Using disinfectants safely at home

A disinfectant only works the way its label says it does. It has to be the right product for the surface, put on a clean surface, and left wet long enough.

What you need

• The disinfectant, with its label
• Soap and water and a cloth
• Disposable gloves, or a pair of reusable gloves kept for disinfecting

Steps

1. 1

   Check the registration number

   Look for the EPA registration number on the label. It's how you know the product has been registered as a disinfectant. EPA keeps lists of disinfectants for specific germs at epa.gov.

   2 min

2. 2

   Read the directions

   Check the use sites and surface types to see where the product can go, and read the precautionary statements.

   3 min

3. 3

   Clean the surface first

   Wash it with soap and water if it's visibly dirty, or if the directions call for cleaning first.

   5 min

4. 4

   Leave it wet for the contact time

   The directions give a contact time. The surface has to stay wet that whole time for the product to work.

   5 min

5. 5

   Take off the gloves and wash your hands

   Throw out disposable gloves after each cleaning. Keep reusable ones just for disinfecting.

   2 min

6. 6

   Cap it and put it away

   Close the lid tightly and store it out of children's reach.

   1 min

7. 7

   Check the surface is still wet at the end

   Look at it as the contact time runs out. A surface that dried early didn't get the full contact time.

   1 min

Air and asthma

Cleaners and other household products can make asthma worse, in children and adults. When you use one, keep children out of the room and open windows or doors, or run an exhaust fan.

Mixing products

Bleach and ammonia react to make a toxic gas. Bleach poured after a caustic or lye drain cleaner can release chlorine gas in the pipe.

Disinfectants and cleaners with safer ingredients

EPA's Safer Choice label marks cleaners, dish soaps, laundry products and other everyday products made with safer ingredients. The Safer Choice site also lists disinfectants certified under EPA's Design for the Environment program. EPA's label for safer cleaning products explains what the label means.