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Is bleach water less effective/not effective one day after mixing?
My child care center director makes us make a new spray bottle of bleach water daily. She said because it's less effective one day after mixing. I can't believe this to be true. I can not find any such thing online either. I would like a good resource to back it up if you do have an answer.
4 Answers
- ?Lv 71 decade agoFavourite answer
Your director is correct. Mix less if you have alot left over. Bleach is not the best thing to have around small kids I suggest they use vinegar instead full strength and you can leave that in a bottle forever. There is only 1 common germ the straight bleach can kill that the vinegar cannot.
- SueLv 51 decade ago
As chlorine bleach dries, it becomes just salt (sodium chloride!), which is why it is safe to use on solid surfaces, food prep areas and toys. As soon as it's dry, it's safe.
Mixing the bleach with water changes the ratio of chloride in the mix, which makes it break down faster and lose its germ-killing effectiveness.
- voicefromparisLv 61 decade ago
Your director is right. Any oxygen bleach like chlorine looses strength very rapidly in the presence of oxygen. This is especially true if the container is open to the air.
- ladydiLv 71 decade ago
Why don't you have the "CLOROX ANYWHERE" spray bleach that's SAFE to use on children's hard surface things??? Your fees for child care should definitely provide for this---no excuse.
Tell your "Director" to think safety first! What are you using that harsh liquid mixture for anyway?
