Cleaning and Sanitizing With Bleach after an Emergency
Safety Tips
Use regular unscented 5.25% household bleach. Read and follow the safety instructions on the bleach container’s label. Never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner. Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and eye protection. Try not to breathe bleach fumes. Open windows and doors to get fresh air.
Cleaning Recommendations
The amount of bleach to mix with water depends on what you are cleaning or sanitizing. The following chart describes some items or surfaces that should and can be cleaned, the amount of bleach to mix with water, and cleaning steps for specific purposes.
Area or Item to be Cleaned | Amount of Bleach and Water to Mix | Cleaning Steps | |
---|---|---|---|
Bleach Amount | Water Amount | ||
Sanitize Drinking Water | |||
Clear drinking water | 1/8 teaspoon ( ~0.75 mL) |
1 gallon |
For more information see: Keep Food and Water Safe After a Disaster |
Cloudy drinking water | 1/4 teaspoon (~1.5 mL) |
1 gallon |
For more information see: Keep Food and Water Safe After a Disaster |
Water storage containers (Examples: used cans or bottles) |
1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) |
1 cup (240 mL) |
For more information see: Keep Food and Water Safe After a Disaster |
Clean and Sanitize Food Cans and Surfaces | |||
Food-contact surfaces that may have touched floodwater [Examples: countertops, plates] Note: Throw away wooden cutting boards, baby bottle nipples, and pacifiers | 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) |
1 gallon |
For more information see: Keep Food and Water Safe After a Disaster |
Food cans that are not bulging, open, or damaged | 1 cup (240 mL) |
5 gallons |
For more information see: Keep Food and Water Safe After a Disaster |
Clean and Sanitize Other Household Surfaces and Items | |||
Surfaces that do not soak up water and that may have touched floodwater [Examples: floors, stoves, sinks, certain toys, countertops, flatware, plates, and tools] | 1 cup (240 mL) |
5 gallons |
|
Clean Mold Growth Off Hard Surfaces | |||
Mold growth on hard surfaces [Examples: floors, stoves, sinks, certain toys, countertops, flatware, plates, and tools] | 1 cup (240 mL) |
1 gallon |
For more information see: Protect Yourself from Mold |
Page last updated: July 2, 2008
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