What specific cleaning products are most effective against MRSA and other bacteria?
The CDC has put fact sheets on our Web site to address this question. [See the “Resources” box below for a link.] We recently posted one about environmental management of MRSA, with information on laundry and surface cleaning and disinfection. In many cases, basic cleaning with soap, water, and detergent are sufficient to remove MRSA and staph from a surface. But with any product, it’s important to follow the instructions on the label. If you’re using a disinfectant, it should be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)–there should be an EPA number listed on the label. That label ensures there is data to support the effectiveness of the product. For most cleaning applications, it’s not so much what you use, but using it properly and following a regular cleaning routine. For example, athletic training room equipment should be cleaned after each use. You can never create a completely sterile environment because bacteria spreads whenever people touch surfaces, but good
