The Use of Bleach for Sanitizing or Disinfecting
Pam Kennedy • March 24, 2020
The Use of Bleach for Sanitizing or Disinfecting
With the current short supply of disinfectants, bleach is a popular alternative. Always remember that the most important step to do before you can disinfect or sanitize surfaces is to:
1) Thoroughly wash the surface with a good soap and water solution.
2) Follow label instructions for proper dilution and dwell time to set wet on the surface for complete sanitizing or disinfection.
3) After setting wet on the surface for the required time, wipe dry any excess liquid.
Bleach can be very dangerous and if used incorrectly can cause serious harm, even death. A few months ago at a Buffalo Wild Wings in Massachusetts, a restaurant employee died from the fumes created by mixing bleach and ammonia.
READ THE PERCENTAGE OF SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE on the bottle of bleach. The concentration can range from 3% - 12%. This can affect the amount you will need. Know what you are mixing and use the least amount of bleach needed to perform this task.
Bleach fumes can make you sick so only use in a well ventilated area and away from children and pets.
Bleach can damage many surfaces and fabrics. Research if it is safe to use on what you wish to clean then sanitize/disinfect.
DO NOT DRINK BLEACH. I'm not spending any more time on this but, sadly, this does need to be said.
NEVER MIX bleach with ammonia or acidic pH cleaners. The fumes will make you sick or possibly cause death.
Do you really need to sanitize/disinfect? Cleaning is the most important key to a healthy, sanitary environment.
We do not need to nor should we live a life coated in sanitizers/disinfectants. For most of us with healthy immune systems, proper cleaning will be all that is needed. Remember that sanitizers/disinfectants in higher concentrations are poisons and improperly used, leave films coated all over surfaces they contact. When improperly used, which most people do, this film builds up making surfaces sticky and far more unhealthy than if just left alone. Especially with infants that put everything in their mouths... please, just clean their toys and living areas with a good soap and water.
Remember to remain calm, use some common sense, and share some humor with each other. A smile can make a world of difference so let's not forget to do that often.
We will get through this!
1) Thoroughly wash the surface with a good soap and water solution.
2) Follow label instructions for proper dilution and dwell time to set wet on the surface for complete sanitizing or disinfection.
3) After setting wet on the surface for the required time, wipe dry any excess liquid.
Bleach can be very dangerous and if used incorrectly can cause serious harm, even death. A few months ago at a Buffalo Wild Wings in Massachusetts, a restaurant employee died from the fumes created by mixing bleach and ammonia.
READ THE PERCENTAGE OF SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE on the bottle of bleach. The concentration can range from 3% - 12%. This can affect the amount you will need. Know what you are mixing and use the least amount of bleach needed to perform this task.
Bleach fumes can make you sick so only use in a well ventilated area and away from children and pets.
Bleach can damage many surfaces and fabrics. Research if it is safe to use on what you wish to clean then sanitize/disinfect.
DO NOT DRINK BLEACH. I'm not spending any more time on this but, sadly, this does need to be said.
NEVER MIX bleach with ammonia or acidic pH cleaners. The fumes will make you sick or possibly cause death.
Do you really need to sanitize/disinfect? Cleaning is the most important key to a healthy, sanitary environment.
We do not need to nor should we live a life coated in sanitizers/disinfectants. For most of us with healthy immune systems, proper cleaning will be all that is needed. Remember that sanitizers/disinfectants in higher concentrations are poisons and improperly used, leave films coated all over surfaces they contact. When improperly used, which most people do, this film builds up making surfaces sticky and far more unhealthy than if just left alone. Especially with infants that put everything in their mouths... please, just clean their toys and living areas with a good soap and water.
Remember to remain calm, use some common sense, and share some humor with each other. A smile can make a world of difference so let's not forget to do that often.
We will get through this!
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