Probably, as long as you use them right. Household cleaning products designed to fight viruses—i.e., not those labeled exclusively “antibacterial”—typically work against known coronaviruses, like strains that cause the common cold. So while most household products haven’t been tested specifically against the novel coronavirus strain that causes COVID-19, it’s safe to assume standard wipes and sprays will work pretty well against it, says Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of infectious disease at Mount Sinai South Nassau in New York.
But cleaning properly takes a little patience. “Some of these [products] don’t work by contact,” Glatt says. “They work by being on the surface for a while and drying via air.” For peak efficacy, use enough of a product to leave a surface wet for up to several minutes, then let it dry on its own. Read each product’s label to make sure you’re using enough.
Don’t feel like you need to clean your home obsessively, though; if you’re social-distancing properly and washing your hands often, you don’t need to deep clean all the time, experts say. Regular upkeep, and periodically wiping down high-touch objects like light switches and doorknobs, should keep your home sufficiently clean.