The Best UV Light Devices to Sanitize Everything in Your Home
Zap and it’s clean!
Covid-19 has taken our cleaning obsessions to a whole new level: we’re making our own hand sanitizer and cleaning products, buying tools to track symptoms, and looking to new ways to clean our bedding. There’s another cleaning trend that’s surfaced since the coronavirus: sanitizing with ultraviolet light.
How Does UV-C Light Kill Germs?
UV-C light destroys the DNA and RNA in bacteria, removing their ability to multiply and cause disease. While it hasn’t been proven to kill the Covid-19 virus, it provides a chemical-free method to killing mold, mildew, and other viruses.
UV-C light has been used for killing germs in places like hospitals, airplanes, and water treatment plants. And thanks to technology, that same UV-C light comes in the form of household devices such as sanitizing bags, cell phone cases, water bottles, and light bulbs.
Larger-coverage UV-C lights — such as the stand-alone device and light bulbs below — use a wavelength that creates ozone gases. These provide more thorough germicidal coverage, but also have a strong odor and should be used away from people, pets, and plants.
Best Stand-Alone UV/Ozone Light
ALLRIER UV/Ozone Light Sanitizer
$109, Amazon
This 36-watt UV light has a remote control and works well in small- to medium-sized rooms. It’s great for removing odors from areas that tend to get musty like closets, basements, and mud rooms. To use, just plug it in and leave the room. The light will emit an odor (that means it’s working!), and turn off automatically after 30 minutes. The manufacturer recommends airing out the room before returning.
**Note that because this light provides ozone coverage, you shouldn’t be in the room while it’s working (that goes for pets and plants too!).
One Amazon reviewer wrote, “We recently experienced a water leak while away on vacation. The water mitigation team took 11 ridiculously long days to remove all of the wet materials. The entire house smelled like “old attic”. We set up the lamp and let the room air out. When I came home, my home smelled like the melon on the counter, not musty attic.”
Best UV Bag
$199, Amazon
This soft UV bag will fit all your knick knacks (think brushes, pens, computer mice), and zips out the light so all the disinfecting powers stay inside the bag. In just five minutes, it disinfects and eliminates up to 99.9 percent of germs, viruses, and bacteria with no water or chemicals.
One Amazon user wrote, “I use it to disinfect my cell phone, car keys, my baby’s little toys and any other things I can [fit]. It is big enough to put a football in it. Love it!”
Best UV Water Bottle
CrazyCap UV Water Purifier Cap and Water Bottle
Starting at $69.95, Amazon
This sanitizing water bottle has a UV-C light built into its cap that auto-activates every four hours to eliminate 99.9996 percent of mold and bacteria from your water. You can also remove the cap and use it as a UV sanitizer wand.
One Amazon reviewer wrote, “We bought a couple of these and will buy more. This is a great chemical-free method for water and surface sanitation. Easy to use, and the company donates to water sanitation organizations, and stands by their product.”
Best UV/Ozone Light Bulb
$72.99, Amazon
This UV light bulb screws into a standard lamp base and provides sanitization to up to 600 square feet of space in just one hour. The 36-watt bulb produces ozone zaps mold, mildew, and bacteria, perfect for bathrooms and hard-to-clean areas. Just turn it on and leave the room while it disinfects. The manufacturer recommends airing out the room for 30 to 90 minutes before returning.
**Note that because this light provides ozone coverage, you shouldn’t be in the room while it’s working (that goes for pets and plants too!).
One Amazon reviewer wrote: “It knocked the musty mold smell out of my RV and mobile home quickly. A bonus: it also killed lots of ‘almost invisible’ silverfish insects. The ozone dissipates rapidly after airing the house and leaves a fresh scent like clean line-dried sheets.”
Best UV Wand
Starting at $30.98, Amazon
If you’re just looking for a quick, portable device to sanitize small items like pillows and keyboards, this handheld wand is a great option. It’s also great for travel, public restrooms, and grocery carts. Even better, it will make you feel like a sanitizing wizard!
One Amazon reviewer wrote, “This UV travel wand is so easy to use! Great for travel. No battery needed! I took it to a hotel with me and felt much better after sanitizing door handles and surfaces!”
Best UV Cell Phone Sterilizer and Charger
Rdfmy Smart Phone UV Sanitizer Wireless Charger
$69.99, Amazon
This device is small compared to the other UV sanitizers, but is just as effective at sanitizing cell phones up to 6.2 inches long, earbuds, and other small items. The wireless charger is built in, and works on most cell phones. There’s even an aromatherapy function — just add a couple drops of your favorite essential oil and your cell phone will smell better than ever before!
One Amazon reviewer wrote, “I found a practical and safe method of disinfecting my phone … I use it at night. It is very convenient that in the process the phone charges and saves time.”
