How to Wash Dishes With Chlorine Bleach

Household bleach kills germs on dishes and aids in the prevention of foodborne illness. In fact, some brands of dishwashing liquid contain bleach for extra-strength cleaning and sanitizing. Restaurants follow health department guidelines for sanitizing dishes in a chlorine bleach solution; you can implement the same practice when washing your dishes at home. Dishes and glassware can safely be made germ-free by washing and rinsing them with the same type of chlorine bleach you use on your laundry.

Things You'll Need

• Latex gloves
• pH test kit

Instructions

1. Add chlorine bleach to hot, soapy dishwater for extra germicidal strength. Mix 1 tbsp. of bleach per gallon of water.

2. Wash your dishes as usual with a dishcloth, sponge or scrubber. Wear latex gloves to protect your skin.

3. Rinse the dishes with clear, hot water and set them aside.

4. Fill your sink with cold water and mix in 1 tbsp. of bleach for every gallon of water. Sanitize the dishes by soaking them in the chlorinated water for two minutes, then allow them to air dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the chlorine levels in the dishwashing water and the sanitizing rinse water by using pH testing paper strips to determine the bleach concentration. Dip a test strip into each mixed solution and match the colors against the chart from the test kit. The recommended amount for germicidal strength is 200 parts per million or .02 percent.

• Add bleach to dishwashing and rinse water whenever the temperature of the water supply is below 120 degrees F. Chlorine bleach kills germs in cold water.

References

• National AG Safety Database: Disinfecting Dishes and Cookware
• Benson Agriculture & Food Institute: Kitchen Sanitation
• All QA Products: Chlorine Sanitizing