Safe Disinfectant Sprays for Fabrics

Disinfectant Basics

• Disinfectants are substances that are applied to nonliving objects for the purpose of killing living microorganisms. They differ greatly from antibiotics, which kill harmful microbes in your body, and antiseptics, which kill microbes on living tissue such as your skin. As such, disinfectants should work toward killing potentially dangerous microbial organisms on fabrics. Germs such sprays kill include rhinovirus, influenza, e. coli, staphylococcus, streptococcus and salmonella.

Disinfectant Spray Fabric Dangers

• Most disinfectant sprays come in liquid form and contain chemicals designed to kill the various microbes. However, because they come as liquids, even sprays may saturate fabrics and dampen them, which can cause damage or fading. Some disinfectant sprays also contain bleach, which will lighten colorful fabrics, potentially ruining them.

Safe Fabric Sprays

• Some companies produce disinfectant sprays that are safe for use on fabrics. They contain chemicals such as C9-11 pareth-8 68439-46-3, Didecyl-dimethylazanium chloride or ethyl alcohol, which all act as a disinfectant upon contact with microbes, as well as evaporate before it has a chance to saturate the fabrics. These chemicals are found in Lysol Fabric Mists and other products like Febreze disinfectant fabric spray or Virusolve spray. Never use a disinfectant spray not specifically designed, or at least safe, for fabrics or that contains bleach.

Proper Usage

• Disinfectant sprays designed specifically for fabrics will vary according to the manufacturer, as will their proper usage. Sprays like Lysol's Neutra Air Fabric mist should be sprayed onto fabrics from a distance of around 6 to 8 inches. The area should be dampened, but not saturated. Let the fabric spray sit for a few minutes so it has time to kill the germs. Always test the spray in an inconspicuous area of the fabric so you know what effect, if any, it will have on your fabric's color.