The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance for how to properly clean surfaces of possible COVID-19 contamination.
Previous guidance suggested that it was important to fully clean and disinfect surfaces to protect against COVID-19.
Now, the CDC says cleaning with soap and water on most surfaces is enough to protect against COVID-19.
"In most situations, regular cleaning of surfaces with soap and detergent — not necessarily disinfecting those surfaces — is enough to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread, Rochelle Walensky." CDC Director, via ‘Insider’
As former Florida state toxicologist David Krause explains, it’s better to physically "capture" and “remove” the virus than attempt to “destroy its genetic capabilities.”
The agency recommends reserving disinfectant use for high-touch surfaces and shared spaces where COVID-19 case rates are high.
"If people are caring for people who are sick, that's constant exposure to infectious virus … People should be cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces and things that that person has touched." CDC spokesperson, via ‘Insider’