Air Freshener and Disinfectant Spray Are Two Different Things
There’s a tricky product category: cans of things that can be sprayed into the air of a room, with labels saying they can kill bacteria. Here’s the catch: they are two different functions.
The EPA has a list of disinfectants it believes to be effective against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. There are several products on the list that look like air fresheners.
The products on the list – including the Lysol line here – certainly look like they could be sprayed in the air, but read the instructions and you’ll see that their disinfection and disinfection claims apply to surfaces. (For example, Lysol Disinfectant Spray – Crisp Linen claims to “kill cold and flu viruses *” and an asterisk indicates “* When used as directed”). Here are the directions:
Clean surfaces before use. Keep the can upright 6 to 8 inches from the surface. Spray 3-4 seconds until fog covered.
For disinfection:
The surfaces should remain damp for 3 minutes, then allow to air dry. For noroviruses, surfaces should be kept moist for 10 minutes, then allowed to air dry. Rinse toys and food contact surfaces with drinking water after use.
(There are further instructions, including “control and prevent mold and mildew” and “spot disinfect soft surfaces.”)
Compare that to Lysol Neutra Air , which comes in a very similar package, but only says it “kills odor-causing bacteria.” He’s not on the EPA list. If you are looking for something to deactivate the coronavirus, this is not the case.
Therefore, if you are spraying a product in the air in the hope that you are disinfecting your living space, stop for a second and read the instructions on the label. The CDC recommends disinfecting touched surfaces in the home, but does not recommend air fresheners as a protective measure against COVID-19.