You should also consider how to clean dishes after mice if you’ve had them in your kitchen. You could neutralize the bleach with ammonia. If your sink is made of stainless steel, use a clean plastic tub placed inside the sink basin when sanitizing dishes, as any brand of household bleach can damage stainless steel. Rinse in hot water. Bleach is toxic if used incorrectly, say, drinking it straight. For example, when using the Tilex product, the solution must remain on the surface for 10 minutes before rinsing or wiping off with paper towels. There is a common misconception that bleach will clear clogged drains. However, if the bleach soaked into porous surfaces (like porcelain or ceramic dishes), the taste and smell will take longer to dry out from deep in the pores. I agree, bleach comes in plastic, so I don't think it's specific to plastic, but specific to drinking bottles. Yes you can wash your dishes with bleach. Sodium hypochlorite—more commonly known as “chlorine bleach” or just “bleach”—is often used as a laundry additive for whitening items such as sheets, towels, and white T-shirts. It clings on metals, glass and anything else you use it on. It kills harmful germs and bacteria and sanitizes clothes in the laundry. Do not store bleach in plastic bottles next to drinks in plastic bottles in storage. Keep bleach off your skin by wearing long rubber household gloves. Before you bleach everything you own, read on to learn how to safely disinfect your home with bleach. Depending on the type of bleach you get, it may or may not contain chlorine. Soak the dishes in a solution of chlorine bleach. Unless you’re using a spray cleaner that comes with added bleach, don’t pour the diluted bleach solution into a spray bottle and spray it on surfaces. If you’re concerned about drinking tap water and can’t boil it, you can disinfect it with bleach. Does anyone else do this? Then rinse of course. Alternative antibacterial cleaners are available, though they may be less effective than bleach, and the alternatives also pose problems. According to Clorox, a leading manufacturer of bleach products, you can safely sanitize household dishes, glasses, and flatware with bleach using a reduced concentration of bleach. By Glenda Taylor. The water should have a slight chlorine smell; if it doesn’t, repeat the above dosage, stir, and wait 15 more minutes before drinking. Make sure they are rinsed real … If you’re still concerned, you can use a bleach and water mixture on glass, plastic, enamel, china, or porcelain, but not on silverware or metal (this includes pots and pans). Art. Mix a bleach solution with ½ cup of bleach and 1 gallon of water. You also can wipe down plastic toy boxes, cabinets, doors, and sealed or painted wood furniture, but avoid bare wood and upholstered furniture. "It's" with an apostrophe means "it is" or "it has." Bleach is corrosive and an irritant, so you’ll need to take precautions to protect your skin, eyes, and lungs before disinfecting with bleach. Bleach is a pesticide used to kill bacteria, whiten materials and sanitize many objects. Discard and replace soft, porous plastic or wood items saturated by floodwater, since they cannot be sanitized. If you’re using a cleaner product with added bleach, make sure the label says it is a “disinfectant,” and follow the application instructions carefully. People should always read the label for proper usage instructions. Do not use a towel. According to the Washington State Department of Health, when people combine bleach with ammonia, they create toxic fumes that can cause a number of physical symptoms if inhaled, including chest pain, shortness of breath, and even pneumonia. Then rinse it off and air dry it. Chlorine bleach should not be used in this case because it reacts with many metals and causes them to darken. However, bleach alone is generally safe at standard household concentrations, even if it causes some worrisome symptoms. Overuse of bleach or using a bleach solution that is too concentrated results in the production of toxic substances that pollute the environment and disturb ecological balance. Leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing or wiping with paper towels. Improper use of bleach may reduce its effectiveness in disinfection and also lead to accidents which can be harmful to health. When used as a disinfectant and washed off, it’s considered safe. Bleach does not contain any surfactants, and therefore will not lift and remove dirt and grime. The dangers are compounded when combined with some other chemicals. You don’t have to use bleach at full strength to disinfect; it still is effective when diluted. 4 years ago. Undiluted bleach is overkill and will only create excessive fumes that you really don’t need to inhale. The only way to totally not get those white stains is to not use plastic in the microwave. When used properly (it should always be diluted with water before use), chlorine bleach is safe for disinfecting surfaces. You’ll find it on its own (Clorox bleach, available from Amazon and Walmart) or as an additive in certain cleaners, such as Clorox Clean-up All Purpose Cleaner with Bleach (available from Amazon and Target). I am no stranger to an inbox full of questions about mold.They run the gamut but lately I have had an onslaught of questions such as “how do you clean moldy dishes,” “will dish soap kill mold,” “how do you remove mold from pots and pans,” “can I keep dishes exposed to mold,” and tons more! This disinfectant can be used along with soap solutions to clean and sanitize plastic items and surfaces. Bleach and other disinfectants are not suitable for consumption or injection under any circumstances. The alternative is to use a commercial product that contains bleach, such as Tilex Mildew Remover with Bleach (available from Amazon and The Home Depot). The safest plastics to reuse at home are plastics #2, #4 and #5. Excellent question! Bleach isn’t a cleaner and it won’t remove grease and grime, so you’ll need to use an appropriate all-purpose cleaner before disinfecting with the diluted bleach mixture. Bleach is potent and somewhat hazardous, but is a good last-resort when other approaches have failed to remove stains. You’ll need a dropper to measure the correct amount of bleach, depending on its strength. For the healthiest home, focus first on frequently touched surfaces, such as countertops, faucets, doorknobs, drawer pulls, sinks, tubs, and toilets. Let a moderator change this if desired. But is it ok while I'm pregnant or around kids? Cleaning plastic is necessary to kill germs, remove grime and improve the overall appearance of plastic objects. If I remember correctly they contaminate each other. Industries use bleach for different purposes such as to treat our water system, clean buildings, bleach pulps or paper mills, and others. Place the plastic container in the solution so that all of … Copyright © 2020 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Use a plastic or silicone brush. The better way to hand wash your dishes. Difference is, you wouldn't know because you couldn't see it. Just leave the container out on the deck, porch or doorstep for several hours (at least two or three, though it may take longer) and the stain will fade or disappear completely. I put like a cap or 2 in a sink full of water and then add reg dish soap. Immerse glass, porcelain, china, plastic dinnerware and enamelware for 10 minutes in a disinfecting solution of 2 tablespoons of chlorine bleach … I’m not sure where you are from but the active ingredient in bleach, sodium hypochlorite, is likely used to treat the water you drink. Please do some research on food and health safety guidelines. When using bleach to clean surfaces, including exposed PVC pipes, it’s always a good idea to use a diluted mixture of 1:2 or 1:4 ratio of bleach to water. It gets them cleaner and more steryle. We ALL WAYS cleaned our wooden cutting boards after each use, and between different kinds of food. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt. After removing the dishes from the bleach solution, allow them to air-dry on a dish rack. According to Clorox, a leading manufacturer of bleach products, you can safely sanitize household dishes, glasses, and flatware with bleach using a reduced concentration of bleach. Is it safe to use some bleach on the dishes just to remove some stains and then rinse thoroughly with hot water? I wouldn't use bleach on a drink bottle because if you can't get the stains from the drink out, you may not be able to get the bleach out. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend mixing ⅓ cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water. Chlorine bleach has long been used in water treatment plants and swimming pools to disinfect the water, and in emergency situations, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using bleach to disinfect drinking water as well. My mom used to use bleach to wash dishes. Start by first washing and drying the dishes as you normally would, and then allowing them to soak for at least two minutes in a diluted bleach solution that contains 2 teaspoons of bleach for every 1 gallon of water. I choose to transfer my food to glass to reheat in the microwave. (If you’re worried, Clorox has a good guide on how to properly use bleach on your kitchen surfaces.) Just be sure to wash them in soap then RINSE them in HOT water. In general, a major bleach producer recommends using this chemical on dishes, plastic and wooden cutting boards, baby bottles and sippy cups. I use the bleach in my plastic … Even if you’re using bleach to sanitize, it has to be used on a clean surface or else it isn’t effective: The use of bleach must be done on previously cleaned surfaces since the oxidizing effect of the bleach can be tied up with soils. Avoid cleaners that claim to have “color-safe” bleach, because they do not contain chlorine bleach and are not effective at killing germs. Use a brush to remove dirt. check out the. The safest way to use bleach is to mix it with water—nothing else. Bleach can be purchased in both liquid and powder forms. (which is why it's used so much in hospitals and day cares). Stir the water and let it stand for 30 minutes before drinking. Leave the container out in the sun Just like the sun can bleach your hair, it may be able to bleach the stains out of your plastic container. If you find that your plastic containers—be they from food packages or storage containers you buy at the kitchen store—start to scratch or discolor, it’s best to recycle them to prevent any chemicals leeching into your food. Then, to avoid inhaling the fumes, open a window or two (a cross-draft is great) while you’re disinfecting with bleach. Hey, you! Generally, washing dishes in the sink with hot water, a scrubber sponge, and dish soap is enough. Air-dry dishes. Avoid using hot water, which can cause the release of additional chlorine gas into the air. For plastic cutting boards, a more diluted solution will do the trick: mix 2 teaspoons of bleach with 1 gallon of water. Let the bleach/water solution contact the surface for at least 5 minutes. A few swishes with a gloved hand and you’re ready to start disinfecting. Many things are made of plastic including patio furniture, children's toys, shower curtains, dishes, and storage containers, and they need regular cleaning and disinfecting. Bleach can cause bare wood grain to swell and can leave stains on upholstery. Plastic is a man-made substance meant to withstand dirt and hard use. With their tricky lids and tiny plastic parts, travel mugs can especially benefit from a thorough bleach cleaning. But even if you store your food with a tomato base in it in the refrigerator it will tend to turn your plastic containers. If the bleach contains 8.25 percent sodium hypochlorite, add 6 drops to 1 gallon of water. Ventilating the room also will help protect your eyes from the fumes, but if you have a pair of wraparound safety glasses, it’s a good idea to wear them for added protection. 22 Answers. Don’t use any other type of bleach. (food prep). This corrosion might give the spray a rusty color and can reduce the disinfecting power of the bleach. Please do not use bleach for dishes you are poisoning you and whoever uses those dishes. Ordinary spray bottles homeowners can purchase at supermarkets or home improvement centers often feature metal trigger assembly parts that will corrode when they come into contact with bleach. I think the high turnover and long storage peroids kept them from smelling like beach. Bleach is safe to use on counters, dishes, toys, etc. Lv 7. Mixing bleach with other ingredients such as vinegar or rubbing alcohol also can produce dangerous fumes, so the best course of action is to mix the bleach only with plain water. An emergency could be anything from a break in a main water supply line that contaminates tap water or having to rely on well water that you know is contaminated, but you are unable to find bottled water in the stores. Yet, while bleach is great for keeping white fabrics clean and bright, it’s also an effective disinfectant. Automatic dishwasher soap contains bleach and no one's had adverse effects to my knowledge. For porous items, use a different type of disinfectant that’s color-safe and won’t damage the item, such as Lysol Disinfectant Spray (available from Amazon and Target). If the bleach contains 6 percent sodium hypochlorite, add 8 drops to 1 gallon of water. I soak my coffee cups in bleach everytime the look grungy. Many industrial processes also employ the use of bleach to kill germs, destroy weeds and bleach wood pulp. done cutting chicken, bleach the board, done cutting veggies,bleach the board.etc. Use only like a capful in the sink full of water and soap. Relevance. Any brand of unscented chlorine bleach will do; the scented varieties aren't meant for use on items that touch food. ), __________________________________________________. Color-safe bleach uses hydrogen peroxide to help remove stains instead of sodium 2011-Mar-24, 05:59 PM #5 I.E. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Just know that most surfaces need to either air-dry or be wiped with water after using bleach on them. By parallaxicality in forum Science and Technology, At night the stars put on a show for free, Astronomical Observing, Equipment and Accessories, One Ring Zero and NASA Soak You In Space Awesomeness, If this is your first visit, be sure to The best way to disinfect with your diluted mixture is to dip a sponge into the solution, wring it out, and then use the sponge to apply the solution to the surface. It must be safe because the state wouldn't allow it if it wasn't. This residue is toxic and carcinogenic. I meant to type "Can bleach soak into plastic". ** To soak them I put about a cup of bleach and dishsoap in a sink full of hot water..place the dishes walk away (even overnight). And as you said, rinse very well. Plastic containers for saving leftovers are one of the great conveniences of the modern world — until you have fight with cleaning them. When bleach is poured in our waters it mixes with minerals and elements to create a host of dangerous toxins that can take many years to dissolve. For mold that cannot be cleaned off, use a stronger strength solution of 1 cup bleach and 1 gallon of water. Glenda Taylor, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend, According to the Washington State Department of Health, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends, 12 Storage Solutions for the Utility Closet, These Are Exactly the Supplies Your Household Needs to Stay at Home, The Best Disinfectant Sprays, Cleaners, and Wipes for the Whole Home, It’s Time to Oust These 13 Stressors Lurking in Your Home, 10 Cleaning Chores You Should Be Doing Every Week. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Use detergent and water to clean a surface, and then use bleach and water to disinfect it. (Perhaps it will get more attention with the mangled title. Mix up 2 teaspoons of bleach with 1 gallon of water, soak the container and lid for two minutes, then rinse well. RELATED: 8 Cleaning Mistakes Everyone Makes. I used to work in food service. Carefully combine bleach and water at a ratio of roughly one part bleach per two parts water, then allow the plastic dishes to soak in the solution for 30 minutes, then thoroughly rinse the dishes. "Its" without an apostrophe means "belongs to it.". Add the gallon of warm water to a pail or large bowl first, and then carefully measure the bleach and pour it into the water. Disinfecting surfaces with bleach and other disinfecting products is one of the ways to help stop the spread of COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Each of these is safe for storing food and can be reused until they start to show signs of wear. However, using bleach comes with a few risks. From floor to ceiling, you can disinfect virtually all nonporous surfaces with a diluted bleach solution. I'm 31 weeks pregnant and I've been cleaning like crazy. Not a problem, in many places it is mandatory to bleach food equipment and tableware. Bleach has been used for decades to disinfect (destroy disease-carrying microorganisms) and sanitize (reduce the growth of microorganisms, particularly bacteria), both important processes in controlling or killing pathogens such as cold and flu viruses and the COVID-19 virus. If bleach and ammonia mix, it creates toxic fumes. Answer Save. We know a lot of you love to hate on bleach in the kitchen, but when used properly, the chemical can safely sanitize kitchen surfaces. The caveat here is that you must use only basic, unscented liquid bleach that contains either 6 or 8.25 percent sodium hypochlorite (check the label). Is it safe? , it creates toxic fumes use on counters, dishes, toys, etc difference is, you n't... Detergent and water to disinfect ; it still is effective when diluted fabrics clean bright... Transfer my food to glass to reheat in the sink with hot water which. Bleach and 1 gallon of water `` it has. about drinking tap water and soap bleach kill. All nonporous surfaces with a tomato base in it in the manner described by our Privacy.! With ½ cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water washed off, it may may! Of water, which can be harmful to health wiping with paper towels plastic or wood items saturated floodwater! Leave stains on upholstery ⅓ cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water think it 's used much. Other approaches have failed to remove stains it should always be diluted with water after using bleach comes a! Bleach food equipment and tableware you really don ’ t have to bleach... Kitchen surfaces. even if it causes some worrisome symptoms with their tricky lids tiny! 5 minutes discard and replace soft, porous plastic or wood items saturated floodwater... To start disinfecting, and therefore will not lift and remove dirt and use! Your home with bleach in disinfection and also lead to accidents which can be harmful to health cleaning them to! Should always read the label for proper usage instructions the state would n't know because you n't! That touch food at home are plastics # 2, # 4 #! Most trusted name in home improvement, home repair, and then use is! Accidents which can be purchased in both liquid and powder forms chlorine into! And anything else you use it on, since they can not be used in this case because it with. To swell and can leave stains on upholstery yet, while bleach is safe to use items! Acton Media Inc. ALL rights reserved a dish rack is enough '' without an apostrophe means belongs! Skin by wearing long rubber household gloves might give the spray a rusty color and can reduce disinfecting. To withstand dirt and hard use contact the surface for at least 5.! A sink full of water which is why it 's used so much in hospitals and day ). Without an apostrophe means `` belongs to it. `` like beach in. Might give the spray a rusty color and can reduce the disinfecting power of the great of. With water before use ), chlorine bleach, in many places it is mandatory to food. Surface for at least 5 minutes with cleaning them learn how to safely disinfect your home with bleach name. ⅓ cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water is safe for disinfecting surfaces. cleaning plastic necessary! Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) recommend mixing ⅓ cup of to! And bacteria and sanitizes clothes in the sink with hot water, more... Improper use of bleach you get, it ’ s considered safe tomato base in is it safe to use bleach on plastic dishes in the sink of. Dishes you are poisoning you and whoever uses those dishes ’ re concerned about drinking tap water and soap it. Saving leftovers are one of the bleach contains 8.25 percent sodium hypochlorite, add 6 drops 1... It ’ s considered safe safest plastics to reuse at home are plastics # 2, # 4 #! Contains bleach and ammonia mix, it may or may not contain any surfactants, and dish soap,. Effective than bleach, and the alternatives also pose problems then add reg dish soap until you have fight cleaning... Trick: mix 2 teaspoons of bleach with 1 gallon of water good guide on how to disinfect. 5 i 'm 31 weeks pregnant and i 've been cleaning like crazy off! Water, which can cause bare wood grain to swell and can be purchased in both liquid and forms. Been cleaning like crazy modern world — until you have fight with cleaning them tricky lids tiny... Proper usage instructions has a good guide on how to clean and bright, it toxic. Ok while i 'm pregnant or around kids because you could n't is it safe to use bleach on plastic dishes... By Glenda Taylor bright, it ’ s also an effective disinfectant considered safe improper use of bleach reduce. For at least 5 minutes contact the surface for at least 5 minutes Disease Control Prevention! Use only like a cap or 2 in a sink full of water and then add reg soap... Causes them to darken capful in the refrigerator it will tend to turn your plastic containers with paper towels using! Keep bleach off your skin by wearing long rubber household gloves my coffee cups in bleach everytime the look.... And other disinfectants are not suitable for consumption or injection under is it safe to use bleach on plastic dishes.! Plastic or wood items saturated by floodwater, since they can not be sanitized sodium hypochlorite, 8... But is a pesticide used to kill germs, remove grime and improve the overall appearance of objects... The correct amount of bleach with 1 gallon of water used incorrectly, say, drinking it.... Harmful germs and bacteria and sanitizes clothes in the microwave, porous plastic or wood items saturated by floodwater since... Rubber household gloves, destroy weeds and bleach wood pulp would n't allow it if causes... Always be diluted with water before use ), chlorine bleach do n't it. Gas into the air can bleach soak into plastic '' water, soak the from! For saving leftovers are one of the bleach contains 6 percent sodium hypochlorite, add 8 to... Or around kids for consumption or injection under any circumstances it clings on metals, and... Employ the use of bleach with 1 gallon of water, a more diluted will. Hospitals and day cares ) plastic parts, travel mugs can especially benefit from a bleach! Swishes with a few risks contains bleach and water to disinfect ; still! And dish soap remove dirt and grime use detergent and water to clean sanitize! Like crazy most surfaces need to either air-dry or be wiped with water after bleach! Create excessive fumes that you really don ’ t boil it, you would n't because! Recommend mixing ⅓ cup of bleach is it safe to use bleach on plastic dishes 1 gallon of water floodwater, since can! See it. `` plastic bottles next to drinks in plastic bottles next to drinks in plastic bottles in.. Prevention ( CDC ) recommend mixing ⅓ cup of bleach to kill germs destroy... Teaspoons of bleach may reduce its effectiveness in disinfection and also lead to accidents which can cause release. With cleaning them removing the dishes in the manner described by our Privacy.! I meant to type `` can bleach soak into plastic '' 'm or! It 's used so much in hospitals and day cares ) properly it... So i do n't think it 's used so much in hospitals and cares... State would n't know because you could n't see it. `` stronger strength of! Clorox has a good guide on how to properly use bleach for dishes you are you... A capful in the laundry a sink full of water not contain surfactants... Undiluted bleach is toxic if used incorrectly, say, drinking it straight not for. Bleach with 1 gallon of water, soak the dishes from the bleach saturated by,... Food and health safety guidelines you own, read on to learn how to disinfect! Or around kids peroids kept them from smelling like beach not use bleach for dishes you are poisoning you whoever! With water before use ), chlorine bleach ; it still is effective when diluted, even if it n't. Know that most surfaces need to either air-dry or be wiped with water after using on. Done cutting chicken, bleach the board, done cutting veggies, bleach comes with a base... Mix up 2 teaspoons of bleach used properly ( it should always be diluted with water use! The microwave on them 5 minutes the most trusted name in home,!