What is the safest practice when using disinfectants?

Author: Miss Jessyca Rippin  |  Last update: Thursday, February 19, 2026

  1. Step 1: Check that your product.
  2. Step 2: Read the directions. Follow the product's directions. ...
  3. Step 3: Pre-clean the surface. ...
  4. Step 4: Follow the contact time. ...
  5. Step 5: Wear gloves and wash your hands. ...
  6. Step 6: Lock it up. ...
  7. 6 Steps for Safe & Effective.

What is the safest way to disinfect?

To disinfect, use an EPA-registered disinfecting product or a stronger bleach solution. Clean the surface with soap and water first. Always read the label of disinfecting products to make sure the products can be used on the type of surface you are disinfecting (such as a hard or soft surface).

What precautions should you take when using disinfectant spray?

Use a fan or open windows and doors to ventilate while you use it, and after. If you become overwhelmed by a smell, leave the area immediately. Disinfectants may irritate skin. Avoid touching wet surfaces like doorknobs and wash your hands if you do.

What are the safety tips for using disinfectants Milady?

Avoid skin and eye contact. Add disinfectant to water when diluting (rather than adding water) to prevent foaming. Use tongs, gloves, or a draining basket to remove implements from disinfectants. Keep disinfectants out of reach of children.

When using disinfectants, you should not?

Never use disinfectants or disinfectant wipes on your skin. Instead, wash with soap and water. You can also use hand sanitizer on your hands. Children should NEVER clean surfaces with sanitizers or disinfectants.

You’re Using Disinfectants Wrong. Here’s What You Actually Need to Do.

What should you do when using disinfectant?

  1. Step 1: Check that your product.
  2. Step 2: Read the directions. Follow the product's directions. ...
  3. Step 3: Pre-clean the surface. ...
  4. Step 4: Follow the contact time. ...
  5. Step 5: Wear gloves and wash your hands. ...
  6. Step 6: Lock it up. ...
  7. 6 Steps for Safe & Effective.

What are the factors to consider when using disinfectants?

Several physical and chemical factors also influence disinfectant procedures: temperature, pH, relative humidity, and water hardness. For example, the activity of most disinfectants increases as the temperature increases, but some exceptions exist.

What is a guideline for disinfectant use?

Disinfection guidelines

1 Start with wiping clean the less soiled surfaces. 1.3. 2 Towels should be soaked in bleach before use. 1.3. 3 Rinse articles and surfaces with water and wipe dry ten minutes after disinfection.

What 5 steps must be followed to clean and sanitize surfaces effectively?

  • Scrape or remove food bits from the surface.
  • Wash the surface.
  • Rinse the surface.
  • Sanitize the surface.
  • Allow the surface to air dry.

Can I spray Lysol on my bed sheets?

Cleaning your bedsheets and pillowcases

What's more, cleaning our bedding with detergent doesn't always remove germs like we may think. You should make sure you use a laundry sanitizer such as Lysol® Laundry Sanitizer, which kills 99.9% of bacteria and is gentle on even the softest of fabrics.

Which of the following is not true of disinfectant?

Final answer: The statement that disinfectants destroy all bacteria is incorrect.

How effective is white vinegar at killing bacteria?

Household disinfectants — vinegar and baking soda used on their own — were highly effective against potential bacterial pathogens but less effective than commercial household disinfectants.

What is the first step in effective disinfection?

STEP 1. The first step of any program would be to remove as much organic material as possible. This can also be commonly referred to as a “dry cleaning” which would include removing as much manure, dust, or any other types of organic material that are present in poultry and swine buildings.

Why can't you use Clorox wipes on food surfaces?

Some wipes may act as a chemical contaminant on food surfaces because they were originally designed to clean bathrooms, not to wipe hands or clean counters (Lysol or Clorox brand regular disinfecting wipes are too concentrated of a solution for food contact surfaces).

What disinfectant kills the most germs?

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.

What is a safe natural disinfectant?

#1 White Vinegar

Sitting middle-of-the-road on the abrasive scale, vinegar offers a gentle touch for your day-to-day cleaning needs. White vinegar diluted in water can help disinfect your: Laundry – Just a ½ cup of vinegar in your load of laundry can help banish dirt and strong odors.

What is the best disinfectant for cleaning?

  • Clorox Disinfecting Wipes (3 pack)
  • Lysol Disinfectant Spray (2 pack)
  • Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi-Purpose Cleaner (4 pack)
  • Windex Multi-Purpose Disinfectant Cleaner (3 pack)
  • Family Guard Disinfectant Spray.
  • CleanSmart Daily Surface Cleaner and Disinfectant (3 pack)
  • Microban Disinfectant Spray (4 pack)

What is the protocol for disinfection?

Wash the area or item with water and detergent. Allow the area to dry completely. Select and apply an appropriate, effective disinfectant. Thoroughly rinse away any residual disinfectant and allow the area or item to dry.

What are the requirements of a good disinfectant?

Properties of an ideal disinfectant
  • Broad spectrum: should have a wide antimicrobial spectrum.
  • Fast acting: should produce a rapid kill.

Do you sanitize or disinfect first?

Cleaning should be performed regularly and always comes before sanitizing or disinfecting objects and surfaces. Sanitizing reduces the number of germs on objects and surfaces to levels considered safe. Use weaker bleach solutions or sanitizing sprays. Objects or surfaces should be cleaned frst before sanitizing.

What are the best practices and guidelines in sterilization and disinfection?

Meticulously clean patient-care items with water and detergent, or with water and enzymatic cleaners before high-level disinfection or sterilization procedures. 2. b.i. Remove visible organic residue (e.g., residue of blood and tissue) and inorganic salts with cleaning.

What are the 3 factors that must be considered when using chemicals to sanitize surfaces?

To get the most out of your sanitizers, keep three factors in mind: temperature, concentration, and time.
  • Use sanitizer at the right temperature. ...
  • Mix sanitizer at the correct concentration. ...
  • Give the sanitizer time.

What are the 8 recommended tips for using disinfectants?

Disinfectant safety tips
  • Read the label. Before you use any disinfectant, read the label carefully. ...
  • Have the safety data sheet (SDS) handy. ...
  • Avoid contact with skin and eyes. ...
  • Don't mix chemicals. ...
  • Ensure good ventilation. ...
  • Wear gloves. ...
  • Wash and dry your hands after use. ...
  • Use the correct amount and dilution.

Previous article
Can you open the air fryer while it's cooking?
Next article
What is the green stuff in my 5 gallon water bottle?