Germ Defense
Pyramid
FN-1349, Reviewed October 2007
Julie Garden-Robinson, PhD, LRD,
Food and Nutrition Specialist
Adobe Acrobat PDF version suitable for printing. (79KB)
Bleach-based cleaning
routine kills 99.9%
of household germs
Recommended cleaning and disinfecting routine that significantly reduces germs on surfaces:
Daily
- sponges/dishcloths
- kitchen sink and drain
- spot clean after spills
Tip: Fill sink with 1 gallon of
water and �� cup bleach.
Soak sponges, then rinse
to attack three problem
areas in one easy step
- Bleach-based cleaners kill bacteria
in the most germ-contaminated
sites, including sponges, dishcloths,
kitchen and bathroom
sinks and the kitchen sink drain
area.
- Use bleach-based spray or a
solution of bleach and water on
cutting boards after every use to
kill harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella.
- Clean up spills on kitchen
countertops and floors as they
occur and disinfect with a bleachbased
cleaner.
Three times a week
- faucets, appliance handles
- kitchen countertops and
appliances
- toilet flush handle
Tip: Focus on ���high touch��� zones
- Spot clean and disinfect
���high touch��� zones like kitchen
and bathroom faucets, faucet
handles, kitchen countertops and
appliances.
- High traffic areas on kitchen and
bathroom floors require a bleachbased
cleaner, which takes only
30 seconds of contact time to
disinfect.
- Help break the cycle of germ
recontamination by disinfecting
toilet flush handles and kitchen
appliance handles.
Once a Week
- toilet surface and bowl
- shower/tub and drain
- kitchen and bathroom
- bathroom countertops
Tip: Save time with bleach-based
products that clean and disinfect
in one step
- Deep clean and disinfect toilet
bowls and surfaces, bathroom
countertops, showers, tubs and
drain areas.
- Floors in the bathroom and
kitchen should be cleaned
and disinfected with a bleachbased
cleaner.
- Deep clean the toilet bowl
and surfaces, then drop a bowl
cleaner tablet in the tank. One
tablet kills 99.9 percent of germs
in the bowl water with every
flush.
Make Your Own Sanitizing Solution
More isn���t better when it comes to sanitizing solutions. The following are safe and effective proportions for making
sanitizing solutions for countertops, cutting boards, dishes, utensils and other surfaces.
- 1 tablespoon chlorine bleach per gallon water OR about 1 teaspoon chlorine bleach per quart water
OR �� teaspoon chlorine bleach per cup water.
- Don���t use hot water or your solution will lose effectiveness. A water temperature
less than 115��F is best.
- Also remember that chlorine sanitizing solutions lose their strength over time. For
example, spray-on sanitizers should be remade at least daily or whenever you need them.
Adapted/reprinted with permission from the Clorox Company: www.cloroxdisinfects.com
Source: Dr. Charles Gerba, Ph.D, University of Arizona.
For more information on this and other topics, see: www.ag.ndsu.edu
FN-1349, Reviewed October 2007
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