A spray bottle on a wooden desk with loose lemons beside it

 

Look for third-party certified products 

Third-party certified products are products that meet safety standards set by an external group. Examples include: 

 

Use homemade cleaners

Avoid exposure to chemicals that have been linked to asthma, cancer, reproductive harm, and liver, kidney, and nervous system damage. 

Read, download, and save the Department's recipe sheet for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) cleaning. 

The Department's recipe sheet is also available in Spanish, Chinese, and Russian languages.

 

Choose mist spray bottles over aerosol spray cans

Avoid highly pressurized aerosol spray cans as a way to decrease risk of inhaling chemicals. 

When using any type of spray product, including misting bottles, spray the product into a cloth. Use the cloth to apply the product, rather than applying it directly to surfaces or spraying it into the air.

 

Notes on disinfection and Covid-19

Most household cleaning can be done with plain soap and water or a third party-certified cleaner, including Safer Choice products.

Disinfecting, however, can be important in healthcare settings or on high-touch surfaces. In order to effectively disinfect a surface, follow these steps: 

  1. Wipe the surface so that it is free of dirt and grime. Germs, including the Covid-19 virus, stick to dirt particles. It is important to remove these barriers before applying a disinfectant. 
  2. Use an EPA-approved disinfectant to eliminate Covid-19. Visit the SFApproved website to see a list of effective disinfectants for Covid-19.
  3. Always read and follow product instructions. Many disinfecting products require contact time with a surface to be effective. Let disinfecting products sit for at least 10 minutes before wiping away.  

Safer disinfectants are just as effective as bleach-based disinfectants, which can trigger asthma. Be sure to choose only products with an EPA Registration Number.  

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