10 Best Disinfectants for Household Items in the Philippines 2022 | Clorox, Lysol, and More

Here are some key points to consider:

1. Determine the disinfectant’s active ingredient and its efficacy.
2. Take into account the product’s required contact time.
3. Consider the type of disinfectant for your convenience.
4. Choose your preferred scent.
5. Exercise safety and caution when handling potent disinfectants.
   

For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.

There are different types of active ingredients in disinfectants, and as such, their effectiveness against various microorganisms also varies. Check out the most common active ingredients used for disinfectants below.

Ethyl alcohol and Isopropyl alcohol are two of the most common alcohol compounds. Alcohol-based disinfectants are effective at killing different kinds of pathogens, but the product has to have at least a 70% concentration to be effective. Fortunately, most alcohol-based cleaning products have a concentration of 70% and above.

Alcohol disinfectants are widely used because they are relatively inexpensive and can be used on almost all items and surfaces, including the skin. They can also kill most bacteria, fungi, and flu and cold viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. However, alcohol can evaporate before the target pathogen is killed, so frequent reapplication is needed.

A 0.5% concentration of household bleach, mixed with water in a 1:10 ratio is very useful in killing common pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, SARS-CoV-2, and more. The active ingredient in bleach, sodium hypochlorite, is quick-acting and very powerful, but it will cause discoloration in some surfaces and soft materials like fabrics. 

Thus, it is best used for floors, walls, sinks, stoves, countertops, and plastic toys. When using bleach, always remember to wear gloves and safety goggles, as it can irritate your eyes and skin. A mask is also helpful since bleach has a strong and pungent smell. Also, remember to make a fresh batch when disinfecting and discard unused bleach solutions.

Quats or Quaternary Ammonium Compounds are widely used as surface disinfectants and are found in many household cleaners such as disinfectant wipes and sprays. Unlike bleach, Quats are less damaging to items while still killing a wide variety of pathogens, including disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and fungi. 

Quats can be used to disinfect food prep surfaces like kitchen counters and tabletops, but be sure to rinse those items with water before using them. Though they are non-toxic, they can still irritate the eyes and skin, so we recommend using a mask and gloves when handling this chemical.

We can typically find hydrogen peroxide in stores with a 3% concentration. While it is not as strong as bleach, it is still powerful enough to kill different pathogens. When using hydrogen peroxide, try to test it on a small spot first, as it can cause slight discoloration on surfaces.

Hydrogen peroxide is safe to use alone, but it shouldn't be mixed with other household cleaning agents like vinegar or bleach. These cleaning products can be used to disinfect the same area, as long as they were given enough time to dry between uses.

If you have kids and pets around the house, you can opt for lactic acid-based cleaners. According to the San Francisco Department of the Environment, it is safer and more environment-friendly compared to other chemicals. 

It does not pose any severe health risks since it's non-carcinogenic and safe for those who have asthma and sensitive skin. It can also kill most germs and has a fast contact time, which is why it's usually found in sprays. However, lactic acid can cause mild to moderate irritation on the eyes and skin, so it must be used with caution.

For a potent and effective disinfectant, choose concentrates. They are great for disinfecting large areas or surfaces like the bathroom, living room, and bedroom. Like bleach, they need to be diluted before use. 

One type of concentrate is hypochlorous acid, which can kill common pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It is proven to be more effective than bleach and is non-toxic as well, so you can safely use it at home.

Contact time, also known as wet time or kill time, is the time the disinfectant needs to stay on the surface to kill germs. This may vary from 30 seconds to 10 minutes, depending on the type of pathogen you want to be eliminated.

It's best to follow the instructions on the label and pay attention to how long the product needs to stay on the surfaces you're cleaning. However, if a product has a long contact time and dries too quickly, you will need to re-apply often.

Nowadays, it is recommended to disinfect surfaces at least once a day. It is very troublesome for homeowners if the product requires a lot of steps or preparation before you can use it. Easy-to-use disinfectants like wipes and sprays make it easier and faster for users to keep their living spaces pathogen-free. 

• Wipes - straightforward to use; simply wipe the surface and then discard the sheet after use.
• Sprays and solutions - convenient to use in larger areas and can cover a larger surface area.
• Concentrates - need to be diluted since they are potent. These are recommended for deep cleaning.

Not all types of disinfectants work the same on every surface, so do check the label for more information.

Most disinfectants come in different scents such as fresh linen, lavender, berry, and citrus. If you want a light and clean scent, go for fresh linen or lavender. But if you prefer refreshing scents, choose berry and citrus. However, if you're not a fan of scented cleaning products, opt for disinfectants that have a neutral scent.

Some categories of disinfectants are strong and can be toxic when ingested. Also, to meet the required contact time, you must keep the surface wet. So if you have small children at home, it's best to keep them away from the area you're cleaning and to store these products out of their reach.

Some disinfectants are flammable, have unpleasant odors, or can stain fabrics and surfaces. Ensure the disinfectant you'll use is compatible with the surface you want to disinfect. Also, wear protective equipment like gloves when disinfecting or handling possibly contaminated objects. 

To give you a rundown, here are our top 5 picks for the best disinfectants for household items you can buy online:

1. Best overall: Clorox Disinfecting Wipes 75s Fresh Scent
2. Best multipurpose disinfectant for household items: Lysol Disinfectant Spray Crisp Berry Scent
3. Best affordable disinfectant for household items: Zonrox Bleach Original
4. Best eco-friendly disinfectant for household items: Wonderhome Naturals Natural Germ-Kill Disinfectant Spray Mint Lavender
5. Best concentrate disinfectant for household items: Danolyte All-Purpose Disinfectant + Sanitizer
   

The products we introduce below were carefully curated by the mybest team, from the best-sellers of E-commerce sites like Lazada, and using the points mentioned in our detailed and thoroughly researched buying guide.

**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**

Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.

According to the CDC, here are a few tips on how you can disinfect your whole house:

• Launder clothes and other fabric items in the warmest setting and dry completely 
• Clean soft surfaces like curtains, rugs, and carpets with disinfecting sprays
• Vacuum soft and hard surfaces
• Clean hard surfaces like floors, walls, and countertops with sprays, wipes, solutions, or concentrates—whichever is available or most convenient for you
• Use appropriate disinfectants to clean electronic gadgets

Here are some ways you can protect yourself and other people when using disinfectants:

• Check the labels to make sure that the disinfectants are being used correctly—some products can only be used on certain surfaces
• Open the windows or use fans for proper ventilation
• Do not mix different disinfectants together
• Keep a dedicated pair of gloves just for disinfecting your household items
• For extra protection, also wear a mask and goggles
• Wash your hands after handling disinfectants
• Store your cleaning products in a high and dry place, far from your children and pets' reach

To prevent the spread of COVID, here are some tips on how you can disinfect surfaces:

• Ensure that the disinfectant can kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus by checking the description or label
• Before disinfecting, clean the surfaces with soapy water to remove dirt
• Always disinfect high-touch surfaces like cabinet handles, doorknobs, tabletops, and bathroom surfaces
• Follow the contact time indicated on the label

Just disinfecting the items and surfaces around the house is not enough. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe from dangerous pathogens with these cleaning appliances and products.

Author: Rie N.

Re-editor: Aprille Jarcia

Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.