True or False: Natural products like vinegar or tea tree oil kill the coronavirus on surfaces.
Answer
FALSE: Natural products like vinegar or tea tree oil won’t kill coronaviruses. Disinfectants that work include:
- Bleach solution (4 teaspoons of bleach in a quart of water)
- Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol or wipes with 70% alcohol or higher (vodka and other liquors lack enough concentration)
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol
- Soap and water (wash hands for at least 20 seconds)
- Hydrogen peroxide
Soak the cleaning solution on countertops or other surfaces for 30 seconds or longer before wiping it down. Diluted bleach loses strength with time, so mix only what you need for the day.