How does bleach work to eliminate bacteria?

When sodium hypochlorite comes in contact with viruses, bacteria, mold or fungi, it oxidizes molecules in the cells of the germs and kills them. Scientists also believe that the hypochlorous acid that forms when sodium hypochlorite is added to water can break down the cell walls of some germs [source: Lenntech].

What does bleach actually do?

First, bleach is a disinfectant, not a cleaner. Bleach does a fantastic job of killing bacteria and viruses; it removes tough stains and whitens clothing. But bleach doesn’t clean dirt and residue from surfaces on its own. To do that, you’d need to scrub and rinse the surfaces first, and then apply a bleach solution.

How does bleach turn things white?

Bleach whitens clothes by a process of oxidation. The molecules that make clothes dirty are quite big. Bleach breaks up these big molecules into smaller ones that are not colored. These smaller molecules are usually washed away in the washing machines.

How does bleach work to clean?

Bleaches help whiten, brighten and remove stains. Here’s how to use bleach on clothes: Bleach converts soils into colorless, soluble particles which are easily removed by detergents, then carried away in the wash water. Bleach can also brighten and whiten fabrics and help remove stubborn stains.

Is cleaning with bleach harmful?

When bleach fumes mix with a citrus compound found in many household cleaners, they can form ultrafine particles like those found in smog. This compound is called limonene and is usually relatively mild but in large amounts can irritate the eyes, throat, lungs and skin.

How do I clean my house with bleach?

Mix 1 cup (240 mL) of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Wash surfaces with the bleach mixture. If surfaces are rough, scrub them with a stiff brush. Rinse surfaces with clean water.

How long does bleach take to disinfect?

Bleach solutions require a full 10 minutes of contact time to ensure complete disinfection. If bleach solution evaporates in less than 10 minutes, a greater volume of solution should be applied.

What happens to bleach when it dries?

Ordinary bleach decomposes when exposed to air, releasing chlorine as a gas (hence the smell) and forming sodium carbonate or bicarbonate which dries leaving a dusty residue.

Why is diluted bleach more effective?

Diluted household bleach is thus recommended for the disinfection of facilities. As bleach irritates mucous membranes, the skin and the airway, decomposes under heat or light and reacts readily with other chemicals, caution should be exercised in the use of it.

Can you bleach a spray bottle?

Don’t Apply Your Bleach Solution with a Spray Bottle

Even Clorox’s in-house experts say they do not recommend making or using a bleach spray solution at home.

Is bleach a sanitizer or disinfectant?

About bleach

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.

Do you need to rinse bleach off?

Rinse bleach from surfaces as directed Bleach and water solutions for cleaning and disinfecting should be rinsed off any surface with clean water before air drying. … The bleach and water solution used for sanitizing food contact surfaces is not rinsed away after use.

Does bleach destroy plastic?

Yes, it is corrosive to plastic. It does not eat up the plastic in one go (we are assuming you are using the diluted bleach or bleach water as the cleaning agent), but the damage it would create is definite.

How long does bleach last on surfaces?

As bleach is applied directly onto a surface it will stay on that surface working to disinfect and deactivate the germs, bacteria, and other pathogens present in this environment – which as we found previous was anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes of contact time.

Can you put bleach in a plastic water bottle?

It’s perfectly safe to drink from a bottle that’s been cleaned with a weak bleach solution — it can even be used to sanitize baby toys and bottles. Make a bleach solution using one tablespoon of bleach per one quart of water. … Pour out the solution and allow it to dry out completely.

Can you pour bleach down the drain?

Bleach and cleaning fluids create toxic gasses when mixed together. If you pour bleach and other cleaning agents down your sink drains, and they mix in your pipes, you can contaminate the air in your home with the resulting gas created. The following items should never be poured down the sink with bleach: Vinegar.

Will bleach hurt drain pipes?

BLEACH DOESN’T CLEAR DRAIN CLOGS. It cannot dissolve things like food waste, breadcrumbs, grease, and hair. Instead, pouring bleach into a clogged drain will make things worse. The bleach could react with other chemicals, creating dangerous fumes, and if the reaction is violent, it can even burst your drain pipes.

Can you put bleach in a Ziploc bag?

Bleach. … Or you can soak the paper towels and bleach solution in a Ziploc bag, and use it as a to-go bag. Bleach loses its disinfecting power after 24 hours, so only submerge the number of paper towels you’ll use in that time period in the container.