The U.S. EPA said in a statement that the agency had approved two products, Lysol Disinfectant Spray and Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist, based on laboratory testing that showed the products were effective against COVID-19.

Reckitt Benckiser reported record sales growth in the first quarter and predicted a stronger-than-expected performance in 2020 as customers stocked up on Lysol disinfectants, Mucinex cough syrup and Dettol soap ahead of the coronavirus lockdowns.

"Lysol is currently testing the efficacy of other disinfectant products in the brand portfolio," Ferran Rousaud, marketing director for Lysol, said in a statement.

Lysol's parent company has warned people against using disinfectants to treat the new coronavirus, after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested researchers try putting disinfectants into patients' veins.

(Reporting by Sabahatjahan Contractor in Bengaluru; Editing by Stephen Coates)

GUIDANCE FOR CLEANING AND DISINFECTING PUBLIC SPACES, WORKPLACES, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, AND HOMES

Has the area been unoccupied for the last 7 days?

If your workplace, school, or business has been unoccupied for 7 days or more, it will only need your normal routine cleaning to reopen the area. This is because the virus that causes COVID-19 has not been shown to survive on surfaces longer than this time.

There are many public health considerations, not just COVID-19 related, when reopening public buildings and spaces that have been closed for extended periods.

For example, take measures to ensure the safety of your building water system. It is not necessary to clean ventilation systems, other than routine maintenance, as part of reducing risk of coronaviruses.

For healthcare facilities, additional guidance is provided on CDC's Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities.

Determine what needs to be disinfected Following your normal routine cleaning, you can disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects using a product from EPA's list of approved products that are effective against COVID-19.

These questions will help you choose appropriate disinfectants.

Are you cleaning or disinfecting a hard and non-porous material or item like glass, metal, or plastic? Consult EPA's list of approved products for use against COVID-19.

This list will help you determine the most appropriate disinfectant for the surface or object. You can use diluted household bleach solutions if appropriate for the surface. Pay special attention to the personal protective equipment (PPE) that may be needed to safely apply the disinfectant and the manufacturer's recommendations concerning any additional hazards. Keep all disinfectants out of the reach of children.

Please visit CDC's website on How to Clean and Disinfect for additional details and warnings.

Examples of frequently touched surfaces and objects that will need routine disinfection following reopening are: 
- tables
- doorknobs
- light switches
- countertops
- handles
- desks
- phones,
- keyboards
- toilets
- faucets and sinks
- gas pump handles
- touch screens
- ATM machines.

Each business or facility will have different surfaces and objects that are frequently touched by multiple people. Appropriately disinfect these surfaces and objects.

For example, transit stations have specific guidance for application of cleaning and disinfection.

Are you cleaning or disinfecting a soft and porous material or items like carpet, rugs, or seating in areas?

Soft and porous materials are generally not as easy to disinfect as hard and non-porous surfaces. EPA has listed a limited number of products approved for disinfection for use on soft and porous materials. Soft and porous materials that are not frequently touched should only be cleaned or laundered, following the directions on the item's label, using the warmest appropriate water setting. Find more information on CDC's website on Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility for developing strategies for dealing with soft and porous materials.

Resource from EPA