Bleach is a good disinfectant for most household surfaces. It kills most bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Use it to sanitize surfaces in treatment areas, disinfect laundry, decontaminate blood spills, and disinfect equipment. In addition, it has medicinal uses for threatening skin.
Medicinal Use. Bed Sores, Diabetic Ulcers, Eczema, and Inflammatory Skin Conditions
Soaking skin in a very dilute bleach solution is effective to treat bed sores, diabetic ulcers, eczema, and other inflammatory skin conditions. Use one tablespoon of regular strength bleach per gallon (per 4 liters) of water. The bleach solution is dilute enough not to harm the skin while calming inflammation and killing bacteria on the skin. Do not use undiluted bleach or bleach in higher concentration. I prefer herbal medicine to bleach but it is a good remedy to know. You can also follow up a bleach treatment with soothing herbal oils specific to your condition and needs.
For a full 40-gallon (151 liters) tub use ½ cup of household bleach in warm water. Soak in the water for five to ten minutes, then rinse the skin completely with fresh water. Pat dry. Apply lotions, emollients, or medications after a bath. Repeat two to three times weekly, or as needed.
Sanitizing Water for Drinking
Unscented bleach is suitable for sanitizing water for drinking purposes. Add two drops of bleach per quart (liter) of water or 8 drops of bleach per gallon (4 liters) of water. Stir thoroughly and allow it to sit for at least one hour before drinking. If the water is cloudy, filter it before adding the chlorine. This treatment kills most bacteria and viruses found in water, but may not kill all. It does not remove chemicals or other toxins from water.
Using Bleach for Disinfecting
For disinfecting surfaces, use a higher concentration of bleach: 1 ⁄ 4 to 3 ⁄ 4 cup of bleach added to 1 gallon (4 liters) of water (1 to 3 tablespoons per quart (liter) of water). Let the bleach water stand on the surface for at least 2 minutes, then wipe dry or allow it to air dry. This solution needs to be made fresh daily.
Warning
Do not use undiluted bleach or high concentration of bleach directly on the skin. Bleach can cause dryness of skin irritations. Do not use it with patients who have an allergy to chlorine.
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