COMPARISON
Disinfecting cleaners compared by wet contact time
27 products in our catalog state a time for disinfection contact time, from 2 minutes (Clorox Free & Clear Disinfecting Mist) to 10 minutes (Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes). The median is 5 minutes. The table shows the 27 shortest, built only from numeric times in manufacturer documents.
Fair-comparison rule: Read the exact milestone and conditions on each product page. Similar numbers can describe different tests, substrates or stages, and a faster time is not automatically a better product.
Comparison table
| Product | Manufacturer-stated minimum | Condition/source |
|---|---|---|
| Clorox Free & Clear Disinfecting Mist Aerosol-free trigger spray | 2 minutes | Preclean visibly soiled areas. |
| Lysol All Purpose Cleaner Mango & Hibiscus spray | 2 minutes | Preclean and spray until thoroughly wet. |
| Lysol All Purpose Cleaner Lemon Breeze trigger spray | 2 minutes | Preclean and apply as directed on the label. |
| Lysol Kitchen Pro Antibacterial Cleaner Trigger spray | 2 minutes | Preclean and apply as directed on the label. |
| Lysol Multi Purpose Cleaner Pourable concentrate | 2 minutes | Use as directed; rinse food-contact surfaces and plastic toys with water after use. |
| Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Scented hard-surface wipes | 4 minutes | Hard, nonporous, non-food-contact surfaces; preclean highly soiled surfaces. |
| Clorox Scentiva Disinfecting Wipes Scented wipes | 4 minutes | Preclean highly soiled surfaces. |
| Lysol Disinfecting Wipes Hard-surface wipes | 4 minutes | Rinse food-contact surfaces thoroughly with water. |
| Clorox Bleach Foamer & Grout Cleaner Crisp Lemon spray | 5 minutes | Preclean visibly soiled surfaces. |
| Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach Original spray / mold remover | 5 minutes | Hard, nonporous surfaces; preclean visibly soiled surfaces. |
| Lysol Disinfectant Spray Neutra Air 2 in 1 Aerosol | 5 minutes | Preclean and apply as directed on the label. |
| Microban 24 Microban 24 Bathroom Cleaner Citrus spray | 5 minutes | The exact claims differ by formula; follow its label. |
| Microban 24 Microban 24 Multi-Purpose Cleaner Citrus spray | 5 minutes | The exact claims differ by formula; follow its label. |
| Microban 24 Microban 24 Sanitizing Spray Citrus aerosol | 5 minutes | The exact claims differ by formula; follow its label. |
| Clorox Disinfecting Bleach Concentrated bleach | 6 minutes | Use the label's dosing instructions for hard, nonporous surfaces. |
| Lysol Power & Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner Pourable concentrate | 6 minutes | Preclean and apply as directed on the label. |
| Clorox Disinfecting All Purpose Cleaner Lemon spray | 10 minutes | Hard, nonporous surfaces. |
| Clorox Disinfecting ToiletWand Refills Preloaded toilet-cleaning heads | 10 minutes | The surface must remain visibly wet. |
| Lysol Fabric Disinfectant Sundrenched Linen aerosol | 10 minutes | Preclean and apply as directed on the label. |
| Lysol Multi-Purpose Cleaner Pet Solutions Citrus spray | 10 minutes | Rinse food-contact surfaces and toys with potable water. |
| Lysol Power & Free Bathroom Cleaner Hydrogen peroxide trigger spray | 10 minutes | Preclean and apply as directed on the label. |
| Lysol Power Bathroom Cleaner Trigger spray | 10 minutes | Preclean and apply as directed on the label. |
| Lysol Power Foam Bathroom Cleaner Aerosol foam | 10 minutes | Preclean and apply as directed on the label. |
| Pine-Sol Original Multi-Surface Cleaner Concentrated liquid | 10 minutes | Hard, nonporous surfaces; follow the current container label. |
| Seventh Generation Disinfectant Spray Eucalyptus, Spearmint & Thyme | 10 minutes | Preclean heavily soiled surfaces. |
| Seventh Generation Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner Lemongrass Citrus | 10 minutes | Preclean heavily soiled surfaces. |
| Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes Lemongrass Citrus | 10 minutes | Preclean heavily soiled surfaces. |
Quick answers
Which has the shortest stated time for disinfection contact time?
Among the 27 products in our catalog with a numeric milestone for disinfection contact time, the shortest is Clorox Free & Clear Disinfecting Mist at 2 minutes.
How wide is the range for disinfection contact time?
Stated times run from 2 minutes to 10 minutes, with a median of 5 minutes across 5 manufacturers.
What can change the order?
Temperature, humidity, thickness, airflow, surface preparation and what the manufacturer means by this milestone can all change which product is right. We keep the manufacturer wording on each product page so you can check before relying on a number.