requently asked questions.

Please see our FAQs, which include information about product availability.

Mpox (formerly monkeypox)
What is mpox and how is it spread?
Mpox is a virus in the same family as cowpox virus, smallpox and several other, animal-related poxviruses.1 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mpox is transmitted through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact. Exposure consists of direct contact with body fluids, lesions or scabs, or indirect contact with objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding or towels) and surfaces that have been used by someone with mpox.
1 About Mpox. CdcGov 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/about/index.html (accessed July 25, 2022).
Can cleaning and disinfecting prevent transmission of mpox?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, disinfection is recommended for all areas where a person with mpox has spent time, as well as for items considered to be potentially contaminated. Spread from contaminated items can and does occur, so cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection play an important role, especially in healthcare settings. Those taking care of an infected individual at home or in a professional setting should wear a mask, gloves and disinfect any surfaces or sanitize linens used by the sick individual.
What Clorox products are eligible to use against mpox?
Per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Emerging Viral Pathogen Policy, the following Clorox products are eligible for use against mpox:
EPA Reg No. Product Name(s) Follow the directions for use
and contact time for
this/these organism(s) Surface Usage
5813-40 Clorox™ Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner Rhinovirus (10 min) Hard Nonporous
5813-79 Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes1 Rotavirus (4 min) Hard Nonporous
5813-89 Clorox™ Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach Rhinovirus (10 min) Hard Nonporous
5813-111 Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach Canine Parvovirus (10 min)
Feline Parvovirus (10 min) Hard Nonporous
5813-121 Clorox™ Germicidal Bleach4 Canine Parvovirus (10 min)
Feline Parvovirus (10 min) Hard Nonporous
5813-114 Clorox™ Performance Bleach1 Canine Parvovirus (10 min)
Feline Parvovirus (10 min) Hard Nonporous
5813-122 Clorox™ Splash-Less® Bleach1
Clorox™ Scented Splash-Less® Bleach Rhinovirus (6 min) Hard Nonporous
5813-124 Clorox™ Original Bleach (Puerto Rico) Canine Parvovirus (10 min)
Rhinovirus (5 min) Hard Nonporous
5813-122 Clorox™ Clean-Up™ Cleaner + Bleach Feline Calicivirus (Norovirus) (1 min)
Poliovirus (1 min) Hard Nonporous
What is the difference between cleaning vs. sanitizing vs. disinfecting?
Read more at “What’s the difference between cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting?”
What is the difference between washing laundry and sanitizing it?
Cleaning — or in this case washing — laundry, removes dust, debris and dirt from a surface, whereas sanitizing reduces the number of bacteria present to levels acceptable by public health standards. Learn more about sanitizing clothing, bedding and towels at “How to sanitize clothes, bed sheets and towels.”
What are other ways to prevent the spread of mpox?
You can find additional precautions from the CDC to prevent the spread of mpox at home on the CDC website.
Coronavirus
What Clorox products are eligible to use against COVID-19?
You can find a full list of Clorox products that kill or are eligible for use against SARS-CoV-2 [here].
Are Clorox Products effective against the new, variant COVID-19 strains?
Yes. Clorox products that are EPA-registered against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, are expected to kill all strains of SARS-CoV-2. Visit our product catalog for a full list of products.
Will ingesting bleach help kill coronavirus?
Bleach and other disinfectants are not suitable for consumption or injection under any circumstances. People should always read the label for proper usage instructions. Disinfecting surfaces with bleach and other disinfecting products is one of the ways to help stop the spread of COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Our products are safe when used properly. It’s critical that everyone understands the facts in order to keep themselves safe and healthy, which is why we continue to educate people about how to use disinfectants safely and effectively against COVID-19.
Can I buy Clorox products directly from Clorox?
Currently, Clorox products are available from our retail partners at their physical store locations, through their order and pick-up services or through their online sites. Explore the Clorox lineup and click Find a Retailer on any product page to see where you can make a purchase.
Do all Clorox products with bleach disinfect?
Clorox sells several bleach products — some are labeled as disinfectants and others are not. To determine if a product disinfects, check the label. All our disinfecting products — registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — prominently state their ability to kill germs.
What percentage alcohol is in Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes?
The CDC recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, however the guidance on alcohol percentage is not pertinent to disinfectants, which use different active ingredients.
What is the difference between cleaning vs. sanitizing vs. disinfecting?
Read more at “What’s the difference between cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting?”
Products
Requests for SDS sheets:
The Clorox Company provides product information to support a safe and healthful work environment. Please find the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for our products at this link: https://www.thecloroxcompany.com/brands/safety-information/sds/.
Ingredient Questions:
You’ll find detailed information on all of the ingredients we use in our products on the individual product pages within our site: clorox.com. You may also access information for all of the products that Clorox manufactures on our corporate website: https://www.thecloroxcompany.com/products/ingredients-inside/
Usage
Is this safe to use if I have a septic system?
Clorox cleaning products do not contain any ingredients that will harm your septic system when used as directed.
Disinfecting Advice:
Clorox has several products that disinfect. Below are links to each product for specific information on how to use each.
Clorox™ Bleach Foamer
Clorox™ Clean-Up™ Cleaner + Bleach
Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes
Clorox™ Germicidal Bleach
Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach
Clorox™ Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach
Can Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach be used to disinfect water?
Yes, Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach can be used to disinfect water.
Remove suspended particles by filtering or letting particles settle to the bottom.
Pour off clear water into a clean container.
Add 25 drops (1/4 teaspoon) of Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach (not scented or Clorox™ Plus® bleaches) to 2 gallons of water (4 drops to 1 quart).
Allow the treated water to stand for 30 minutes. Water should have a slight bleach odor. If not, repeat and wait another 15 minutes. The treated water can then be made palatable by pouring it between clean containers several times.
See more at: Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach
Troubleshooting Spraying Problems:
Our SMART TUBE® TECHNOLOGY is a built in tube that gets all the way to the bottom of the bottle – so you don’t have to. Watch our video to help you refill all your Clorox™ SMART TUBE® TECHNOLOGY spray bottles from Clorox™, Formula 409® and Clorox™ Plus Tilex™: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHqcRJEYoAs
Purchasing
Where can I buy your products?
You can find our product availability on the product detail page. Shop now
How can I manage orders placed on Clorox.com?
Our online shop is now closed. If you have an inquiry about an order placed on Clorox.com, please send us a message.