Household bleach (chlorine as sodium hypochlorite) is active against most microorganisms, including bacterial spores and can be used as a disinfectant or sanitizer, depending on its concentration.
These include alcohols, chlorine and chlorine compounds, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, ortho-phthalaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, iodophors, peracetic acid, phenolics, and quaternary ammonium compounds.
Hypochlorites, the most widely used of the chlorine disinfectants, are available as liquid (e.g., sodium hypochlorite) or solid (e.g., calcium hypochlorite).
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)
Quats are a top choice for disinfection in hospital and institutional settings because of their low cost and quick action against a wide range of microorganisms. Quats can be formulated with a variety of detergents to provide both cleaning and disinfecting ability.
Use regular unscented household bleach. Most household bleach contains 5%–9% sodium hypochlorite. Do not use a bleach product if the percentage is not in this range or is not specified. This includes some types of laundry bleach or splashless bleach, which are not appropriate for disinfection.
Here's how to do it: Combine 1 1/2 cups rubbing alcohol with 3/4 cups water and 15 drops each of lavender and lemon essential oil in a metal or glass spray bottle. You can use this spray to disinfect everything you would typically use Lysol for, including toilets, laptops, bathrooms surfaces, door handles, and more.
1 - Vinegar
It's made up of 95% water and 5% acetic acid, which kills about 80% of germs. As such, it's a powerful, natural disinfectant that can be used to clean your sweat-stained clothes, wash your dishes, clean rusty tools, and remove hard water deposits. It also acts as a deodorizer and easily cuts through grease.
Disinfectants and antiseptics are many active chemical compounds called biocides, which can fight microorganisms on nonliving surfaces and human skin. [1] These biocides, such as alcohol, iodine, and chlorine, have been used for years.
The best disinfectants for viruses are alcohol, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and quaternary ammonium compounds. These active ingredients are the most common on the EPA's list of registered disinfectants against the coronavirus.
A disinfectant refers a substance that contains chemicals that kill bacteria and is used especially for cleaning. It is also referred to as a 'bactercide or germicide.
The most commonly used chemicals as primary disinfectants are chlorine, chlorine dioxide and ozone. Among them Chlorine is the most widely used primary disinfectant throughout the world.
Bleach solutions will be effective against bacteria, viruses, and fungi when properly diluted. Learn more about cleaning and disinfecting surfaces using bleach solutions. Caution! Some cleaning and disinfection products can trigger asthma.
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a widely used biocide for disinfection, sterilization, and antisepsis. It is a clear, colorless liquid that is commercially available in a variety of concentrations ranging from 3 to 90%.
Chlorine Compounds
They have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and are inexpensive and fast acting. Hypochlorites, the most widely used of the chlorine disinfectants, are available in liquid (e.g., Sodium hypochlorite), household bleach and solid (e.g., calcium hypochlorite, sodium dichloroisocyanurate) forms.
If bleach is mixed with other cleaning products, such as limonenes found in common citrus cleaners, these tiny particles become especially harmful. Risks from bleach vapors are exacerbated if a person has asthma or heart disease, and they could potentially lead to hospital admission or even death.
Hydrogen Peroxide & Peracetic Acid
Several combination hydrogen peroxide/peracetic acid products are cleared by the FDA as disinfectants in health care settings. Combining peracetic acid with hydrogen peroxide increases its effectiveness, especially against glutaraldehyde-resistant mycobacteria.
To fully clean, sanitize, and disinfect almost any surface, the Clorox Disinfecting All-Purpose Cleaner is the best and most effective choice for most homes, especially when it comes to killing bacteria and viruses.
Chlorine-containing solutions have universal disinfectant activity. With proper concentration and sufficient contact times, hypochlorite solutions can be considered chemical sterilants since they will inactivate bacterial spores.
The most common method of disinfection is through the addition of chlorine to drinking water supplies. Chlorine effectively kills waterborne bacteria and viruses and continues to keep the water safe as it travels from the treatment plant to the consumer's tap.
Found in a brown bottle, hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic liquid that in the past was typically used to treat cuts or other skin wounds, and kill germs. However, peroxide is often used in non-medical situations, including for cleaning, disinfecting and stain removal.
Cleaning vinegar or white vinegar – not apple cider vinegar or wine vinegar – is most commonly chosen for cleaning. However, it's important to remember that while vinegar does work as a disinfectant to some degree, it is not as effective as bleach or commercial cleansers when it comes to killing germs.
Vinegar is great for a lot of things, and one of those includes replacing your bleach. It can disinfect, brighten your clothing and even help remove soap residue. It's around 80% effective against viruses and mold bacteria, which makes it a great choice for a natural disinfectant.
Don't mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar together in the same mixture. This can create peracetic acid, which may be toxic and can irritate your throat and lungs, eyes and skin. You can, however, alternate spraying hydrogen peroxide and vinegar on a surface. Just make sure to wipe the surface between sprays.
Hydrogen Peroxide + Distilled White Vinegar
For non-toxic disinfecting , try this combination of distilled white vinegar and 3% hydrogen peroxide (stored in separate bottles) on surfaces.