How to Use Sanitizing Alcohol Wipes Safely on High-Touch Surfaces

By Honest Baby and Beauty Company | The Honest Company | Published: 2026-10-28

Category: How-to Guides

Learn the safe, effective way to use sanitizing alcohol wipes on doorknobs, phones, and other high-touch surfaces—without damaging finishes or leaving germs behind.

Quick Answer

To use sanitizing alcohol wipes safely on high-touch surfaces, start with a visibly clean area, wipe in one direction, and let the surface air-dry completely to allow the alcohol to kill germs effectively.

Why High-Touch Surfaces Need Special Attention

High-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, and phone screens collect germs from many hands throughout the day. Sanitizing wipes are convenient for quick cleanups, but using them correctly matters more than how often you wipe.

Alcohol-based wipes are effective against a wide range of germs, but they need enough contact time to work. If you wipe and immediately dry the surface, you may not give the alcohol enough time to kill the germs.

Know When to Sanitize vs. Disinfect

Sanitizing wipes reduce germs to a safe level, while disinfecting wipes kill a higher percentage of germs. For high-touch surfaces in your home, sanitizing is usually sufficient for everyday maintenance, but during cold and flu season or after someone has been sick, you may want a disinfecting wipe.

Check the label of your wipes to understand what they are designed to do. The Honest Company's Sanitizing Alcohol Wipes are formulated to kill 99.99% of germs, making them a solid choice for regular sanitizing on the go.

Step-by-Step Guide to Safe Sanitizing

Check the surface: Make sure the surface is free of visible dirt and debris. If it's visibly dirty, use a regular wipe or cloth to clean it first, because sanitizing wipes work best on clean surfaces. Skipping the pre-clean can reduce the wipe's effectiveness.
Use enough wipes: Pull out a fresh wipe and unfold it fully. Use one wipe per surface or group of small items, and replace it if it becomes dry or overly soiled. Reusing a dry wipe spreads germs instead of killing them.
Wipe in one direction: Wipe the surface in a single direction, covering the entire area. Avoid going back and forth, which can redeposit germs. One-directional wiping helps lift germs off the surface.
Let it air-dry: Allow the surface to air-dry completely. Do not wipe it dry with a towel or cloth, as this can remove the sanitizing agents before they finish working. Air-drying ensures the alcohol has time to kill germs.
Dispose of the wipe properly: Throw the used wipe in the trash, not in the toilet or compost. Alcohol wipes are not flushable and can cause plumbing issues. Proper disposal keeps your plumbing and the environment safe.

Product Spotlight

Sanitizing Alcohol Wipes: These sanitizing wipes kill 99.99% of germs while wiping dirt away, and the hard top lid and flexible seal keep them wet. You can rely on them for quick sanitizing on high-touch surfaces, and the packaging ensures the wipes stay effective until the last one.
Sanitizing Alcohol Wipes