How Many Drops of Chlorine Bleach to a Gallon of Water?
During a natural or other type of disaster, your home's water supply may become contaminated with dirt and bacteria resulting in the water being unsafe to drink. Contaminated water is not only dangerous to drink but it is also dangerous to bathe and wash your hands in. It is important to purify the water using chlorine bleach to kill any bacteria that may be present in the water. Purified water is safe to drink, bathe in as well as wash with. Does this Spark an idea?
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Purifying Water
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Mix in a clean container 16 drops of chlorine bleach and 1 gallon of water. Stir the mixture with a clean utensil. Let the mixture stand for 30 minutes before drinking or using the water. Use regular household chlorine bleach that contains 5.25 to 6.0 percent sodium hypochlorite. The mixed water will have a slight bleach odor. If an odor is not present, add an additional 16 drops of bleach to the mixture let it stand for 15 minutes instead of 30 minutes. If a bleach odor is still not present, discard the mixture and try the purification process again with another source of water.
Cleaning a Container
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If you can't find a clean container, mix 1 tbsp. of chlorine bleach and 1 gallon of water in any container and let the mixture stand for two minutes. Drain the mixture and let the container air dry before using filling it with water for purification.
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Don'ts
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Do not use chlorine bleach that contains added cleaners, scents or are deemed "color safe." These bleaches are not safe to drink. Do not mix the water in a dirty container. Try to use bleach from an unopened or newly opened container because the potency of bleach diminishes over time.
Bleach Taste and Bleach Availability
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If the taste of the bleach-infused water bothers you, let the water stand exposed to air for five minutes or longer, or pour the water into a clean container then back into the container you mixed it in. Pour the mixture between the two containers at least four to five times to mix the bleach molecules. Chlorine bleach is available at grocery, retail superstores, hardware and home improvement stores as well as discount stores.
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