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Nov 12, 2024

Disinfecting wipes have turned into a cleaning staple. Consumer Reports says they have some downsides

Consumer Reports Disinfecting wipes have turned into a cleaning staple mostly because they make it easier to spruce up a dirty surface. However, depending on who’s around – especially young children –

Consumer Reports

Disinfecting wipes have turned into a cleaning staple mostly because they make it easier to spruce up a dirty surface. However, depending on who’s around – especially young children – using them might do more harm than good.

Consumer Reports discovered the downside of disinfecting wipes and shared some safer alternatives.

”Products labeled as disinfectants aren’t simply cleaners. They also contain pesticides, and because of this, they require more careful handling than you might expect for a product that frequently appears on back-to-school supply lists,” Catherine Roberts with Consumer Reports said.

In many disinfecting wipes, the active ingredients include quaternary ammonia compounds or quats for short. They’re effective at killing germs and are even used for infection control in some healthcare settings like hospitals. But quats can also trigger health problems like lung irritation, asthma, and allergies.

”These effects are especially concerning for kids because they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults. No kids should be handling disinfecting wipes. ‘Keep out of reach of children’ is right there on the label,” Roberts said.

The American Cleaning Institute said in a statement to Consumer Reports, that disinfectants are safe when used as directed and they they should not be applied by children.

Most routine household chores require cleaning but not disinfecting. Old-fashioned soap and water will do the trick.

If you like wipes’ convenience, there are plenty that clean, but don’t disinfect.

The EPA has a list of cleaning products that are considered to be safer than others. But, certain situations, like a stomach bug, call for disinfecting to prevent the spread of infection. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the surface, and allow plenty of time for the area to dry. Make sure young kids are not in the room for a while.

And speaking of kids, if your kids’ school uses disinfecting wipes, Consumer Reports said you may want to ask if the wipes will be stored out of reach of kids -- and that no kids will be using them. And, if your child has a respiratory condition, such as asthma, your doctor can write a letter requesting wipes not be used around your child.

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