COVID-19 Cleaning Supplies: What to Avoid & Where to Buy
Introduction
A top priority on everyone’s mind during the COVID-19 outbreak is how to keep things clean. Trying to avoid viruses, whether it’s the coronavirus or the seasonal flu, can become quite stressful at a time like this. A top concern? Cleaning products seem to be out of stock everywhere. We have compiled a list of small, or less obvious, businesses that have personal and home cleaning supplies in stock online. Also included in this guide are CDC recommendations for the usage of each cleaning product. Be sure to follow best cleaning practices as approved by the CDC to keep you and your family safe.
Whether you are looking to get all your supplies delivered or looking to support small businesses, keep reading to find out how to shop cleaning essentials during this time.
Do NOT Use These Products Against Coronavirus
The following products are commonly thought to combat COVID-19, but they are not effective against the virus. Avoid companies promoting these products as being able to kill the coronavirus, they may scam you of your money.
Essential Oils
There is no evidence that tea tree oil, or other essential oils, can kill the coronavirus. The FDA has warned companies against false claims that their essential oils are a safe/effective treatment for this virus. You can still use these products in your home and make it smell nice, but it will not deactivate the virus.
Vinegar
There is no evidence that distilled white vinegar, a popular natural cleaner, is effective against the virus, according to a report from NBC News.
Vodka
Vodka has an alcohol percentage of around 40, which is not nearly as high as the recommended 70% for surface cleaning. This is the same for all other spirits – they will be ineffective against the virus.
Scams to Be Aware Of
Unfortunately, online scams are rampant due to the coronavirus outbreak. Adding to the stress of online shopping for virus prevention, consumers are being scammed out of money through false claims, fake items, and packages that are never received.
For more information on the types of scams happening right now, head over to Sitejabber’s COVID-19 Scams guide. Sitejabber is actively researching and verifying claims of scamming, and we will update company profiles on our site accordingly. For tips on avoiding online scam websites, visit our blog.
Orders Never Arrive
Fraudulent retailers are taking advantage of consumers’ fear – and the lack of readily available supplies – to post phony cleaning product listings that never actually arrive. This is one reason why it is so important to read reviews before purchasing from a retailer you’re unfamiliar with. A customer service number or email is rarely available for these sites, leaving shoppers without their supplies or a refund when their order doesn’t come through. If the website does have a customer service number, but you’re unsure about purchasing, call that number first to see if you can talk to someone. If a representative is available, that is a good sign.
False Claims
Along with products not arriving, other companies post false claims about their cleaning products, leading consumers to believe that they are effective against coronavirus when they actually aren’t. These types of websites pop up out of nowhere and disappear just as quickly, offering no refunds or returns to their customers. Products with the language “anti-coronavirus” are probably a sham, and many that claim this don’t have the necessary ingredients to deactivate the virus. Also, check for a reputable brand name or certifications (such as CDC-approval).
If you can’t find reputable reviews for a site, check their ingredients list against the EPA’s approved list of ingredients for combating coronavirus.
Products to Use Against Coronavirus
Hand soap, hand sanitizer with alcohol, and EPA-registered disinfectants have all been approved by the CDC to deactivate COVID-19. Read more about each product’s correct usage below.
Hand Soap
One of the biggest defenses against the coronavirus, according to the CDC, is to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Soap and water dissolve the outer lipid, or fat, membranes of the virus, rendering it inactive, according to a CNN interview with a leading virologist. The CDC also stresses to use soap and water over anything else, including hand sanitizer, when available.
Top question: What type of hand soap do I use?
It is the actual action of scrubbing with soap that breaks down the lipids of the virus, so any type of soap you have will work, it does not have to be antibacterial soap. For more information about why the type of soap doesn’t matter, read the HuffPost’s interview with medical professionals on the subject.
Adam’s Polishes manufactures car detailing supplies, such as waxes and polishes, but has pivoted its efforts towards making products for the COVID-19 outbreak. Adam’s Hand Soap is a heavily concentrated formula that is appropriate for at-home use, and comes in three scents: Lemon Cream, Coconut, and ironically, Detail Spray.
AllStarHealth, an online wellness store, still has a wide variety of hand soaps in stock online. Customers can find anything from cleansing bars to hydrating liquid soaps at reasonable prices. Although it’s a lesser-known name in the industry, AllStarHealth has been around for over 20 years.
As we mentioned earlier, the soap you use to combat COVID-19 does not need to be antibacterial, so another option is to make your own soap. Find the ingredients and products you need at Bulk Apothecary, or purchase a soap base and use that to clean your hands (it won’t be colored or scented, but it does the trick). Homemade soap could also be a nice gift for family and friends during this trying time.
Key features: Make any scent or type of soap (ex: Aloe, Shea Butter, Organic, Glycerin)
Cleancult makes natural cleaning products with zero-waste packaging. First, purchase a starter kit with reusable bottles, then all you need to do is buy a refill when you’re out. *While Cleancult’s hand soaps are effective against COVID-19 if used correctly, their all-purpose cleaner will not disinfect your surfaces from the virus.
Key features: Coconut-based, safe for sensitive skin
Price: $13.45 per 12 oz bottle ($6.95 per 16 oz refill - no bottle)
Find bulk hand soap at CleanItSupply.com. This site offers a variety of janitorial, office, and medical supplies in bulk with no account required. Users can also sign-up for auto-delivery on their favorite products.
Key features: Popular cleaning brands including Purell, Scott, Dial, and more
Price: Prices vary by product, but COVID-19 products are discounted right now
A popular name in natural home and body care products, Dr. Bronner’s can be found at many wellness and grocery stores, and they have their online shop. While their popular hand sanitizer is currently out of stock, they have a wide variety of soap still available.
Key features: Organic, fair-trade ingredients, top-selling soap in U.S. natural marketplace
Jordan Essentials focuses on natural, cruelty-free bath and body products. They’ve been around for 20 years and pride themselves on using non-toxic, made in the USA ingredients in all of their products.
Key features: Foaming hand soap and soap bars in multiple scents, refills available
Price: Prices start at $6.50 per bar or $10 per bottle
Overstock sells a wide variety of products, including bath and body soaps. Hand soaps are still available on this site, in both liquid and bar forms, but some prices might be increased due to high demand.
Key features: Variety of soaps including antimicrobial, hydrating, cleansing, all-natural
Public Goods focuses on sustainability. Its products come in one version (ex: only one scent, color, type, etc.), its bottles are refillable, and the ingredients are natural. While the site is limiting COVID-19 related products to one per order, they do still have essential items in stock.
Key features: Vegan-friendly, natural ingredients and fragrance
Price: $4.50 per 12 oz bottle (limit 1 per customer)
Looking for hand soaps at a discounted price? PureFormulas is an online health and supplement store with plenty of options still available for bar or liquid soaps. Multi-purpose, fragrance-free, hydrating, and more options are all in stock.
Key features: Sensitive skin, hydrating, liquid or bar
Buy individual or bulk soaps from Vermont Soap, an organic soap factory specializing in personal care and home products. Liquid, bar, and foam soaps are all still available on this site, as well as a variety of other “green” products.
Key features: Cruelty-free, GMO-free, made in the USA
Price: Single soaps start around $5, discounts available for bulk orders
Hand Sanitizers
While your first choice should be soap, if that isn’t an option, the CDC recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol. This might not be as effective as washing with soap for 20 seconds, but if you do not have immediate access to running water, it is the next best choice.
Which Sanitizers Work: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol.
As a clean makeup and skincare brand, 100% PURE has made the natural transition into manufacturing hand sanitizer during this shortage. Their FDA-compliant formula is made with aloe vera gel and tea tree oil to moisturize skin.
Key features:
62% ethyl alcohol
Vegan, cruelty-free company, made in the USA
Price: $5 per 1.7 oz bottle – minimum purchase of 3
Adam’s Polishes manufactures car detailing supplies, such as waxes and polishes, but has pivoted its efforts towards making products for the COVID-19 outbreak. Adam’s Hand Sanitizer is a thin, sprayable formula available in three sizes, and is reportedly formulated in accordance with WHO recommendations on alcohol content.
Besides carrying popular nail polish brands and other nail supplies, Beyond Polish also has a variety of hand sanitizers online. Among them is beauty brand NCLA’s formula, which is available in four fragrances, including unscented for sensitive skin.
Key features:
65% ethyl alcohol
Vitamin E, aloe vera, multiple scents or unscented
CHI, the popular hair care brand, is now manufacturing hand sanitizer. CHI Organic Gardens Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer is a 92% natural formula with aloe vera for moisturizing and alcohol to kill germs. Biosilk, a subsidiary of CHI brands, also sells hand sanitizer with the same formula on their website.
Pure Eir was created by the natural, unisex skincare line Eir to help with the hand sanitizer shortage we’re experiencing. You can purchase a small bottle for $20.
Key features:
65.7% ethyl alcohol
Hydrating oils, eucalyptus, vegan, citrus-scented, all skin types
This San Francisco-based natural skincare company also makes a hand sanitizer formulated within WHO’s guidelines, with 91% alcohol. Holdluxe Naturale does sell their products on Etsy, so it is important to note that sellers cannot make medical or health claims. However, the shop has hundreds of 5-star reviews.
Key features:
91% isopropyl alcohol
Aloe vera gel, natural ingredients, thick moisturizing formula
Founded by actress Jessica Alba, The Honest Company was created to provide products that are both effective and good for you. They currently have hand sanitizers and alcohol wipes available that won’t be too sticky or leave your skin feeling dry. Community-recommended sanitizers from The Honest Company are listed below.
Kai’s Virgin Vapor is producing spray hand sanitizer in a variety of sizes. The USDA organic formula has two scent options, lavender or unscented, and they’re donating to community food banks and other organizations in need.
Natural Path Botanicals regularly produces hemp and CBD oil products, but like so many manufacturers, it has turned to producing hand sanitizer due to the shortage. Available in single bottles, multi-packs, and large refills, their product claims to meets the WHO’s guidelines for hand sanitizer usage during COVID-19.
Orly International has reconfigured its nail polish factory to manufacture hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 outbreak. Available in spray bottles or refills, their sanitizer meets the CDC’s guidelines and is fragrance-free. It’s subsidiary, SPARITUAL, is also producing sanitizer. Together, they are donating thousands of bottles to those in need in the Los Angeles area.
Key features:
75% isopropyl alcohol
16 oz liquid refill size (limit 2 per customer) or 2 oz spray bottle (limit 3 per customer)
Cruelty-free, vegan, fragrance-free, oil-free
Price: $17.99 per 16 oz refill bottle or $13.99 for a 4-pack of 2 oz bottles
Like many other distilleries around the country, Prohibition Spirits now manufactures hand sanitizer. The Sonoma-based company put a spin on their new products and is offering fun cocktail scents. The sanitizer is currently only available in a 4-pack of 6 oz scents.
Key features:
70% ethyl alcohol
Scents: Key Lime Margarita, Lemon Drop Martini, Pina Colada, Old Fashioned
Public Goods focuses on sustainability. Its products come in one version (ex: only one scent, color, type, etc.), its bottles are refillable, and ingredients are natural. While the site is limiting COVID-19 related products to one per order, they do still have key items in stock.
Key features:
62% ethyl alcohol
Paraben-free, cruelty-free, contains aloe vera for hydration, made in the USA
Repêchage, a skincare brand, is making hand sanitizers during the outbreak. Ranging from 2 oz to 8 oz, the solutions meet the CDC’s alcohol requirements. They are also producing a new hydrating hand wash to complement the increased usage of alcohol-based sanitizers.
Key features:
75% to 80% alcohol solution, depending on type of sanitizer
The clean makeup brand Saie is giving all customers a free 1 oz bottle of their hand sanitizer with all online orders. In addition, Saie is donating bottles to Feeding America. Note that customers cannot purchase sanitizer alone, it is only included in orders with other items, but there is no order minimum.
Key features:
Isopropyl alcohol (percentage not listed but Saie’s formula was FDA-approved)
This newly opened brewery and distillery in Mission Bay has converted into a hand sanitizer factory. Order online and pick up at Seven Stills if you’re in the San Francisco area, or have it shipped to your home in the following states: CA, OR, WA, ID, NV, UT, AZ, and NM. An online charitable donation can be made to select organizations as well.
This sustainable, clean beauty brand has pivoted to manufacturing hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 outbreak. Available in spray bottles or refills, their sanitizer meets the CDC’s guidelines and is fragrance-free. SPARITUAL partnered with its parent company Orly to make the sanitizer, and they are donating thousands of bottles to those in need in the Los Angeles area.
Key features:
75% isopropyl alcohol
16 oz liquid refill size (limit 2 per customer) or 2 oz spray bottle (limit 3 per customer)
Cruelty-free, vegan, fragrance-free, oil-free
Price: $25 per 16 oz refill bottle or $19.95 for a 4-pack of 2 oz bottles
For those wanting a little something extra in their hand sanitizer, Swanson has a product from CBD Living that contains 50mg of hemp-derived CBD (THC-free), while also reporting to contain the recommended amount of alcohol to keep the formula effective. Swanson also carries other brands of hand sanitizer, but keep in mind that alcohol-free sanitizers are not approved by the CDC against coronavirus.
A well-known destination for vitamins, supplements, proteins, herbs, and more, The Vitamin Shoppe also has a selection of hand sanitizers. Keep in mind that alcohol-free sanitizers are not approved by the CDC against coronavirus. Community-recommended sanitizers from The Vitamin Shoppe are listed below.
Besides keeping your hands clean, disinfecting surfaces and objects in your home is important too. The CDC recommends using EPA-approved products and ingredients to keep you and your family safe from harsh chemicals. For items that are cleaned with alcohol-based solutions, like touchscreens, use a formula with at least 70% alcohol. For more details on cleaning specific items or surfaces in your home, visit the CDC’s guide for household disinfecting during COVID-19.
Which Disinfectants Work: Disinfectants with bleach, isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%), hydrogen peroxide (3%), and products on this EPA list.
Buckets of Ink, a screen printing and embroidery supply store, makes a hospital-grade Disinfectant Cleaner Concentrate. It’s EPA registration number (#10324-154) can be found on the approved list for coronavirus products, with a contact time of 10 minutes.
Key features:
Claims to be EPA-registered and approved to work against human coronavirus
The company Cleaner Today makes an EPA-registered product called MoldSTAT STEP 2. According to their research, and the EPA’s list (registration #10324-72), an exposure time of 10 minutes to MoldSTAT eliminates human coronavirus on surfaces.
While most cleaning and janitorial sites are sold out of coronavirus disinfectants, The Cleaner’s Depot still has some in stock but is limiting orders to one bottle per customer. The company claims that their formula, SANI 101 by ChemTron, is EPA-approved for use against coronavirus with a 10 minute contact time (registration #10324-63).
Key features:
Reportedly EPA-registered and approved to work against human coronavirus
Can be used on surfaces, including food contact surfaces, automatic washing systems, and more
Find disinfectants at CleanItSupply.com. This site offers a variety of janitorial, office, and medical supplies in bulk with no account required. Users can also sign-up for auto-delivery on their favorite products. Reviewers report mixed shipping rates during this time.
Key features: Popular disinfectant categories including bleach and peroxide. Community-recommended products for coronavirus on this site:
Founded by actress Jessica Alba, The Honest Company was created to provide products that are both effective and good for you. The Honest Company produces their honest disinfecting spray, which includes hydrogen peroxide to kill germs. According to their website, this spray meets the EPA Viral Emerging Pathogen Policy.
Jon-Don is an online janitorial and construction retailer that has been around for over 40 years. They still have some reportedly EPA-approved disinfectants for use against coronavirus that are in stock and ready to ship.
Key features: Variety of potency and disinfectant types. Community-recommended products for coronavirus on this site:
MediClean Germicidal Cleaner Concentrate in lemon or mint (EPA #70385-6)
Price: Prices start at $19.95 but vary greatly for bulk products
Working Together to Stay Safe
While this outbreak is a scary and stressful time for many, using the right cleaning products for personal hygiene and your home is a powerful way to stay safe. We’ll continue to add retailers to this list as more products become available. Remember to follow the CDC’s guidelines for safely cleaning with recommended chemicals.
As you’re purchasing cleaning products, please remember to buy only what you need. This worldwide shortage is partially due to consumers hoarding supplies. By working together and only buying what is necessary, we can make sure that everyone can protect themselves and their families.
Have more questions? Reach out to others on our COVID-19 community Facebook group.
