How to Kill Norovirus and Stomach Flu with Clorox® Bleach & Disinfectants

Learn all about cleaning after Norovirus and Stomach Flu, what kills Norovirus on surfaces and what you can do to help prevent the spread in your home.

What is norovirus?

Norovirus causes inflammation of the stomach, intestines or both. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), the virus can linger on objects and surfaces for days or even weeks.¹ Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain. A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus. Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days.²

How to help prevent the spread of norovirus

Unfortunately, the spread of norovirus can happen quickly. It’s highly contagious and can infect anyone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), taking measures to help prevent the spread of the virus is important.³

Prevention can start with simple cleaning measures at home, including the use of a disinfecting bleach to help disinfect surfaces at home. CDC recommends disinfecting hard, nonporous surfaces with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectant that is approved to kill norovirus, such as Clorox^® Disinfecting Bleach or Clorox^® Clean-Up^® Cleaner + Bleach.⁴

Tips to help prevent the spread of norovirus.

Wash your hands often.

Be sure to wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds,⁴ especially after using the toilet, changing diapers, before eating or handling food and after interacting with an infected individual.

Clean food thoroughly.

Be especially careful with fruits and vegetables before eating,⁴ and avoid preparing food for yourself or others if you are sick.

Wash clothes and bedding thoroughly.⁴

Immediately remove and wash clothes, linens or bedding that may be contaminated with vomit or stool (feces).

Steps to clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces.

Here’s how to disinfect surfaces like kitchen countertops or bathroom sinks with a bleach and water solution.⁵

Mix 1/3 cup of Clorox^® Disinfecting Bleach in 1 gallon of water
Thoroughly wet surface with the bleach solution and allow it to remain on the surface for 6 minutes
Rinse with clean water and air dry
Or use Clorox^® Clean-Up^® Cleaner + Bleach. Spray product 4–6 inches from surface until thoroughly wet. Let stand for 1 minute. Rinse or wipe clean

Do not use bleach or bleach-based products on aluminum, chipped or cracked enamel, copper, brass, silver or unsealed wood, marble, tile or granite.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do norovirus and stomach flu live on surfaces?

According to the American Medical Association (AMA), the virus can linger on objects and surfaces for days or even weeks.⁶

What food products are linked with norovirus illness and stomach flu?

According to CDC, foods commonly involved in norovirus outbreaks include leafy greens such as lettuce, fresh fruits and shellfish.⁶

Is norovirus the same as stomach flu?

Norovirus is sometimes called the "stomach flu" or the "stomach bug." However, norovirus illness is not related to the flu, which is caused by the influenza virus. Norovirus causes acute gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach or intestines.²

How do I get rid of norovirus or stomach flu quickly?

The key to dealing with norovirus is outbreak prevention, which includes disinfecting surfaces to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Can bleach kill norovirus and stomach flu?

Yes, when used as directed, bleach can kill norovirus and stomach flu on contaminated hard, non-porous surfaces. Bleach and other disinfectants are not suitable for consumption or injection under any circumstances.

What kills norovirus and stomach flu besides bleach?

CDC recommends disinfecting hard, non-porous surfaces with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectant that is approved to kill norovirus, such as Clorox^® Disinfecting Bleach or Clorox^® Clean-Up^® Cleaner + Bleach.⁴

Does soap or hand sanitizer kill norovirus?

CDC recommends washing hands well with soap and water as hand sanitizer alone does not work well against norovirus.⁴

Does chlorine kill norovirus in pools?

According to CDC, when you go in a swimming pool, hot tub, splash pad or other recreational water venue, you can swallow germs that cause diarrhea like Crypto, Giardia, Shigella, Norovirus, and E. coli O157 can survive in properly chlorinated water for minutes to days, depending on the germ.⁷

Does Pine-Sol kill norovirus?

Yes, Original Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectant that is approved to kill norovirus.²