Does Bleach Kill COVID-19 and Other Viruses, Bacteria and Germs?

Disinfectants play an important role in helping keep our communities safer from any infection-causing viruses. They’re used to kill germs in our homes and laundry areas, as well as other nonporous surfaces. Disinfectants are an important part of preventing the spread of germs and viruses that live on surfaces.

Read more on how Clorox® disinfectants are a must-have in your household to help kill and prevent any viruses, as well as the types of germs.

The Clorox® disinfectant products listed here can kill viruses such as Coronavirus (COVID-19), cold and flu germs, Strep, Staph, E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria and other germs that can be caught on surfaces.

Each disinfectant kills a different list of germs — make sure to check your product’s label for more information. Find a list of products effective against COVID-19 here.

Disinfectants need to back up their claims in order to promote efficacy against a specific virus like the common cold, flu or SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Clorox scientists follow strict product efficacy testing requirements established by the EPA for claim verification. This government body evaluates our disinfectant products in a lab under Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) conditions. The criteria tested for efficacy against viruses are:

• Product Application
• Surface Type
• Contact Time
• Reproducibility
• Consistency of Results

Disinfecting destroys or inactivates both the bacteria and viruses identified on the product’s label (like influenza and rhinovirus) on hard, nonporous surfaces. Disinfecting hard, nonporous surfaces is one of the most reliable ways to help lower the risk of spreading germs from surfaces by touch.¹

For a full list of Clorox® Disinfecting products that kill viruses through disinfection, please visit our cleaning and disinfecting products page.