EPA Releases List Of Products Approved To Kill Coronavirus

The Environmental Protection Agency has released a list of products that are approved to kill coronavirus

Coronavirus. It’s the convo pretty much everywhere these days, rights? Whether you’re totally alarmed or feeling pretty calm about the whole impending pandemic situation, it’s good to be informed on ways to prevent yourself, your family, and those you come into contact with from becoming infected. That’s why we’re feeling grateful that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a list of products approved to kill COVID-19 on surfaces.

Wash your hands, first of all. That is the very best line of defense against coronavirus according to literally all medical experts and will go the longest way in terms of preventing any virus from spreading. But be sure to clean surfaces in your household too in order to kill any lingering germs, including on doorknobs, phones (gross), counters, and anywhere else that might need a good swipe. When it comes to what will kill the virus, not all products are created equal. The EPA’s official list of cleaners that will kill coronavirus includes a number of products from Clorox and Lysol. Some specific products are: Clorox toilet cleaner with bleach, Clorox disinfecting spray, Lysol disinfectant max cover mist, Lysol toilet bowl cleaners, and Lysol multi-surface cleaner and disinfectant spray.

So the EPA says the companies with products on their list had to prove those products are effective at killing viruses even stronger than coronavirus, according to a spokesperson who talked to ABC News. Important to note? Products without an EPA registration number, which the agency provided in their release for each approved product, haven’t been reviewed by them.

As far as gentler natural cleaning products, like plain old vinegar, the EPA doesn’t review them, so proceed at your own risk. Another important note as far as efficacy is to read the wording on the product to determine its most optimal use — like whether it needs to remain on a surface for a few minutes in order to kill any germs.

But once again, let’s not forget good old hand-washing. Like, more than just a quick rub and a rinse. The CDC says to use soap and water while scrubbing up for a good 20 seconds. The viral graphic shared by Kristen Bell this week proves just how effective a vigorous 20-30 second hand-wash really is by showing a series of photos of germy, gross hands before, during, and after a solid hand-washing.

If those pics of glow-y, germ-coated hands don’t motivate you to step up your hand-washing game, we’re not sure what will. Wash up and use EPA-approved products to keep your surfaces as clean of nasty virus germs as possible. The best defense is a good offense, after all.