BWA Fact Sheet On Washing Dishes and Countertops

When a Boil Water Advisory is in effect, follow these steps for using water. These methods will "disinfect" your dishes. This means destroying the microorganisms that can make you sick.

Wash dishes by hand using one of these three ways:

• Use boiled water for washing dishes.
  OR
• Wash dishes in soap and hot tap water then rinse them in boiled water.
  OR
• Wash dishes in soap and hot tap water and then rinse them in the following solution. Mix approximately 30 ml (1 oz) of bleach in 13.5 litres (3 gallons) of water at room temperature. Let dishes soak for at least one minute in this solution. Let the dishes air dry. Hint - Half-fill a normal kitchen sink and add 30 ml (1 oz) of bleach.

Wash dishes using a dishwasher one of these two ways:

• Use your dishwasher's "hot" setting. It safely disinfects dishes.
  OR
• For dishwashers without a "hot" setting, finish the cycle then rinse them in the following solution. Mix approximately 30 ml (1 oz) of liquid household bleach in 13.5 litres (3 gallons) of water at room temperature. Let dishes soak for at least one minute in this solution. Let the dishes air dry. Hint - Half-fill a normal kitchen sink and add 30 ml (1 oz) of bleach.

Clean countertops, chopping boards, and utensils in this way:

• Clean first with soap and hot water then wipe with the following solution: Mix approximately 30 ml (6 tsp) of liquid household bleach in 4.5 litres (1 gallon) of water. This is a stronger solution that the one used for rinsing dishes. Do not reuse or store this solution. Make it fresh daily. Keep it out of reach of children in a tightly closed container.