By Gabriela Baron Here is a guide on how to safely and effectively make a bleach disinfectant solution according to the Department of Health (DOH). The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 may survive for several days on some surfaces so it is crucial to clean surfaces and bleach is a strong and effective disinfectant. Steps in making 0.5 percent sodium hypochlorine/bleach infectant solution: Prepare all the materials needed (gloves, water, bucket, bleach, measuring cup, and a container for your solution)

• Use gloves and apron while making the solution
• Pour the amount of water needed to the bucket, add the bleach after
  • Option 1: Using a bleach that has 5 percent active chlorine: Mix 100 milliliter bleach per 900 milileters of water
  • Option 2: Using a chlorine powder that has 60-70 percent active chlorine: Mix 1 tablespoon of chlorine per two liters of water
• Put the solution in a container/spray bottle and label it properly and put it in a place where kids cannot reach it.

Bleach mixtures can be used only on hard surfaces -- they will permanently damage most fabrics and many other soft materials -- and are unpleasant to work with so wear gloves and ventilate the place as well. The DOH also advised to not mix more than you will use within a day or two because bleach degrades rapidly once taken from its original container, becoming less effective each day.