List of household disinfectants and self-disinfecting surface coating products against COVID-19 virus

Revised on 28 October 2022
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 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 times (which are 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 coronaviruses 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 products that have data to support the long-lasting efficacy against coronaviruses when used as self-disinfecting surface coatings. Factors such as appropriate surface coating test methodology including a neutralisation step upon recovery of viruses from test surface, efficacy against coronaviruses, and durability were considered in the listing of these products.

Table 3 lists common household products that contain the appropriate active ingredients for disinfection, based on data provided by suppliers¹. These products had thus been assessed to be effective for the wipe-down disinfection of non-porous of surfaces against coronaviruses.

Tables 1 to 3 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), NEA does not recommend the household use of sterilisers that use UVC radiation for disinfection. This is because some devices marketed for home use lack safety features that protect users from unintended or accidental exposure to UV radiation. For more information, please refer to the following guidelines/advisory on the use of UVC devices:
      1. Safety Guidelines for Use of UVC Devices
      2. Advisory on the Use of UVC Sterilisers in the Homes

Important points to note when using disinfectants:

1. Check the labels and use according to instructions, and be aware of the potential hazard of each product.
2. Avoid contact with eyes and skin when handling cleaning products, and keep them away from children.
3. Do not mix different cleaning products and use in a well-ventilated area.
4. For disinfection of highly contaminated surfaces or materials, avoid the use of spray, and allow appropriate contact time needed for disinfection.
5. This product list should be read in conjunction with the Guidelines and Advisories issued by NEA with instructions 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	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	Didecyldimethylammonium chloride (0.01%)	1
5	Ethanol (70%)d	10
6	Iodine in iodophor (50 ppm)b	10
7	Isopropanol (50%)b	10
8	Povidone-iodine (1% iodine)d	1
9	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
10	Sodium chlorite (0.23%)b	10

^#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.
^*Alternative name: alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride
^{^}Active chlorine could be generated from other precursors such as calcium hypochlorite, hydrochloric acid, sodium chloride, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, tosylchloramide sodium, and trichloroisocyanuric 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
^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.
^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.

Table 2. List of Self-Disinfecting Surface Coating Products Effective Against Coronaviruses

S/N	Product Name	Application method	Durability and efficacy data	Efficacy class
1	Nanoshield	Film Peel and stick onto surfaces	Yes, >3.6-log reduction of SARS-CoV-2 within 15 min, after a simulated cleaning with 90 wipes of ethanol or detergent.	Class A
2	AirTumTec Pro (Not commercially available off-the-shelf)	Spray Coating is applied by manufacturer	Yes, 2.67-log reduction of hCoV-229E within 15 min, after 2,000 cycles of abrasion according to ASTM D4060 Test material: Ceramic	Class A
3	airDefender Anti-Microbial Surface Coating Solution	Spray Coating to be applied by user according to direction of use	Yes, 0.8-log reduction of human coronavirus-229E within 65 min and 2.9-log reduction within 170 min, after a simulated cleaning with 100 wipes of ethanol. Test material: Stainless steel	Class C
4	Asahi Lifecare Antimicrobial Coating Solution AHC23B (Not commercially available off-the-shelf)	Solution Coating is applied by manufacturer ot appointed distributor	Yes, 5-log reduction of murine coronavirus-MHV within 15 min, after a simulated cleaning with 1000 wipes of ethanol Test material: Polycarbonate film	Class A
5	Q.Ion Antimicrobial Spray (Not commercially available off-the-shelf)	Spray Coating is applied by manufacturer	Yes, >3.75-log reduction of SARS-CoV-2 within 15 min and >4-log reduction within 60 min, after a simulated cleaning with 99 wipes of 0.5% benzalkonium chloride. Test material: Glass slide	Class A
6	Nanoshield Liquid Film/Spray SLF 401 series (Not commercially available off-the-shelf)	Solution Coating is applied by manufacturer or commercial applicators or trained personal, using a compressor gun	Yes, >3.37-log reduction of murine coronavirus-MHV within 10 min, after 6000 times of rubbing Test material: Stainless steel	Class A
7	C2+ Antimicrobial Coating (Not commercially available off-the-shelf)	Solution Coating is applied by manufacturer or commercial applicators or trained personal, using a spray gun	Yes, 2.4-log reduction of human coronavirus-229E within 15 min, after 300 rubs with chemical wipes Test material: Plastic coupons	Class A
8	Nanoshield Liquid Spray TH321 series (Available off-the-shelf)	Solution Coating is applied by user following manufacturer’s instruction, using a manually operated spray bottle	Yes, >2.34-log reduction of human coronavirus-OC43 within 15 min, after 500 rubs Test material: PET film	Class A
9	SDPro (Not commerically available off-the-shelf)	Solution Coating is applied by manufacturer or commercial applicators or trained personal, using a spray gun	Yes, 3.83-log reduction of MHV within 15 min, after 380 rubs with 0.55% benzalkonium chloride Test material: Glass Yes, 3.93-log reduction of MHV within 15 min, after 380 rubs with 0.55% benzalkonium chloride Test material: Steel Plate	Class A
10	PURPLE GUARD 30 Days Antimicrobial Coating (Commercially available off-the-shelf)	Solution /Spray (ready to use) Coating is applied by user following manufacturer’s instruction, using a manually operated spray bottle or trained personal, using a spray gun	Yes, 1.54-log reduction of human coronavirus-229E at 120 min, after 100 wipes of ethanol Test material: Glass coupons	Class C

A total of 57 products have been evaluated based on data provided by suppliers, in accordance with the criteria as stated in the Technical Guidance on the Testing of Self-Disinfecting Surface Coatings against SARS-CoV-2.

Table 3. List of Household Disinfectants/Cleaning Products Effective Against Coronaviruses

Additional precautions for each product are denoted by the respective alphabets:
A. Corrosive to metals, wipe away residues with wet cloth after 10 minutes.
B. Flammable at high concentration. Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces.
C. Not all recommended dilutions stated on the label meet the concentration requirement indicated in Table 1. Adjustment in dilution ratio may be required.
D. As the product contains botanical extracts as the active ingredient, batch variation in active ingredient content may be possible.

This list is based on the data submitted by the suppliers.

Any company marketing surface disinfectants or self-disinfecting surface coatings that are effective against coronaviruses can submit enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

Companies are encouraged to refer to NEA’s Technical Guidance on the Testing of Self-Disinfecting Surface Coatings against SARS-CoV-2 for more information on the testing guidelines for self-disinfecting surface coatings.