9 things to know about bleach

ORLANDO, Fla. — With the coronavirus pandemic ongoing, many people are stocking up on cleaning supplies to stop the spread of the virus.

Bleach is a common household cleaner that is used to disinfect a number of surfaces and kill germs.

Here are nine things to know about the cleaning product:

Read: Coronavirus checklist: 100-plus disinfectants that may kill coronavirus on surfaces

1. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information and the World Health Organization, bleach is a strong and effective disinfectant. Its active ingredient, sodium hypochlorite, is effective in killing bacteria, fungi and viruses, including influenza viruses.
2. Do not use bleach with other household detergents. Mixing bleach with other detergents reduces its effectiveness and can cause dangerous chemical reactions.
3. Bleach has an expiration date and loses efficacy fairly quickly if it is not stored properly. Officials said bleach expires one year after production.
4. Diluted household bleach can disinfect within 10 to 60 minutes.
5. Bleach can corrode metals and damage painted surfaces.
6. Clorox said during World War I, the lives of wounded soldiers were saved by the antibacterial properties of bleach.
7. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said to prepare a bleach solution, mix five tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water or four teaspoons of bleach per quart of water.
8. When disinfecting, mix bleach with cold water. The NCBI said hot water decomposes the sodium hypochlorite and renders it ineffective.
9. Always use bleach with caution. Improper use of bleach may reduce its effectiveness for disinfection and can injure health care workers, the NCBI said.

Cox Media Group