Cleaning solutions

Three types of cleaning solutions are used during housekeeping at a health facility. It is essential that housekeeping staff understand the different types of cleaning agents and how each should be used:

1. Plain detergent and water.
This is used for low-risk areas and general cleaning tasks. Detergents remove dirt and organic material and dissolve or suspend grease, oil, and other matter so it can easily be removed by scrubbing.

2. Disinfectant solution (0.5% chlorine solution).
Disinfectants rapidly kill or inactivate infectious microorganisms during the cleaning process. Disinfectants are also used to decontaminate an area so that it is safer for staff to clean with a disinfectant cleaning solution.

In most settings, a 0.5% chlorine solution made from locally available bleach is the cheapest disinfectant, but alternatives include commercial disinfectants that contain 5% carbolic acid (such as Phenol or Lysol) or quaternary ammonium compounds.

Did you know...
Chlorine is one of the oldest and most widely used compounds used as a disinfectant because:

• It is a proven and powerful killer of microorganisms.
• It deodorizes.
• It is not poisonous to humans in the concentrations in which it is used.
• It leaves no poisonous residue.
• It is colorless, easy to handle, and economical to use.

How to make a 0.5%
chlorine solution

3. Disinfectant cleaning solution.
This solution contains a disinfectant and a detergent and water. This solution is used for cleaning areas that may be contaminated with infectious materials (such as operating theaters, procedure rooms, latrines, and sluice rooms). The solution must contain both a disinfectant and a detergent. Disinfectants rapidly kill or inactivate infectious microorganisms during the cleaning process, while detergents remove dirt and organic material, which cannot be done by water or disinfectants alone.

How to make a disinfectant
cleaning solution

CAUTION:
Chlorine solutions should never be mixed with cleaning products containing ammonia, ammonium chloride, or phosphoric acid. Combining these chemicals will result in the release of a chlorine gas, which can cause nausea, eye irritation, tearing, headache, and shortness of breath. These symptoms may last for several hours. If you are exposed to an unpleasantly strong odor following the mixing of a chlorine solution with a cleaning product, leave the room or area immediately until the fumes have cleared completely.

©2004 EngenderHealth