Radiance Disinfectant Wipes

Last Updated on July 9, 2023

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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 great 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.

We went through a period of time last year when it was impossible to find my old standby disinfectant wipes at Aldi, and it was pretty rare to see disinfectant wipes of any kind at any other retailers either because some of the same materials used to make the wipes are also needed to make medical masks and gowns. During the shortage, I tried to conserve my existing wipes supply at home, saving them pretty much only for cleaning toilets. Fortunately, the wipes have been back on my local Aldi shelves for a while now and are a Regular Buy, meaning they are sold year round, barring any pandemic-induced shortages.

At the time of publication, Radiance Disinfectant Wipes cost $2.95 for a 1-pound, 1-ounce (480 grams) container that has 75 wipes. That comes out to about 4 cents per wipe for the Aldi brand. That’s cheaper than buying a single comparably sized container of other brands such as Lysol (about 5 cents per wipe) or Clorox (about 6 cents per wipe), 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. The back label states the product kills staphylococcus aurea [Staph], Salmonella enterica [Salmonella], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [Pseudomonas], Campylobacter jejuni [Campylobacter], Steptococcus pyogenes [Strep], Stayphylococcus aureus – Methicillin-Resistant [MRSA], and Influenza Type A Virus/Brazil Flu Virus.

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 back label. (Click to enlarge.)

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: 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 sanitize: Wipe hard, nonporous surfaces using enough wipes to allow the surface to remain wet for 15 seconds for Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) (ATCC 6538), Klebsiella pneumonia (ATCC 4352), and Campylobacter jejuni (ATCC 29248). Let the surface dry. For highly soiled areas, clean excess dirt first.

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.

If you get the product in your eyes, the label says to hold the eyes open and rinse slowly and gently with water for 15-20 minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present, after the first 5 minutes, and then continue rinsing the eyes. Call a poison control center or doctor for treatment advice. Have the product container or label with you when you call or go for treatment.

The Verdict:

Radiance Disinfectant Wipes are good for those times when you want a disposable cleaning product, such as when you’re cleaning a toilet. 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.