How to kill Coronavirus germs: these are the cleaning products to reach for

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published 19 March 2020

It's more important than ever that we keep our homes clean, particularly if we're serious about minimising the risk of contracting Coronavirus. But in order to do so, you'll need to ensure you're equipped with the correct cleaning products.

While we're big advocates of natural cleaning products here at Real Homes, it's important to acknowledge that at times like these you might need to bring in the big dogs – just ventilate your home well as you use them. So, to ensure you're choosing the correct products to keep your family safe, we've compiled a list of cleaning materials proven to kill germs.

For more advice and information, check out our cleaning hub.

Cleaning products that kill Coronavirus

Given that Coronavirus is such a new strain of virus, no products have proven through trials that they're capable of killing it off. However, to stay safe, it's recommended that you opt for cleaning products with a high alcohol content, as well as a disinfectant. Many products that claim to kill 99.99% of germs and bacteria. Some of our favourites (that are still in stock) include:

It might also be a good time to invest in the best steam cleaner. Not only are they effective in killing 99.9% of bacteria, but they're a great alternative for those who are sensitive to chemicals, or who need to tackle sensitive surfaces.

Will vinegar kill Coronavirus?

Ordinarily, we'd really recommend using white vinegar to clean your home. However, in the case of Coronavirus it hasn't been proven to be effective. So, we'd recommend sticking to something with a high alcohol and disinfectant percentage, or a bleach-based cleaner.

Can you use alcohol to kill Coronavirus?

There's been a lot of talk about using gin, vodka and other alcohols to clean your home and kill of Coronavirus. But do they actually work? Well, research suggests that you need a solution of 70% alcohol or more in order to effectively fight off bacteria. Even your mightiest vodka is only around 40%.

With this in mind, reputable solutions include alcohol rubs which typically contain 70% isopropyl alcohol. We'd recommend relying on these before repurposing your Gordon's.

More measures to protect your home from Coronavirus

Wash your hands

We're sure that, by this point, you've heard this advice time and time again. But in case you haven't, we'll repeat it one more time. Wash. Your. Hands. This is the single most effective way you can protect yourself against Coronavirus.

How to kills germs on your clothes

We'd also recommend washing your clothes more often. Our guide to how to do laundry offers advice to ensure you're washing effectively.

On top of this, it's advisable to clean your home regularly in a bid to keep the risk of exposure to Coronavirus germs at a minimum. And with us all planning to spend more time at home than ever before, there's probably never been a better time to catch up on a deep clean. You can use the following guides to help you:

Aside from this, we'd also recommend regularly cleaning your phone screen and keyboard, as we're all guilty of touching our devices thousands of times a day.

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Emily first (temporarily) joined the Real Homes team while interning on her summer break from university. After graduating, she worked on several publications before joining Real Homes as Staff Writer full time in mid-2018. She left the brand in 2020 to pursue another career, but still loves a second-hand bargain and sourcing unique finds to make her rented flat reflect her personality.