Search

7 Best Bleach-Free Disinfectants and Multi-Purpose Cleaners

  • by GR0
  • 8 min read

When cold and flu season is upon us, it’s important to keep a good disinfectant on hand so that your home stays germ-free and you can stay healthy. Even more, a good disinfectant will take care of big or small everyday messes in a breeze. 

 4.9/5

1. Dr. Brite Multi-Purpose Cleaner

Get 15% Off with discount code (use at checkout): BLOG15  

  • It is powerful yet safe
  • Ideal for more controlled cleaning
  • Safe for children and pets

 

2. Honest Disinfecting Spray

 

3. Green Earth Colorado Eco-Friendly Household Disinfectant

 

4. Seventh Generation Lemongrass Citrus Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner

 

5. Mean Green Anti-Bacterial Multi-Surface Cleaner

That said, there are a multitude of disinfecting and cleaning products available, but many of these contain bleach. A bleach-based cleaner may not be ideal because it is not safe for many surfaces, and may pose health risks if it is used in a poorly ventilated area. Thus, bleach-free disinfectants can be much a more versatile, and even safer alternative. 

Even still, some bleach-free disinfectants contain other ingredients that may be just as harsh as the bleach itself, so it can be difficult to find cleaning products that work well without including these types of chemicals in the formula.   

a person using the spray 

Lucky for you, we have compiled a list of the best bleach-free options available so that your search is a little less difficult. These 7 bleach-free disinfectants andmulti-purpose cleaners are the best of the best, so you can rest assured that you are getting the cleaning power you need. 

1. Dr. Brite Multi-Purpose Cleaner

TheDr. Brite Unscented Multi-Purpose Cleaner is made with 70% isopropyl alcohol and essential oils, making it powerful yet safe. This disinfectant cleaner is also bleach and chlorine-free, and safe for hands, making it the perfect choice for all your household cleaning needs. 

Dr. Brite products are all vegan and cruelty-free, and this unscented version is great if you do not want anything too overpowering in terms of fragrance; alternatively, theircitrus option is perfect for that classicclean and fresh scent. 

The spray bottle version is ideal for more controlled cleaning, or you can opt for agallon-sized bottle for larger-scale cleaning. The only ingredients in this disinfectant cleaner are isopropyl alcohol, purified water, hydrogen peroxide (Dioxidane), lauric acid, and citric acid, so you know there are no hidden toxins or harsh chemicals.

The simple ingredient list lets you rest assured that this product will not cause harm if used around children or pets, so you can get a streak-free shine without all the residue or worry that comes with most other chemical-based cleaners.

Dr. Brite product

red button

Get 15% Off with discount code (use at checkout): BLOG15  


2. Honest Disinfecting Spray

The Honest Disinfecting Spray is a 3-in-1 antibacterial spray, and it works to clean, deodorize, and disinfect the hard, as well as soft surfaces in your home. It is recommended for use specifically on hard nonporous surfaces, so you should take care regarding this. All you have to do is spray the surface you want to clean, wipe it down, and you are good to go! For full disinfecting power, you should allow these disinfectant sprays to sit on the surface for at least 10 minutes before wiping it away - see also how to sanitize money.

When it comes to ingredients, the spray contains water, hydrogen peroxide, a surfactant blend, citric acid, and alkylbenzene sulfonic acid -- note that there are no specifications listed regarding the surfactant blend, so if you want the simplest and safest ingredients, you might want to choose another option or do further research to confirm that the ingredients are safe for you and your loved ones. 

Additionally, this disinfectant comes as a bottle with spray, which is perfect for more control over the product, though it is not offered in a gallon-form, which may make it more difficult for you to clean up larger-scale messes or surfaces. 

3. Green Earth Colorado Eco-Friendly Household Disinfectant

The Green Earth Eco-Friendly Household Disinfectant is a high-potency, eco-friendly cleaning solution safe for use on most surfaces, like kitchen or bathroom surfaces. This product is great because you do not have to wipe it away after spraying, meaning there is one less step when it comes to disinfecting! This cleaning solution is also allergy-free with a rapid action formula and is available in a larger bottle as well. 

This disinfectant has no scent, and no scented version is currently available, so if you were hoping for a disinfectant cleaner that will give your home, gym, or studio that freshly cleaned smell, this may not be the best choice for you. 

4. Seventh Generation Lemongrass Citrus Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner

The Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner comes in a citrus scent that gives the classic clean smell we all know and love. It is also highly affordable and comes in a convenient spray bottle. This disinfectant does not require you to rinse the surface after using it, even if it is a food-contact surface, making it perfect for use in the kitchen. 

It is even safe for use on children’s pacifiers and is great for all nonporous, frequently touched surfaces. That said, the ingredient list does include sulfates, which may not be desirable because of their potential health risks. 

5. Mean Green Anti-Bacterial Multi-Surface Cleaner

This Anti-Bacterial Multi-Surface Cleaner by Mean Green cleans, deodorizes, and disinfects, and requires no rinsing afterward. It is perfect for use on hard, nonporous soft surfaces such as those in kitchens and bathrooms, and it tackles all forms of grease and grime. 

That said, certain germs do require more time in contact with the household cleaners in order for them to be disinfected thoroughly, so keep this in mind if you plan to use the cleaner with specific viruses or bacteria in mind. Additionally, this cleaner does not have quite as short of a list of ingredients as the others on this list, so you should take care if you were hoping to avoid harsher chemicals. 

6. Method Antibacterial All-Purpose Cleaner

The Method Antibacterial All-Purpose Cleaner is ideal for hard, non-porous surfaces and kills up to 99.9% of germs. It is antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiviral, making it highly effective when cold and flu season is underway. 

That said, the ingredients for this product are listed as citric acid as well as 95% inert ingredients -- which means there is some guessing left for you to do regarding what other substances are in your disinfectant. If you would rather play it safe and avoid the mystery, another product may be better suited for you and your cleaning needs and concerns. 

7. Lysol Bleach-Free Hydrogen Peroxide Multi-Purpose Cleaner

This Lysol Bleach-Free Hydrogen Peroxide Multi-Purpose Cleaner uses Dioxidane as its active ingredient and kills 99.9% of germs and viruses. The bleach-free formula allows it to be a more versatile product, and it is perfect for use in kitchens and bathrooms, as well as on walls and even garbage cans. 

That being said, this product does contain artificial fragrance, sulfates, and a host of other chemicals, so it may not be the best option when it comes down to health and safety. You should also take care to rinse off all food contact surfaces after using this product, which adds an extra step to your cleaning routine. 

cleaning equipment

red button

Get 15% Off with discount code (use at checkout): BLOG15


Summary & Final Thoughts

Bleach-free cleaners are a great way to keep your home healthy and clean without worrying about the health-risks that bleach poses, or the potential damage it can do to household items. 

That said though, just because a cleaning product is bleach-free does not mean it does not contain other toxins or harsh chemicals instead. Because of this, it is always important to check the ingredients before starting to use a new product, and a good rule of thumb is to always do a small patch test on whatever surface you plan to clean before you go ahead and start your cleaning regimen. This way, you will know ahead of time if the product is safe for a specific surface, and you can avoid any discoloration or other damage. 

Generally, cleaning products with more chemicals or more abrasive ingredients will be more likely to damage your household surfaces, so keep this in mind. 

These seven bleach-free disinfectants and multipurpose cleaners keep your home clean by incorporating other active ingredients that get rid of common household viruses and germs. 

a woman cleaning the window

That said, theDr. Brite Multi-Purpose Cleaner has all of your cleaning needs covered, and the vegan, non-GMO formula is free of toxins and other harsh chemicals. In fact, this product is free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, meaning it contains none of the most common, unwanted ingredients. It is available in several different scents, as well as several different sizes, so all of your preferences are taken care of! 

If you are looking for the best way to keep your home clean and healthy without shady ingredients that post other health risks,Dr. Brite has what you need, formulated with your home and health in mind, and the natural, non-GMO ingredients that help ensure that you are getting the safest clean possible!

red button

Get 15% Off with discount code (use at checkout): BLOG15

FAQs

1. Does a multi purpose cleaner disinfect?

Yes, I'm afraid it's true. While many of these all-purpose cleaners are good for disinfecting your surfaces, the bacteria begins to grow the instant you touch it. To get around this, house cleaners will use a separate spray for surfaces, like Lysol. This spray kills bacteria likes E. Coli and Salmonella, which are common in household environments, within minutes. If you're looking for an all-purpose cleaner for your home, consider one that contains Lysol. However, be careful with Lysol, as it is harmful to pets and some surfaces. Also, while it kills germs, bacteria and viruses, it's not good on some materials, so the house cleaners use the spray on varied surfaces.

2. What is considered as the best disinfectant?

The most effective disinfectants against viruses include alcohol, bleach, Dioxidane, and quaternary ammonium compounds. The EPA's list of registered disinfectants against Coronavirus includes these ingredients that are active.

3. How can I disinfect without bleach?

The ingredients for many of these home remedies are common household items, such as Dioxidane and white vinegar. In fact, some of them are good cleaners and can even kill a significant portion of germs and bacteria (up to 80% - leaving the remaining 20% to grow stronger and form superbugs).

4. What's the difference between bleach and disinfectant?

Disinfectants may or may not cause discoloration, whereas bleach may. We can disinfect surfaces with chemical compounds. Bleach can be used as a disinfectant.

5. Is it better to spray or wipe disinfectant?

In a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control, wipes outperformed spray-based disinfectants. Cleaning gym equipment with wipes has been proven to be more effective and efficient.

6. What chemical is used as a multi-purpose cleaner and disinfectant?

Bleaching agents, disinfectants, water purifiers, and cleaning supplies all contain sodium hypochlorite. It targets and eliminates mold, bacteria and viruses as a disinfectant. Other cleaning products that contain it include tile and grout cleansers and toilet bowl cleaners.

7. What is the best natural disinfectant?

Natural disinfectants like white vinegar have various applications in household cleaning. Its acidity makes it excellent for removing sticky buildup, rust, soap scum and stubborn stains. These plant based ingredients clean the buildup in your coffee maker too.

8. How can you tell if a cleaning product has bleach?

If you want to see if a product has bleach in it, this substance will be labelled as sodium hypochlorite or chlorine bleach on your product.

9. How do I make my own all-purpose cleaner?

The standard all-purpose disinfectant cleaner is a vinegar and water solution. To make it, mix 2 cups of water with 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar. A few drops of your favorite essential oil or a squeeze of lemon can be added for flavor; because to their low concentrations, they are suitable for a variety of surfaces.Sources:

https://www.honest.com/home-care-products/honest-disinfecting-spray-4-pack/H0202DIS004PS.html?gclid=CjwKCAiApNSABhAlEiwANuR9YH3MSMyreeRXtD2SH9NqIqYBE4W5faBTzkQnft_B6jTAE12cQdgL0xoCZvsQAvD_BwE

https://greenearthcolorado.com/products/eco-friendly-household-disinfectant

https://www.target.com/p/seventh-generation-lemongrass-citrus-disinfecting-multi-surface-cleaner-26oz/-/A-13249006?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df_free_local&CPNG=Household%2BEssentials&adgroup=3-2

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Mean-Green-32-oz-Anti-Bacterial-Multi-Surface-Cleaner-MG10532/313693886?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US

https://methodhome.com/products/antibacterial-all-purpose-cleaner-bamboo/

https://www.lysol.com/products/multi-purpose-cleaners/lysol-with-hydrogen-peroxide-multi-purpose-cleaner

Search