GUIDANCE FOR 

CLEANING AND DISINFECTING

PUBLIC SPACES, WORKPLACES, BUSINESSES, 

SCHOOLS, AND HOMES

CS316485C April 28, 2020 1:36 PM

This guidance is intended for all Americans, whether you own a business, run a school, or want to ensure 

the cleanliness and safety of your home. Reopening America requires all of us to move forward together by 

practicing social distancing and other daily habits to reduce our risk of exposure to the virus that causes 

COVID-19. Reopening the country also strongly relies on public health strategies, including increased testing 

of people for the virus, social distancing, isolation, and keeping track of how someone infected might have 

infected other people. This plan is part of the larger United States Government plan and focuses on cleaning 

and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools, and can also be applied to your home. 

Cleaning and disinfecting public spaces including your workplace, school, home, 

and business w ill require you to:

• Develop your plan

• Implement your plan

• Maintain and revise your plan 

Reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by cleaning and disinfection is an important part of reopening public spaces that will 

require careful planning. Every American has been called upon to slow the spread of the virus through social distancing and 

prevention hygiene, such as frequently washing your hands and wearing face coverings. Everyone also has a role in making sure our 

communities are as safe as possible to reopen and remain open. 

The virus that causes COVID-19 can be killed if you use the right products. EPA has compiled a list of disinfectant products that can 

be used against COVID-19, including ready-to-use sprays, concentrates, and wipes. Each product has been shown to be effective 

against viruses that are harder to kill than viruses like the one that causes COVID-19. 

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GUIDANCE FOR CLEANING AND DISINFECTING PUBLIC SPACES, WORKPLACES, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, AND HOMES

This document provides a general framework for cleaning and disinfection practices. The framework is based on doing the following:

1. Normal routine cleaning with soap and water will decrease how much of the virus is on surfaces and objects, which reduces the 

risk of exposure. 

2. Disinfection using EPA-approved disinfectants against COVID-19 can also help reduce the risk. Frequent disinfection of surfaces 

and objects touched by multiple people is important. 

3. When EPA-approved disinfectants are not available, alternative disinfectants can be used (for example, 1/3 cup of bleach added 

to 1 gallon of water, or 70% alcohol solutions). Do not mix bleach or other cleaning and disinfection products together--this can 

cause fumes that may be very dangerous to breathe in. Keep all disinfectants out of the reach of children.

Links to specific recommendations for many public spaces that use this framework, can be found at the end of this document. 

It’s important to continue to follow federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local guidance for reopening America.

A Few Important Reminders about Coronav iruses and Reducing the Risk of Ex posure:

• Coronaviruses on surfaces and objects naturally die within hours to days. Warmer temperatures and exposure to sunlight will 

reduce the time the virus survives on surfaces and objects. 

• Normal routine cleaning with soap and water removes germs and dirt from surfaces. It lowers the risk of spreading 

COVID-19 infection. 

• Disinfectants kill germs on surfaces. By killing germs on a surface after cleaning, you can further lower the risk of spreading 

infection. EPA-approved disinfectants are an important part of reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19. If disinfectants on this 

list are in short supply, alternative disinfectants can be used (for example, 1/3 cup of bleach added to 1 gallon of water, or 70% 

alcohol solutions). 

• Store and use disinfectants in a responsible and appropriate manner according to the label. Do not mix bleach or other cleaning 

and disinfection products together--this can cause fumes that may be very dangerous to breathe in. Keep all disinfectants out of 

the reach of children.

• Do not overuse or stockpile disinfectants or other supplies. This can result in shortages of appropriate products for others to use 

in critical situations. 

• Always wear gloves appropriate for the chemicals being used when you are cleaning and disinfecting. Additional personal 

protective equipment (PPE) may be needed based on setting and product. For more information, see CDC’s website on Cleaning 

and Disinfection for Community Facilities.

• Practice social distancing, wear facial coverings, and follow proper prevention hygiene, such as washing your hands frequently 

and using alcohol-based (at least 60% alcohol) hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.

If you oversee staff in a workplace, your plan should include considerations about the safety of custodial staff and other people 

who are carrying out the cleaning or disinfecting. These people are at increased risk of being exposed to the virus and to 

any toxic effects of the cleaning chemicals. These staff should wear appropriate PPE for cleaning and disinfecting. To protect 

your staff and to ensure that the products are used effectively, staff should be instructed on how to apply the disinfectants 

according to the label. For more information on concerns related to cleaning staff, visit the Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration’s website on Control and Prevention.
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GUIDANCE FOR CLEANING AND DISINFECTING PUBLIC SPACES, WORKPLACES, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, AND HOMES

DEVELOP YOUR PLAN

Evaluate your workplace, school, home, or business to determine what kinds of surfaces and materials make up that area. Most surfaces 

and objects will just need normal routine cleaning. Frequently touched surfaces and objects like light switches and doorknobs will need 

to be cleaned and then disinfected to further reduce the risk of germs on surfaces and objects.

• First, clean the surface or object with soap and water.

• Then, disinfect using an EPA-approved disinfectant. 

• If an EPA-approved disinfectant is unavailable, you can use 1/3 cup of bleach added to 1 gallon of water, or 70% alcohol solutions 

to disinfect. Do not mix bleach or other cleaning and disinfection products together. Find additional information at CDC’s website 

on Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility.

You should also consider what items can be moved or removed completely to reduce frequent handling or contact from multiple 

people. Soft and porous materials, such as area rugs and seating, may be removed or stored to reduce the challenges with cleaning and 

disinfecting them. Find additional reopening guidance for cleaning and disinfecting in the Reopening Decision Tool.

It is critical that your plan includes how to maintain a cleaning and disinfecting strategy after reopening. Develop a flexible plan 

with your staff or family, adjusting the plan as federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local guidance is updated and if your specific 

circumstances change. 

Determine what needs to be cleaned

Some surfaces only need to be cleaned with soap and water. For example, surfaces and objects that are not frequently touched should 

be cleaned and do not require additional disinfection. Additionally, disinfectants should typically not be applied on items used by 

children, especially any items that children might put in their mouths. Many disinfectants are toxic when swallowed. In a household 

setting, cleaning toys and other items used by children with soap and water is usually sufficient. Find more information on cleaning and 

disinfection toys and other surfaces in the childcare program setting at CDC’s Guidance for Childcare Programs that Remain Open.

These questions will help you decide which surfaces and objects will need normal routine cleaning.

Is the area outdoors?

Outdoor areas generally require normal routine cleaning and do not require disinfection. Spraying disinfectant on sidewalks and in 

parks is not an efficient use of disinfectant supplies and has not been proven to reduce the risk of COVID-19 to the public. You should 

maintain existing cleaning and hygiene practices for outdoor areas. 

The targeted use of disinfectants can be done effectively, efficiently and safely on outdoor hard surfaces and objects frequently touched 

by multiple people. Certain outdoor areas and facilities, such as bars and restaurants, may have additional requirements. More 

information can be found on CDC’s website on Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). 

There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread directly to humans from water in pools, hot tubs or spas, or 

water play areas. Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (for example, with chlorine or bromine) of pools, hot tubs or spas, 

and water playgrounds should kill the virus that causes COVID-19. However, there are additional concerns with outdoor areas that 

may be maintained less frequently, including playgrounds, or other facilities located within local, state, or national parks. For more 

information, visit CDC’s website on Visiting Parks & Recreational Facilities.
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GUIDANCE FOR CLEANING AND DISINFECTING PUBLIC SPACES, WORKPLACES, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, AND HOMES

Has the area been unoccupied for the last 7 days?

If your workplace, school, or business has been unoccupied for 7 days or more, it will only need your normal routine cleaning to reopen 

the area. This is because the virus that causes COVID-19 has not been shown to survive on surfaces longer than this time.

There are many public health considerations, not just COVID-19 related, when reopening public buildings and spaces that have been 

closed for extended periods. For example, take measures to ensure the safety of your building water system. It is not necessary to clean 

ventilation systems, other than routine maintenance, as part of reducing risk of coronaviruses. For healthcare facilities, additional 

guidance is provided on CDC’s Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities.

Determine what needs to be disinfected

Following your normal routine cleaning, you can disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects using a product from EPA’s list of 

approved products that are effective against COVID-19. 

These questions will help you choose appropriate disinfectants.

Are you cleaning or disinfecting a hard and non-porous material or item like glass, metal, or plastic?

Consult EPA’s list of approved products for use against COVID-19. This list will help you determine the most appropriate disinfectant 

for the surface or object. You can use diluted household bleach solutions if appropriate for the surface. Pay special attention to the 

personal protective equipment (PPE) that may be needed to safely apply the disinfectant and the manufacturer’s recommendations 

concerning any additional hazards. Keep all disinfectants out of the reach of children. Please visit CDC’s website on How to Clean and 

Disinfect for additional details and warnings. 

Examples of frequently touched surfaces and objects that will need routine disinfection following reopening are: 

• tables,

• doorknobs,

• light switches,

• countertops,

• handles,

• desks,

• phones,

• keyboards,

• toilets,

• faucets and sinks,

• gas pump handles,

• touch screens, and

• ATM machines.

Each business or facility will have different surfaces and objects that are frequently touched by multiple people. Appropriately disinfect 

these surfaces and objects. For example, transit stations have specific guidance for application of cleaning and disinfection.

Are you cleaning or disinfecting a soft and porous material or items like carpet, rugs, or seating in areas?

Soft and porous materials are generally not as easy to disinfect as hard and non-porous surfaces. EPA has listed a limited number of 

products approved for disinfection for use on soft and porous materials. Soft and porous materials that are not frequently touched 

should only be cleaned or laundered, following the directions on the item’s label, using the warmest appropriate water setting. Find 

more information on CDC’s website on Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility for developing strategies for dealing with soft and 

porous materials. 
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GUIDANCE FOR CLEANING AND DISINFECTING PUBLIC SPACES, WORKPLACES, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, AND HOMES

Consider the resources and equipment needed

Keep in mind the availability of cleaning and disinfection products and appropriate PPE. Always wear gloves appropriate for the 

chemicals being used for routine cleaning and disinfecting. Follow the directions on the disinfectant label for additional PPE needs. In 

specific instances, personnel with specialized training and equipment may be required to apply certain disinfectants such as fumigants 

or fogs. For more information on appropriate PPE for cleaning and disinfection, see CDC’s website on Cleaning and Disinfection for 

Community Facilities.

IMPLEMENT YOUR PLAN

Once you have a plan, it’s time to take action. Read all manufacturer’s instructions for the cleaning and disinfection products you will 

use. Put on your gloves and other required personal protective equipment (PPE) to begin the process of cleaning and disinfecting. 

Clean v isibly dirty surfaces w ith soap and water 

Clean surfaces and objects using soap and water prior to disinfection. Always wear gloves appropriate for the chemicals being used for 

routine cleaning and disinfecting. Follow the directions on the disinfectant label for additional PPE needs. When you finish cleaning, 

remember to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Clean or launder soft and porous materials like seating in an office or coffee shop, area rugs, and carpets. Launder items according to 

the manufacturer’s instructions, using the warmest temperature setting possible and dry items completely. 

Use the appropriate cleaning or disinfectant product

EPA approved disinfectants, when applied according to the manufacturer’s label, are effective for use against COVID-19. Follow the 

instructions on the label for all cleaning and disinfection products for concentration, dilution, application method, contact time and 

any other special considerations when applying.

Always follow the directions on the label

Follow the instructions on the label to ensure safe and effective use of the product. Many product labels recommend keeping the 

surface wet for a specific amount of time. The label will also list precautions such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good 

ventilation during use of the product. Keep all disinfectants out of the reach of children.

MAINTAIN AND REVISE YOUR PLAN

Take steps to reduce your risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19 during daily activities. CDC provides tips to reduce your 

exposure and risk of acquiring COVID-19. Reducing exposure to yourself and others is a shared responsibility. Continue to update your 

plan based on updated guidance and your current circumstances.

Continue routine cleaning and disinfecting

Routine cleaning and disinfecting are an important part of reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Normal routine cleaning with 

soap and water alone can reduce risk of exposure and is a necessary step before you disinfect dirty surfaces. 
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GUIDANCE FOR CLEANING AND DISINFECTING PUBLIC SPACES, WORKPLACES, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, AND HOMES

Surfaces frequently touched by multiple people, such as door handles, desks, phones, light switches, and faucets, should be cleaned and 

disinfected at least daily. More frequent cleaning and disinfection may be required based on level of use. For example, certain surfaces and 

objects in public spaces, such as shopping carts and point of sale keypads, should be cleaned and disinfected before each use. 

Consider choosing a different disinfectant if your first choice is in short supply. Make sure there is enough supply of gloves and 

appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) based on the label, the amount of product you will need to apply, and the size of the 

surface you are treating.

Maintain safe behav ioral practices

We have all had to make significant behavioral changes to reduce the spread of COVID-19. To reopen America, we will need to continue 

these practices:

• social distancing (specifically, staying 6 feet away from others when you must go into a shared space) 

• frequently washing hands or use alcohol-based (at least 60% alcohol) hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available

• wearing cloth face coverings 

• avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth 

• staying home when sick 

• cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces

It’s important to continue to follow federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local guidance for reopening America. Check this resource for 

updates on COVID-19. This will help you change your plan when situations are updated.

Consider practices that reduce the potential for ex posure

It is also essential to change the ways we use public spaces to work, live, and play. We should continue thinking about our safety and 

the safety of others. 

To reduce your exposure to or the risk of spreading COVID-19 after reopening your business or facility, consider whether you need 

to touch certain surfaces or materials. Consider wiping public surfaces before and after you touch them. These types of behavioral 

adjustments can help reduce the spread of COVID-19. There are other resources for more information on COVID-19 and how to Prevent 

Getting Sick. 

Another way to reduce the risk of exposure is to make long-term changes to practices and procedures. These could include reducing the 

use of porous materials used for seating, leaving some doors open to reduce touching by multiple people, opening windows to improve 

ventilation, or removing objects in your common areas, like coffee creamer containers. There are many other steps that businesses and 

institutions can put into place to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect their staff and the public. More information can be 

found at CDC’s Implementation of Mitigation Strategies for Communities with Local COVID-19 Transmission. 
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GUIDANCE FOR CLEANING AND DISINFECTING PUBLIC SPACES, WORKPLACES, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, AND HOMES

CONCLUSION

Reopening America requires all of us to move forward together using recommended best practices and maintaining safe daily habits in 

order to reduce our risk of exposure to COVID-19. Remember: We’re all in this together!

Additional resources w ith more specific recommendations.

HEALTHCARE 

SETTINGS

Long-term Care 

Facilities, Nursing 

Homes

Infection Control in Healthcare Settings

Using Personal Protective Equipment

Hand Hygiene

Interim Guidance for Infection Prevention

Preparedness Checklist

Things Facilities Should Do Now to Prepare for COVID-19

When there are Cases in the Facility

Dialysis Facilities

Infection Control in Healthcare Settings

Using Personal Protective Equipment

Hand Hygiene

Interim guidance for Outpatient Hemodialysis Facilities

Patient Screening

Blood and Plasma 

Facilities

Infection control in Healthcare Settings

Infection Control and Environmental Management

Using Personal Protective Equipment

Hand Hygiene

Interim Guidance for Blood and Plasma Collection Facilities

Alternate Care Sites Infection Prevention and Control

Dental Settings Infection Control in Healthcare Settings

Using Personal Protective Equipment

Hand Hygiene

Interim Guidance for Dental Settings

Pharmacies Infection Control in Healthcare Settings

Using Personal Protective Equipment

Hand Hygiene

Interim Guidance for Pharmacies

Risk-Reduction During Close-Contact Services

Outpatient and 

ambulatory care 

facilities

Infection Control in Healthcare Settings

Using Personal Protective Equipment

Hand Hygiene

Interim Guidance for Outpatient & Ambulatory Care Settings

Postmortem Care Using Personal Protective Equipment

Hand Hygiene

Collection and Submission of Postmortem Samples

Cleaning and Waste Disposal

Transportation of Human Remains
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GUIDANCE FOR CLEANING AND DISINFECTING PUBLIC SPACES, WORKPLACES, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, AND HOMES

COMMUNITY 

LOCATIONS

Critical Infrastructure 

Employees Interim Guidance for Critical Infrastructure Employees

Cleaning and Disinfecting your Facility

Schools and childcare 

programs K-12 and Childcare Interim Guidance

Cleaning and Disinfecting your Facility

FAQ for Administrators

Parent and Teacher Checklist

Colleges and 

universities Interim Guidance for Colleges & Universities

Cleaning and Disinfecting your Facility

Guidance for Student Foreign Travel

FAQ for Administrators

Gatherings and 

community events Interim Guidance for Mass Gatherings and Events

Election Polling Location Guidance

Events FAQ

Community- and faithbased organizations Interim Guidance for Organizations

Cleaning and Disinfecting your Facility

Businesses Interim Guidance for Businesses

Parks & Rec Facilities Guidance for Administrators of Parks

Law Enforcement What Law Enforcement Personnel Need to Know about COVID-19

Homeless Serv ice 

Prov iders Interim Guidance for Homeless Service Providers

Retirement Homes Interim Guidance for Retirement Communities

FAQ for Administrators

Correction & Detention 

Facilities Interim Guidance for Correction & Detention Facilities

FAQ for Administrators

HOME SETTING

Preventing 

Getting Sick How to Protect Yourself and Others

How to Safely Sterilize/Clean a Cloth Face Covering

Cleaning and Disinfecting your Home

Tribal - How to Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Your Home

Tribal - How to Care for Yourself at Home During Covid-19

Running Errands Shopping for Food and Other Essential Items

Accepting Deliveries and Takeout

Banking 

Getting Gasoline

Going to the Doctor and Pharmacy

If you are sick Steps to Help Prevent the Spread of COVID19 if You are Sick
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GUIDANCE FOR CLEANING AND DISINFECTING PUBLIC SPACES, WORKPLACES, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, AND HOMES

TRANSPORTATION

Ships Interim Guidance for Ships on Managing Suspected COVID-19

Airlines Cleaning Aircraft Carriers

Airline Agents Interim Guidance

Buses Bus Transit Operator

Rail Rail Transit Operators

Transit Station Workers

EMS Transport Vehicles Interim Guidance for EMS

Tax is and Rideshares Keeping Commercial Establishments Safe

RESTAURANTS 

& BARS Best Practices from FDA