How to Disinfect Your Home Properly
Most people clean their homes regularly — but cleaning and disinfecting are not the same thing. Cleaning removes visible dirt and grease. Disinfecting kills bacteria and viruses. You need both, especially in Toronto households with kids, pets, or anyone who's been sick.
Cleaning vs. Disinfecting — The Difference
- Cleaning: Physically removes dirt, grease, and germs using soap and water. Reduces the number of germs present.
- Disinfecting: Uses chemical agents to kill the germs that remain after cleaning. Health Canada-approved disinfectants are required for this to be effective.
- The right order: Always clean first, then disinfect. Disinfectants don't work properly on dirty surfaces.
What Products Actually Disinfect
Look for a DIN (Drug Identification Number) on the label — this means Health Canada has approved it as a disinfectant. Common effective options include:
- Lysol Disinfectant Spray (DIN listed)
- Clorox bleach solution (1/4 cup bleach per 4L water — never mix with ammonia or vinegar)
- Isopropyl alcohol 70%+ — excellent for electronics and hard surfaces
- Hydrogen peroxide 3% — effective on hard, non-porous surfaces
What doesn't disinfect: Vinegar, essential oils, "natural" sprays without a DIN. These clean but do not reliably kill pathogens.
High-Touch Surfaces — Disinfect These Every Day When Someone Is Sick
- Doorknobs and handles (interior and exterior)
- Light switches
- Faucet handles
- Toilet flush handle and seat
- Remote controls and game controllers
- Phone screens
- Keyboard and mouse
- Countertops (kitchen and bathroom)
How to Disinfect Properly
Step 1 — Clean the surface first. Wipe with warm soapy water to remove grease and dirt.
Step 2 — Apply disinfectant and let it sit. Most disinfectants need 1–10 minutes of contact time to kill pathogens — this is called dwell time. Wiping immediately negates the effect. Read your product label.
Step 3 — Let air dry or wipe after dwell time. For kitchen surfaces where food will be prepared, rinse with clean water after the dwell time.
Kitchen Disinfecting
- Countertops: soap and water, then approved disinfectant spray
- Cutting boards: hot soapy water after every use; periodic bleach soak (1 tbsp bleach per 4L water, rinse thoroughly)
- Sink: scrub with dish soap, then spray with disinfectant — sinks harbor more bacteria than toilets
- Sponges: replace weekly, or microwave damp for 1 minute daily
Bathroom Disinfecting
- Toilet: bowl cleaner inside, disinfectant spray on all exterior surfaces including base and behind
- Sink and faucet handles: disinfectant spray, 2-minute dwell time
- Shower and tub: scrub with bathroom cleaner, rinse; weekly is sufficient if dried after every use
How Often to Disinfect
- Daily: High-touch surfaces when someone in the home is ill
- Weekly: Kitchen counters, sink, bathroom surfaces as part of regular cleaning
- Monthly: Full home disinfect of all high-touch points
Maidless cleaners use commercial-grade products on every job. If you want a properly disinfected home without doing it yourself, book a deep clean at maidless.ca — flat-rate pricing, vetted cleaners, done right.