Bleach tops the list of household products you can use to kill germs. Typically known for its ability to get your whites “whiter” or sterilize your toilet bowl, many people are now reaching for a bottle of bleach to help kill germs and viruses on a wide variety of household surfaces.
With that said, there are some guidelines when using this chemical to clean surfaces. Heres what you need to know about using bleach to kill germs. Advertisement
Bleach is a strong and effective disinfectant – its active ingredient sodium hypochlorite is effective in killing bacteria, fungi and viruses, including influenza virus – but it is easily inactivated by organic material. Diluted household bleach disinfects within 10–60 minutes contact time (see Table G.
How to use bleach to kill germs
Before using bleach, make sure the surface you are cleaning can handle a disinfectant. For example, bleach should not be used on wood floors or painted surfaces. But bleach is fine to use on most kitchen counters, bathroom sinks, or even other frequently-touched surfaces such as door handles and faucets.
To sanitize surfaces with unscented household bleach, the CDC recommends mixing together one cup of bleach and five gallons of water. Heres how to do it:
1. Mix the one cup bleach and five gallons of water together in a bucket.
2. Use the solution to scrub rough surfaces with a stiff brush.
3. Air dry for at least 10 minutes. Since this can result in toxic fumes, be aware of signs of over-exposure such as blurred vision, difficulty breathing, and headaches. If you experience this, the CDC says to seek medical attention.
For a smaller batch of cleaner, the CDC recommends using four teaspoons of bleach with one quart of water and following the same instructions.
To sanitize fabric with bleach, add bleach to the wash cycle, then dry on high heat. This is effective for whites. As to the amount of bleach, the Clorox website recommends 3/4 cup of bleach for a regular size load. If the load is extra-large or heavily soiled, add an extra 1 1/4 cup.
Bleach should not be applied directly to skin since it may cause irritation. If you get it directly on your skin, wash with gentle soap and water.
Bleach kills germs, including viruses and bacteria
“You can use bleach as a surface disinfectant to destroy the protein structure of organisms such as viruses and bacteria,” says Nazarian.
According to Viseslav Tonkovic-Capin, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist and the editor of DermBoard, this is because sodium hypochlorite oxidizes or burns the protective membranes of bacteria and the protein shell of viruses, leaving them vulnerable to destruction.
Cleaning hard surfaces with bleach can prevent the spread of infections, Nazarian says. This is because bleach can effectively eliminate pathogens that live on surfaces and can be transferred by hand to your mouth or nose and gain access to your system.
For example, influenza can live on surfaces for 24 to 48 hours and COVID-19 can survive for up to 72 hours, depending on the surface, says Nazarian. Bleach drastically decreases this possibility.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that sodium hypochlorite is effective against SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19. But after wiping nonporous surfaces, you must be sure to let the bleach sit on the surface for 10 minutes or more to assure proper disinfection. Advertisement
How to Get Rid of Toenail Fungus with Bleach – Toe Fungus Journey
FAQ
How long does bleach need to sit to kill?
Is bleach a good fungicide?
Does bleach kill yeast spores?
Does bleach kill fungus in the shower?
Does bleach kill mold?
‘The soaking swell time is the most important aspect of cleaning the bleach because it lets the chemicals activate and kill the mold so that it does not continue to spread.’ However, the cleaners will not tackle other moldy areas with bleach because of liability concerns. Is bleach or vinegar better to kill mold?
Does bleach kill fungus?
Yes, bleach can kill fungus. Bleach is a strong disinfectant that can kill a variety of microorganisms, including fungi. It works by breaking down the cell walls of fungi, killing them.
How long does it take to cure fungus?
In studies, their cure rate averaged around 35%. Oral medications. Itraconazole (Sporanox) and terbinafine (Lamisil) eliminated the fungus in 10 months for 55% to 70% of people in the studies required for FDA approval, but for 15% to 20% of users, the fungus returned within a few months.
Is bleach good for toenail fungus?
Bleach can be a useful remedy for toenail fungus, but above all, we ought to ensure that there are no unpleasant side effects from using this powerful cleanser. Sodium hypochlorite is usually used to clean and remove stains from clothes, sheets, and towels and is widely used to remove mold and bacteria.