The products presented are selected independently by our editorial team and we can earn a commission for purchases made on our links; the retailer may also receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
The effectiveness of a good face mask has been proven to help prevent the spread of Covid, but as cases continue to persist across the country, people are looking for other methods to help contain the virus. From shoe covers to HEPA air purifiers, the emergence of protective equipment and equipment has been well documented. The last item that people are stocking up on: UV disinfectants.
According to the FDA, a strong source of ultraviolet light can help reduce harmful germs and bacteria on surfaces (think of everything from furniture to bedding) and help disinfect high-touch items such as cell phones, wallets and keys . Here’s what you need to know about how ultraviolet light works against Covid.
Does ultraviolet light kill Coronavirus?
Everyone, from hospital employees to office caretakers, has been using ultraviolet light for years to help sterilize objects and surfaces. Now, the FDA says that certain forms of ultraviolet light can be effective against the coronavirus.
According to the agency, UVC radiation is a “disinfectant known for air, water and non-porous surfaces” and “UVC radiation has been used effectively for decades to reduce the spread of bacteria, such as tuberculosis”. New research says that UVC radiation can now also be effective in inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is the virus that causes the coronavirus.
Keep in mind that research on how UV light works against Covid is still ongoing, and the agency warns that UVC “cannot inactivate a virus or bacteria if it is not directly exposed to UVC”. In other words, the virus or bacteria will not be inactivated if it is covered, either by dust or soil, that is, under a phone case, slot or crack.
And while the CDC refers to UV disinfectants as an “alternative method of disinfection”, they note that there are a ton of new UV disinfection devices on the market that the agency has not yet had time to properly examine and review. When purchasing the best UV disinfectant to use for Covid, you should carefully read the manufacturer’s claims and offers before deciding on the best UV disinfectant device for you.
A final reminder from the EPA: “Covid-19” refers to a disease, and diseases cannot be “killed”. Therefore, any claim that a UV disinfectant “kills Covid-19” is always considered false and misleading.
How do UV disinfectants work?
The best UV disinfectants work by using direct rays of ultraviolet light to kill germs and bacteria. When it comes to using ultraviolet light against the coronavirus, the FDA says that ultraviolet light acts to quickly destroy the virus’ outer protein layer, which then eliminates the virus’s effectiveness.
UV disinfectants come in various forms, from UV disinfection rods to disinfection boxes and UVC lamps (usually called “germicidal” lamps). The type of UV disinfectant you choose will depend on what you are trying to disinfect and the amount of space available. We have put together some of the best UV cleaning devices below.
As mentioned earlier, a good UV disinfectant will only work through direct exposure. Therefore, UVC radiation can only inactivate a virus if the virus is directly exposed to UV rays. The effectiveness of a UV disinfectant also depends on the dose and the duration of the device. As the FDA says, most UVC lamps sold for home use are low-dose, “so it can take more exposure to a certain surface area to potentially provide effective inactivation of a bacterium or virus.”
UVA rays vs. UVB vs. UVC
A final note: it is important to discern the difference between the different types of ultraviolet rays. The effectiveness of vs. UVA rays. UVB vs. UVC varies when it comes to fighting the coronavirus.
According to the FDA, UVA or UVB rays (the type of ultraviolet rays you receive from the sun, for example), are not as effective as UVC rays. As you probably know, UVA and UVB rays are also more harmful to men, as prolonged exposure can cause skin damage, aging and cancer risks (that’s why dermatologists always recommend using a good sunscreen).
When it comes to inactivating viruses, UV disinfectants using UVC rays are the best choice for now.
What are the best UV disinfectants?
If you are looking for an easy way to keep your home germ-free, we’ve put together some top-of-the-line UV disinfectants available online. We review these choices based on ease of use, effectiveness and availability. Although the best UV disinfectants may not be able to guarantee the elimination of the coronavirus, these popular UV devices are still a good idea to keep the coronavirus prevention kit at home, in the office or in the car.
1. Ultraviolet light sanitizing wand
This high-grade sanitizing wand is from Bonafide Masks, a company that focused on supplying N95 masks, face shields and other PPE during the current pandemic. The family company recently launched this ultraviolet light sanitizing wand, which promises to eliminate 99.99% of germs, viruses and bacteria on surfaces.
To use, just shake the stick a few centimeters on the surface you want to disinfect. Using the power of UVC light, the wand helps to kill germs without using harsh chemicals or cleaning products. We use a UVC wand on everything from keyboards to sofas and stuffed animals. This sanitizing wand also folds in half, making it great for the home, but also for storing in the car or table drawer (say, if you need to quickly disinfect the face mask after the grocery store or cafe).
A rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 50 minutes of use on a single charge. This set includes a pair of safety glasses and a storage bag.
Genuine masks
$ 109 UV sanitizing wand, available from Bonafide Masks
2. Bruun 36W disinfection lamp
UVC lamps are often called “germicidal” lamps, thanks to their ability to kill germs. The German home accessories brand, Bruun, claims that this lamp is “99.9% effective” in eliminating bacteria and mold. The powerful UVC lamp can also help eliminate odors.
This UV lamp is 18 inches tall and is capable of disinfecting an area of more than 500 square feet. Its open design means it has a 360 degree range; there are no “dead zones” here.
Control the ultraviolet lamp using the included remote control, which also allows you to set a timer for the lamp. A built-in safety switch automatically turns the lamp off if it remains on for a long time. A child lock design prevents children from opening the lamp (UVC light is not dangerous, but you still want to avoid any prolonged exposure. Our tip: set the lamp to light while you are out of the room).
Amazon
Bruun UV light disinfection lamp, $ 107, available on Amazon
3. HoMedics UV Clean disinfectant bag
One of the most touched surfaces is our cell phone, and studies have shown that some screens and phone cases can carry more bacteria than a toilet seat (yes, really). That’s why we use this UV disinfectant bag from HoMedics to help disinfect our devices several times a day. The company says the greeting card-sized purse uses powerful UV-C LED light to kill up to 99.9% of bacteria and eliminate viruses ten times faster than ordinary tissues.
To use: unzip the pouch and place the phone on the cleaning pad inside. The integrated ultraviolet lights disinfect all sides of the phone without the use of harmful liquids or chemicals. The phone is fully sanitized in less than 60 seconds. In addition to phones, the HoMedics Portable Sanitizer can be used on things like keys, jewelry, glasses, remote controls, a deck of cards and other small accessories. It is also safe enough for use in hygiene and skin care items, such as a comb or makeup brushes.
The included lithium-ion battery is rechargeable and allows up to 70 uses on a single charge.
Amazon
HoMedics UV Clean Disinfectant Bag, $ 68, available on Amazon
Want a more powerful option? This PhoneSoap Pro is one of the most popular cleaning devices on the market, and the company claims that its latest version kills 99.99% of bacteria in just five minutes. With a larger disinfection box than previous models, large phones and thick accessories also fit comfortably. Purchase: $ 119, available at PhoneSoap.com.
4. PhoneSoap HomeSoap
Need to sanitize larger devices? Take HomeSoap, which has enough space to disinfect everything from your remote controls to game consoles and a full-sized tablet. We also like to use it to disinfect our facial masks. The unit harnesses the germ-killing power of two large UV-C lamps, while a reflective inner surface allows light to surround any items that are inside the box.
PhoneSoap says that UVC disinfectant kills 99.99% of germs in about ten minutes or less. It does this entirely using UVC light, with no heat or liquids that could damage your items. The unit measures 151.34 x 283.28 x 380.76 mm – approximately the size of an average shoe box.
PhoneSoap