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University of Illinois Extension University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Disaster Resource

For more information contact your local Extension office:

Disaster Resources Web site:http://www.ag.uiuc.edu/~disaster

DISASTER CLEAN-UP: QUESTIONSABOUT CLEANING PRODUCTS

The right type of cleaner can make a major clean-upjob or an everyday clean-up job easier. In eithersituation, the best product choice is one that not onlycleans away soil, but also kills bacteria and/or a widevariety of microorganisms.

Clean-up after a disaster requires a lot of time,patience and skill. It helps if you have the right cleaner,one that is appropriate for the job and is a disinfectantas well. Any retailer's shelf contains many brands ofvarious types of cleaners: all purpose, glass,basin-tub-tile, bathroom, detergents, bleaches and soforth. Many companies use one brand name for severaltypes of products, both powdered and liquid. It's veryconfusing, but you can choose an appropriate cleaner ifyou take time to read the label.

What is on a cleaning product label?

Important information appears on cleaning product expected to cause permanent damage, but anlabels: inflammation of the affected area might occur.

Product name and manufacturer. Caution or Warning also appears on products that areDirections for use: amount to dilute; how to apply. flammable or apt to explode if heated.Materials (such as wood, marble, aluminum ortextiles) that can be damage by product use.If the word "disinfectant" is on the label, anEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)registration number must be listed. Signal words (Caution, Warning, Danger,Poison)Ingredients contained in the product (such asammonia, pine oil, isopropanol.) Toll-free number for information or poison controlassistance. Statement of practical treatment, such as: "Ifswallowed, give a glassful of water. Call aphysician."

Do all cleaning product labels have hazardwarnings?

No, not unless they involve a potential specific hazard.All products are governed by the Federal HazardousSubstances Act that was passed in 1960. This covershousehold cleaning products that are expected to bestored in the home or garage, but specifically excludesfood, drugs and pesticides. These are covered by otherlegislation. The signal words Caution, Warning,Danger must appear on the main panel of the label withthe specific hazard following. Additional informationsuch as "Keep out of reach of Children" is alsorequired.

What products typically have the "Caution" label?

Most automatic dishwashing and laundry detergents.Common warnings are: Eye Irritant, Skin Irritant,Harmful if Swallowed. These generally are not

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Cleaning Products - page 2

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What products are likely to have DANGER or Is borax a disinfectant?POISON on the label?

Oven cleaners, rust cleaners, clogged-drain openers, orhighly flammable products. Poison is rarely used, buthousehold lye, antifreeze and some car-care productsstored around the house may have this label.

What is trisodium phosphate?

TSP or trisodium phosphate (NaPO) is an ingredient usedin few cleaning products today. Trisodium phosphate is awater softening agent that makes water more basic in pHand precipitates calcium and magnesium in hard water.Other ingredients are common substitutes today, becausephosphates are banned in many locations.

Sodium tripolyphosate (Na5P3O10) was a widely used What is bleach?detergent builder that is now banned or restricted in manystates because of concern that phosphates contribute toeutrophication of lakes.

How can I know if a product is a disinfectant?

Cleaning products that actually have germ killing powerwill be labeled using the word "disinfectant" on the label.Products that claim to disinfect must be registered. TheEPA registration number should be on the label. Thisindicates the product has met government specifications foreffectiveness. Products vary greatly in their directions foruse, so reading the label is very important. Some, but notall, liquid chlorine bleaches are registered as"disinfectants." The percent of active ingredient in chlorinebleach varies with brands.

Do other cleaning agents kill germs?

Cleaning agents, such as detergents, are not all designed tokill germs, but their use will remove large numbers ofmicroorganisms. The word disinfectant must appear on thelabel if the product is effective in killing microorganisms.The active ingredient and percentage of this ingredient inthe product formulation determines if the product meetsthe standards for it to function effectively as a disinfectant.

What does antibacterial agent mean?

It means that it kills bacteria. This is used interchangeablewith the term disinfectant. However, the antibacterial agentmay be less effective against viruses and parasites that alsocause illness.

Not unless the label says it includes ingredients that killgerms.

What is special about pine-oil cleaners?

Pine oil cleaners are terpenes, such as terpineol, found innature. Products made with them often contain petroleumdistillates (much like a dry-cleaning solvent) that dissolvegrease easily, but are highly flammable. These cleanershave a variety of precautionary statements based on theirconcentration and contents, and can be very dangerous ifswallowed or if the volatile fumes are inhaled. They mustbe used with adequate ventilation and all label precautionsmust be followed.

The most commonly used and least expensive disinfectantis probably liquid chlorine bleach. A 5.25% solution ofsodium hypochlorite is required for a liquid chlorine bleachto function effectively as a disinfectant. Depending on thetask, bleach may be diluted in different ways. A commonrecommendation for final disinfecting rinse after floodcleanup of most hard surfaces is 1/2 cup per gallon ofwater. If working with bleach as a cleaner, wear rubbergloves to protect your hands. Keep the room wellventilated, because the fumes can be dangerous.

In high concentrations, bleach can be quite damaging tofabrics, so the dilution recommended for launderingclothing is 1 cup per wash load for top-loading washersand 1/2 cup for regular sized front-loading washers. Bleachshould not be added on top of clothes, but with a dispenseror as a diluted solution. This is necessary to preventclothing damage. Liquid chlorine bleach will ruin wool orsilk fabric. Dark or bright-colored clothing will probably befaded by liquid chlorine bleach. DO NOT MIXBLEACH WITH AMMONIA CLEANERS. THEFUMES ARE TOXIC.

Issued by Charlotte Crawford and Lois E. Smith, Extension Educators,Consumer and Family Economics, University of Illinois. Reviewed 01/08

Copyright © 2008 by University of Illinois Board of Trustees.