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Find information about cleaning and disinfecting at home to protect yourself during a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

Cleaning and Sanitizing with Bleach after an Emergency

Cleaning and sanitizing your household after an emergency is important to help prevent the spread of illness and disease.

Using Cleaning & Sanitizing Products

First, wash surfaces with soap and warm, clean water to remove dirt and debris. Next, sanitize surfaces with household bleach.

It is critical to read and follow the safety instructions on any product you use. Below are the most important safety guidelines when using sanitizing products:

  • Never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner.
  • Wear rubber or other non-porous boots, gloves, and eye protection.
  • Try not to breathe in product fumes. If using products indoors, open windows and doors to allow fresh air to enter.
Cleaning & Sanitizing with Bleach

Use regular, unscented household bleach with a sodium hypochlorite concentration between 5% and 9% (this is the most common concentration in the United States) and follow the instructions in the chart below.


Recommendations for Cleaning and Sanitizing Food Cans and Surfaces

Recommendations for Cleaning and Sanitizing Food Cans and Surfaces
Area or Item to be Cleaned Bleach Amount Water Amount     Cleaning Steps
Food surfaces that may have touched flood water.
Examples: Countertops, plates.
Note: Throw away wooden cutting boards, baby bottle nipples, and pacifiers.
1 tablespoon (0.5 ounces or ~15 mL) 1 gallon (3.8 L)
  1. Wash with soap and hot, clean water.
  2. Rinse with clean water.
  3. Sanitize in a solution of 1 tablespoon of household chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of clean water.
  4. Allow to air dry.
Food cans that are not bulging, open, or damaged 1 cup
(8 ounces or 240 mL)
5 gallons
(18.9 L)
  1. Remove can labels.
  2. Wash cans with soap and warm, clean water.
  3. Dip cans in mixture of 1 cup of bleach per 5 gallons of water.
  4. Allow to air dry.
  5. Re–label cans with a permanent marker.

Recommendations for Cleaning and Sanitizing Household Surfaces and Items

Recommendations for Cleaning and Sanitizing Household Surfaces and Items
Area or Item to be Cleaned Bleach Amount Water Amount     Cleaning Steps
Non-food contact surfaces that do not soak up water and that may have touched floodwater.
Examples: Floors, sinks, certain toys, and tools.
1 cup (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) 5 gallons (18.9 L)
  1. Clean surface with soap and warm, clean water.
  2. Rinse with clean water.
  3. Sanitize using a mixture of 1 cup (240 mL) of bleach to 5 gallons of water.
  4. Allow to air dry.

Recommendations to Clean Mold Growth Off Hard Surfaces

Recommendations to Clean Mold Growth Off Hard Surfaces
Area or Item to be Cleaned Bleach Amount Water Amount     Cleaning Steps
Mold growth on hard surfaces.
Examples: Floors, stoves, sinks, certain toys, countertops, flatware, plates, and tools.
1 cup (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) 1 gallon
(3.8 L)
  1. Mix 1 cup (240 mL) of bleach in 1 gallon of water.
  2. Wash surfaces with the bleach mixture.
  3. If surfaces are rough, scrub them with a stiff brush.
  4. Rinse surfaces with clean water.
  5. Allow to air dry.

For more information see: Mold Clean-Up After Disasters: When to Use Bleach

Be aware that flood water may be contaminated. For more information about how to protect yourself and your family, visit Cleanup of Flood Water.

For more information on cleaning and sanitizing with bleach and how to make water safe for drinking, see CDC’s pages on Household Cleaning and Sanitizing and Make Drinking Water Safe.

Infographic: Be Ready! Hurricanes Ready: Prepare. Plan. Stay Informed. Social Media at CDC Emergency