This study evaluated the efficacy of detergent-based surface cleaning methods against Murine Hepatitis Virus A59 (MHV) as a surrogate coronavirus for SARS-CoV-2. MHV (5% soil load in culture medium or simulated saliva) was inoculated onto four different high-touch materials [stainless steel (SS), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene plastic (ABS), Formica, seat fabric (SF)]. Immediately and two-hours post-inoculation, coupons were cleaned (damp wipe wiping) with and without pre-treatment with detergent solution or 375 ppm hard water. Results identified that physical removal (no pre-treatment) removed >2.3 log10 MHV on ABS, SS, and Formica when surfaces were cleaned immediately. Pre-treatment with detergent or hard water increased effectiveness over wet wiping two-hours post-inoculation; pre-treatment with detergent significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) removal of MHV in simulated saliva, but not in culture media, over hard water pre-treatment (Formica and ABS). Detergent and hard water cleaning methods were ineffective on SF under all conditions. Overall, efficacy of cleaning methods against coronaviruses are material- and matrix-dependent; pre-wetting surfaces with detergent solutions increased efficacy against coronavirus suspended in simulated saliva. This study provides data highlighting the importance of incorporating a pre-wetting step prior to detergent cleaning and can inform cleaning strategies to reducing coronavirus surface transmission.
Efficacy of Detergent-Based Cleaning Methods Against Coronavirus MHV-A59 on Porous and Non-Porous Surfaces.