How To Use Lysol Wipes Correctly
In these uncertain times when there is the threat of infection that can cause serious illness or worse, disinfectant wipes have become a necessity. Certain viruses and bacteria can remain active and dangerous for several days on hard surfaces. One of the best ways to keep you and your loved ones safe from these threats is to keep surfaces wiped down with Lysol wipes. There is a right way and a wrong way to use them though. Here is everything that you need to know about how to use Lysol Wipes correctly.
Understand the purpose of Lysol Wipes
Before you get started it’s helpful to know precisely what Lysol wipes are intended to be used for so you’ll use them under the right conditions. This product, when used properly is claimed to kill 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses. They are advertised as a product that can be used on electronics such as remote controls, tablets, smartphones and more. You can safely keep them in your car to use wherever you need to disinfect surfaces.
Make sure that the wipes are compatible with the surfaces that you’re cleaning
The best way to ensure that the disinfectant wipes that you plan to use on a given surface is compatible, read the label. You will find the recommendations there. If you are in doubt, you may test a small area first to make sure that it doesn’t discolor or cause damage to the surface first.
Important guidelines for using Lysol Wipes
The goal is to clean surfaces and disinfect them so there are no dangerous germs remaining. When cleaning surfaces that are very dirty, you must first clean with a wipe to remove all particles, then follow up with a second wipe to disinfect. It is important to wipe down the surface until it is wet. You should be able to see the moisture on it. If not, use more wipes. You must allow the liquid to sit on the surface for 10 minutes. Allow it to air dry for the most effective results. If the surface is not visibly wet, or if you remove excess moisture without allowing the air-drying process, the surface may not be entirely cleaned and disinfected.
When to use Lysol Wipes
Lysol Wipes are intended to be used on things like countertops, telephones, doorknobs, light switches, and on hard surfaces that people tend to come in contact with. Think about the places that we place our hands and fingers. When protecting from common transmittable viruses and bacteria, this means it’s a good idea to disinfect your vehicle’s steering wheel, door handles, bathroom countertops, the handle used to flush toilets. In extreme cases when someone diagnosed with an infectious disease, you may also use them to disinfect nightstands, game controllers, remotes, laptop keyboards, and similar devices. These wipes are made for use on high-touch areas to remove the threat of disease transmission. They are also useful on countertops where raw meat has been prepared to eliminate the threat of cross-contamination.
The wrong way to use Lysol Wipes
Lysol Wipes lose their effectiveness when they are used improperly. It is just as important to avoid improper use as it is to use them correctly. One of the common mistakes that people make is to use the same wipe to clean multiple surfaces. The issue that this practice creates is that the surfaces do not all get enough of the disinfectant solution on them. After you’ve picked up a lot of germs on the wipe, and diminished the amount of solution left on the wipe, then you are just spreading more viruses and bacteria from one spot to another. This defeats the purpose of disinfecting.
Drying the surfaces with paper towels
It might be inconvenient to allow the surfaces you’ve just disinfected to air dry, but this is an important step. The solution must be allowed to sit on the surface for a minimum of 3-5 seconds with 10 as an extra precaution for the most thorough cleaning job. If you wipe it dry before that time, there is a good chance that it has not had enough time to kill potentially harmful bacteria and viruses.
Avoid contact with food products
If you use Lysol Wipes to disinfect surfaces that will come in contact with food, it is vital that you rinse the surface before you use it. Use clean water to remove the residue after properly disinfecting, then dry with a soft towel or paper towel. You should repeat this process with any item you’ve disinfected that may come into contact with children, especially toys and other items that can end up in a child’s mouth.
Dispose of the wipes properly
Lysol Wipes should never be flushed down a toilet. They can cause problems in your plumbing and they can also create clogs in the sewer lines. These are not products that will break down quickly like toilet paper. They should be placed in a garbage receptacle that is out of the reach of small children and pets. There may be harmful germs and chemicals on the wipes that are not safe for kids and pets.
Personal safety
It is not yet known what, if any health risks are associated with the long-term use of disinfectant wipes. They can cause skin reactions in some individuals who are sensitive. After use, it is strongly recommended that you wash your hands with soap and water to remove the residue of the chemicals. You may use gloves if you are concerned about the chemicals drying your skin or causing a reaction. When you observe the practices recommended for the proper use of Lysol Wipes, you can safely clean and disinfect key areas to help lessen the chance of getting sick because of contaminated surfaces. They’re great to take with you on the go, but remember to follow the proper steps.