Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria that is commonly found on the skin and in the nose of humans and animals.
It is known to cause a variety of infections ranging from skin and soft tissue infections to more serious illnesses such as pneumonia and toxic shock syndrome.
In order to effectively kill this bacteria, it is important to find a bleach that is proven to be effective against it.
We will discuss the different types of bleach that can be used to kill Staphylococcus aureus and the steps that must be taken to ensure the best possible results.
What bleach can kill staphylococcus aureus?
When using bleach it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the product label for effective results: the dilution ratios, contact time, and safety precautions.
Here are a few examples of different brands of bleach that can be effective in killing S. aureus.
- Clorox Regular Bleach: A common household bleach that can be used to disinfect surfaces contaminated with S. aureus. As the active ingredient, it contains 6% sodium hypochlorite.
- Lysol Bleach Multi-Purpose Cleaner: This bleach-based cleaner claims to be effective against a variety of bacteria, including S. aureus. As the active ingredient, sodium hypochlorite is used.
- Pure Bright Germicidal Ultra Bleach: This is a concentrated bleach that claims to be effective against a wide range of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, including S. aureus. As the active ingredient, it contains 6% sodium hypochlorite.
Types of bleach
There are two main types of bleach that can be effective in killing Staphylococcus aureus.
- Chlorine bleach: Chlorine bleach is a common household cleaning and disinfecting product that is widely used due to its effectiveness in killing bacteria such as S. aureus. The active ingredient in chlorine bleach is sodium hypochlorite, which is a type of chlorine disinfectant. When sodium hypochlorite is mixed with water, it can effectively kill bacteria by oxidizing their cellular components.
- Peroxide bleach: Peroxide bleach, also known as oxygen bleach, is another type of bleach that uses hydrogen peroxide as its active ingredient. Peroxide bleach is less harsh than chlorine bleach and is often used for color-safe laundry and cleaning. Peroxide bleach can also be effective in killing bacteria such as S. aureus by oxidizing their cellular components.
Does sodium hypochlorite bleach kill staphylococcus aureus?
Yes, Staphylococcus aureus can be killed by sodium hypochlorite bleach.
Most chlorine bleach products contain sodium hypochlorite, a powerful disinfectant that is effective against a wide range of microorganisms, including S. aureus.Â
When used correctly, sodium hypochlorite bleach can be a useful tool for disinfecting surfaces and reducing the spread of S. aureus infections.
A study looked at how bleach baths can help people with a skin condition called atopic dermatitis. They found that patients who soaked in diluted bleach baths twice a week for two months had significant improvements in their skin.
They found that the bleach baths helped to reduce the amount of Staphylococcus aureus on the skin and no side effect was experienced.
Another study found that disinfectants containing sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide were better at killing bacteria than disinfectants containing quaternary ammonium chloride.
Nearly 60% of children were found to be carrying S. aureus on their skin at one or more sites and they were more likely to experience repeat infections.
The study tested the effectiveness of bleach baths and hygiene education over a 3-month period and found that it was associated with a 20% decrease in repeat infections compared to hygiene education alone.
No negative effects from the bleach baths were reported.
However, the study below showed a different result.Â
S. aureus was exposed to hypochlorite and it reduced the number of bacteria and the amount of biofilm it produced significantly. Live S. aureus cells were still present in the residual biofilm and on prolonged incubation, the bacteria regrew and formed biofilms again.
Does hand sanitizer kill staphylococcus aureus?
Yes, Staphylococcus aureus can be killed by hand sanitizer. The active ingredient in most hand sanitizers is alcohol, and alcohol-based sanitizers are effective against a wide range of bacteria, including S. aureus.
Hand sanitizer, when used correctly, can reduce the number of bacteria on hands and prevent the spread of infection.
Hand sanitizer is not effective against all types of bacteria and viruses, and it should not be used in place of regular hand washing with soap and water when hands are visibly dirty or contaminated.