How to disinfect surfaces and sanitize with Dettol Surface Cleaner?

For busy households, it can be tricky to find the time for a deep clean. Although disinfecting might not be at the top of your priority list, it’s an important task that can help to keep you and your family protected from harmful bacteria and viruses. Here, you’ll find helpful advice on how to disinfect surfaces properly, with product recommendations and helpful how-tos. 

What is a disinfectant and what does it do?

If you often find yourself asking that question, then we’re here to help you. Some people think disinfecting is the same as sanitizing or cleaning, but it’s not. They all have different meanings. 

What is disinfecting?

Disinfecting involves using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces and objects. Usually, disinfectants, such as bleach or alcohol, need to be left for a period of time before being wiped away in order to be most effective.

What is cleaning?

Cleaning removes dirt, dust, and crumbs from surfaces. Unlike sanitizing, cleaning won’t kill germs, but it will remove them, leaving fewer on the surface and reducing the spread of infection.

What is sanitizing?

Sanitization is something that happens when you disinfect or clean. In simple terms, what sanitizing does is reduce the number of germs to a safe level. 

By disinfecting and cleaning surfaces and objects, you can lower the risk of spreading infection, keeping both you and your family safe. 

Why is it important to disinfect surfaces?

When thinking about how to disinfect surfaces in order to fight germs and bacteria, cleaning isn’t enough. Surfaces and objects need to be disinfected and sanitized properly using specific products regularly in order to kill germs, which have the potential to make you and your loved ones very ill. 

The importance of disinfecting has always been there, however, since the coronavirus pandemic, it feels more important than ever. During the pandemic, personal hygiene and home cleaning was a big focus in a bid to stop the virus from spreading. Now, people have a better understanding of how to keep themselves safe. You can clean every day, but your home won’t be safe from infections unless you disinfect surfaces properly. 

Which surfaces and objects need to be disinfected regularly?

Surfaces and objects, which are touched and used often, should be sanitized regularly in order to prevent the spread of viruses and infections. There are many of these areas in your home, including the sofa, cutting board, countertops, table, and more. 

How to disinfect the sofa

The sofa is a busy place, used by you and your family, as well as visitors. It’s also one of the places you spend most of your time at home, relaxing and recovering from illnesses when sick. Due to this, the sofa is an area you’ll need to disinfect regularly. 

To disinfect your sofa, use the Dettol Citrus Disinfectant Spray, which is safe to use on upholstery to kill germs. Once sprayed, leave to air dry. Easy! Unfortunately, our disinfectant spray can’t be used on leather sofas. If you do have a leather sofa, use our Dettol Antibacterial Wipes. 

How to disinfect the refrigerator

Any item that comes into contact with food needs to be as clean as possible to improve food hygiene. This includes your fridge. On average, your fridge will need a deep clean every three to six months. Here’s how:

1. Empty all food and drink. Remember to keep dairy products, meat and other foods that need to be kept cold in a cool bag or ice box to prevent bacteria.
2. Remove all shelves. It makes it easier to clean if all the parts are removed first. They should be easy to remove and put back in again.
3. Remove food debris. Before you wipe the inside, remove any loose food and crumbs with a handheld hoover or piece of kitchen cloth. 
4. Spray the inside. Use an antibacterial spray, which is safe to use in areas where food is stored and prepared. Leave it to work its magic, then wipe away with a clean cloth. 
5. Clean the shelves. Apply the same spray to the removed shelves, leave to kill germs, then wipe clean. 
6. Put everything back. You’re done! Replace the shelves first, then wait until your fridge returns to the optimum temperature before putting your food back. 

How to disinfect baby toys

Your child’s toys are slept with, chewed on, and dribbled on. They can go from brand new to worse for wear in a short space of time. Cleaning and disinfecting baby toys can add to their longevity at the same time as protecting your baby from harmful germs and bacteria. 

• Hard plastic toys are the easiest to disinfect and should be cleaned weekly using a baby-safe disinfectant. 
• Soft plush toys can be cleaned properly in the washing machine every other week – just remember to add a liquid antiseptic to kill those pesky germs. 
• Electronic toys can be wiped down using antibacterial wipes weekly. If your child is sick, you should do this more often to kill germs spread by coughing or sneezing. 

• Mouth toys and dummies/ pacifiers need to be disinfected very regularly, usually every day or every two days. 

What about other products? Is Dettol Disinfectant Spray safe for babies? Absolutely. It kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses in just one spray and can be used on a wide variety of surfaces, including upholstery. It’s safe to use around infants and children who are most susceptible to infections, like the common cold, cough and diarrhea.

How to disinfect a mattress

Your bed should be a cozy sanctuary, not a grimey space. Your mattress may not look dirty, but dust mites, germs, dead skin cells, and sweat residue are all lurking under the surface. Disinfectants can kill bacteria quickly and easily. Just be sure to use a fabric-safe antibacterial spray with a scent, which can be spritzed and left to dry, no wiping needed. 

How to disinfect door knobs

Door knobs and handles are one of the most used items in the home. As a result, they are germ-ridden and need to be cleaned and disinfected frequently. An all-purpose disinfecting spray or wipe can be used to do this quickly and easily, with minimal effort required. 

How to disinfect cutting board

Your cutting board comes into contact with all kinds of germs and bacteria, including salmonella from raw meat. Ideally, you should use different cutting boards for cutting fruits, vegetables and bread, with a separate one for meat to stop the spread of bacteria. When cutting raw meat, silicone cutting boards are recommended. Using a wood cutting board will make your life harder; it will need to be wiped down, cleaned and disinfected thoroughly after every use to remove any remaining juices or particles. 

How to disinfect kitchen countertops

Which products you use to clean and disinfect your kitchen countertops depends on the material. Quartz, granite, and marble worktops can be cleaned safely with a multipurpose kitchen cleaner spray – just remember to let it sit for a while before wiping away to ensure all germs are killed and removed properly. For varnished wood countertops, however, you’ll need to use something more gentle and less abrasive, like warm water mixed with distilled white vinegar.

How to disinfect table

Your dining table is the place where you and your family eat, so it goes without saying that it needs to be clean and free of germs. You should aim to give it a wipe down after every use to stay on top of stains, spillages, and mess.

Just like your countertops, how you clean your table will depend on its material. Wood can be tricky to clean due to the fact that it has a porous surface. You should use a damp dishcloth with a wood cleaner. Non-wooden tables are a little easier to clean and disinfect. First, wipe any food, crumbs, and dust away, then spray with a multipurpose surface spray. Leave to settle, then wipe dry. 

How long does disinfectant last on surfaces?

An important thing to remember is that disinfectants don’t work instantly. Depending on the formulation, a disinfectant may take several minutes to kill germs. It also depends on which surface or object you’re trying to disinfect. For a disinfectant to be most effective, it needs to be left on the surface for a certain period of time, which is usually specified on the bottle.

When used properly, Dettol household disinfectant products stay effective for up to 24 hours, protecting you and your family from harmful germs on surfaces and objects.

Choosing a surface disinfectant: important things to look out for

When looking for a surface disinfectant that works, there are some things you need to consider:

What the disinfectant claims to kill

Check which bacteria and viruses the product eliminates. Different disinfectants contain various active ingredients, some of which are better at targeting some germs more than others.

Dwell time of the disinfectant

A disinfectant need to remain wet on a surface for a period of time to effectively kill germs. This time is referred to as dwell time and is something you should consider when thinking about how to disinfect surfaces. 

Compatibility of the disinfectant

Which surfaces your disinfecting plays a huge part in deciding whether or not a disinfectant product is compatible. For example, most disinfectant products can’t be used on wood surfaces without causing damage. You may need to use something less abrasive depending on which surface you’re disinfecting. 

Whether or not the disinfectant is safe

Some disinfectants can also cause skin irritation, particularly for animals and young children. Read the product description or bottle carefully to ensure there are no harsh chemicals – and always ensure the product is pet-safe if you have cats, dogs or other animals in your household. 

How easy the disinfectant is to use

There are many surface disinfectant products available, which can be used in various ways. Some may need to be diluted with water, whilst others are ready to use straight from the bottle. The easiest type of disinfectant is usually in the form of an aerosol spray, which can be sprayed on multiple surfaces, including fabrics, then left to air dry. 

How to disinfect surfaces with Dettol Surface Cleaner

Use Dettol Surface Cleanser Spray to kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses in and around surfaces. Check the product labels to ensure the products you use are suitable for the surface you want to disinfect.