Dealing with a stomach virus is awful, but cleaning and disinfecting after norovirus is incredibly important. Today we’re taking a look at how to disinfect after norovirus makes an appearance… and we’re doing it without bleach or other harsh cleaners.
Like most people, I hate stomach viruses. I treat them like the plague. Today, we’ll discuss how to disinfect after norovirus, as well as how to clean vomit from carpet and upholstery. Fun times ahead… aren’t you excited to keep reading?
General Information About Norovirus
What Is Norovirus?
According to the CDC, “norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea, and foodborne illness in the United States. People of all ages can get infected and sick with norovirus, which spreads very easily and quickly.” You are probably familiar with this illness, often called the “stomach bug” or “stomach flu”. It is truly awful. For years I called November “stomach flu month” because my kiddos would bring it home year after year… always in November.
How Long Does Norovirus Survive on Surfaces?
Norovirus can survive up to two weeks on surfaces (source). I, unfortunately, found this to be true. One of my kiddos threw up on our carpet, and while I had done an initial cleaning, I went back about a week-and-a-half later to really deep clean the area… and I came down with norovirus… 10-14 days after my kid had had it! Because norovirus can survive so long, it is important to clean and disinfect right away.
What Products Kill Norovirus?
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Norovirus is an incredibly hardy virus, so the list of what can actually kill norovirus is pretty short.
Products cannot claim to kill norovirus unless they are EPA Registered to do so. You can find a full list of EPA Registered products approved to kill norovirus here. Please follow the instructions for disinfecting, as each product contains the amount of time the product needs to be in contact with the surface to effectively disinfect.
- Alcohol– Unfortunately, alcohol does not kill norovirus. So that hand sanitizer you’re using… not gonna kill norovirus I’m afraid.
- Bleach– Active Ingredient: Sodium Hypochlorite. Certain Clorox® bleach products do kill norovirus. EPA Registration Number: 5813-100 (Clorox Regular Bleach1)
- Force of Nature Cleaner– Active Ingredient: Sodium Chloride. Force of Nature Cleaner is made with salt, water, and vinegar. Force of Nature does kill norovirus. I tried this product for myself and have a full review here. EPA Registration Number: 93040-1
- Hydrogen Peroxide– Here’s what I can find about hydrogen peroxide… it is listed as the active ingredient in many EPA-registered products approved to kill norovirus, but I cannot find just “hydrogen peroxide” listed. According to this article from Romper, in which an interview with a doctor was conducted, hydrogen peroxide does kill norovirus.
- Lysol– Active Ingredient: Quaternary Ammonium. Certain Lysol Products do kill norovirus. EPA Registration Number: 777-66 (Lysol® Brand All Purpose Cleaner)
- Vinegar– While I love vinegar for cleaning, it does not kill norovirus.
What Is The Best Product For Disinfecting After Norovirus?
My go-to for years and years was diluted bleach for non-porous surfaces and Lysol spray for fabric and carpets. A couple years ago I learned about Force of Nature, and it is now what I grab for all my disinfecting needs (it can be used on both non-porous and soft surfaces, like fabrics and carpets). Force of Nature is made of salt, water, and vinegar, yet is powerful enough to be listed as a hospital-grade disinfectant. I would much rather use a cleaner made with simple ingredients, versus harsher products, like bleach. However, the decision is totally up to you.
How to Disinfect After Norovirus
Please note: In order for a disinfectant to actually disinfect, the surface needs to be clean. If there is visible dirt or other matter present, it lowers the disinfecting abilities of the cleaner, so always clean first, and then disinfect.
What You Need To Clean & Disinfect After A Stomach Virus
- Face Mask– You do not need a whole lot of the norovirus to get sick, and breathing it in can get you sick. Therefore, I keep face masks available for times like this.
- Gloves– When you touch a surface containing norovirus, you get it on your hands, so when you touch other items, you just spread it around. Using gloves helps prevent you from getting the virus everywhere… just make sure to remove the gloves before touching other items.
- EPA Registered Disinfectant Approved for Killing Norovirus– See list above
- Paper Towels– I always use paper towels when dealing with a stomach bug because I can throw them away
- Baking Soda– For cleaning vomit from carpet and upholstery
How to Clean & Disinfect Non-Porous Surfaces After Norovirus
Prior to using any cleaning product, it is highly recommended that you test the solution on a small area to make sure there is no undesired change to your finish. For more, please see our disclaimer statement.
Put on your hazmat suit (or at least a mask and gloves); then grab your disinfectant of choice. Make sure to follow all the safety instructions on your disinfectant, including proper dilution if required. Once you are ready, clean any visible dirt, grime, etc from all hard, non-porous surfaces, then spray with your disinfectant. Remember to spray the toilet handle & rim, doorknobs, faucet handles, and light switches. Each registered disinfectant should instruct you on the surface contact time required to disinfect, so make sure to let it sit for the required time. Some products instruct you to rinse the disinfected areas with clean water once disinfected. If this is true for the disinfectant you chose, go back over the surfaces using wet paper towels (dampened with water) to rinse down all the surfaces you sprayed. The reason I use paper towels is so I can throw them away at the end and, if using bleach, it won’t stain your washcloths. If you/your child used any remotes controls, spray those as well. It may be easier to spray the product onto a paper towel first, and then wipe down the remotes.
How to Clean Bedding After Norovirus
Whenever someone has norovirus in our house, we put a sheet over the couch where they tend to be during their “stomach bug” session. After it has passed, I wash the sheet as well as all bedding, pillows, and stuffed animals the person had during their bout with norovirus. Launder everything in the hottest water tolerated, and dry on high heat (if tolerated). Remember to wear both gloves and a mask when handling infected bedding. After washing all bedding (and clothing), it is a good idea to “tub clean” your washer with bleach to kill any norovirus that may in in lurking inside.
How to Clean Vomit From Carpet & Rugs
Prior to using any cleaning product, it is highly recommended that you test the solution on a small area to make sure there is no undesired change to your finish. For more, please see our disclaimer statement.
Make sure you are wearing gloves and a face mask! Once you have those on, grab some paper towels and start by cleaning up as much of the vomit as you can… I know, it’s gross. I’m grossed out just thinking about it, but we’ve got to get this done! Try not to rub the vomit into the carpet, just remove what you can. Next, liberally pour baking soda over the area, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. The longer it sits, the more moisture and smell the baking soda absorbs. (I admit, I haven’t tried baking soda on carpet, but I have tried it on a couch.) You’ll need to vacuum up the area to rid it of the baking soda, so remember to dispose of the vacuum bag and disinfect the vacuum canister when you are finished. Next, you can pour some hydrogen peroxide on the stain or spray it with Force of Nature Cleaner. Allow it to sit for the recommended time to disinfect and then blot it up with more paper towels.
How to Clean Vomit from Fabric & Upholstery
Prior to using any cleaning product, it is highly recommended that you test the solution on a small area to make sure there is no undesired change to your finish. For more, please see our disclaimer statement.
Make sure you are wearing a mask and gloves! You are going to follow the same steps as you would for cleaning vomit from carpet. Liberally pour baking soda over the vomit, after removing what you can with paper towels. Let the baking soda sit for a minimum of 15 minutes, then vacuum it up. Unlike cleaning vomit from carpet, apply another liberal coating of baking soda and let it sit for 1-2 hours. Vacuum that up and spray with an EPA Registered Disinfectant that is approved for use on fabric and upholstery. (Remember to disinfect your vacuum after this process!)
If you are working with microfiber, you can follow this tutorial for cleaning a microfiber couch. It may help if there are any remaining water stains.
I hope this has helped you understand how to disinfect after norovirus.
Wishing you all a beautiful day full of health… and not having to actually use this post for a long time!
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Shot in the dark at a reply but I had a 1 year old throwing up all over our upstairs yesterday morning (thankfully no carpet). I was told oxygenated stain remover for the sheets and pillow cases should irradicate the virus. I have 2 other kids so I have kept our 1 year old in isolation upstairs with me. I don’t have bleach nor have I ever owned any. I’ve been using simply free disinfectant all purpose cleaner from Sam’s club. I scrubbed for a few hours all over upstairs … do you think that will be enough?
So sorry for the delayed reply. First, I am SO glad it didn’t get on the carpet. That is the worst! As for the cleaner you used, you probably have your answer by now, being my response is so late. If the cleaner is marked as a DISINFECTANT, it may be enough. I am truly hoping everyone else stayed well and that this episode is behind you by now.
Your HYSTERICAL. I have 4 babies the oldest 9 youngest 3. And my one girl who is 4 woke up this morning at 5 a.m. vomiting. I wanted to be sure I was using the right chemicals that we’re going to clean properly because this is Christmas weekend of course?.. and I have no time for anyone else including ME, to get sick with this nonsense.. Still have much baking to do and presents to wrap so …….NOT happening. So thank you for your tips .I will use them in good health God willing.?
Oh no! Hope everyone is feeling better and that you were able to enjoy the holidays.
unless you’re only using the sheet to “catch” anything that doesn’t make it to the bucket or toilet, the sheet on the couch isn’t going to help much. it’s a fabric and porous. it won’t shield the couch from the virus.
Hi, just so everyone knows, low concentration peroxide like 3%, is not effectove at killing the virus. Baking soda certainly isnt as well. The fact that you are putting baking soda on first then vaccuming makes me cringe. You are basically spreading the virus all through your vaccume then all over the house every time you hse your vacuum. You were probably exposed to the virus regardless and got lucky and did not get infected or have symptoms. A better way to clean carpet and apholstry is to use an EPA registered product that kills norovirus like for instance clorox professional hydrogen peroxide spray and wipes. These have higher concentrations of peroxide and other ingredients that kill noro effectively. Also please stop using the term “stomach flu”. It is not a flu. It is a gastrointestinal virus.
So I’ve kicked my entire family out of the living room. I run a home daycare and closed all week. My toddler got it Sunday night, my husband and I Tuesday, and the older kids Wednesday. Everyone is bitching that they can’t watch tv but I don’t want the couch contaminated!! Any tips?
Just a note – check the bleach that you use to clean. Most scented bleaches are not registered disinfectants (I know that Clorox scented bleach isn’t). While scented bleaches are great for laundry & stains, regular bleach might still be better for deep cleaning and disinfecting.
I had no idea! Thanks for sharing, and I’ll check my bleach 🙂
Erin, how soon can I start disinfecting? My 3 year old last vomited at 3am, but now my OCD just wants me to get cleaning NOW!
Hi Ashlee- So sorry to hear about your little one. I typically wait to disinfect until 24 hours after their last episode of vomiting, just to make sure they are over their illness. HOWEVER, they continue to shed that virus in their stool for up to 2 weeks, so be very mindful of hand-washing after using the bathroom, and continue to disinfect the toilets and faucet over the next couple weeks… No need to do it every day, but once or twice a week might be good. Hope no one else gets sick 🙂
Great tips–I didn’t think about using a mask. Maybe that’s how I’d catch it even though I thought I was being careful.
I’m telling you every time I think I can just forego the mask, I get sick. Now I make sure I always use it. Last time the stomach flu went around, I was the ONLY one in the family that didn’t get sick, and I was the one cleaning up after everyone.
Wow, this is really good information! Sorry you had to go through it though! I agree with the hazmat suit thing! When friends have the stomach flu at their houses, I joke that I won’t even talk to them on the phone for fear we will get it! Haha! Thanks for the tips! Hopefully I won’t need them anytime soon though!
I really hope you won’t need them either. The stomach flu really is the worst. Luckily, Monaya is feeling better today. Thanks for stopping over Stephanie! Have a wonderful evening (and here’s to hoping all the germs stay away!)