lamp switches, and other bedroom surfaces.
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Door handles and knobs – I regularly wipe down interior and exterior door handles that get frequent hand contact.
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Electronics – When I’m not able to use liquid cleaners, disinfecting wipes are great for phones, tablets, remotes, and keyboards.
Look for disinfecting wipes that contain alcohol or bleach to ensure they eliminate bacteria and viruses effectively. I make sure to use them properly by:
- Always checking the product label for correct disinfecting contact time
- Discarding wipes after each use and never reusing them
- Storing wipes according to package instructions to prevent drying out
By keeping these must-have disinfectants on hand and using them properly, I can sanitize my home regularly and help protect my family’s health. Having the right disinfecting products makes it quick, convenient, and effective to sanitize the surfaces, items, and shared spaces in my home.
