This Tide Fabric Spray Kills 99.9% of Bacteria and You Can Score It at Costco

Disinfectants and sanitizers are certainly having quite the banner year. (BTW, here's a reminder about the difference between those two terms and what they can and can't do.)

From the disinfectant wipe shortage of spring 2020 to the run on products that are approved to kill COVID-19 to hand sanitizer-drinking health scares (please don't do this!), we've learned a lot about different ways to tackle germs and keep our homes—and ourselves—as tidy as possible.

If fabrics are what you're aiming to maintain as spick-and-span as possible, one popular warehouse store and a laundry brand are teaming up to hook you up, reports @costcobuys.

Available for $11.99 for three 22-ounce bottles, which is about 50% less than what you'd pay at other major retailers for the same product, Tide Antibacterial Fabric Spray promises to reduce odors and kill 99.9% of bacteria on soft surfaces like couch and chair cushions, car seats, pillows and more. Fans have also suggested using it on clothing post-commute on mass transit if you're between washes but want to freshen up a coat or pair of pants. It smells quite similar to Tide laundry detergent, so if you like that scent, then you'll likely enjoy this product.

To sanitize soft surfaces with this Tide spray, clean any noticeably soiled spots, spray the surface from about 6 inches away until it's evenly damp and allow it to stay wet for 5 minutes. As the liquid dries, it will tame odors and kill almost all of the Enterobacter aerogenes and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

So that's what it can do, but we were also curious about what this can't do. It's not a miracle spray, after all. Tide Antibacterial Fabric Spray does not remove stains or work as a pre-treatment spray for laundry. Its name also clears up another detail: This is an "antibacterial" product, not "antiviral," so it will not kill the coronavirus.

But it does seem like a wise solution for perking up a comforter, suit or winter coat between dry cleanings, and sounds like a hit with pet-owners especially.

One fan says, "This stuff is fabulous! [We have] 3 dogs, 3 kids and 2 cats in our house, so there is always something that doesn't always smell just right. This stuff works magic on sofas, carpets, pet bedding, etc! Will continue to buy as I am able to find it."

If you're not able to find it at your local Costco or don't have a warehouse store membership, you can also find it other supermarkets, big box stores and online at vendors like Target (buy it: $5.99 for a 22-ounce bottle, target.com). And if you're more of the DIY type, here are 8 cleaning products that you can actually make better at home instead of buying them.