Soap and water is enough for most school supplies

You don’t need to bleach everything — warm soapy water and a quick rinse gets scissors and rulers clean enough for everyday reuse. A disinfectant wipe afterward is optional, not a requirement.

The main thing is to not wreck the supplies while cleaning them. For plastic and metal rulers, or scissors with metal blades, wash them in warm water with dish soap, rinse, and dry immediately. A stray drop of water on a scissor pivot can cause rust over time, so give them a good towel dry. For wooden rulers, skip the soaking — a damp cloth with a drop of soap works, then wipe with a dry cloth.

If you’re dealing with supplies from a classroom where someone was clearly sick, or you just want the extra peace of mind, a disinfectant wipe or a cloth with 70% isopropyl alcohol works on plastic and metal. Test on a small area first, especially if the ruler has colored markings that could fade.