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 ¾ 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 ¼ 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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