To clean hard surfaces without using a disinfectant cleaner, you may mix a one-quarter cup of this with a gallon of cool water.

To clean hard surfaces without using a disinfectant cleaner, you may mix a one-quarter cup of this with a gallon of cool water.

• A. Bleach
• B. Vinegar
• C. Hydrogen peroxide
• D. Ammonia

Answer: (A)

Using a diluted bleach solution is a reliable way to clean and disinfect hard surfaces when you don’t have a labeled disinfectant cleaner. Mixing a quarter cup of bleach with a gallon of cool water creates a disinfecting solution that, when kept on the surface for a short contact time, can kill many germs. Bleach is a proven disinfectant at this kind of dilution, which is why it’s the best option among the choices. Vinegar cleans and deodorizes but doesn’t reliably disinfect many germs; hydrogen peroxide can disinfect, but its effectiveness varies with concentration and conditions; ammonia is a cleaner, not a disinfectant, and using it with bleach can release hazardous fumes. Safety note: never mix bleach with ammonia or acids, and use in a well-ventilated area with gloves.

Using a diluted bleach solution is a reliable way to clean and disinfect hard surfaces when you don’t have a labeled disinfectant cleaner. Mixing a quarter cup of bleach with a gallon of cool water creates a disinfecting solution that, when kept on the surface for a short contact time, can kill many germs. Bleach is a proven disinfectant at this kind of dilution, which is why it’s the best option among the choices.

Vinegar cleans and deodorizes but doesn’t reliably disinfect many germs; hydrogen peroxide can disinfect, but its effectiveness varies with concentration and conditions; ammonia is a cleaner, not a disinfectant, and using it with bleach can release hazardous fumes. Safety note: never mix bleach with ammonia or acids, and use in a well-ventilated area with gloves.