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Five Disinfectants to Use If You Can’t Find Disinfecting Wipes
Disinfecting wipes may be hard to come by these days . . . but that doesn’t mean there aren’t alternatives. Here’s a list of five easy solutions to try the next time you find you’ve run out of wipes – each a common household item you probably already own!
Top five disinfectants to use instead if you can’t find disinfecting wipes
- Rubbing Alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol, is available at drugstores and serves as a quick-and-easy alternative to disinfecting wipes. Look for the kind over “70%” (CDC recommendations) to ensure effective disinfecting.
- Liquid disinfecting cleaners. Store-bought cleaners that aren’t in the form of wipes can generally be used on household nonporous surfaces in the same way you would use a wipe. Just make sure the label says “disinfectant” and contains a registered EPA number.
- Liquid Bleach. When using liquid bleach as a disinfectant, always spot test first (unless you like the look of white splotches). For cleaning safety, stick to a diluting ratio of a third cup of liquid bleach for every gallon of water.
- Hand sanitizer won’t kill germs (it just reduces the number of them), but when you need to clean a hard surface like a countertop in a pinch, it serves as a good alternative to wipes. Be warned, though: because it’s made for skin, hand sanitizer contains emollient (skin softener) which can leave behind a sticky film.
- When all else fails, reach for the dish soap. Combined with hot water, dish soap can be an effective alternative to disinfectant cleaners, as long as the objects you are cleaning are hard surfaces and are waterproof!
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Editorial Disclaimer: Articles featuring tips and advice are intended for educational purposes and only as general recommendations. Always practice personal discretion when using and caring for furniture, decor and related items.
