Soap and water cleaning versus bleach-based cleaners for eliminating SARS-CoV-2 infection

Udoh, Ekong E., Udoh, Ubong A., Egwuenu, Abiodun, Esu, Ekpereonne B., Eteng, Aruk, Ovat, Faithman E., Okomo, Uduak, Oduwole, Olabisi, Okebe, Joseph ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5466-1611 and Meremikwu, Martin (2025) 'Soap and water cleaning versus bleach-based cleaners for eliminating SARS-CoV-2 infection'. Journal of Public Health in Africa, Vol 16, Issue 2, e612.

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Abstract

Background: Households and community settings are important hubs for the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As understanding ofviral transmission improves, infection prevention and control (IPC) policies need to beupdated.

Aim: To compare the effectiveness of soap and water alone to bleach-based cleaners in eliminating SARS-CoV-2 infection in households and community settings.

Setting: We conducted a virtual search through the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Cochrane database of systematic reviews, PubMed, EMBASE, and Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC).

Methods: We assessed studies which compared the effect of soap and water cleaning on SARS-CoV-2 among humans to that of bleach-based cleaning, both in households and communities. We prioritised systematic reviews and randomised studies and only included other study designs, such as laboratory studies, which had interventions of relevant interest.

Results: We retrieved 1192 articles from the search. We summarised evidence from three laboratory studies as there were no randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or comparative effectiveness studies that met our inclusion criteria. Indirect evidence suggests that soap and bleach-based cleaners were effective at different concentrations. Substantial heterogeneity between the cited studies precludes any inference on effectiveness in reducing risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans. Both interventions remain important components of IPC measures.

Conclusion: There was no evidence for comparison of soap and water versus bleach-based cleaners against SARS-CoV-2 in humans in household and community settings. Indirect evidence shows both interventions to be effective against the virus.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	WA Public Health > Preventive Medicine > WA 110 Prevention and control of communicable diseases. Transmission of infectious diseases WF Respiratory System > WF 140 Diseases of the respiratory system (General) WX Hospitals and Other Health Facilities > Hospital Administration > WX 167 Cross infection prevention and control
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.4102/jphia.v16i2.612
SWORD Depositor:	JISC Pubrouter
Depositing User:	JISC Pubrouter
Date Deposited:	09 Apr 2025 09:21
Last Modified:	09 Apr 2025 09:21
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/26428

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