Ratio of bleach to water to disinfect inside & out

[Jess & Stewart]

If my pup does come home with giardia or another parasite, I want to proactive in disinfecting inside & out. I searched other discussions, but didn't find this.

What is the ratio of bleach to water that should be used to disinfect toys, bedding etc? I thought I read somewhere that it was 1 cup to a gallon of water. Would that ratio be the same for any grass/mulch in front of my apartment?

I'm getting really excited! Only 2 more days after today!!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Hi Jess,
It's usually 10:1 or 5:1, leave on for 10 minutes.
You probably can find more information on a biohazard information website

[BG and Gavin]

10 to 1 is plenty strong.  That is the amount used for cleaning bio-hazards (vomit, blood, feces) in daycares.  A lesser solution of 100 to 1 is used when just doing general disinfection (cleaning toys and surfaces).  Make sure you make it up fresh each day as the bleach and water combo loses its kick after being combined and sitting.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My vet told me 10:1

[Jess & Stewart]

If I were to spray the mulched area outside my apartment, how many days should be putting the bleach/water mixture on to ensure any viruses or parasites are killed?

Would a few days (like a week Monday-Friday) be sufficient?

[DonMarie and Picco]

Bleach will evaporate quickly so as long as you don't seal anything up you should be good.  I like to rinse out water dishes once in awhile with a bleach solution too since sometimes it might sit a couple of days without a proper washing.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Jess,
You may also want to read up on the hazards of mulch and dogs.
There is information in the DK Danger Group regarding the types of mulch and problems with puppies ingesting / chewing on Cocoa mulch

[Jess & Stewart]

I'm not sure if it's cocoa mulch that is in front of the apt, it doesn't look like the pictures. It looks like regular mulch you'd find in a garden.The only reason I was thinking of taking the puppy there was because I knew other dogs haven't gone INSIDE the small area that has a wrought iron fence around it, and could disinfect if I needed too. I had seen dogs pee on the side of it.

I figured it would work until we've got potty training down & he's done vaccines, since then I could walk him to other places around that have grass around them. Unless I teach him to go on the concrete instead of inside the mulched area. LOL.

[Adina P]

I just have to say, I'm amazed at the various ratios (even on the back of the bleach bottle...a different ratio for each purpose) -- just read the back of your bleach bottle to make sure it is a disinfecting bleach (the color safe and ones with fancy aromas are usually not).  Like BG, I'm familiar with 1:10 ratio for using on actual biohazards like blood, etc from my time working at a dialysis clinic.  1:10 was used if there was a droplet of blood or fluids that was the size of a dime (I think).  But for just wiping down chairs and other things that weren't in direct contact with blood it was a 1:100 ratio.  Maybe spray on 1:10 ratio if there is visible gunk, but use the 1:100 on otherwise clean and dry surfaces. Karen, is the 1:10 ratio something that is known to kill Giardia specifically and nothing else will do regardless of whether the area looks clean to the naked eye?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I was using it in the yard, and those were the only instructions my vet gave me. 

However, much as this may shock you, I have used 100% bleach straight from the bottle to clean certain things in my house, such as mold on bathroom walls. :)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

LOL, last Spring I used straight bleach too.  Kill Kill Kill

[Adina P]

I have a friend who uses straight bleach for cleaning white tee shirts.  I wonder if she is using disinfecting bleach, though.  Seems like it would kill a cotton shirt.  Makes sense to use a stronger concentration for the yard since you can't fully 'clean' all the organic stuff off of a lawn first.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Wow, for