Lysol is one of the most trusted products when it comes to cleaning. But oftentimes we take cleaning surfaces such as door knobs for granted. Have you ever stopped to ask if you're doing it right? We're here to teach you how—based on what we've learned straight from the experts.
To clean your door knobs using Lysol disinfecting spray, you need to:
- Prepare and use a mild cleaning solution to rid your door knob's surface of dirt and grime.
- Rinse off the cleaning solution properly then wipe it dry.
- Spray Lysol on the entire surface.
- Let it sit for 3 minutes, and air dry.
Hang on so we can tell you more about the hows and whys of cleaning your door knobs properly. We'll also tell you if it's safe to use Lysol on metal surfaces and if you can use it on your light switches as well. Let's start cleaning!
Using Lysol Spray To Clean Your Door Knobs
There's a proper way of cleaning and disinfecting your door knobs. You don't just use a disinfecting spray on it and think that your knob is free from illness-causing germs and bacteria.
This process involves 2 general steps: one for cleaning and the other for disinfecting. You can't skip the cleaning part because you need to remove the dirt and grime from the external side so that you can disinfect it effectively.
Before you get confused, let's clarify what cleaning and disinfecting mean so you'll have a better appreciation of these 2 vital steps in killing off harmful germs and microorganisms on your door knobs.
When you clean a surface, you physically remove the dirt and grime. You'll usually need a mild soap and water solution for this. Meanwhile, disinfecting requires the use of safe chemicals to kill the disease-causing microorganisms.
That's why we're here to tell you how to clean and disinfect your door knobs the right way. Here are the steps:
1. Prepare and use a mild cleaning solution
You can use items that you have in your pantries such as salt, vinegar, and flour. Combine equal parts (about 1 tbsp each) for your DIY cleaning solution. Or you can also opt for a mild liquid soap mixed with water.
This is more of a reminder. Do not use bleach or other products that contain chloride as they can damage your door knob. Don't use abrasive materials such as steel wool for the same reason.
Put some of your cleaning solution on a piece of cloth and gently clean the door knob's surface.
2. Rinse off the cleaning solution properly
Dampen another piece of cloth with clean water and use it to rinse off the cleaning solution from the surface of the door knob. Make sure you rinse it off thoroughly.
Use a paper towel or clean piece of cloth to dry it off.
3. Spray Lysol on the entire surface
Get your Lysol disinfecting spray and put it in an upright position. Place it 6" or 8" away from the door knob. Spray for 6 to 7 seconds making sure that you cover the entire surface.
4. Let it sit for 3 minutes and air dry
Let it stand for 3 minutes so that it can do its work of killing off germs and bacteria. Air dry.
That's how you can be sure that your door knobs are not just clean but also free from microorganisms that can cause you and your family different illnesses.
Why Is There A Need To Clean And Disinfect Door Knobs?
Disinfecting our homes is very important. We want to protect ourselves and our families from harmful viruses and bacteria that can cause illness and even death.
Door knobs are one of the most touched surfaces in a home and you can bet that there are a lot of germs on them.
Studies show that there are at least 5 different kinds of bacteria that live on your door handles at any given time. The scary part is they can survive for up to 3 days on surfaces made of stainless steel and plastic. They can cause illnesses such as colds, flu, and the coronavirus.
This is why it is essential to clean the objects that you frequently touch such as your door knobs to help minimize your risk of getting sick.
Is Lysol Safe For Metal?
According to the manufacturer, Lysol disinfecting spray is safe to use on stainless steel. Just proceed with your pre-cleaning method and the same steps mentioned above for disinfecting door knobs.
They also remind users to use a soft cloth when cleaning stainless steel materials and to wipe in the same direction of the grain to avoid leaving streaks and stains on the surfaces.
However, Lysol also says that it isn't advisable to use this product on other metal surfaces other than stainless steel. This includes copper, brass, and aluminum.
Make sure that the disinfecting product that you choose is safe to use on metal surfaces. Some have strong ingredients that can damage or corrode metal over time. Avoid using bleach, alkaline, and acidic-based solutions.
In general, it is recommended to look for disinfecting products with neutral pH content. They are non-reactive to metal and won't cause corrosion. Examples are glutaraldehyde and 70% alcohol. These are proven safe and effective in killing harmful germs and bacteria on surfaces made of metal.
Do You Wipe Lysol Off After Spraying?
For Lysol disinfecting spray to be effective, you must read and follow the given instructions. You will see that they recommend that you allow the surfaces to air dry after you've used their product. There's no need to wipe off the mist.
The key to ensuring that the product is effective in killing off disease-causing germs and bacteria is in giving the cleaning solution time to sit long enough so that it can get the job done. If you wipe it right away, chances are you don't get rid of the harmful microorganisms after all.
If you still want to wipe off the surfaces, make sure you do so after the recommended time for it to be effective. Lysol also recommends that you wipe in the direction of the grain so as not to leave any unsightly streaks on the finishes and exterior.
Is It Better To Spray Or Wipe Disinfectant?
When it comes to disinfecting products, you can find a wide selection of items in the market. There are ones that you can spray or wipe on the surfaces that you want to decontaminate.
They may have a different manner of application but both have the same purpose of killing germs and bacteria on the surfaces where they are used.
As long as they have been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, they are guaranteed to be effective in killing germs on non-porous and hard surfaces. But of course, for them to be effective, you must first make sure that you've thoroughly cleaned the area that you want to disinfect.
While some may say that it is simply a matter of choosing which application is more convenient for you, studies show that disinfecting wipes outperform sprays when it comes to effectiveness, convenience, ease of use, and safety.
Even though these products have the same active ingredients, the surfaces where wipes were used showed higher relative light units reduction. This means they are cleaner than those surfaces where disinfecting sprays were used.
It is also safer and more convenient to use disinfectant wipes because each piece already contains the right proportion of chemicals that you need. They go directly onto the surface that needs to be decontaminated. This eliminates the chance of them being diffused in the air and inhaled by other people.
Can You Use Lysol Spray On Light Switches?
Light switches are another example of frequently touched surfaces. And as we've said, it is important to make sure that these places in your home are kept clean and disinfected to prevent the transmission of viruses and diseases.
You can use Lysol disinfecting spray on your light switches. The procedure is the same when cleaning and decontaminating door knobs. It is effective in killing illness-causing bacteria and safe to use on the surface of your switches since most of them are made of plastic.
Final Thoughts
Now more than ever, we realize the value of good health. Make sure you clean and disinfect your door knobs and other frequently touched surfaces so that you can protect your family from illness. This simple act will ensure that you have a healthy home.
For more door cleaning tips, you may read the following posts:
