The EPA recommends using these home-cleaning products on surfaces to protect against the new coronavirus

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The EPA recommends using these home-cleaning products on surfaces to protect against the new coronavirus

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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.

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Champion Sprayon Spray Disinfectant

Champion Sprayon Spray Disinfectant
Staples

This is a hospital-type formula spray disinfectant that kills 99.9% of germs in 20 seconds, including the flu virus.

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Benefect Botanical Daily Cleaner Disinfectant Spray

Benefect Botanical Daily Cleaner Disinfectant Spray
Amazon

CleanWell's Disinfectant Spray is a botanical formula that cleans, disinfects, and deodorizes multi-surfaces and kills 99.9% of household germs, including cold and flu viruses. The package is also recyclable.

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Sani-Prime Germicidal Spray

Sani-Prime Germicidal Spray
Amazon

Sani-Prime's Germicidal products are bactericidal, fungicidal, virucidal, and tuberculocidal disinfectant. According to PDI Healthcare, it eliminates over 50 microorganisms, including 17 multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) like MRSA, CRE, and VRE.

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Purell Professional Surface Disinfectant

Purell Professional Surface Disinfectant
Walmart

This one-step disinfectant and cleaner kills 99.9% of germs on surfaces, including Norovirus and cold & flu viruses.

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Lysol Professional Disinfectant Spray

Lysol Professional Disinfectant Spray
Amazon

Lysol's Professional Disinfectant Spray kills 99.9 percent of germs on hard, nonporous surfaces and is effective against more than 100 microorganisms including Influenza A Virus, MRSA, Norovirus, Rhinovirus, Poliovirus Type 1, Hepatitis A Virus, Hepatitis B virus and HIV-1 (AIDS Virus) when used as directed. It's tuberculocidal, virucidal, fungicidal and bactericidal. It's recommended for use on showers, sinks, countertops, toilet areas, toys and more.

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Lysol Clean & Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner

Lysol Clean & Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner
Amazon

Lysol's multi-surface cleaner is usable on many surfaces and kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. According to the company, it can be used on hard, non-porous surfaces in the kitchen, bathroom and other areas of the home.

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Lysol Brand Bleach Mold & Mildew Remover

Lysol Brand Bleach Mold & Mildew Remover
Amazon

Lysol Mold & Mildew Blaster kills 99.9% of bathroom bacteria and viruses, according to the company.

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Lysol Lime & Rust Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Lysol Lime & Rust Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Amazon

The Lime & Rust Toilet Bowl Cleaner kills 99.9% of bacteria and 99.9% of viruses according to the company and removes lime and rust stains.

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Lysol Cling & Fresh Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Lysol Cling & Fresh Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Amazon

Lysol's Cling Toilet Bowl Cleaner kills 99.9% of bathroom bacteria and viruses, according to the company.

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Lysol Power Plus Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Lysol Power Plus Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Walmart

The Power Plus formula fights toilet rings and stains and kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses when used as directed. Its effects should last for up to 100 flushes.

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Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist

Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist
Walmart

Lysol's Max Cover Mist kills 99.9% of bacteria on soft surfaces and 99.9% of fungi, viruses, and bacteria on hard surfaces — including cold and flu viruses. It also prevents mold and mildew from growing for up to a week according to the company.

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Clorox Commercial Solutions Clorox Disinfecting Biostain & Odor Remover

Clorox Commercial Solutions Clorox Disinfecting Biostain & Odor Remover
Amazon

Clorox Disinfecting Bio Stain & Odor Remover is a bleach-free stain and odor remover that uses hydrogen peroxide to kill germs.

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Clorox Commercial Solutions Clorox Disinfecting Wipes

Clorox Commercial Solutions Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
Staples

Clorox Commercial Solutions Clorox Disinfecting Wipes can be used on multiple surfaces and kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses and remove common allergens.

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Clorox Commercial Solutions Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner Disinfectant

Clorox Commercial Solutions Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner Disinfectant
Staples

Like most items on this list, Clorox's Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner Disinfectant gets rid of 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. Find a lengthy list of the bacteria, fungi, and germs it kills, and how long it takes to kill them, here.

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Clorox Commercial Solutions Clorox Disinfecting Spray

Clorox Commercial Solutions Clorox Disinfecting Spray
Staples

The disinfecting spray deodorizes and kills 99.9% of germs including bacteria, viruses, and mold.

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Clorox Commercial Solutions® Clorox® Clean-Up Disinfectant Cleaner with Bleach1

Clorox Commercial Solutions® Clorox® Clean-Up Disinfectant Cleaner with Bleach1
Staples

Clorox Clean-Up Disinfectant Cleaner removes stains and disinfects to kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria.

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Lysol Heavy Duty

Lysol Heavy Duty
Office Depot

Lysol's heavy-duty cleaner is a hospital-grade disinfectant that's demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to COVID-19. Use it on bathtubs, shower stalls, glazed ceramic tile, floors, sinks, garbage cans, toilet bowls, glazed porcelain, chrome, and acrylic plastic fixtures.

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Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach

Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach
Amazon

Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach disinfects by killing 99.9% of germs, dissolves stains, and removes dirt and grime.

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Clorox Disinfecting Wipes

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
Target

The Clorox Disinfecting Wipes remove germs, bacteria, and grease. According to the company, they kill 99.9% of germs that can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours and 99.9% of viruses and bacteria (including Staph, E. coli, Salmonella, and Strep).

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Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner

Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner
Amazon

The Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner cleans, disinfects, and kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria.

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Clorox Clean Up Cleaner + Bleach

Clorox Clean Up Cleaner + Bleach
Target

A powerful multi-surface cleaner that kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses.

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Clorox Germicidal Bleach

Clorox Germicidal Bleach
The Home Depot

Clorox's Germicidal Bleach is a concentrated disinfectant that kills a broad spectrum of microorganisms (including Salmonella enterica, and Influenza A, Tuberculosis, C. Difficile, and more) and is recommended for controlling mold and mildew in bathrooms and germ-prone areas. It can be used on a variety of surfaces, including counters, floors, and appliance exteriors.

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Clorox Disinfecting Bleach

Clorox Disinfecting Bleach
Staples

This can be used on laundry and on surfaces, and it's recommended for everyday cleaning and seasonal cleaning. According to the company, it kills 99.9% of common germs, including Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Influenza A virus.

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Clorox Multi Surface Cleaner + Bleach

Clorox Multi Surface Cleaner + Bleach
Walmart

Clorox Multi-Surface Cleaner + Bleach is an all-purpose bleach cleaner that's safe on multiple surfaces, including sealed granite and stainless steel. Its product details state that the disinfecting spray safely kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses while it cleans, disinfects and deodorizes.

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Ecolab Virasept Cleaner

Ecolab Virasept Cleaner
Ecolab

According to the company, Virasept is a patented ready-to-use, one-step detergent-disinfectant, virucide, bactericide, tuberculocide, fungicide, and sporicide that effectively cleans, disinfects, and deodorizes. It won't harm fixtures and is formulated for daily use.

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