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CLEANING AND
DISINFECTION
Keeping the child care
environment clean and orderly is very important for health, safety, and the
emotional well-being of both children and providers. One of the most important
steps in reducing the number of germs, and therefore the spread of disease, is
the thorough cleaning of surfaces that could possibly pose a risk to children or
staff. Surfaces considered most likely to be contaminated are those with which
children are most likely to have close contact. These include toys that children
put in their mouths, crib rails, food preparation areas, and surfaces likely to
become very contaminated with germs, such as diaper-changing areas.
Routine cleaning with soap and
water is the most useful method for removing germs from surfaces in the child
care setting. Good mechanical cleaning (scrubbing with soap and water)
physically reduces the numbers of germs from the surface, just as handwashing
reduces the numbers of germs from the hands. Removing germs in the child care
setting is especially important for soiled surfaces which cannot be treated with
chemical disinfectants, such as some upholstery fabrics.
However, some items and surfaces
should receive an additional step to kill germs after cleaning with soap and and
rinsing with clear water. Items that can be washed in a dishwasher or hot cycle
of a washing machine do not have to be disinfected because these machines use
water that is hot enough for a long enough period of time to kill most germs.
The disinfection process uses chemicals that are stronger than soap and water.
Disinfection also usually requires soaking or drenching the item for several
minutes to give the chemical time to kill the remaining germs. Commercial
products that meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) standards
for “hospital grade” germicides (solutions that kill germs) may be used for
this purpose. One of the most commonly used chemicals for disinfection in child
care settings is a homemade solution of household bleach and water. Bleach is
cheap and easy to get. The solution of bleach and water is easy to mix, is
nontoxic, is safe if handled properly, and kills most infectious agents. (Be
aware that some infectious agents are not killed by bleach. For example,
cryptosporidia is only killed by ammonia or hydrogen peroxide.)
Recipe for
Bleach Disinfecting Solution
(For use in bathrooms, diapering areas, etc.)
1/4 cup bleach
1 gallon of cool water
OR
1 tablespoon bleach
1 quart cool water
Add the household bleach
(5.25%
sodium hypochlorite) to the water.
Recipe for Weaker
Bleach Disinfecting Solution
(For use on toys, eating utensils, etc.)
1 tablespoon bleach
1 gallon cool water
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Add the bleach to the water. A
solution of bleach and water loses its strength very quickly and easily. It is
weakened by organic material, evaporation, heat, and sunlight. Therefore, bleach
solution should be mixed fresh each day to make sure it is effective. Any
leftover solution should be discarded at the end of the day. NEVER mix bleach
with anything but fresh tap water! Other chemicals may react with bleach and
create and release a toxic chlorine gas.
Keep the bleach solution you mix
each day in a cool place out of direct sunlight and out of the reach of
children. (Although a solution of bleach and water mixed as shown in the
accompanying box should not be harmful if accidentally swallowed, you should
keep all chemicals away from children.)
If you use a commercial
(brand-name) disinfectant, read the label and always follow the manufacturer's
instructions exactly.
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