CLEVELAND, Ohio — When it comes to home cleaning supplies to disinfect surfaces during a novel coronavirus outbreak, there’s no need to buy heavy-duty industrial cleaners.

Just look under your kitchen sink.

Common cleaners such as Purell, Clorox and Lysol can take care of the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Cities, schools and organizations across Northeast Ohio are starting programs to disinfect surfaces in public areas to stop the possible spread of the illness. The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) announced an expanded cleaning protocol for buses, trains and paratransit vehicles, starting Monday.

There were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio as of Thursday afternoon, health officials said.

While the most common way COVID-19 has spread is person-to-person, droplets from a cough or sneeze containing the virus can stay viable on surfaces for two hours to two days, said Dr. Kristin Englund, staff physician for infectious diseases at the Cleveland Clinic.

People who touch surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus and then touch their mouths or eyes can also become infected, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. That’s why it’s important to clean surfaces with something that can kill the coronavirus.

The Ohio Department of Health recommends daily cleaning of surfaces that are touched often as a preventative measure. These include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them should also be cleaned.

Pre-clean any surfaces prior to disinfecting to remove any excess dirt or grime.

Here’s information about how to sanitize your home. The information came from Englund, the Ohio Department of Health, the Cleaning Institute and the CDC.

Where can I find a list of approved household cleaners?

The CDC recommends products that have the Environmental Protection Agency’s approval for use against emerging viral pathogens; the list is maintained by the American Chemistry Council Center for Biocide Chemistries.

The American Chemistry Council’s list of EPA-approved cleaners includes:

This week, the EPA released a five-page list of disinfectants that it says are strong enough to ward off “harder-to-kill” viruses than the coronavirus.

“Using the correct disinfectant is an important part of preventing and reducing the spread of illnesses along with other critical aspects such as hand washing,” EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said in a statement.

The EPA’s list included:

Diluted household bleach solutions, and alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, also are effective against the virus that causes COVID-19. To make a diluted bleach solution, mix 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water, or 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water.

Since this is a new virus, how do we know these cleaners will work?

Since these cleaners kill hardier human coronaviruses, researchers feel confident that they are equally effective against the novel coronavirus, Englund said.

But “definitive scientific confirmation” that the Lysol wipes can kill coronavirus can only come once it’s been tested against the strain, said Reckitt Benckiser, the company that owns Lysol and other hygiene brands, in a statement to CNN.

Antibacterial wipes, such as baby wipes, kill bacteria but do not contain the bleach or alcohol level that kills viruses.

Recommendations for cleaning households with quarantined people

Anyone placed in home quarantine because they are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 needs to have limited contact with others. That means staying in a room alone and using a separate bathroom from the rest of the family.

Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in the isolated person’s living area, such as tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets and sinks.

The isolated person’s private bathroom should be disinfected daily. If others are sharing the bathroom, high-touch surfaces should be wiped down after the quarantined person uses it.

Don’t share dishes or utensils unless throughly washed. The quarantined person’s dishes can go in the dishwasher on the regular setting, or be cleaned by hand with regular soap. Very hot water isn’t necessary.

Cleaning clothes and linens

Towels should not be shared unless washed first. Clothes and linens used by an quarantined person should be washed and dried on high heat.

Wear disposable gloves when handling dirty laundry from an ill person, then throw away the gloves after each use. Reusable gloves should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19 and not for other household purposes. Wash your hands immediately after gloves are removed.

Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

Hypertension could be a leading factor in coronavirus deaths

ACC Tournament games still scheduled to be played on Thursday (report)

Is it safe to go to the gym amid COVID-19 pandemic?

5 ways NY can help low-wage families get through coronavirus outbreak

New York City postpones St. Patrick’s Day parade