Do antibacterial wipes kill viruses?

Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, hygiene has been at the forefront of everyone’s minds. That’s particularly true at Wet Ones, where we’re always doing everything we can to help you stay clean.

Now we all have a new-found appreciation of just how important hygiene is, especially washing your hands properly. But it’s not always possible to wash your hands with soap and water while you sing “Happy Birthday” to yourself for two minutes. That’s why we’ve all taken to carrying litres and litres of hand sanitiser around wherever we go.

But do antibacterial wipes kill viruses as well? Most of us have a pack or two of those lying around and they do such a good job of cleaning our messes up.

Well the good news is this: yes, some antibacterial wipes do kill viruses. Wet Ones are effective against coronaviruses*.

Can you use antibacterial wipes on your hands?

Wet Ones are designed specifically to clean and be gentle on your skin, making them a great alternative to hand sanitiser when you’re out and about. They can be even more effective at cleaning really mucky hands than sanitiser – because they also wipe away dirt.

What’s more, we make our wipes using sustainable materials and sustainable methods, so they’re as kind to the environment as they are to your skin. And here’s another bonus: since they’re not a liquid, you can waltz straight through airport security with them in your bags.

Like our antibacterial wipes, disinfectant wipes are effective against viruses, which is why they’re great for cleaning all kinds of surfaces where viruses like to hang out. But you should never use disinfectant wipes on your skin because they can cause irritation or even swelling, particularly if you have sensitive skin.

Where else can you use antibacterial wipes?

As we all know, Covid-19 and other viruses don’t just live on our hands and skin; they like to set up home anywhere they can. They last longer on hard surfaces like steel and plastic than they do on softer surfaces like fabrics and carpets. How long they survive also depends on the amount of virus present and the humidity and temperature.

No matter where they are though, you certainly don’t want viruses sticking around, especially on objects you touch often. Just think about how frequently you touch door handles, taps and light switches, for instance.

That’s why antibacterial wipes and disinfectant wipes can be so handy for cleaning around the home; they can get inside all those little nooks and crannies. Always read the label first, but you can use them on kinds of hard surfaces: tabletops, white goods, kitchen appliances, windows, bathroom fittings. If you’re cleaning specifically to get rid of viruses from surfaces though, make sure the wipes you pick up from the supermarket state that they’re effective on viruses. Many wipes on the market just kill bacteria and not viruses.

It’s also important to remember that while antibacterial and disinfectant wipes can be very effective, they’re not magical. If a surface has some really stubborn dirt on it, it’s best to use some good old-fashioned soapy water first, or you can try a different kind of household cleaning product.

*tested against SARS-CoV-2 and Human coronavirus 0C43 using EN 14476.