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Does a combination hand dishwashing liquid and antibacterial hand soap kill germs on household surfaces?
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No. Dishwashing liquids that are also antibacterial hand cleansers provide protection to
consumers who use a hand dishwashing liquid to wash their hands at the kitchen sink. These products
are not intended to kill germs on dishes, countertops or other household surfaces.
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Can I use a mix-at-home recipe as a disinfectant?
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Studies have shown that most mix-at-home recipes have no disinfectant properties at all.
Particularly when there are health-related reasons for using an antibacterial household cleaning product,
such as on a cutting board that might be contaminated with Salmonella or on a surface that has
been in
contact with someone who is sick, it's important to remember that only EPA-registered disinfectants have
been tested for their ability to kill germs.
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Isn't a well-cleaned surface free of germs?
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Proper cleaning and drying remove most of the germs and usually make a surface safe. However, on
surfaces used for food preparation, around the toilet or on changing tables, "most" and "usually" may not
be enough. Proper cleaning followed by proper use of a disinfectant or a disinfectant or antibacterial
cleaner is much safer. Disinfecting the surface also means that the germs have been killed, and not just
removed to the sponge or other cleaning cloth.
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Where in the home is it most important to use a disinfectant or antibacterial cleaner?
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Areas of food preparation should be cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis. It's a good
idea to clean and disinfect moist surfaces such as sinks and toilets at least every few days, because
germs can grow rapidly in a moist environment. If someone is sick, daily cleaning and disinfection are
recommended. More frequent disinfection can also help guard the health of those especially vulnerable to
infection, such as young children, the elderly, people just home from the hospital or those with chronic
serious illnesses.
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Do I need to wipe off a surface after disinfecting?
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Not usually, but be sure to follow the label directions on the product you're using. Most often the
recommendation is to just rinse the surface and let it air dry.
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