Never mix bleach or disinfectants containing bleach with any other cleaners or disinfectants. Especially avoid combining it with ammonia, vinegar, peroxide, or rubbing alcohol, as this can release dangerous vapors or even cause explosions. Ensure that bleach and ammonia containers are not stored in the same room.
Mixing Bleach Properly:
Always use cold or room temperature water to mix bleach. Hot water decomposes bleach's active ingredient, rendering it ineffective.
To ensure complete disinfection, allow 10 minutes of contact time. Do not simply spray and wipe; let the bleach solution sit on the surface.
Use a 1:32 solution of bleach for daily use (17 ml per 32 oz bottle).
Proper Use and Storage:
Bleach is a disinfectant, not a cleaner. Only apply bleach to pre-cleaned surfaces. For example, scrub your shower with BonAmi and dish soap, rinse, then apply the bleach solution. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing.
Homemade bleach solutions become inactive after 24 hours, so make small batches. As bleach breaks down, it turns into salt and water.
Store bleach solutions in opaque containers as sunlight makes them ineffective.
Bleach, whether full strength or diluted, can damage the plastic sprayer in your bottle. Use chemically resistant opaque bottles (available at Home Depot or Amazon). Lemur Cleaning Services recommends the Zep brand.
When disinfecting a bathroom, open the window to allow fresh air in.
Storage Tips:
The ideal storage temperature for bleach is between 50 and 70°F. At these temperatures, bleach maintains its full strength and efficacy for 3-6 months.
Bleach loses its strength faster when stored in hotter temperatures. Avoid storing open or unopened bleach containers in a garage during summertime.
Bleach expires. When you buy it, use a black Sharpie to write the purchase date.
Alternatives and Specific Uses:
For fighting mold, switch to cleaning vinegar, which is more effective against mold than bleach.
Do not use bleach to whiten tea cups. Instead, use baking soda, BonAmi powdered cleanser, or a 0000 steel wool pad.
Following these safety tips will help you use bleach effectively and safely in your cleaning routine. For more expert cleaning advice, trust Lemur Cleaning Services to handle your toughest cleaning challenges.
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