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- With the rise of infection from the measles virus as well as the usual cold and flu viruses, protecting your family is more crucial than ever.
- While there isn't just one product that will easily disinfect everything in your home, we've put together the best disinfecting cleaners for everything from clothes to counters and athletic gear.
- We found the Purell Professional Surface Disinfectant Spray to be the best disinfectant for surfaces as it's safe to use around food.
- Other best household disinfectants include the Lysol Laundry Sanitizer Additive, Lysol Disinfectant Spray, Clorox Ultra Clean Disinfecting Wipes, and Method Antibacterial Toilet Cleaner.
The world can be a germy place and as we interact with others, we share bacteria. Some bacteria are actually good for our body systems but other, viral strains like measles, flu, and colds can be dangerous. And, fungal infections like athlete's foot, while not life-threatening, are pretty uncomfortable.
To help combat against them, there are products available that do a great job of killing bacteria. Disinfecting cleaners come in many forms and you are sure to find one that fits your needs. You may see the words "antibacterial," "sanitizing," or "disinfecting," which are used interchangeably by many companies. But take time to look for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration number that ensures the product has met EPA requirements for killing germs. If there is no number, you're just wasting your time and money.
Key ingredients to also look for are pine oil, quaternary ammonium compounds, sodium hypochlorite, phenols, and ethanol. Different active ingredients kill different types of bacteria. A good disinfecting cleaner will list which bacteria, fungi, and viruses it is intended to kill.
With a young grandson, I'm particularly concerned about all the germs he brings home from school. So, I've been testing disinfectant cleaners on a regular basis. I'm not a microbiologist, so I rely on the EPA ratings about killing specific bacteria. But along with what I use in my own home, I've been testing products for decades as a home economist for companies and publications. I am giving you the disinfecting products that are the easiest to use, least damaging to surfaces, and the best value.
Read on in the slides below to discover our top picks to disinfect nearly every surface and fabric in your home.
Here are the best disinfecting cleaners you can buy in 2019:
- Best disinfecting cleaner for kitchen counters: Purell Professional Surface Disinfectant Spray
- Best disinfecting cleaner for laundry: Lysol Laundry Sanitizer Additive
- Best disinfecting spray for nonwashable goods: Lysol Disinfectant Spray
- Best disinfecting wipes: Clorox Ultra Clean Disinfecting Wipes
- Best disinfecting cleaner for toilet bowls: Method Antibacterial Toilet Cleaner
Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.
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Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Picks team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.