Disinfectant Spray-Honorable Mention-benner (1)

The Best Disinfectant Spray

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Thurber
Published on
March 19th, 2019

Expert BioExpert Bio

Ben has over a decade of experience in cleaning projects of all types along the entire eastern seaboard of the United States. Ben’s formal training and certifications in cleaning include the AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician), WRT (Water restoration technician), CCT (Carpet Cleaning technician), as well as several other certifications from the IICRC. Ben has managed teams involved in cleaning projects around the United States. Ben’s passion for cleaning and leading teams goes back as far as he can remember.

The Cleaning Institute

When it comes to cleaning and disinfecting, there are many options. Every household needs to clean and rid their home of germs, viruses, bacteria, mold, and mildew. Thankfully, disinfectant sprays make that job easier. There are numerous options out there for cleaning and disinfecting. We tested dozens and found the best disinfectant spray – Lysol disinfectant spray.

Testing Categories

When we started comparing disinfectant sprays, we tested a few different options to have a good comparative range. In order to test the various sprays, we broke down the testing into categories. Those categories include the following:

Strength- how many and which types of germs it can kill
Multi-surface application – whether it works on different types of surfaces, like hard or soft
Odor elimination – the ability to get rid of, not just mask, odor-causing bacteria and germs.

Top Pick

Professional
Lysol
Disinfectant Spray

Lysol disinfectant spray is a powerful cleaner that kills over 100 illness causing germs, including cold & flu. It can prevent mold and mildew growth for up to a week & eliminates odors.

Price Check

Most notable upside: Lysol disinfectant spray has a Tuberculocidal, virucidal, fungicidal & bactericidal formula. This is commercial grade and kills over 100 illness causing germs. It can even kill germs that cause cold and flu. This spray kills 99% of mold and mildew and 99% of viruses and bacteria on hard, porous surfaces. It can prevent mold and mildew from growing for up to a week. Lysol spray is effective against 100 illness causing germs including H1N1 (Influenza A virus), MRSA, Norovirus, Rhinovirus, Poliovirus Type 1, Hepatitis A Virus, Hepatitis B Virus, and HIV 1 (AIDS virus). This is great for surfaces like trash cans, toilet seats, sinks, doorknobs, light switches, bath tubs, counters, showers, the inside of washing machines, mop buckets, and more. It can also help on soft surfaces like couches, mattresses, pillows, cushions, upholstery, strollers, booster seats, and area rugs. It can also be used in a car. It is ideal for deodorizing germ prone items like gym bags, shoes, pet beds, bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, offices, and carpets. Lysol is ideal for all disinfection and protection needs. Once the sickness is already in the space, it can help rid the area of it, but it can also be very helpful at preventing the spread of germs. This spray disinfects hundreds of surfaces at home and in the office. It is also strong enough for commercial use. It comes in multiple scents or unscented. The scents are pleasant and not too overbearing. The spray doesn’t just mask odors, it can fully eliminate them. This is even the case with pet messes and odors, so Lysol is a must for any home.

Biggest downsides: Some customers complain about the Crystal Waters scent and say that it is overbearing.

Honorable Mention

PURELL
Multi Surface
Disinfectant Spray

The Purell Multi-Surface Disinfectant Spray kills norovirus and MRSA in 30 seconds and removes 99.9% of all germs, including the cold and flu virus. It was even voted the 2018 Product of the Year.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The Purell Multi-Surface Disinfectant Spray doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals and doesn’t need to be rinsed off once it’s applied on different types of surfaces. It’s proven to be effective on both hard and soft surfaces and can even be used on granite, laminate, glass, stainless steel, and plastic. It was even awarded the U.S. EPA design for the environment certification. It’s a worry-free product because it can be used liberally on food prep surfaces and is safe to use around children and pets. In just 30 seconds, the cold, flu, and e.coli are killed upon contact. As a green product, the formula doesn’t have any precautionary or hazardous material statements and can kill 22 different types of organisms. It’s also fragrance-free and doesn’t leave behind a strong odor or smell once it’s applied, which makes it ideal to use for those who suffer from asthma or respiratory issues. The formula can be used on high chairs, countertops, toilets, floors, door handles, and any other type of surface where germs are lurking. It also doesn’t stain or leave behind a film or residue.

Biggest downsides: The product doesn’t dry quickly and must be wiped away. Although the disinfectant spray is advertised as fragrance-free, it has a sterile scent that smells similar to a medical facility. The smell of rubbing alcohol may be too strong for some individuals, especially in small spaces. The fumes from the alcohol may also cause some consumers to cough or have difficulty breathing well when spraying the product.

Green Pick

CleanSmart
To Go
Disinfectant

CleanSmart disinfectant spray leaves no chemical residue or harsh fumes & kills 99% of germs like cold, flu & strep throat. Unlike other sprays, there is no bleach & its safe around babies & pets.

Price Check

Most notable upside: This 2 ounce sized CleanSmart disinfectant spray is TSA approved and perfect for travel. You can use it to disinfect plane tray tables, restrooms, seats, and more. Easily take this to hotel rooms, public restrooms, luggage handles, bathroom handles, and restaurant tables. You can essentially take it to any public place and utilize it to kill germs. This kills 99% of germs like cold, flu, strep, and more. There’s no bleach or harsh fumes, so it can be used around babies and animals. This cleaner includes Hypochlorous Acid Technology, which has been used in the medical field for years. Hypochlorous is baby and pet friendly. It is safe to spray on CPAP, baby toys, public restrooms, and shopping carts. This option is a healthier option to use around those with asthma and allergies. This is great to use as an alternative to Lysol, Seventh Gen, Pine Sol, Mr. Clean and 409. Laboratory testing has shown CleanSmart to kill Norovirus, H1N1, Strep, Staph, E.Coli, Rhinovirus, and more.This is a great tool for preventing the spread of germs among households and offices or public places, and it also helps eradicate the germs once you are sick.

Biggest downsides: The product cannot freeze or it will not be as effective. Keep this in consideration if having it delivered in freezing conditions and with regards to storing methods.

All Our Picks

Tips for Effective Disinfectant Spray

It can be necessary to pre-clean surfaces before use and remove any debris. Hold the can 6 to 8 inches from the surface. Spray 3 to 4 seconds until the surface is covered with a mist. To disinfect, surfaces must remain wet for 3 minutes, then be allowed to dry. For Norovirus, allow the surface to remain wet for 10 minutes, then air dry. To sanitize, the surface must remain wet for 10 seconds. To control and prevent mold and mildew, allow the surface to remain wet for 3 minutes, then let it air dry. To deodorize, spray on surfaces as needed. Do not saturate soft surfaces. Let air dry.

A Note About Safety and Storage

If you disinfect a children’s toy or other surface that will come into contact with children, animals, or food prep surfaces, you must clean it with hot water before allowing contact.

The Best Disinfectant Spray

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Thurber

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

Professional
Lysol
Disinfectant Spray

PURELL
Multi Surface
Disinfectant Spray

CleanSmart
To Go
Disinfectant

All Our Picks

Professional
Lysol
Disinfectant Spray

PURELL
Multi Surface
Disinfectant Spray

CleanSmart
To Go
Disinfectant

Tips for Effective Disinfectant Spray

A Note About Safety and Storage

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

The Best Disinfectant Spray

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Thurber

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

ProfessionalLysolDisinfectant Spray

PURELLMulti SurfaceDisinfectant Spray

CleanSmartTo GoDisinfectant

All Our Picks

ProfessionalLysolDisinfectant Spray

PURELLMulti SurfaceDisinfectant Spray

CleanSmartTo GoDisinfectant

Tips for Effective Disinfectant Spray

A Note About Safety and Storage

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Professional
Lysol
Disinfectant Spray

PURELL
Multi Surface
Disinfectant Spray

CleanSmart
To Go
Disinfectant

Professional
Lysol
Disinfectant Spray

PURELL
Multi Surface
Disinfectant Spray

CleanSmart
To Go
Disinfectant