As we continue to do the best we can to stay safe, including washing our hands, social distancing, and perhaps donning a face mask, you'll want to also include these household cleaning products on your shopping list. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed this, according to the Consumer Reports staff. How do they do it?

Dr. Stephen Thomas, who is the chief of infectious diseases and the director of global health at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, says the virus "has an envelope around it that allows it to merge with other cells to infect them. If you disrupt that coating, the virus can't do its job." Good.

We know soap and water also break this "protective envelope." And so do these products--so pick some up next time you're out for your essential shopping:

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Isopropyl Alcohol. You'll want to make sure you buy some with at least a 70 percent level of alcohol. Also, don't dilute it. You'll want the full strength to make sure it kills the virus on whatever surface it may be found. It's generally a safe solution for most surfaces but has been known to cause some discoloration on certain types of plastics, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Hydrogen Peroxide. Not only will this not corrode surfaces made of metal--like faucets and handles--but a 3 percent solution should, according to the CDC, destroy coronavirus even more quickly than it does rhinovirus, the cause of the common cold. Be aware that you'll want to avoid contact with fabrics, as it can discolor them. If you're trying to disinfect places that are more difficult to access, it works great. Retired chemist Richard Sachleben says "you can pour it on the area and you don't have to wipe it off because it essentially decomposes into oxygen and water." Nice. (Source: Consumer Reports magazine, May 2020)

The Power of Bleach. Be careful with this stuff. Bleach, as you're probably aware, can corrode metal and cause degradation of containers made of plastic. It's powerful, though. If you opt to use bleach, the CDC recommends diluting it: Aim for 1/3 cup of bleach per gallon of water.) Make sure to wear protective gloves and NEVER mix it with other solutions. ESPECIALLY ammonia. Never.

Ready to find other options you can use at home to kill coronavirus? Connect with the experts at the CDC here.

KEEP READING: See 25 natural ways to boost your immune system

 

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