Can You Spray Lysol on Clothing? (4 Reasons!)

We know that Lysol sprays are powerful disinfectants that kill germs viruses, and bacteria and protect us from getting infected. These sprays are mostly used on non-porous surfaces, and as sanitizers during a wash cycle.

To further protect ourselves from germs while we are outside, can we spray Lysol on our clothes? Is it safe to do this, and will it protect us from germs?

Can You Spray Lysol on Clothing?

Lysol spray isn’t meant to be used on clothing, because it contains ethanol as an active ingredient which can leave bleach stains on clothes. Kitchen Sinks, trash cans, outside of your fridge, door knobs, toilets, showers, bathtubs, mattresses, couches, and pet beds are some of the areas recommended by Lysol specifically.

However, alcohol-based stains can be removed from clothes.

Washing your clothes in hot soapy water will be more effective in killing germs than spraying Lysol. Spraying Lysol on your cloth could also pose risks to your health.

4 Reasons You Shouldn’t Spray Lysol on Clothing!

1- Causes Discoloration

Spraying Lysol on your clothing will leave stains because of the chemical compounds it contains. It can also bleach your clothes.

2- Odor & Inhalation Risk

Spraying Lysol on your cloth will leave a residue that will make you smell Lysol all day.

Inhaling the disinfectants can be dangerous to your respiratory health, as Lysol is toxic to humans when inhaled. The people around you may inhale it too if they come close.

If you have pets like dogs or cats, you should avoid spraying Lysol on your clothes. Lysol is toxic to them. If they inhale it for an extended period while you carry them or play with them, they can fall sick too.

3- Using Regular Detergent is Cheaper

Getting rid of germs or odors from your clothing with Lysol is more expensive than doing it with laundry detergent or soap. To disinfect your cloth, you would have to spray large quantities of Lysol on every part of the cloth, and a bottle of this spray costs a few bucks.

Running that cloth through a washing machine or handwashing it with soap would be cheaper and more effective (because you cover every part of the cloth). You won’t have to worry about rashes or irritation.

Lysol makes a cleaner for clothes called Lysol Laundry Sanitizer, but even that product isn’t meant to be sprayed on clothes as it is used while the clothes are being washed.

4- It Can Be a Fire Hazard

Because of its chemical contents like ethanol, Lysol is highly flammable (the disinfecting wipes are non-flammable) and can catch fire near an open flame. Although this risk decreases when it dries but it still isn’t as safe.

Spraying Lysol on your clothes and wearing them near an open flame or in environments where there’s extreme heat like a bakery, can lead to a fire.

Lysol Spray vs Fabrics!

Lysol spray can be sprayed on fabrics of couches, mattresses, pet bedding, and other upholstery but not on clothing.

Lysol contains oxidizers like ammonium which are responsible for these reactions. Oxidizers can degrade and discolor natural and soft materials like wool and cotton. They should not also be used on materials like nylon, silk, leather, and satin. ^(Source)

Spots of discoloration may appear on the fabric you have sprayed because Lysol is a strong disinfectant. Some parts of the fabric may fade as it dries.

Spraying your clothes with disinfectants made only for fabrics is better if you want to protect your clothes.

Lysol Spray & Residues on Clothing!

Spraying Lysol on your colored clothes can leave whitish stains and films. These usually appear when the Lysol has dried on the cloth.

The residue left by Lysol on clothes can be easily removed, though if it hasn’t been there for a long time.

You can wet the area stained and put paper towels on it so the excess Lysol in that area can be absorbed. Then spray a soft towel with some spot removal and use it to rub the area in circular motions for about 2 minutes. Run the cloth after this through a washing machine, and the fabric should be clean.

You can also soak the cloth in a hot water and vinegar solution. Mix 1 cup of vinegar with 1 gallon of hot water and soak the cloth for about 2 hours. Then wash it with dish soap. The residue will be washed away.

Overspraying Lysol on Clothing!

Lysol contains chemicals like benzalkonium chloride which are toxic and can damage your health. Inhaling the toxic chemicals of Lysol can cause lung irritation which will make you start coughing and get your face all red.

If you’re lucky, the cough will stop when you remove the clothes and stay in a well-ventilated environment.

If you sprayed the Lysol for a long time on your clothing and stay there inhaling the fumes, you could suffer a headache, fatigue, and dizziness. You may need to seek medical help. ^(Source)

Can You Spray Disinfectant on Cloth Face Masks?

You can use a Lysol disinfectant spray on cloth face masks but it’s not necessary and won’t be effective at protecting you from germs because clothes don’t get disinfected this way.

Cloth face masks need to go through a hot wash cycle and be washed with a laundry detergent before they can be adequately disinfected. If you’re going to be hand washing them, you must also use hot water. And this should be done after each use.

Several disinfectants can be used to disinfect cloth masks but these aren’t sprayed on the masks. They are always added during the wash or rinse cycle for effectiveness and protection. Some of these disinfectants are specifically made for people with sensitive skins.

Can You Use Lysol Wipes on Your Clothes?

Using Lysol wipes on clothes will be ineffective for disinfecting them as they cannot kill germs on your clothes. The cloth will just soak moisture from the wipes wasting them, and this can lead to the cloth getting damaged.

Lysol wipes contain alcohol like ethanol and chemical compounds like ammonium chloride that can stain your clothes. It may make a stain on your cloth less noticeable until you can properly wash it, but the spot may fade over time.

These chemical compounds are also not good for the body. Using Lysol wipes on your cloth and wearing that cloth can cause skin irritation. You should avoid that.

Final Thoughts!

Lysol disinfectant spray should not be used on clothing. To properly disinfect your clothes and keep diseases away, you should wash your clothes with suitable laundry detergents in hot water.

If you need to disinfect your clothes further with disinfectants, you should use appropriate ones and this should be done while you are washing the clothes, not after they have dried or while you are wearing them.