There is some good news about COVID-19 this week. The EPA says that two Lysol products are effective at killing the virus. The virus lives for longer periods of time on hard surfaces. Therefore, since the early days of the pandemic, scientists have been telling us to clean the surfaces we touch frequently.

The EPA has put out a list of more than 420 disinfectant products that are strong enough to kill hearty viruses, like the current coronavirus. However, these are the first two that have actually been tested on COVID-19 and proven to work. The others have not been disproven, it’s merely that these are now verified. Others are still being checked.

These disinfectants need to wet a surface for at least two minutes to kill a virus. In lab tests, both Lysol Disinfectant Spray and Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist were effective at killing the virus. Cleaning products flew off the shelf when people were panic buying in March and April. However, stores are being restocked, and the disinfectants are becoming easier to find again.

“The EPA’s approval recognizes that using Lysol Disinfectant Spray can help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on hard, non-porous surfaces,” said Rahul Kadyan, executive VP of hygiene for Reckitt Benckiser, Lysol’s parent company. “In the face of the pandemic, Lysol continues to work with a wide range of scientific and health experts to educate the public on the importance of hygiene.”

A survey from the CDC showed that people are cleaning more than they usually do. But, only around half of the people said they knew how to disinfect their home correctly. Always read the instructions on cleaning products you don’t use routinely. Even though they may look easy to use, they frequently have warnings and instructions that may be confusing.

Open windows to keep fumes from building up and wear gloves to protect your hands from the chemicals. In a different statement, Reckitt Benckiser reminded people not to use and disinfectant cleaning products on or in your body to fight the virus. They are excellent as a cleaning product for counters, bathrooms, tables and doorknobs, but it should not come in contact with skin. Additionally, you should never mix cleaning products together because that can cause dangerous chemical reactions.