Best Disinfectant

To help you find the best disinfectant product, via spray or wipe, for your home, we have tried out dozens of top products, testing them for germ and bacteria-killing efficacy, including the ability to kill most germs that cause the cold and the flu, and sanitation capabilities, often including ingredients that eliminate and stop mold and mildew from growing. We also liked products that arrive in convenient multipacks, for budgetary reasons. Read our best kitchen products guide for more great kitchen accessories.

The best product we tried was easily the Lysol Disinfectant Spray, which comes in a multipack totaling 25 ounces of disinfectant and boasts a powerful formula that is certified to kill 99.9 percent of odor-causing bacteria, in addition to being particularly effective with germs that cause common household ailments, such as the cold and the flu. We also liked that it contains sanitation agents that stop mold and mildew from growing for up to a week. Keep reading to learn more about Lysol Disinfectant Spray and the other items on this list.

Top 7 Best Disinfectant Compared

 #1  Lysol Disinfectant Spray – Top Pick

WHY WE LIKE IT: Comes in a convenient multipack, totaling 38 ounces of product, and boasts a hearty formulation that kills 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria, including those that cause the common cold and the flu, among many others.

This Lysol Disinfectant Spray is a well formulated sanitizing agent which boasts the capacity to kill 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria, including those that cause the cold and the flu, among other illnesses. The product also prevents mildew and mold from growing for up to one week and features a wide spray mouth which covers large areas as a mist. We also liked that the item arrived as a large multipack totaling 25 ounces of product.

Though this product excels on hard surfaces and does a decent job with fabric, such as sofa cushions, there are other products on this list better suited for the latter. Additionally, this item can stain wood if you aren’t careful. Just be sure to wipe it off after 15 seconds. The best disinfectant spray will keep your home healthier.

 #2  Solimo Disinfecting Wipes – Honorable Mention

WHY WE LIKE IT: Comes in a multipack, featuring three canisters totaling 225 wipes, allowing placement in a variety of rooms throughout the home, with the ability to kill cold and flu viruses, in addition to e.coli, salmonella, staph, and many other illness-causing agents.

These Solimo Disinfecting Wipes are actually manufactured and sold by Amazon, making them a reliable and cost-effective choice for the elimination of many germs and bacteria that typically infect households. They arrive in a multipack, containing three canisters totaling 225 wipes, that can easily be placed in the living room, the bathroom, and bedrooms. The product is powerful, with the ability to kill 99.9 percent of germs, viruses, and bacteria within 15 seconds, including e.coli, salmonella, and staph. Use our best dishwasher soap to clean your dishes perfectly.

Though the multipack features two scents, fresh and lemon, we found the latter to be somewhat intense, though it was not a deal-breaker. Also, due to the nature of the product, these are not effective in eliminating airborne pathogens. Also, use the best countertop cleaner for extra clean surfaces.

 #3  CleanSmart Disinfectant Spray Mist – Safest

WHY WE LIKE IT: Gentle formulation that is the best disinfectant spray for babies and is even safe to use around food, while still offering the ability to kill 99.9 percent of common household germs and bacteria.

This CleanSmart Disinfectant Spray Mist features a unique formulation that is primarily made from hypochlorous, which is a naturally occurring ingredient within our white blood cells that helps us fight off infections. It has been certified to kill 99.9 percent of common household germs and bacteria while still being completely safe to use around babies, pets, and even food items. It doesn’t leave a chemical residue of any kind, which is nice and comes in a large multipack.

Though this product excels on hard surfaces, it is not intended to be used on fabric, so be careful. Additionally, it does leave a unique odor in its wake which may not be to everyone’s liking, though we found it to be reminiscent of the beach. The best mop will handle your floors, while these take care of your other surfaces.

 #4  Seventh Generation Multi-Purpose Wipes – Most Eco-friendly

WHY WE LIKE IT: This is a broadly effective cleaning wipe that is extremely eco-friendly, as it is manufactured without synthetic fragrances or dyes and is made primarily from essential oils and botanical ingredients.

These Seventh Generation Multi-Purpose Wipes are an extremely eco-friendly product that is made entirely from essential oils and botanical ingredients, without the use of anything artificial, including dyes and fragrances. It leaves a pleasing odor in its wake and is rated to be used on nearly any hard surface that can be found in bathrooms, kitchens and living areas. We also liked that it comes in a large multipack containing three canisters totaling 111 wipes.

Though this product does a decent job at killing germs and bacteria, it is not as effective at this task as our top picks, due to its ingredient list. Additionally, this is not to be used on fabric and it cannot be composted, despite its eco-friendly rating. Don’t forget to use the best toilet bowl cleaner, since that is where some of the worst germs are.

 #5  CaviCide Cold Sterilization Disinfectant – Strongest Formulation

We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock

WHY WE LIKE IT: Medical-grade formulation that is extremely effective at eliminating even the strongest of bacteria, viruses and fungi, including many disease-causing agents that are typically found in hospitals, making it the best disinfectant for bathrooms.

This CaviCide Cold Sterilization Disinfectant is the go-to choice for hospitals and similar facilities, thanks to its extremely strong medical-grade formulation, which excels at killing germs, viruses, bacteria, and fungi, including many disease-causing agents that can typically be found in hospitals. This makes it particularly effective in bathrooms, an area that has been known to harbor all manner of disease-causing bacteria and germs. We also liked that it arrived in a large multipack featuring two full gallons of cleaning agent.

This is an extremely strong formulation featuring heavy-duty ingredients, so wear gloves and take other precautionary measures while using the product. Additionally, this is for non-porous surfaces only, so it cannot be used on fabric. The best cleaning cloths will help you apply this to any area.

 #6  Claire Disinfectant Spray Q – Best Odor

WHY WE LIKE IT: Extremely strong formulation that excels with eliminating the flu virus, in addition to other heavy hitters such as polio and swine flu, and features a pleasing lemon scent that makes the whole home smell clean.

This Claire Disinfectant Spray Q is another extremely strong formulation that can be found in commercial and industrial spaces, including medical facilities. It excels with killing viruses that cause the standard flu, though also handles more serious disease-causing agents, such as viruses that cause swine flu, polio, and even HIV, among many others. We also found the lemon scent to be particularly pleasing.

Though this item excels on hard surfaces, it cannot be used on fabric, as it is not rated for porous surfaces. Additionally, this is an extremely strong formulation and, as such, should not be used around babies or pets.

 #7  Purefypro Disinfectant Deep Cleaning Spray – Best for Fabric

We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock

WHY WE LIKE IT: Extremely versatile product that is the best disinfectant spray for toys, thanks to its gentle formulation, while also working to eliminate germs and bacteria on fabric, in addition to countertops and other hard surface areas.

This Purefypro Disinfectant Deep Cleaning Spray boasts an extremely gentle formulation that has a similar active ingredient, hypochlorous, to our number three pick. This makes it safe to use around babies, pets, food, and children’s toys, while still working to effectively eliminate 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria. We also liked that it does not leave a chemical residue and it can be used on fabric, such as couches and the like.

Though we did like the lack of any kind of a chemical residue left in its wake, this product does produce a unique odor that may not be to everyone’s liking. Additionally, it is not rated to be a fungicide, so it’s not particularly effective against mold and mildew.

For Protection Against Coronavirus

For specific cleaning products that keep you safe from the novel coronavirus, make sure you check out the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) list of registered and true disinfectants. These cleaning products and commercial disinfectants contain common ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide, ethanol (found in hand sanitizer), sodium hypochlorite (bleach), and quaternary ammonium compounds (found in many household sprays and wipes and commercial disinfectants).

According to the CDC, household bleach solutions can be used as homemade disinfectants for disinfecting and sanitizing hard surfaces for the protection against COVID-19. These bleach-based disinfectants can be made by mixing a third of a cup of bleach with one gallon of water. That is 1/3 cup of bleach per gallon or four teaspoons of bleach per quart.

Note: Handwashing with soap and water for 20 seconds can kill 97% of germs, but household cleaners and disinfectant sprays like a hand sanitizer do a much better job. EPA’s list N disinfectants provide the complete list of disinfectants that are approved and successful in killing the COVID-19 (coronavirus).

How We Decided

To help narrow down to the above list, we paid close attention to the germ-killing capabilities on offer, ensuring that each and every product we featured was rated to kill a large number of germs, viruses, bacteria, and, in some cases, mold and mildew. We focused primarily on items that effectively kill cold and flu viruses, though many featured products handle a large number of additional disease-causing agents.

We also tried to populate the list with a nice mix of products that excel on hard surface areas, such as kitchen countertops and bathrooms, and fabric, such as couches and pillows. We even included several products that work with airborne pathogens, so you can simply spray the mist directly into the air if need be. We also made sure to offer a mix of both sprays and wipes, to suit the needs of a variety of consumers.

The above list also features a mix of heavy-duty formulations that are often found in industrial or medical facilities and slightly gentler formulations that are safe to use around babies, pets, and even food items. Finally, we preferred items that came in large multipacks, offering a budget-friendly option for eradicating disease-causing agents throughout your home.

Disinfectant Buying Guide

The Most Important Features to Consider

1. Killing Power
   There is a trade off to think about between raw power and home safety. On one end, there are products like our number five pick, which are typically used in hospitals and industrial settings. These excel with eliminating germs, bacteria, and viruses, but do so using formulations that are not safe around children or pets. On the other end of the spectrum, there are products like our number three pick, which uses a natural formulation that is absolutely safe around infants and animals, but may not be quite as effective at killing viruses. We also offered a middle path, as found with our top picks, which are not quite as strong as the industrial-grade products, but still offer plenty of killing power while being relatively safe to use in the home.
2. Mold and Mildew
   These items are primarily intended to kill germs, bacteria, and viruses, such as those that cause the common cold and the flu. Some products, however, also double as fungicides, meaning they can kill and prevent the spread of mold and mildew. Our top pick excels with this and leaves a slight residue in its wake that prevents mold and mildew from growing for an entire week, which can be extremely helpful in keeping the home clean and safe, as mold can have some extremely dire health consequences.
3. Application Process
   Before choosing a product, think about your preferred method of application. There are sprays, like our top pick, which require just a quick pump or two before wiping down. We also offer a number of dedicated wipes, which are great for placing throughout the home or in a number of problem areas. Some industrial-grade products contain no applicator at all and require you to purchase a spray nozzle of some kind.