An easy way to determine how to dilute liquid bleach in a daycare setting:

5.25% liquid bleach contains 52,500 parts per million (ppm) of Chlorine, the element required to disinfect non-porous hard surfaces.

One (1) tablespoon = .5 liquid ounces (fl oz) =15 milliliters (ml) of solution

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)states ( 21 CFR Part 173) that any chlorine containing disinfectant used to disinfect a surface that will come into contact with food and subsequently ingested must contain less than 200 ppm of chlorine. If not in must be rinsed with clean, potable, water after the disinfecting solution dries. Interestingly, the only item in a daycare center, outside of food preparation counters, is the highchair tray. Since we all know that toys always end up in a child’s mouth, I would hope that your will treat toys as carefully as a food contact counter top.

For non-food (mouth) contact surfaces a solution containing 500 ppm of chlorine is more than sufficient to kill 99.9999% of bacteria found in a daycare center and many common viruses. Using a stronger solution will not impact, to any great degree, the disinfecting qualities of the solution. The EPA has accepted that a solution of 100 ppm of chlorine is required to claim a 99.9999% reduction in organisms. A solution between 100 and 500 ppm is plenty strong enough to kill organisms but not strong enough to discolor clothing, carpets or drapes.

1 TBSP (0.5 floz) of 5.25% liquid bleach (less than 6 month old) diluted in a gallon of water will yield a disinfecting solution that is 205 ppm (close enough). To produce a disinfecting solution in a 32 floz (1 qt) bottle that is at or less than 200 ppm, use ¼ of a TBPS of concentrate. To create a solution containing 500 ppm in a 32 floz bottle, 3/4 TBSP of concentrate. To create a solution in a gallon of water that is 500 ppm use 3 TBSP of concentrate.

Be very careful when mixing. The concentrate (52,500 ppm) will discolor anything it comes into contact with. It can also burn unprotected skin and damage the eyes.

You may want to Google Bleach Crystals to read more about an alternative to liquid bleach. It is easy to handle and never strong enough to discolor material when mixed according to directions.

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