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Blueplanet

(253 posts)
Sat Mar 7, 2020, 03:45 PM Mar 2020

Suggestions for Disinfecting door knobs, handles, etc.

In case you run out of disinfecting wipes. Soap and water is good, but something stronger like bleach may be necessary-bleach can tarnish some surfaces.
What are some of your homemade suggestions?

24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Suggestions for Disinfecting door knobs, handles, etc. (Original Post) Blueplanet Mar 2020 OP
small bottle of pure rubbing alcohol and some kleenex or paper towels lapfog_1 Mar 2020 #1
Thanks lapfog_1 Blueplanet Mar 2020 #3
Just be careful to not let rubbing alcohol near varnished wood --it can do bad things to varnish. fierywoman Mar 2020 #10
Thanks for the warning Blueplanet Mar 2020 #13
Even worse for shellac. sl8 Mar 2020 #22
Using 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Blueplanet Mar 2020 #11
Wear sweaters - Ms. Toad Mar 2020 #2
I do this often. dewsgirl Mar 2020 #8
If you use bleach, 10:1 solution. Soap and water work also uppityperson Mar 2020 #4
Soap is better than some might think... 4139 Mar 2020 #5
I heard about it-a bit of good news Blueplanet Mar 2020 #7
Chlorhexidrine spray for pets? pat_k Mar 2020 #6
I make a solution of 2 thirds 60% isopropyl alcohol and one third aloe for a hand sanitiser mitch96 Mar 2020 #9
Highly diluted bleach 1:10 bleach:water OhNo-Really Mar 2020 #12
clean your phones too IcyPeas Mar 2020 #14
Good idea Blueplanet Mar 2020 #15
Cheap generic listerine Runningdawg Mar 2020 #16
Listerine? Blueplanet Mar 2020 #17
Bleach has a shelf life so I wouldn't buy a lot of it at one time. Kaleva Mar 2020 #18
Bleach weakens over time Blueplanet Mar 2020 #20
I make a spray for my kitchen mcar Mar 2020 #19
Spray the door knobs with Blueplanet Mar 2020 #21
I stopped using bleach years ago mcar Mar 2020 #23
More thoughts about bleach - Talitha Mar 2020 #24

lapfog_1

(29,199 posts)
1. small bottle of pure rubbing alcohol and some kleenex or paper towels
Sat Mar 7, 2020, 03:51 PM
Mar 2020

if you spill a little it won't ruin your clothes, it is easier on your hands than bleach and is very effective at killing a virus. small bottle that one carries in a pocket or purse.

sl8

(13,767 posts)
22. Even worse for shellac.
Sat Mar 7, 2020, 05:48 PM
Mar 2020

Shellac is dissolved in alcohol for application. Alcohol will redissolve it after it dries or cures. That can be convenient when applying multiple coats - subsequent coats "melt" into previous coats.

Blueplanet

(253 posts)
11. Using 70% Isopropyl Alcohol
Sat Mar 7, 2020, 04:21 PM
Mar 2020

on a paper towel to wipe down door knobs, switches, computer keyboard, mouse, etc.
I'm on a roll. Thanks.

Ms. Toad

(34,069 posts)
2. Wear sweaters -
Sat Mar 7, 2020, 03:53 PM
Mar 2020

pull your hands in the sleeves and open with the sleeves.

If it isn't sweater season, wear long tops and grab the handles with the bottom of your top.

uppityperson

(115,677 posts)
4. If you use bleach, 10:1 solution. Soap and water work also
Sat Mar 7, 2020, 03:55 PM
Mar 2020

1 part bleach to 10 parts water. You can use soap and water too.

4139

(1,893 posts)
5. Soap is better than some might think...
Sat Mar 7, 2020, 03:58 PM
Mar 2020

“ Coronaviruses, like this year’s version that has left 100,000 worldwide infected with COVID-19, are encased in a lipid envelope -- basically, a layer of fat. Soap can break that fat apart and make the virus unable to infect you.”
https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200306/power-of-hand-washing-to-prevent-coronavirus

Blueplanet

(253 posts)
7. I heard about it-a bit of good news
Sat Mar 7, 2020, 04:04 PM
Mar 2020

Thanks 4139.
"Soap can break that fat apart and make the virus unable to infect you.” So soap and water can go a long way in protecting you from the virus.

mitch96

(13,904 posts)
9. I make a solution of 2 thirds 60% isopropyl alcohol and one third aloe for a hand sanitiser
Sat Mar 7, 2020, 04:16 PM
Mar 2020

It also works on knobs and countertops. 10:1 bleach is good also. No Isopropyl alcohol?
151 Everclear or rum is good too!! Went to my local watering hole last nite and the distinct faint smell of bleach was in the air by the bar... good job guys...
m

OhNo-Really

(3,985 posts)
12. Highly diluted bleach 1:10 bleach:water
Sat Mar 7, 2020, 04:25 PM
Mar 2020

Carefully applied to paper towel or white cloth. A bit of bleach kills viruses 🦠

Blueplanet

(253 posts)
17. Listerine?
Sat Mar 7, 2020, 05:06 PM
Mar 2020

Scroll down
https://www.bing.com/search?q=listerine+as+a+disinfectant&PC=U316&FORM=CHROMN

"Listerine is designed to kill some heavy-duty germs in your mouth, so it makes sense that one of the many uses of Listerine would be as a household disinfectant too."

Blueplanet

(253 posts)
20. Bleach weakens over time
Sat Mar 7, 2020, 05:27 PM
Mar 2020
https://www.thoughtco.com/chlorine-bleach-shelf-life-3976002

"Another way to tell if your bleach is expired is to note its odor. Don't open the bottle and take a whiff! The human sense of smell is sensitive to bleach, so you should be able to smell it as soon as you pour it from its container. If you don't smell any bleach, it's likely most of the product has decomposed into salt and water. Replace it with a fresh bottle."

I have noticed that in some of the cheaper bleaches there is no odor.

mcar

(42,324 posts)
19. I make a spray for my kitchen
Sat Mar 7, 2020, 05:14 PM
Mar 2020

hot water, a bit of baking soda, dish soap, and an essential oil, in a spray bottle.

Essential oils are said to have disinfectant properties. I've been spraying my door knobs, etc., with it.

mcar

(42,324 posts)
23. I stopped using bleach years ago
Sat Mar 7, 2020, 05:48 PM
Mar 2020

because of the damage it causes the environment (and the smell).

Talitha

(6,587 posts)
24. More thoughts about bleach -
Sat Mar 7, 2020, 06:05 PM
Mar 2020

Protect your hands when using it, and be careful it doesn't splash when you're pouring it.

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