Both brands kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, but they use different active ingredients. Clorox relies on sodium hypochlorite (bleach), which is best for whitening, stain removal, and heavy-duty mold. Lysol uses ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or quaternary ammonium, making it better for everyday cleaning, deodorizing, and preserving colored fabrics.
If your main goal is heavy-duty cleaning or you like that strong clean smell, go for Lysol. It just feels tougher on dirt. If you want something gentler, especially for everyday use or sensitive noses, Clorox is your best bet. They're both solid products and perform at almost the same level for germ-killing.
The best disinfectant spray depends on your specific needs, but top-rated picks are Lysol Disinfectant Spray for everyday use and fabrics, Clorox Multi-Surface Cleaner for quick-drying mists, and CleanSmart Disinfectant for a bleach-free, pet-safe option.
Yes, specific Lysol products work on norovirus, but not all of them do. Because norovirus is a highly resistant, non-enveloped virus, alcohol-based and standard antibacterial wipes are largely ineffective.
Seven places you should never use bleach include:
10 Better Alternatives to Bleach for Cleaning
When used exactly as directed, Clorox Clean-Up is safe for many hard, nonporous surfaces, but it can be hazardous to your health and home if misused. It contains sodium hypochlorite (bleach), which is highly corrosive and can irritate your skin, eyes, and respiratory tract.
Washing your hands with soap and water is a much more effective way to protect yourself from norovirus. That's because “soap is a detergent, and it can dissolve and break apart the capsid and inactivate the virus pretty efficiently,” he explains.
Lysol is safe for general household use if used exactly as directed on the label. However, it is a chemical pesticide and can pose health risks if misused or overused.
The best way to disinfect surfaces is a two-step process of cleaning followed by disinfecting. You must physically wash away dirt first to allow the disinfectant to reach and kill germs.
Hospital-grade disinfectant sprays are EPA-registered, hospital-level formulas designed to kill a broad spectrum of pathogens, including bacteria, bloodborne viruses, and fungi. They are highly effective for decontaminating hard, non-porous surfaces in medical, clinical, and high-traffic environments.
What is "better" depends on your goal, but for most, the best alternatives are Hospital-Grade Disinfectants for superior germ-killing, or Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) and Hydrogen Peroxide for non-toxic safety.
As you've just learned, hydrogen peroxide is a very effective disinfectant and distilled white vinegar is a great sanitizer. Here's how to use hydrogen peroxide and vinegar safely to sanitize and disinfect. Clean the surface or object to remove germs with Branch Basics or another human-safe cleaner.
Both will work the Same on listed contaminates as long as the label is followed. Required contact times are generally different between the two. Typically bleach is used after cleaning a surface, but isn't used as a cleaner itself. Some Lysol products can be used as both a cleaner and disinfectant/sanitizer.
Plumbers recommend cleaning toilets using distilled white vinegar for safe, natural maintenance, or commercial acidic/enzymatic cleaners for tough mineral buildup. They strictly advise avoiding harsh chemicals like drop-in bleach tablets, which can corrode internal rubber flappers and flush valves over time.
Dollar store bleach is generally a safe buy for basic cleaning and laundry on a budget, but it is not as concentrated as name-brand Clorox. Generic versions typically feature less active ingredient (sodium hypochlorite), making them less effective for heavy-duty disinfection.
Neither is definitively "better," as they serve slightly different purposes. Choose based on what you are cleaning:
Inhaling Lysol directly or using it in poorly ventilated areas can irritate your lungs, causing coughing, shortness of breath, or a sore throat. Frequent inhalation of harsh chemical disinfectants—particularly those containing quaternary ammonium compounds—can potentially worsen asthma or cause a decline in lung function over time.
You can spray standard Lysol Disinfectant Spray directly onto a mattress, but avoid spraying it on your bed sheets or pillows. Lysol is designed to kill germs and bacteria on soft surfaces, but it uses chemicals that can cause skin irritation or respiratory issues if left on the fabrics you sleep on.
To kill norovirus, you can use Lysol Disinfectant Spray (in scents like Crisp Linen or Lavender) or Lysol Multi-Purpose Cleaner with Bleach. According to the EPA, these specific formulas are lab-tested and proven to eradicate the virus when used according to the label's directions.
To disinfect, use a chlorine bleach solution with a concentration of 1,000 to 5,000 ppm (5 to 25 tablespoons of household bleach [5% to 8%] per gallon of water) or use an EPA-registered disinfecting product against norovirus.
Since norovirus spreads easily through vomit and stool, good hand hygiene can help reduce the spread.
Hydrogen Peroxide: A milder cousin of chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide offers disinfecting properties and is effective at whitening without the risk of yellowing fabrics over time. Oxygen-Based Bleach: This color-safe alternative is great for brightening colors and whites alike.
Inhaling too much Clorox or bleach fumes irritates your respiratory tract and can cause coughing, chest tightness, and a burning sensation in your nose, throat, and eyes. Severe exposure can lead to breathing difficulties or a life-threatening build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema).
The recall stated that the recalled products may contain bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an environmental organism found widely in soil and water, and that people with weakened immune systems or external medical devices who are exposed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa face a risk of serious infection that may ...