• How has Clorox® Regular-Bleach improved its whitening formula?
• Do Clorox® Bleach Clean Linen®, Lavender, Lemon Fresh, and Fresh Meadow® and Clorox® Plus® bleaches disinfect?
• Can Clorox® Regular-Bleach be used to disinfect water?
• What organisms does Clorox® Regular-Bleach kill?
• Does Clorox® Regular-Bleach kill Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSRA)?
• Is Clorox® Regular-Bleach safe for septic systems?
• Can I use Clorox® Regular-Bleach to gargle, brush my teeth or clean cuts and scrapes?
• Is Clorox® Regular-Bleach flammable?
• What is the shelf life of Clorox® Regular-Bleach?
• Is it true that drinking Clorox® Regular-Bleach will mask the presence of drugs in urine?

Q. How has Clorox® Regular-Bleach improved its whitening formula?

A. We have a patented formula across the entire line of Clorox® Bleach products*. The formula incorporates an ingredient, sodium polyacrylate, that binds to certain minerals that are in the water supply preventing them from depositing on your clothes. You get all the power and performance of Clorox® Liquid Bleach you are used to, but now clothes will retain their whiteness that might have been lost over time due to deposition of these minerals.

*except for Clorox® UltimateCare® Bleach.

Q. Do Clorox® Bleach Clean Linen®, Lavender, Lemon Fresh, and Fresh Meadow® and Clorox® Plus® bleaches disinfect?

A. Our scented and Clorox® Plus® bleaches are not registered disinfectants. If you need a registered disinfectant, you can purchase Clorox® Regular-Bleach at almost any store that sells laundry products. Make sure that "Disinfects" or "Kills germs" appears on the label.

Q. Can Clorox® Regular-Bleach be used to disinfect water?

A. Yes. When boiling of water for 1 minute is not possible in an emergency situation, you can disinfect your drinking water with Clorox® Regular-Bleach as follows:

1. Remove suspended particles by filtering or letting particles settle to the bottom.
2. Pour off clear water into a clean container.
3. Add 8 drops of Clorox® Regular-Bleach (not scented or Clorox® Plus® bleaches) to one gallon of water (2 drops to 1 quart). For cloudy water, use 16 drops per gallon of water (4 drops to 1 quart).
4. Allow the treated water to stand for 30 minutes. Water should have a slight bleach odor. If not, repeat and wait another 15 minutes. The treated water can then be made palatable by pouring it between clean containers several times.

Q. What organisms does Clorox® Regular-Bleach kill?

A. Bacteria
Staphylococcus aureus (Staph.)
Salmonella choleraesuis
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep.)
Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli)
Shigella dysenteriae
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Fungi
Trichophyton mentagrophytes (can cause Athlete's Foot)
Candida albicans (a yeast)

Viruses
Rhinovirus Type 17 (a type of virus that can cause colds)
Influenza A (Flu virus)
Hepatitis A virus
Rotavirus
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)*
Herpes simplex Type 2
Rubella virus
Adenovirus Type 2
Cytomegalovirus


*For health care settings only.

To disinfect:
Use ¾ cup of Clorox® Regular-Bleach per gallon of water. Wash, wipe or rinse items with water, then apply bleach solution. Let stand 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and air dry.

Q. Does Clorox® Regular-Bleach kill Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSRA)?

A. Yes, Clorox® Regular-Bleach kills Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Q. Is Clorox® Regular-Bleach safe for septic systems?

A. When used as directed, Clorox® Regular-Bleach is not harmful to septic systems. The bleach breaks down rapidly to mostly salt and water.

Q. Can I use Clorox® Regular-Bleach to gargle, brush my teeth or clean cuts and scrapes?

A. No. Clorox® Regular-Bleach is not for personal usage.

Q. Is Clorox® Regular-Bleach flammable?

A. No, Clorox® Regular-Bleach is 90% water and is not flammable.

Q. What is the shelf life of Clorox® Regular-Bleach?

A. Clorox® Regular-Bleach should be replaced every year and stored as directed for optimum performance.

Q. Is it true that drinking Clorox® Regular-Bleach will mask the presence of drugs in urine?

A. No. We're not sure how this rumor started. Clorox® Regular-Bleach does not mask the presence of drugs in urine. Clorox® Regular-Bleach is not meant to be ingested. If it is accidentally swallowed, follow the instructions on our product label, which indicates to call the poison control center or a doctor for treatment.

Clorox® Regular-Bleach can be used to disinfect water in the event of an emergency. Eight drops of bleach added to a gallon of water will make the water safe to drink.