If you’re looking to disinfect your household surfaces and minimise the risk of catching coronavirus, here’s a simple recipe for making a safe, at-home disinfectant.
The key here is to use a household bleach that contains hypochlorite, a chemical that’s recognised as having great disinfection properties and widely available. Make sure to check for the chemical on the label of your bleach.
This advice comes courtesy of the Auckland Regional Public Health Service.
How to disinfect your home
What you need
- Household bleach (e.g, “Janola”) – check the strength of hypochlorite, they usually vary between 2-5%
- Water
- Bucket
- Clean cloth and gloves
How to
1. Dilute the bleach with water to make a 0.5% hypochlorite solution. See the table below to work out the right measurements.
2. Pour the solution over the surface you want to disinfect. It doesn’t need to be a lot, just make sure it’s fully covered.
3. Leave the solution for at least 30 minutes.
4. Wash it off thoroughly with lots of water. A thorough clean is important so as not to expose people to the residual bleach solution. You may use a cloth to wipe down the surface.
Storage and safety tips
- A fresh batch of each solution should be made up daily to avoid losing its strength
- Never mix chemicals as toxic gases can be produced.
- Be aware – bleach irritates the nose, lungs and skin, and some people are particularly sensitive.
- Wear gloves, particularly if handling undiluted bleach.
- Store disinfectants and diluted disinfectants safely and label them properly.
