If you’re like me, then Lysol Wipes are probably a staple in your house! Especially if you have little rugrats that are always making little spills and big oopsies.
However, what many people do not know is that Lysol Wipes are more than just for cleaning up spills. Many people also do not know the correct way to use them (Huh?) and how versatile they can be.
So let’s talk all about Lysol Wipes – what they were designed for, what they are made of, how they can be used, how they affect the skin, and all the nitty-gritty details to help you make the most of each wipe!
What Are Lysol Wipes
Lysol Disinfecting Wipes are medicated towelettes that are designed to easily wipe different surfaces to get rid of germs (bacteria).
The Lysol company makes them in a variety of options which include:
- Lysol Disinfecting Wipes (Regular)
- Lysol Disinfecting Wipes – To Go Pack
- Lysol Disinfecting Wipes – Brand New Day
- Lysol Disinfecting Wipes – Plant-Based Fibers
- Lysol Simply Wipes
- Lysol Dual Action Disinfecting Wipes
Now these different kinds of wipes can be used for different things depending on your needs and personal preference.
Related Article – 8 Best Alternatives to Lysol Spray- that are even Better
What Are Lysol Wipes Designed For
According to the company, Lysol Disinfectant Wipes are used to disinfect various solid surfaces around your home such as:
- Kitchen counters
- Sinks, Toilet Seats, and Bath Tubs
- Doorknobs and Light Switches
- Smartphones, Tablets, and Game Consoles
- Garbage cans
- Refrigerator exteriors
How To Properly Use Lysol Wipes
Now this is where some people get thrown. There is a specific way that the Lysol Wipes are meant to be used to get the full benefits. Here is how:
- Preclean your surfaces – this is the first step and the one that most people either forget about or don’t know about. For the Lysol wipes to be most effective, you need to clean whatever is on the surface first.
- This can be with a wet rag or cloth, mild soap and water, or even a dry cloth. Depending on what is on the surface. The aim is to have nothing on the surface to impede the wipe as it spreads its ingredients flat on every inch of the surface you are wiping.
- When you are ready to use the wipes, use as many wipes as you need to make the surface thoroughly wet.
- If you are just sanitizing the area, allow the surface to remain wet for up to 2 minutes (re-wipe if you need to keep it wet) and then allow it to air dry.
- If you are trying to disinfect the area, allow the surface to remain wet for up to 4 minutes (re-wipe if you need to keep it wet) and then allow it to air dry.
- If you are using the wipes on surfaces that will come into contact with food, then you will need to rinse the area thoroughly with water to remove any residue from the wipes.
Other Potential Ways You Can Use Lysol Wipes
Apart from using Lysol Wipes on hard surfaces, you can also use it on upholstery and certain soft surfaces (with caution and at your own risk).
The Lysol Wipes do not contain bleach but they do contain other ingredients that may or may not damage fabrics.
Lysol Wipes were not designed to be used on leather and upholstery but many people use them now and again without any complaints. The company advises that you check your item’s cleaning instructions before trying to use Lysol Wipes on them. If you do decide to use them, I recommend that you do a little patch test on a small area first before wiping the whole thing.
However, most couches, short-pile rugs, and other upholstered materials hold up well to a quick wipe-down with these wipes. I do not recommend that you saturate the material and make it wet, and I do not recommend that you try to remove stains or spills that have soaked through the material.
Effectiveness Of The Lysol Wipes
When used correctly, the Lysol Disinfectant Wipes are very effective. They can be used to sanitize and disinfect surfaces around your home.
Now here’s the difference between the two. When you sanitize, you kill bacteria on the surface that you are cleaning. However, when you disinfect, you kill viruses, bacteria, and fungi on the surface you are cleaning.
As mentioned before, to sanitize, the surface you are cleaning needs to remain wet for at least 2 minutes. This will kill the bacteria on the surface.
On the other hand, if you are disinfecting, then you need to use the wipes to keep the surface wet for at least 4 minutes. This will kill the bacteria and viruses on the surface.
Ingredients in Lysol Wipes
The ingredients in the different kinds of Lysol Wipes will vary slightly depending on the design. However, we went through each kind of wipe with a fine-tooth comb so that we would know exactly what they are made of.
The common ingredients in the Lysol Disinfecting Wipes (Regular), Lysol Disinfecting Wipes – To Go Pack, Lysol Disinfecting Wipes – Brand New Day, and the Lysol Dual Action Disinfecting Wipes are:
- Active: Alkyl (50% C14, 40% C12, 10% C16) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride
- Intentionally Added: Water, Ethanol, C9-11 Alkyl Glucoside, Propylene Glycol Butyl Ether, Ethanolamine (Ethanol, 2-Amino-)
- Ingredient that will differ: Fragrance/Parfum (this will differ depending on the fragrance you choose)
The ingredients in the LYSOL Daily Cleaning Wipes – Simply will include:
- Water, Citric Acid, Ethanol, Ethoxydiglycol (Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether), Alcohols Ethoxylate (C10-16 Isoalketh), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Fragrance/Parfum (this will vary depending on the scent), Dimethicone.
And finally, the ingredients in the Lysol® Disinfecting Wipes – Plant-Based Fibers will include:
- Active: Citric Acid
- Intentionally Added: Water, Phenoxyisopropanol, Alkylbenzenesulfonic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Fragrance/Parfum (will vary), Alcohols Ethoxylate (C10-16 Isoalketh), Sulfuric Acid, Sodium Sulfate
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the Lysol Wipes have bleach?
None of the Lysol Wipes contain bleach.
Instead, they are each designed with different active ingredients (see above) that help to kill germs.
Can Lysol Wipes Be Used On Skin
The Lysol Disinfectant Wipes were designed to clean surfaces and are not designed to be used on the skin. They are not skin-safe.
They contain strong chemicals and no ingredients to protect your skin from their effects. Many of these chemicals can cause irritation or allergic reactions and even rashes, especially if you have sensitive skin.
I do not recommend using these wipes to wipe or clean any area of your skin. You can use them with your bare hands if you are just using one for a quick spill or wipe (and not often). But always make sure that you wash your hands well afterwards.
On the other hand, if you are cleaning a surface or cleaning up a big spill or surface, I recommend using gloves.
Are Lysol Wipes Eco-friendly
The Lysol Wipes that are made of plant-based fibers are Eco-friendly and biodegradable, but the others are not.
So, not all of the Lysol Wipes are Eco-friendly. You can click here for their eco-friendly wipes Lysol Disinfecting Wipes – Plant-Based Fibers
Side Effects Of Using Lysol Wipes
Lysol Disinfectant Wipes and other wipes can cause skin, eye, gastrointestinal (if ingested), and even respiratory irritation if used in close contact, especially in children.
The chemicals in these wipes can be too harsh for the skin, causing rashes, allergic reactions, and irritation. Children are especially at risk since their skin and protective barriers are softer and much more sensitive.
Likewise, the wipes can carry strong fragrances and scents associated with the chemicals used which can cause respiratory symptoms like coughing, and sneezing, and can even trigger asthmatic episodes if inhaled.
You should also be careful not to get the wipe or the liquid from the wipe into your eyes, nose, mouth, or any internal areas. This can cause irritation, poisoning and illness.
If you are using the wipes to clean areas, ensure that children and other people are not in proximity until the surface has been dried and/or washed off, especially those surfaces that come into contact with food.
If any exposure mentioned above occurs, or if you or anyone else begin to develop side effects from using or being near Lysol Wipes in use, seek medical attention right away.
Click here to read more about poison control’s recommendation for side effects from disinfecting wipes: Are Cleaning Wipes Safe?
What Microorganism Can The Lysol Wipes Kill?
According to Lysol, their Disinfecting Wipes eliminates the following bacteria, viruses, and allergens from hard, non-porous surfaces when used as directed:
Viruses:
- Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1
- Human Coronavirus
- Influenza A Virus (H1N1)
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Lysol is also proven to kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus in 15 seconds and is expected to have similar efficacy on all strains and variants (approved by the EPA. Registration #777-114)
They also kill Rhinovirus Type 39 and Influenza A Virus (H1N1) on hard, non-porous surfaces in 30 seconds.
Bacteria:
- Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep)
- Staphylococcus aureus (Staph)
- Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli)
- Staphylococcus Aureus methicillin-resistant (MRSA)
- Salmonella enterica (Salmonella)
Allergens:
- Dust mite debris
- Pet dander
- Pollen particles
Fungi:
- Aspergillus niger (mold and mildew)
Related Article: Spraying Lysol to Clean Shoes & Kill Fungi: Does it Work
Where To Buy the Lysol Disinfectant Wipes
The Lysol Disinfectant Wipes are usually available in most, if not all, supermarkets and household stores nationwide. They can also be bought online.
Click on each of the options below to see them on Amazon.
Lysol Disinfecting Wipes (Regular)
Lysol Disinfecting Wipes – To Go Pack
Lysol Disinfecting Wipes – Brand New Day
Lysol Disinfecting Wipes – Plant-Based Fibers
Lysol Dual Action Disinfecting Wipes