Environmental Health

Cleaning and sanitizing the kitchen, toys, and other surfaces

Other languages

Many shared objects and surfaces can carry dirt and germs. Washing and sanitizing these objects and surfaces can help reduce the spread of germs.

Here's how to clean and sanitize around your home or business:

Wash with a detergent (like dish soap) and warm water.
Rinse with clean warm water.
Wipe, spray, or soak for 2 minutes with one of the sanitizers in the table below to kill germs.
Air dry.

Sanitizer	How to mix	Required sanitizer strength (concentration)
Chlorine (chlorine bleach)	2 mL (½ teaspoon) household bleach per litre (4 cups) of water or 30 mL (1 ounce or 2 tablespoons) household bleach per 15 litres (3.3 gallons) of water (or a sink half-filled with water).	100 ppm (parts per million)
Quaternary ammonium (QUATS)	Follow manufacturer’s instructions for mixing and using QUATS. Product must have a drug identification number (DIN) from Health Canada.	200 ppm for surfaces that touch food
Iodine	Follow manufacturer’s instructions.	12.5 to 25 ppm
Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide (AHP)	Follow manufacturer’s instructions for mixing. Product must have a DIN from by Health Canada.	0.5% AHP (with disinfectant claim)

Call your public health inspector if you have questions.

To learn more, contact Alberta Health Services Environmental Public Health.

Current as of: August 15, 2022

Author: Environmental Public Health, Alberta Health Services

This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.

Include ImagesLarge Print