Revised on 18 July 2020
First released on 04 February 2020
For general precautionary cleaning, detergent and water are adequate. For disinfection of areas that are very likely to be contaminated with COVID-19 virus (e.g. bedroom of a person confirmed to have a COVID-19 virus infection), general household products that contain the appropriate concentrations of active ingredients (A.I.s) can be used.
The suitable active ingredients and their effective concentrations are listed in Table 1. The table also provides guidance on the effective contact time (which is different among the various A.I.s) required by the A.I.s to act on a contaminated surface, in order to be effective against coronaviruses. In addition to the use of cleaning agents, other treatments effective against coronavirus include steam and heat treatment. As the COVID-19 virus is new, limited studies have been published on the virus. This assessment is thus based on published scientific studies on coronaviruses, a group to which the COVID-19 virus belongs.
Table 2 lists common household products that can be contain the appropriate A.I.s for disinfection1. These products thus had been assessed to be effective for the wipe-down disinfection of surfaces against coronaviruses. However, NEA has not received any data to support claims of long-lasting effect of surface costs against coronaviruses.
Both tables will be updated as new data emerge and data from more products are gathered.
NEA would also like to highlight that there has recently been some ultraviolet-C (UVC) sterilisers being marketed for home use against the COVID-19 virus. UV irradiation should only be executed by trained professionals for specific purposes such as in hospitals and laboratories. As UVC radiation can cause injury to the skin (e.g. sunburn) and eye (e.g. inflammation of the cornea) and UVC sterilisers have not been proven to be effective against the COVID-19 virus, NEA does not recommend the household use of such products.
Important points to note when using disinfectants:
- Check the labels and use according to instructions, and be aware of the potential hazard of each product.
- Avoid contact with eye and skin when handling cleaning products, and keep them away from children.
- Do not mix different cleaning products and use in a well-ventilated area.
- For disinfection of highly contaminated surfaces or material, avoid the use of spray, and allow appropriate time needed for disinfection.
- This product list should be read in conjunction with the Guidelines and Advisories issued by NEA with instruction and guidelines on how to conduct proper cleaning and disinfection of premises.
1 The product either contains the appropriate active ingredients listed in Table 1 or is accompanied with data that shows efficacy against coronaviruses.
| Disclaimer: Any posting shown in the listing does not constitute or imply any affiliation, relationship or sponsorship by NEA of the products in the listing. Every product needs to be used in the right way and according to specification. NEA will not be responsible for any loss or damage arising from or incidental to any use of products/services in the listing. |
Table 1. Active Ingredients and Their Working Concentrations Effective Against Coronaviruses
| S/N | Active Ingredient (A.I.) | Contact Time (min) |
| 1 | Accelerated hydrogen peroxide# (0.5%)a | 1 |
| 2 | Benzalkonium chloride* (0.05%)b | 10 |
| 3 | Chloroxylenol (0.12%)c | 10 |
| 4 | Ethyl alcohol (70%)d | 10 |
| 5 | Iodine in iodophor (50 ppm)b | 10 |
| 6 | Isopropanol (50%)b | 10 |
| 7 | Povidone-iodine (1% iodine)d | 1 |
| 8 | Sodium hypochlorite (0.05 – 0.5%)d, e or Active chlorine generated from other precursor(s)^ (ca. 0.476-4.762 g/L of available chlorine) | 5 |
| 9 | Sodium chlorite (0.23%)b | 10 |
*Alternative name: alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride
#Products with hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient will be assessed on a case-by-case basis; efficacy reports should be provided by the supplier.
^Active chlorine could be generated from other precursors such as calcium hypochlorite, hydrochloric acid, sodium chloride, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, tosylchloramide sodium, and tichloroisocyanuric acid, under certain conditions.
a Omisbahakhsh, N., & Sattar, S. A. (2006). Broad-spectrum microbicidal activity, toxicologic assessment, and materials compatibility of a new generation of accelerated hydrogen peroxide-based environmental surface disinfectant. American Journal of Infection Control, 34(5), 251-2571
b Saknimit M, Inatsuki I, Sugiyama Y, Yagami K. (1988) Virucidal efficacy of physico-chemical treatments against coronaviruses and parvoviruses of laboratory animals. Jikken Dobutsu. 37:341-5; Tested against canine coronavirus
c Dellanno, C., Vega, Q., & Boesenberg, D. (2009). The Antiviral action of common household disinfectants and antiseptics against murine hepatitis virus, a potential surrogate for SARS coronavirus. American Journal of Infection Control, 37(8), 649-652. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2009.03.012
d Sattar SA, Springthorpe VS, Karim Y, Loro P. (1989). Chemical disinfection of non-porous inanimate surfaces experimentally contaminated with four human pathogenic viruses. Epidemiol. Infect. 102:493-505; Tested against coronavirus 229E.
e Lai, M. Y. Y., Cheng, P. K. C., & Lim, W. W. L. (2005). Survival of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 41(7), e67-e71.