How to Make Your Own Disinfectant Bleach Solution

Household chlorine bleach is a powerful disinfectant that is inexpensive, easy to obtain, and strong enough to kill dangerous germs. Keeping a clean home is important for any family, but is especially important for people with autoimmune conditions or other health problems like cystic fibrosis.

Before you start using bleach everywhere, it's important to know that bleach is caustic and can emit potentially lethal fumes. That's why it's important to dilute your bleach and ensure that it's not used at full-strength and not mix it with other solutions and chemicals. Do not touch bleach with bare skin or ingest it.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends using different amounts of bleach and water depending on what is being cleaned. Be sure to follow these steps exactly to make a safe and effective bleach solution that meets your needs.

Supplies and Ingredients

Making a bleach solution to disinfect your home can be easy. You'll just need a few supplies to get started:

• A quart-sized plastic spray bottle or a glass jar with lid
• A measuring cup
• Damp cloth
• Household rubber gloves
• Household bleach (found at any supermarket)
• Water 

After gathering your supplies, putting together the ingredients safely requires a little insight and preparation.

It is best to wear clothes and shoes you don't mind bleaching in case of a spill. You should also pin back your hair and wear the rubber gloves for added safety.

Mixing a Bleach Solution

The concentration of the bleach mixture will depend on its purpose:

• To clean hard surfaces such as plates and countertops, the ratio is 1:80. That equates to 1 cup (240 milliliters) of bleach to 5 gallons (18.9 liters) of water, or 2.5 tablespoons bleach to 2 cups of water.
• To make a 1:10 solution to disinfect healthcare facilities that may have been tainted by contagions, you'll need 1 part bleach for every 9 parts water. 

Steps

1. Carefully pour the bleach into the spray bottle or jar first, then add the water. Mixing the solution in this order will prevent the bleach from splashing up on you. If you get any bleach on your skin, wipe it off immediately with a damp cloth.
2. Place the lid tightly on the container.
3. Gently mix it by shaking.
4. After mixing, your solution is ready to use.

Use and Expiration

You can wash the surface with soap and hot, clean water before using the bleach solution. After applying the bleach solution, let the surface you are cleaning air dry.

Chlorine bleach solution begins to lose its disinfectant power quickly when exposed to heat, sunlight, and evaporation. To ensure the strength of your solution, mix a fresh batch each day and discard whatever is leftover.

Always keep the bleach solution out of the reach of children. Do not reuse the bleach solution container for other cleaning products.

A Word From Verywell

Making your own bleach solution is inexpensive, but you must take appropriate precautions. Alternatively, you can buy a mild cleaning solution containing a small amount of bleach in the store. That way, you can avoid any spillage or possible injury.