Cleaning and Disinfection

For routine disinfection of contaminated surfaces that have first been cleaned with detergent and water then rinsed with clean water, use 8.25 percent bleach Solution 1. This solution is approximately 800 parts per million. 

8.25 percent bleach Solution 1  

• 2 ½ tablespoons bleach in a gallon of water OR 2 teaspoons bleach in one quart of water (spray bottle) OR 1 teaspoon of bleach in one pint of water (spray bottle).  

• Make solutions fresh daily, and label with date and contents.  

• Date the original, purchased bottle of bleach when opened and discard unused portion after six months.  

• Spray the area thoroughly with the bleach solution, wipe the area to distribute the sanitizer evenly, and allow to air dry. Use single-service, disposable paper towels and discard in a plastic lined container.  

For routine disinfection of contaminated surfaces that have first been cleaned with detergent and water then rinsed with clean water, use 8.25 percent bleach Solution 1. This solution is approximately 800 parts per million. 

8.25 percent bleach Solution 2  

• 1 to 2 teaspoons of 8.25 percent bleach to a gallon of water OR ½ teaspoon of bleach in a quart of water OR ¼ teaspoon of bleach in a pint of water. 

• Eating utensils should be cleaned first, rinsed with clean water, and then soaked in sanitizing solution for at least two minutes. Do not rinse objects after soaking, allow to air dry.  

• Bleach solution must be made fresh daily because it loses its ability to kill germs with time. The original, purchased bottle of bleach should be dated when opened and not kept for more than six months. Paper chlorine strips can be used to measure the strength of the bleach solutions. (Solution 2 should be no stronger than 200 parts per million.) Label bleach solutions with date and contents.  

• Store bleach and bleach solutions out of children’s reach.  

• Use gloves when making and using bleach solutions. Remove gloves and discard after each use. Wash hands immediately. Wash thoroughly and vigorously with soap and water, under warm running water for at least 20 seconds.  

• When purchasing bleach, make sure the bleach concentration is for household bleach. Household chlorine bleach is typically sold in retail stores as 8.25 percent sodium hypochlorite solution. Note that this concentration is higher than past 5-6.25 percent. Check product label for bleach concentration strength.

• Hydrogen peroxide does not replace bleach for disinfection purposes, but can be used for cleaning if the product meets EPA requirements and is listed as a sanitizer or disinfectant in the manufacturer instructions. 

• Soak contaminated surfaces for 20 minutes with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and then rinse them thoroughly.

• Store hydrogen peroxide in a dedicated opaque and clearly labeled container, as it breaks down when it is exposed to sunlight.

• Never reuse containers for different chemicals.  Do not mix hydrogen peroxide and bleach solutions, as the two chemicals may react violently.