Is This Mold?

[Brianm_14]

Currently, there are several effective antimicrobial agents now available in dishwashing liquids. One still needs to thoroughly clean any bottle or pen with a detergent, however, as cleaning removes far more microbes than any disinfectant can possibly ever kill. Plus, disinfectants can only work effectively on very clean surfaces. So cleaning using friction and large volumes of flowing water (temperature doesn't matter, cool water is okay), and repeat the cleaning. Use one of these disinfecting detergents for cleaning is a great idea!

 

The agents are as follows:

1. Lactic acid is a mild acid available in Palmolive dish detergent. You can dilute it with up to 20 parts water. I'd only dilute it 15 times. Then apply, keeping the pre-cleaned surfaces wet for at least 5 minutes. Ten is better. Follow by a full rinse. Allow to air dry.

 

2. Chlorxylenol -dilute with 1or 2 parts water. Keep pre-cleaned parts wet for at least ten minutes, then rinse and allow to air dry.

 

3. Benzalkonium chloride -must be applied to clean surface free of any traces of other soaps or detergents. Diute with 1 or 2 parts water. Contact time should be at least 10 minutes. Rinse well, air dry.

 

Don't be afraid to repeat disinfection several times. Objects must be kept wet with disinfectants for at least the times specified. If any objects, such as glass botles, can be disinfected with bleach, do so! Use several tablespoons household bleach in one pint very cool water, and fill or immerse pre-cleaned object for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Rinse very thoroughly.

 

It is important to clean and disinfect all contaminated objects at the same time to make sure contamination does not recur.