Disinfecting With Bleach For Healthcare: Everything You Need To Know

Healthcare Cleaning and Disinfecting with Bleach: A Step-by-Step Guide With Expert Solutions From Secure Waste

Are you looking to clean or disinfect surfaces in a healthcare setting, such as a hospital, surgery center, or dental office? If so, let’s take a closer look at Bleach, also known as Sodium Hypochlorite. This widely used germicide is renowned for its efficacy in eliminating a broad spectrum of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It is practical and affordable, making it a preferred choice in various healthcare environments.

When using Bleach for disinfection, it’s important to follow appropriate dilution guidelines; typically, a solution of 1,000 to 5,000 parts per million (ppm) is recommended for general disinfection. Additionally, ensure sufficient contact time for the solution to work effectively. Safety precautions, such as wearing gloves and ensuring proper ventilation, should also be considered to protect staff and patients during cleaning.

Updates From National Institute Of Health (NIH) Cleaning With Bleach 

Disinfecting With Bleach: A General Overview

Secure Waste explains that in most situations, thorough cleaning using soap and water removes germs from surfaces, including harmful viruses and bacteria. This cleaning method is generally sufficient for everyday household maintenance. However, disinfecting may be best in specific scenarios, especially if someone in your home is sick or if a guest who was unwell has recently visited your space.

When disinfecting surfaces, bleach—specifically sodium hypochlorite—is a powerful agent against germs. For practical use, it’s essential to dilute bleach properly before application. A standard ratio is mixing 1 cup of bleach with 5 to 10 gallons of water, depending on the surface and level of disinfection needed. Applying this bleach solution to hard, non-porous surfaces such as countertops and bathroom fixtures is crucial. Always ensure the area is well-ventilated when using bleach, and wear gloves to protect your skin. After applying the bleach solution, let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes before wiping or rinsing to ensure optimal germ-killing effectiveness.

General Techniques and Terminology

Cleaning is a fundamental process in healthcare for infectious waste involving water, soap, and a vigorous scrubbing technique to eliminate germs, dirt, and various impurities from surfaces. This essential activity not only restores the cleanliness of our environments but also promotes a healthier living space by significantly reducing the presence of harmful microorganisms.

In contrast, disinfecting products are specialized chemical solutions designed to annihilate any lingering germs on surfaces, ensuring a deeper level of hygienic safety.

Germicide: What Is It? Secure Waste Explains In Detail 

A germicide is a specific agent designed to effectively destroy microorganisms, particularly pathogenic ones, that can reside on both living tissues and inanimate surfaces. 

Disinfectants, substances used to eliminate these harmful microorganisms, can be classified into three categories based on their potency and efficacy: high-level, medium-level, and low-level agents. This classification is primarily determined by their ability to kill or inactivate a wide range of pathogens.

Among the various disinfectants currently employed, some of the most common include alcohols (such as isopropyl and ethyl alcohol), hypochlorites (like household bleach), and other chlorine-releasing compounds, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, iodophors (iodine-containing antiseptics), phenolic compounds, and quaternary ammonium compounds. 

Each of these agents has unique properties and mechanisms of action, making them suitable for different applications in infection control.

When considering the effectiveness of a disinfectant, one must consider the concept of bioburden, which refers to the level of contamination present on the objects or surfaces to be disinfected. 

This factor is particularly crucial when dealing with surfaces contaminated with biological materials, such as blood or bodily fluids, which may harbor infectious pathogens. The presence of organic matter can inhibit the activity of disinfectants, thereby affecting their overall efficacy.

Another important consideration in the disinfection process is contact time, the duration for which a contaminated object or surface must remain exposed to a disinfectant to achieve the desired level of disinfection or sterilization. Insufficient contact time may result in inadequate germicidal action, leaving behind viable microorganisms.

Cleaning is a preliminary step in decontamination; it involves thoroughly removing foreign materials, primarily organic matter, from surfaces. This step is vital because effective cleaning can significantly reduce the bioburden and enhance the efficacy of subsequent disinfection efforts. 

Decontamination is the systematic removal or inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms from objects, ensuring they are safe for handling and use. 

This multi-step approach is essential in various settings, including healthcare facilities, laboratories, and food processing environments, to prevent the spread of infections and promote public health safety.

How to Safely Disinfect with Bleach

Important: Please don’t forget to combine household bleach or disinfectants with other cleaning agents or disinfectants. Doing so can generate harmful vapors that may pose serious health risks to breathe in, potentially leading to respiratory distress or other dangerous reactions. Always prioritize safety by using these products as directed.

Essential Things To Consider Before Using Bleach

To ensure a thorough cleaning and disinfection process, begin by meticulously scrubbing visibly dirty surfaces using household cleaners that contain soap or detergent. This preliminary step is crucial, removing grime, food residue, and organic matter that may harbor harmful germs and bacteria. Working in a well-ventilated area is essential, especially when using bleach-based products indoors. Opening windows and doors promotes a steady airflow, which helps disperse any potentially harsh fumes and reduces the risk of inhaling concentrated chemical vapors that can irritate the respiratory system.

Before cleaning, could you assess whether you need to wear any protective gear? This may include gloves to protect your hands from chemical irritation and eye protection to guard against splashes that could irritate or damage your eyes.

Best Practices For Preparing a Diluted Bleach Solution

For effective disinfection, use regular, unscented household bleach, which typically contains between 5% and 9% sodium hypochlorite. It is essential to avoid bleach products that fall outside this concentration range or lack precise specifications, including certain types of laundry bleach, which may have additives that reduce their disinfecting ability. Also, avoid splashes of bleach varieties, as they may not be effective for disinfection.

If you would like to prepare a diluted bleach solution, please follow the instructions on the bleach product label. As a general guideline, mix the bleach with room temperature water using one of the following formulations:

Mix five tablespoons (equivalent to 1/3 cup) of bleach with one gallon of room-temperature water to create a large batch suitable for multiple cleaning applications.

Alternatively, for smaller tasks, combine four teaspoons of bleach in one quart of room-temperature water for an effective, easy-to-manage solution.

What You Need To Know Using the Bleach Solution

When applying the bleach solution, it is crucial to adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding surface application. If specific instructions aren’t given, please allow the diluted solution to remain on the surface for at least 1 minute. This duration, called the “contact time,” is vital for adequate disinfection, ensuring the surface remains visibly wet throughout this period. This contact time significantly kills many pathogens, including viruses and bacteria.

Once you’ve completed the cleaning and disinfection, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to remove any residual bleach or cleaning agents. This will help prevent skin irritation or accidental ingestion.

Remember that bleach solutions lose their disinfecting efficacy after 24 hours of being mixed with water. Therefore, preparing a fresh diluted bleach solution daily is advisable to maintain a clean and safe environment. Adopting this practice ensures that high-touch surfaces remain effectively disinfected, contributing to a healthier home.

In conclusion-

Now that you have a more comprehensive understanding of Bloodborne Pathogens and disinfecting with bleach, don’t hesitate to contact Secure Waste.

We provide reliable, compliant, eco-friendly medical waste disposal solutions for your facility’s needs. We have expertise in biomedical, hazardous waste, and Sharps container disposal. In addition, we provide customized waste management plans, including secure collection and transport, and sustainable disposal practices.

Contact us today for a FREE Waste Assessment, or request a quote online!