Posted: 10/16/2007 11:33:44 PM EDT
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What is the ratio of regular unscented Clorox bleach to water as a disinfectant to sanitize a hard surface that is exposed to bloodborne pathogens that could potentially be infected with HIV/Hep C, etc? If I use too much, I'll be wasting precious bleach, and the same with too little. Bleach is one of those multipurpose items that has many SHTF uses. Still havent located a source for the powdered pool "preserver" type. |
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Quoted: Making it work better 1 cup to 1 gallon? That should kill anything! |
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1.5 to 10 ppm of chlor at a near-nuetral pH. you can use a common pool water test kit to check the ppm and pH With regular strength household bleach(about 5% Sodium Hypochlorite), you would need to add .26 fluid ounces to every 100 gallons to introduce 1 ppm of chlorine. Chlorine is used up at differing rates depending on the amount of organic material in the water, so you would want to add chlorine slowly enough to where it could hold 1.5-10 ppm for more than an hour outside of direct sunlight. When you are initially treating the water, you would want to do it in an open container so any gases can escape. Filter after treatment, then check for proper ppm before you seal it and store it. Sunlight depletes chlorine in unsealed containers. If you are going to drink a small amount, leaving it in direct sunlight for 10 minutes will liberate some chlorine gas from the water, making a more pleasant drink. You do not want to use any other form of chlorine for your drinking water. Calcium Hypochlorite adds solids to the water such as calcium, and certain byproducts that do not dissolve and cannot be taken out. Trichlor has cyanuric acid in it to stabilize the chlorine so sunlight won't easily deplete it. These are good to use as surface cleaners or to start fires. |
Hey ALKVA, thanks for that link, I store small quantities of white vinegar anyway and never knew that mixing the two would make a stong disinfectant. I had vinegar available for cooking and health purposes anyway. 
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I posted something here a year or two ago about reports that bleach was more effective in a slightly acidic environment. I think there was a bit of skepticism, but I am still inclined to believe it's true. It's not going to hurt, and it might help, so what's to lose? |
Change the pH of the water, NOT the chlorine. Adding acids to chlorine creates chlorine gas, which reduces the amount of chlorine available for disinfection. A properly balanced ph of 7.2-7.8 in water will provide the best sanitization properties for water, providing optimal levels of hypochlorous acid and its conjugate base, hypochlorite ion The vinegar suggestion is for surface cleaning, not liquid sanitization. |