Radiance Disinfectant Wipes

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Among the Aldi cleaning staples that I try to always stock in my bathroom cabinet, disinfectant wipes are top on my list. These disposable little wipes claim to kill bacteria, salmonella, strep, MRSA, and cold and flu viruses.

They’re useful for wiping down toilets, doorknobs, and other surfaces that tend to get gross. The two bathrooms in my house are small enough that I also regularly wipe down the ceramic tile floors with Aldi wipes, which efficiently pick up dust, hair, and dirt while sanitizing the floors.

Aldi appears to have changed these wipes sometime around 2024. The active ingredients remain the same as when I first reviewed these in 2021, but the wipe material itself has changed. It’s thinner and more stretchy, which doesn’t bother me as much if they’re possibly using fewer natural materials to make the wipes (but I’m not sure about that). Also, the most recent wipes have a tendency to make a strange foamy lather when I’m cleaning with them, which did not happen with the older version. We’ve gotten a couple of complaints from readers who are frustrated by the redesign of these wipes.

Still, these are inexpensive and I continue to use them. They just don’t seem quite as good as they were before. Let’s take a closer look.

 

These are a Regular Buy, meaning they are sold year round at Aldi. You’ll find them in the cleaning supply aisle among the laundry detergent, other household cleaners, and toilet paper.

Radiance Disinfectant Wipes cost $3.09 in early 2025 for a 19.5-ounce container with 75 wipes. When we first reviewed them in 2021, they cost $2.95 for a 1-pound, 1-ounce container with 75 wipes. It comes out to about 4 cents per wipe either way.

That’s cheaper than buying a single comparably sized container of other brands such as Clorox (about 6 cents per wipe at Walmart), although you might get a better deal on name-brand wipes if you buy bulk bundles.

The Aldi wipes container claims these lemon-scented wipes kill 99.9% of bacteria, along with Methicillin-Resistant Stayphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) and flu virus. It also says it kills the virus that causes COVID-19.

The back label states the product kills staphylococcus aurea [Staph], Salmonella enterica [Salmonella], Streptococcus pyogenes [Strep], and Influenza Type A Virus/Brazil Flu Virus. It also claims to kill the fungi, candida albicans. The container also states this product “wipes away everyday grease.”

Active ingredients are: octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (0.0909%), dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (0.0364%), didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (0.0545%), and Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (0.1212%).

The wipes can be used on tub and shower walls, telephones, stovetops, doorknobs, kitchen countertops, faucets and sinks, exterior toilet bowl surfaces, and non-wooden outdoor patio furniture (except cushions and wood frames).

Directions for Use:

To open the container, flip open the lid. To start the first wipe, take the edge of a wipe from the large opening to the small dispensing opening and pull up. The next wipe will pop up automatically. Always close the lid securely between uses to retain moisture.

The label has the following instructions for use.

To clean and deodorize: Wipe surface with a wipe. Let air dry. Discard used wipes in the trash and do not flush in the toilet.

To clean and disinfect (virucidal instructions): Wipe hard, nonporous surfaces with wipes until the surface is visibly wet. Use enough wipes to keep surfaces visibly wet for 4 minutes. Then let air dry. If surfaces are extremely dirty, clean first with another wipe before disinfecting. Discard used wipes in the trash, and do not flush in the toilet. Rinse food contact surfaces with clean, potable water after disinfecting. Do not use these wipes to disinfect dishes, glassware, or utensils.

To inhibit growth of odor-causing bacteria on hard, nonporous surfaces, preclean and then wipe and let the surface remain visibly wet for 4 minutes. Repeat treatment every 24 hours or more often if new growth appears.

For mold and mildew stain control, wipe surface and let it remain visibly wet for 4 minutes. Repeat treatment every 7 days or more often if new growth appears.

The label also has some information on the product’s ability to kill HIV, with special instructions on cleaning and decontamination.

For plastic and painted surfaces, spot test on an inconspicuous area before use. These wipes are not supposed to harm most surfaces, including acrylic, sealed fiberglass, and vinyl. Do not use on unpainted wood.

Do not use these as a diaper wipe or for personal cleansing. In other words, these are not baby wipes. And please don’t flush them down a toilet unless you enjoy clogged pipes.

The label states these can cause moderate eye irritation, so avoid contact with eyes or clothing. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling the wipes and before eating, drinking, chewing gum, using tobacco, or using the toilet.

The Verdict:

Radiance Disinfectant Wipes are decent for those times when you want a disposable cleaning product, such as when you’re cleaning a toilet. Our only complaint is that the wipes were redesigned not long ago; they are now thinner and sometimes create an odd lather during use.

We still buy them, though. They’re also useful for disinfecting a variety of hard, non porous surfaces, including counters, sinks, tubs and showers, outdoor furniture, and more. If you use name-brand wipes such as Clorox or Lysol, these Aldi wipes are worth a try and may save you a little money.