The spread of the coronavirus disease COVID-19 has spurred a surge in sales of cleaning and disinfection products. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces, along with thorough hand washing—both standard practices for helping slow the spread of viruses and bacteria. But consumers will be disappointed if they look for a product that specifically promises to kill SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Although there’s good evidence that the novel coronavirus is one of the easiest types of viruses to kill, scientists are still determining its exact nature and how big a role surface transmission plays in its spread. As researchers rush to understand the new pathogen, the US Environmental Protection Agency is working to provide the public with information about disinfectants that can help slow its spread. Such claims won’t be allowed on product labels, though, until more testing can