It depends on the product. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is a cleaner, not a disinfectant. It removes dirt, grease, and grime, but it isn't EPA-registered to kill germs.
For disinfecting, choose Simple Green Clean Finish, Simple Green d PRO 3 PLUS, or Simple Green d Pro 5. These products are labeled to kill 99% of germs, including a wide variety of bacteria and viruses, when used according to label directions.
Knowing which product to reach for starts with understanding the difference between cleaning and disinfecting.
Cleaning removes dirt and grime, while disinfecting kills the germs listed on a product's label. For a full breakdown of cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting, see our guide to cleaning before disinfecting.
Handling raw meat? Changing diapers? Caring for a family member with the flu? When harmful bacteria and viruses are likely present, cleaning alone isn't enough. That's when to reach for a disinfectant.
Spraying a disinfectant and wiping it right off won't get the job done. Every disinfectant needs to remain wet on a surface for a set amount of time to kill the germs listed on its label. This is called "contact time" or "kill time."
Contact time varies by product, from under a minute to 10 minutes, and it's always listed in the label directions. If the surface dries before then, it isn't fully disinfected, and germs like E. coli and Salmonella can be left behind. If a product starts to dry too soon, follow the label directions, which may call for reapplying it.
A few tips for disinfecting correctly:
Disinfecting wipes are convenient, but they can dry out before the full contact time is up, so you may have to re-wipe the same surface several times to keep it wet. A spray disinfectant applies more liquid, making it easier to keep a surface wet for as long as the label requires. Sprays can also reach into cracks and crevices that wipes can miss.
Ready to disinfect the right way? Explore Simple Green disinfectant products.
Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is not a disinfectant; it's a cleaner and degreaser. Simple Green does make EPA-registered disinfectants, such as Simple Green Clean Finish, for killing germs on hard, non-porous surfaces, like door handles and light switches.
Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner removes dirt and grime, along with some germs, through cleaning, but it isn't registered to kill them. To kill germs, use an EPA-registered Simple Green disinfectant and follow the contact time on the label.
Yes. Cleaning first removes dirt and grime that can keep a disinfectant from working. Use All-Purpose Cleaner on heavily soiled areas, like your kitchen table, then follow with a disinfectant.
