I’ve been searching the wiki for info about disinfection and trying to get straight on something. With the exceptions of Vircon and citric acid, bleach seems to be the only thing recommended. As I was scrubbing my bathroom tonight i was wondering why things like mr. clean, pine sol and the like aren’t recommended. the bottles of those that i have say that they kill germs. if bleach is really the only thing that kills germs, then why would anyone use anything else? what about ammonia?
also, when tshtf i’d like to be able to disinfect things like under and behind faucets, light switches, door knobs, etc. should i put a bleach solution in a spray bottle and spray often? what about the products they use in hospitals like zep (?). why don’t hospitals just use bleach? it makes me think that zep and the like are better.
Lots of info on ideas that are natural and non-toxic to humans in the Essential Oils thread. Feel free to use the links from my list under Preparations.
Lysol is supposed to be good too.
From http://www.fluwikie.com/pmwiki.php?n=Resources.H5N1
Which disinfectant should I use against avian influenza? Avian Influenza Questions and Answers
Manual on Procedure for Disease Eradication by Stamping Out see table 3.3
I believe the use of aerosols (like Lysol) is discouraged because it can spread the virus.
see also… http://www.fluwikie.com/pmwiki.php?n=Consequences.InfectionControl
On metal surfaces you use 70% alcohol. Bleach is destructive to metal.
90% Isopropyl alcohol is available from local lab supply houses.
It works well on hard surfaces.
We keep this stuff on the fire trucks: http://www.deconsolutions.com/spraysystems.htm
It’s supposed to kill everything :-)
This thread over at CE talks a lot about decon as well: http://www.curevents.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28443
Allow me to recommend 99% isopropyl.
That’s suitable for topical skin disinfection before giving an injection or starting an IV.
It’s also a decent extender for gasoline-fueled vehicles in tight supply situations. Don’t try to run iso exclusively, but mix it in at up to 30% concentrations with gasoline.
Keep it simple: Isopropyl alcohol for inanimate surfaces (no residue, self drying)
Various dilutions of chlorine bleach for inanimate non-metalic surfaces, washing clothing, bedding, sickroom walls & floors etc.
Betadine scrub (not solution) for handwashing and skin surfaces.
Hospital standards for decades
the consentrated carwindow fluid is also a easy source for cheap alchol disinfectant (and may be used as fuel as well) its made of ethanol or Isopropyl.. Can be bought in any gas station etc.
Remeber that washing hands in soap and hot water in 20 secunds is also good, so most soap and heath will have some effect.
An article on Acidifying Bleach:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-02/asfm-vik021306.php
interesting. Thanks Kleenex!
Can we use Nolvasan Surguical Scrub ? Or any of the Nolvasan Mixtures out there….it’s a virus killer ???????
Okay, but for the rest of us who don’t want to start a chem lab, what is the best mainstream disinfectant? I have lots of bleach but prefer not to use it because it wrecks certain things. I also have typical bathroom/kitchen cleaners that say they kill 99.9% of germs. I’ve used them plenty of times to clean up after different children did not make the bathroom during stomach bugs - I cleaned up wearing rubber gloves, washed my hands thoroughly after and never got sick. Good enough? I’m also asking so I can tell people I’m trying to get to prep what they should have on hand. It’s hard enough to get anyone to prep (as you all know), so if it can be kept simple with things that are easily purchased it would help.
to everyone who posted, thanks. it is taking me a while to digest the info. 1) why do i have to buy both bleach and iso alcohol? since bleach is bad for metal, why don’t i just use the alcohol like i’d use the bleach? 2) no one mentioned mentioned zep, mr. clean or pine sol, so i might just take them off the list since they make me nauseous anyway. 3)the decon sounds interesting and i’m looking into it.
i haven’t researched nolvasan yet, but it sounds good.
Keep things as simple as possible. For inanimate hard surfaces: Chlorine is a corrosive (bad for metals). Alcohol is very flammable, doesn’t leave a residue but probably not a good idea for large surface area jobs like walls and floors.
Madamspinner: sure if Nolvasan is antiviral. I’m not familiar with that one. Betadine or generic iodaphor scrubs are relativly cheap, available and have been used for decades (ie proven). Some of the new surgical scrubs are very expensive. In the range of $45+ per gallon.
As far as “household” cleaners, check out the active ingredient. I have always been skeptical of typical product “claims”. I’m sure they are adequate but for the “bad boy” H5N1 I have stockpiled what hospitals/labs have used for years. Bleach, alcohol and Betadine. They have multiple uses as well. Bleach- water disinfection, alcohol- cooking fuel, gasoline extender etc, Betadine (iodaphor)- antifungal, wound care solution (diluted). Can’t get much cheaper than bleach, isopropyl and iodaphor and a fair quantity would be prudent so low cost is good.
The Nolvasan Surgical Scrub comes in a gallon jug concentrate. Uses 1 to 3 ounces to make a gallon of ready-to-use. It has a nice smell, too. Runs 35–45 a gallon, depending on where you buy it.
We used it in the grooming shop, and in the vet clinic, not only for surgery procedures, and scrubbing up; but to clean and disinfect cages after a rabid, or parvo dog had been in them. Rabies and Parvo are both nasty viruses.
I’ve read here on the FW that bleach begins to lose its effectiveness after about 6 mos. or so. Are there expiry dates on these other products (Betadine, Nolvasan, etc.)too? Thanks.
I got some of the chlorine granules made for pool upkeep to avoid the bleach degredation. Alcohol should be good for several if not many years. Same with Betadine. I think there is probably a exp date on ‘em but not because it degrades just because it is intended for medical use.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disinfectants
Lysol seems to be the household item.. but I dont know it, we cant buy this things here, and thanks to that we dont have such a big problem with resistant bacterias. But for a pan it seems it would be nice to put in the preps..
vinegar has also been mentioned as a “mild “ santizer, and so has vine. The farmers use ant-acid.
Important if we aren’t SIPing!
bump
Hmm - I guess there are two active threads about disinfectives. Many if not most essential oils kill a variety of bacteria, mold and viruses, some are better than others. Vinegar is an excellent bacteriacide, not sure about viruses, gotta check it out. The other thread was discussing isopropyl alcohol and drinkable alcohol (can’t remember its technical name). Everclear or even vodka or the cheapest hard liquor can be used, and can also be diluted (esp. the Everclear). At least they do not damage the liver when absorbed through the skin.
I would imagine the pH of white wine vinegar would make it antiviral. I know it is very effective as an antifungal and antibacterial. I have used it personally (diluted~50%) for swimmers ear. Works great for floppy eared dogs that swim a lot if they get ear infections.
Hmm - thanks for the info about the PH and anti-viral connection. I have used it neat on mysterious skin infections that wouldn’t go away, fungal ones.
I keep gallons for use in laundry (helps with greasy/oily clothes), and for cleaning and antiseptic use. I make a spray that I take in the car to wash hands with after touching money, doorknobs, etc.
here the maximum limit of beverage alcohol % is 60, thats on the limit of beeing a good antiseptic 60%−70% is defined as desinfectant, a typical vodka of 45% is then not suited.
“Alcohols: Most commonly used are ethanol (60–90%), 1-propanol (60–70%) and 2-propanol/isopropanol (70–80%) or mixtures of these alcohols. They are commonly reffered to as “surgical alcohol”. Used to disinfect the skin before injections are given, often along with iodine (tincture of iodine) or some cationic surfactants (benzalkonium chloride 0.05 - 0.5%, chlorhexidine 0.2 - 4.0% or octenidine dihydrochloride 0.1 - 2.0%) .” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiseptic