*Originally published September 17, 2020, updated March 5, 2024.

Especially since 2020, safer cleaning alternatives have been pushed aside in favor of bleach and strong antibacterial disinfectants.

Disinfectants play a role in preventing the spread of germs, especially in group settings like a classroom or homes where someone has fallen ill. However, disinfectants come with additional risks and health problems so learning how and when to properly use them is especially important.

Cleaning vs Disinfecting

To disinfect means to kill germs on surfaces. In contrast, cleaning with regular soap or detergent (non-antibacterial) washes germs away. Both cleaning and disinfecting can be helpful in reducing the transmission of harmful germs, but both are not always necessary.

Best Lines of Defense

Cleaning and regular hand washing are two important steps to prevent the spread of germs. According to the CDC, the most effective way to reduce the spread of infectious disease is washing your hands with soap and water, specifically using non-antibacterial soap. When water is not available, an alcohol based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is the next best option. [10]

Next is to ensure surfaces are clean by removing dirt and using a non-toxic cleaner like Branch Basics or Our Simple Homes multi purpose spray. Read more about why I like Branch Basics All Purpose spray here.

Our Simple Homes Multi Purpose Spray

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branch basics all purpose.JPG — Branch Basics All Purpose Spray

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In the appropriate settings, disinfecting would come next. For instance, the EPA recommends that outdoor areas do not require disinfecting and resources should be used to disinfectant indoors instead. Areas that have not been occupied within the last 7 days only need to be cleaned, not disinfected. Additionally, hard non-porous surfaces with high traffic should be disinfected while soft, porous surfaces like rugs need to be laundered or cleaned only.[11]

The EPA recognizes health hazards associated with cleaners and warns against “fumigating or frequently using room deodorizers that can irritate eyes, noses, throats, and skin, aggravate asthma, and cause other serious side effects.”[9]

Precautions To Consider Before Disinfecting

Antibiotic Resistance

Disinfectants contribute to antibiotic resistance so should only be used when necessary. Examples include when a person is ill in your home and in schools and early childcare centers where there are shared spaces and surfaces.

Disinfectants eradicate “good” germs along with harmful germs. Recent research shows that some bacteria are actually beneficial for health.[1]

Health Risks

Harmful Antibacterial Agents

Some commonly used antibacterial agents have serious health risks associated with them. Notably, the antibacterial agents triclosan and triclocarban have been banned from certain personal care products by the FDA. [2]

Three widely used antibacterial agents are benzalkonium chloride (BAK), benzethonium chloride (BEC), and chloroxylenol. Unfortunately, a study on BAK, BEC, and chloroxylenol indicates they are not safer than triclosan and triclocarban. Animal studies show all three induce neurotoxicity. [3] Additional studies have shown that they may “exaggerate disease development of inflammatory bowel disease and associated colon cancer in mice.”[4][5][6]

Another frequently used disinfectant is bleach. Fumes from bleach are harmful to the lungs, especially if one has lung disease and should not come into contact with skin. Bleach is irritating to mucous membranes, can react with other chemicals, and requires good ventilation. These factors make bleach an impractical solution for disinfecting in the home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Many household products, including cleaners and disinfectants, release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are different types of chemicals than can cause short term and long term health effects. VOCs inside the home can be up to 10x more concentrated compared to outdoors.[7][8]

Health effects from exposure to VOCs include the following:[8]

Eye, nose, and throat irritation
Headaches, loss of coordination, and nausea
Damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system
Some VOCs cause cancer in animals, and some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.

Safer Disinfectants

While many disinfectants contain harmful ingredients, there are safer options that work just as well.

The list of EPA-approved disinfectants includes the following safer options, specifically for use against Covid-19:

hydrogen peroxide
hypochlorous acid
ethyl alcohol (also called ethanol or just alcohol)
isopropyl alcohol
citric acid
lactic acid

Force of Nature is an EPA registered (see force of nature registration), hospital grade disinfectant that is free of VOCs, fragrances, dyes, and harmful preservatives. The Force of Nature electrolyzer converts salt, water, and vinegar into a difinectant. The solution maintains its disinfecting power for two weeks and can be used for regular cleaning beyond two weeks.

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Using Hydrogen Peroxide To Disinfect

While commonly used as an antiseptic for wound cleaning, hydrogen peroxide is an excellent cleaner to use in your home. You might already have hydrogen peroxide, and it is conveniently found in groceries and pharmacies. The 3% hydrogen peroxide solution found in stores is safe for at home use, while stronger solutions are used in hair bleach and industrial uses.

Hydrogen peroxide is on the EPA’s list of approved disinfectants against Covid-19 for hard non-porous surfaces including in healthcare and institutional facilities.[12]

Hydrogen Peroxide Non-Toxic Disinfectant

How To Disinfect

Effective disinfecting always follows a thorough cleaning using a non-toxic cleaner like Branch Basics. Germs can remain in or underneath leftover dirt or soil. Once the area is cleaned, follow these disinfecting steps: