Calf Talk

May, 2010

Volume 16, No. 5

BLEACH IS NOT A GOOD DISINFECTANT

By: Russ Schnepper, DVM

Bleach is commonly looked upon as an inexpensive disinfectant. Bleach produces such a smell and is hard on the eyes of the person applying it, so it must be good. But in reality, you are smelling the chlorine gas that is given off as the bleach is inactivated. Organic matter such as manure, milk, feed, bedding, and plain dirt will neutralize the chlorine bleach. (Bleach is made to sanitize bar glasses that have already been washed.) Bleach is a good sanitizer to use after the item has already been well washed. Personally, I would rather see a building, pens, equipment, etc., be well scrubbed and washed with soap and water rather than be disinfected. The person doing the cleaning will do a better job if he knows it is not being disinfected. I have seen pens with caked on manure and the person doing the cleaning is not concerned because they are going to spray disinfectant over the manure rather than wash it off. To prove a point, I have scrapped the manure off, after it has been disinfected, and cultured the manure. Many bacteria still grew after the disinfectant had been sprayed over the manure.

Chlorine bleach is a strong oxidizing agent. It is hazardous if not used properly. If bleach is mixed with ammonia or vinegar the reaction can release poisonous chlorine gas. If sanitizing with bleach, you need to be in a well ventilated area. If bleach gets in your eyes, rinse immediately with clean water and call your doctor. If you or a child swallows bleach, do not induce vomiting. Drink some milk to help neutralize the bleach. Call the Poison Control Center immediately at 1 800 222-1222.

There are a few that use bleach as a post milking teat dip, but it is not overly effective, as residual milk left on the teat helps inactivate the bleach. Bleach is extremely irritating. After several usages the teats become very sore.

Steam cleaners are good to clean the surfaces, but usually do not get hot enough to kill bacteria. Pressure washers likewise are excellent to clean facilities. Washing the bugs away are better than trying to kill them.

There are many excellent commercial disinfectants on the market. They do a good job if you use them according to the directions on the container. We like Tektrol or Synergize for disinfecting equipment and premisses, but if it is used on buckets, and other feeding equipment, they should be rinsed well before reuse.

I recommend using the same materials to clean the feeding equipment as you use to clean milking equipment in a dairy operation.

REMEMBER - BLEACH IS TO BE USED TO SANITIZE SURFACES THAT HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY CLEANED.

Contact information for ordering information and questions about our products:

Schnepper International, Inc.

3210 County B, Platteville, WI 53818

608-348-6141, Fax: 608-348-6146