NEA has issued an interim list of Household Products and Active Ingredients which can be used for disinfection of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

novel corona virus 2019-nCoV

Many general household products contain the appropriate concentrations of active ingredients (A.I.) that are known to inactivate coronaviruses. For general precautionary cleaning, detergent and water are adequate. For disinfection of areas that are very likely to be contaminated with 2019-nCoV (e.g. bedroom of a person confirmed to have a 2019-CoV infection), disinfectant/cleaning products listed in Table 1 can be used.

The product list is based on currently available data and active ingredients known to be effective against coronaviruses (Table 2). Both tables will be updated as data from more products are gathered, and as more products are assessed to be appropriate.

In addition to the use of cleaning agents, other treatments effective against coronavirus include steam and heat treatment.

Important points to note:

  1. Check the labels and use according to instruction, and be aware of the potential hazard of each product.
  2. For disinfection of highly contaminated surfaces or material, avoid the use of spray, and allow the appropriate time needed for disinfection (refer to product instruction).
  3. 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.

    4. household products for cleaning disinfecting

Table 1 List of Household Disinfectants/Cleaning Products Effective Against Coronaviruses

Product Name Active Ingredients
1 Simple Green Clean Finish Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides 0.15%
Alkyl dimethyl ethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides 0.15%
2 Clorox Disinfectant Wipes Alkyl dimenthylbenzyl ammonium chloride 0.13%
3 Clorox Scentiva Disinfectant (Various Scents) Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride 0.3%
4 Dettol Anti-bacterial Surface Cleanser Trigger Spray Benzalkonium chloride 0.096%
5 Dettol Healthy Clean Kitchen Benzalkonium chloride 0.1%
6 Dettol Healthy Clean Bathroom Benzalkonium chloride 0.1%
Hydrogen peroxide 1%
7 Mr Muscle 5 in 1 Multi-Purpose Cleaner
(Various Scents)		 Quartenary ammonium compounds 0.16%
8 Dettol Laundry Sanitiser Chloroxylenol 2%
9 Walch Laundry Sanitiser Chloroxylenol 2.3-2.5%
10 Walch Antiseptic Germicide Chloroxylenol 4.5-5.5%
11 Dettol Antiseptic Germicide Chloroxylenol 4.8%
12 Dettol Antiseptic Disinfectant Liquid Chloroxylenol 4.8%
13 Kao Bleach Liquid Hypochlorite > 1%
14 Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach Sodium hypochlorite 1.84%
15 Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach Sodium hypochlorite 2.40%
16 Essential Waitrose Thick Original Bleach Sodium hypochlorite 2.5-5.0%
17 Budget Bleach Sodium hypochlorite 3.25%
18 Giant All Purpose Household Bleach Sodium hypochlorite 5.25%

You can get Dettol products over at Shopee.

Each of the disinfectant product typically comprises one of three active ingredients namely, quaternary ammonium compounds, chloroxylenol and sodium hypochlorite.

Avoid contact with eye and skin. When sodium hypochlorite is used on metal, wipe away residues after 10 minutes with a wet cloth as it is corrosive to metals.




Table 2. Active Ingredients and their Working Concentrations Effective Against Coronaviruses

Active Ingredient (A.I.)
1 Sodium hypochlorite
(0.1 – 0.5%)¹
2 70% ethyl alcohol¹
3 Povidone-iodine (1% iodine)¹
4 Chloroxylenol (0.24%)²
5 50% isopropanol³
6 0.05% benzalkonium chloride³
(Quaternary Ammonium Compound)
7 50ppm iodine in iodophor³
8 0.23% sodium chlorite³
9 1% cresol soap³
(sodium alkyl-ben-zene sulfonate)
10 Hydrogen peroxide (0.5-7.0%)4

¹ 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.
² Wood A, Payne D. (1998) The action of three antiseptics/disinfectants against enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. Journal of Hospital Infection. 38:283-295; Tested against human coronavirus.
³ Saknimit M, Inatsuki I, Sugiyama Y, Yagami K. (1988) Virucidal efficacy of physico-chemical treatments against corona viruses and parvoviruses of laboratory animals. Jikken Dobutsu. 37:341-5; Tested against canine coronavirus.
4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2008) Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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.

Released by NEA on 04 February 2020. For more information, visit here.

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