KEEP A LID ON GERMS

Got a question for our expert? Click on the "Ask a question" button below. Also why not check out answers to the most frequently asked questions as well.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Animals

Does Domestos kill the campylobacter infection?

Yes, the campylobacter bacterium can be killed on surfaces by thick bleach, but I suggest that if your pet has been diagnosed with carrying the bacteria you should employ good hygiene practices to prevent the infection passing on to your family. Make sure you all wash your hands regularly, particularly after handling your pet. Clean floors and surfaces with a dilute solution of bleach or bleach spray (such as Domestos Bleach Cleaning Spray). Clean up spillages immediately and disinfect cleaning cloths, mops etc. overnight by soaking in a dilute solution of bleach. Finally ensure that towels, laundry, animal bedding etc are all washed separately.

Germ Specific

Can any/all of your products reduce/kill the Norovirus on work surfaces etc?

Yes, all Domestos bleach products can kill the Norovirus germ when used undiluted but check that the surface is OK for bleach e.g. bleach is not advisable on polished wood, enamel or plated metal. It sounds like you already know that the virus is highly infectious and can be picked up by others through, among other ways, contact with contaminated surfaces. Surfaces can be contaminated by droplets of vomit, by water from a flushed toilet or by hand. The virus spreads when other people, or food, touch these now-contaminated surfaces and then ingest them, which shows how important it is to ensure that frequently touched areas like light switches, the computer mouse, door handles etc. are cleaned and disinfected regularly using a bleach based cleaner.

I have heard that if you have got Norovirus you should clean your toilet with bleach should this be before or after use?

Keeping the toilet hygienically clean becomes very important when someone in the house has Norovirus or diarrhoea. In these instances the toilet becomes a hygiene hotspot and should be hygienically cleaned with bleach after each time they use it to help prevent the spread on infection to others: it is also helpful to close the toilet seat before flushing to prevent an aerosol from the toilet contaminating nearby surfaces. Additionally it is important to clean areas in the bathroom that the ill person may have touched before washing their hands such as toilet flush handles and taps and keep their towels, toothbrushes etc separate.

Grouting

I have tough black mould in the ridges of my bath tub next to the tiles what can I do to get rid of it?

Moulds can pose a risk for those with respiratory problems like asthma as the spores they release can be inhaled and irritate the lungs. Domestos Grotbuster is the thickest bleach cleaner and has a thin tipped directional nozzle so you can apply it straight to the source of the problem. After checking the surfaces are suitable for use with a tough bleach based cleaner, you should apply to the area affected and leave for 5 minutes while the product gets to work before rinsing if it still remains in the grout and sealant around your bath, try repeating the process.

Ingredients

Is there hydrogen peroxide in bleach?

No, there is no hydrogen peroxide in Domestos thick bleach. Hydrogen peroxide is a different type of bleach that is oxygen-based. All Domestos bleaches use chlorine based bleach. You should not attempt to bleach your hair with Domestos products.

Maggots & Bins

We are on a fortnightly bin collection - How do you get rid of an infestation of maggots from bins and surrounding flower beds?

Once your bin has been emptied rinse with boiling water and tip out to remove any maggots, then get a mop and using a dilute solution of bleach scrub the inside to remove any food traces or mould that may attract flies. Dont forget to give the lid and handle a quick spray and wipe down to help keep your bin hygienically clean. To avoid infestations in your bin you should also: wrap up organic food waste properly or use separate composting facilities; rinse all food containers, cans, bottles and pots; keep your bin lid closed to stop flies getting in and laying eggs this will also help keep smells to a minimum.

Limescale

Can I use Zero Limescale on my bath & taps?

No, Zero Limescale Toilet Limescale Remover has been designed for use in the toilet only, to get rid of tough limescale above and below the waterline.

How long do you wait after using Zero Limescale before I can use Domestos with bleach?

Zero Limescale should not be mixed with any other cleaning products, including bleach. After using Zero Limescale you should flush the toilet several times to ensure the product has been removed from the bowl.

Recycling

Can I recycle my Domestos bottles?

Yes, in many areas you can now recycle plastic bottles although remember to wash the bottles out first and remove the lids. Some borough councils will pick up plastic in your regular recycling collection but it may be worth checking using the postcode finder on http://www.recyclenow.com/ as you may have to drop them off yourself at a central recycling point.

I have a compost bin as well as my other regular recycling bins can I clean this with Domestos or will it damage the compost?

It is fine to clean your compost bin with Domestos products. Giving your bin a good clean and rinse out once it has been emptied will help keep the bin hygienically clean and get rid of any moulds that are developing. Giving the lid and handle a squirt of Domestos Bleach Cleaning Spray will help prevent the spread of germs when opening and closing and reduce odours which can attract flies and other vermin.

Safety

Is it safe to use bleach if you have a septic tank?

The normal use of bleach is perfectly safe with properly functioning septic tanks - according to septic tank manufacturers. On arrival in the tank, massive amounts of organic matter inactivate any remaining traces of bleach used before it has any chance to inactivate bacteria in the tank.
Septic tanks malfunction for a variety of reasons, commonly overloading e.g. with fatty material, or through failure to empty sufficiently leading to blockage.

Can I use bleach on all household surfaces?

As stated clearly on the pack label, it is not advisable to use bleach on enamel or plated metal. It is also stated that it should not be used undiluted on floors and care should be taken not to spill on fabrics/furnishings/carpets.

What ingredients are in Domestos?

Domestos Thick Bleach contains the chlorine based bleaching agent Sodium Hypochlorite, this is the same chemical that makes drinking water safe and swimming pools clean enough to swim in. Other ingredients include non-iconic surfactants, soap, perfume and limonene.

Other

What is MRSA?

A strain of the common Straphylococcus aureus (SA) bacteria, it is resistant to many antibiotics making the infections it causes difficult to treat. One in three people carry the SA bacteria on their skin, which they can shed onto other surfaces. About 1 in 100 carries MRSA, mainly elderly people who have been in hospital. While MRSA is not normally a problem for the carrier (unless they have a cut or broken skin), they can spread it to more vulnerable people. MRSA usually poses little risk to healthy people. Some strains are appearing that infect healthy people more easily and produce a PVL toxin causing rapid tissue damage, but these remain rare. Risk of infection increases when people have a cut, wound or other skin damage so in these instances people should take extra care. The elderly, very young or the unwell are most at risk as their immune systems are weakened.
Symptoms of MRSA include boils, sores or itchy blisters. If it gets into the blood stream, MRSA can cause blood poisoning and serious illness.

Preventing spread:

• Hand washing is the single most important step in preventing the spread of MRSA especially after contact with an infected person/carrier
• Do not share towels, facecloths, toothbrushes or other personal hygiene items with an infected person/carrier
• Cover cuts and grazes with a dressing using antiseptic
• Disinfect cloths by soaking in bleach after each use, particularly after use in the immediate area of the patient or bathroom and toilet used by the patient
• Clothing, sheets, pillows and lines from the infected patient/carrier should be kept separate from the rest of the family laundry and should be laundered at 60 degrees Celsius using a laundry product which contains bleach

General

My gran reckons her mum used Domestos when she was little. Is this true and if so has it changed much?

Domestos was first sold in the UK in 1929 so there is a very good chance that your great-granny did in fact use it. In those days there was only one type of Domestos and it was sold by a man on his bicycle called Wilf Handley. Wilf had a stoneware jar on the front of his bike and went from door to door selling Domestos to happy customers. Nowadays, Domestos thick bleach comes in a range of smells and bottles designed for your convenience.

Why should I use Domestos rather than my usual multipurpose cleaners?

Detergents are good for removing visible dirt and (some) germs on rinsable items such as plates and glasses. But when it comes to surfaces and items that are difficult to rinse, disinfectant products, such as bleach, that kill micro-organisms are needed to make things hygienically clean. You need a product that kills all types of germs, as many hygienic cleaners are only designed to tackle bacteria. Only bleach is capable of killing all types of germs, including bacteria, viruses, moulds and mildew.

There are loads of stories in the papers about scary bugs such as MRSA and Avian Flu. Are all the scare stories true and where can I go to find out more information?

It is true that the papers are littered with stories about the latest outbreaks of life threatening bugs, of which there is some truth and some degree of speculation. We've worked with the experts in the field to separate the truth from the myths in order to arm you with the facts so that you can best protect yourself if need be. Simply click through to the World of Germs section to find out everything you need to know about MRSA, C.Difficile etc. Domestos has been passionate about public awareness campaigns and helping families to protect their homes since 1929. By using Domestos to keep your home hygienically clean you can have peace of mind that your families' health will be protected from the nasty germs that inhibit our homes. We take great pride in working with 'germ experts' in order to educate you about the dangers of germs and how to tackle them in your home.

Isn’t bleach really dangerous and isn’t it bad for the environment?

All household cleaners should be used with caution and always refer to the back of pack for clear instructions as to how to use them, however bleach isn’t as dangerous as you may think. Bleach is a versatile disinfectant and is known to be a powerful cleaner in your home. In fact, it’s so powerful that it’s often thought to be harmful for the environment. However, the truth is that bleach starts as salt and water and ends as salt and water. The end product contains no free chlorine, as it quickly breaks down into essentially salt and water during or after use.

Is it true that you can use Domestos outside of the loo? I have a friend who uses it everywhere!

Thick bleach is incredibly versatile. It can be used neat to clean your loo or can be diluted down and used to clean bigger surfaces such as your kitchen floors and worktops. If you are looking for something a little more convenient then Domestos Bleach Cleaning Spray is the perfect solution. It already comes in a dilute formulation which means you can spray it directly onto many surfaces in your home, from chopping boards and kitchen worktops to the inside of your fridge. It’s also got a directable nozzle so now you can target all those hard to reach areas within the home.

Is there such a thing as being too clean? Don’t you need some germs to build up your immunity?

However much you clean you will never be able to get rid of all the germs in your house so it is important to concentrate on the places in the home where germs are most likely to be present and where the risk of passing them on is highest. This is called ‘Hotspot Hygiene’ and is a targeted approach to cleaning rather than attempting to clean everything in sight. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that keeping your house hygienically clean weakens your immunity and makes you more susceptible to picking up germs.

Is it true that germs from my loo can end up on my toothbrush?

There is evidence that proves that if you flush the loo without the lid down germs can spread from the toilet and land on other nearby objects in the bathroom such as your toothbrush. Even if you put the lid down when you flush, germs can still escape through the cracks in the toilet seat. The unique formulation means it kills all known germs on contact and goes on working five times longer than any other bleach or toilet cleaner.

The water in our bath takes ages to drain away. Using a plunger hasn’t worked. Can you help?

Lots of people have this problem. If it happens in the bathroom it is likely to be as a result of hair and soap scum whereas if you get a blockage in the kitchen it’s most likely because of grease and scraps of food. If a plunger hasn’t worked a good next step would be to try Domestos Sink & Pipe Unblocker, which is capable of dissolving plughole blockages in as little as 15 minutes. Don’t forget once you have got rid of the blockage, give your plugholes an occasional squirt of Domestos thick bleach can help to prevent blockages and save you the expense of a plumber.

I use a lot of bleach in and around my home. My neighbour told me I could potentially be harming the animals in our street. Is this true? - Mags Coyle, BELFAST

Not at all. Bleach is safe, both for people and the environment, when used properly. In fact, once used it is broken down rapidly, almost entirely into common salt and oxygen (or water).
As with all products, to get the best and most efficient results from bleach, always follow the usage and dosing instructions on pack.

How do I eradicate maggots from my wheelie bin? - David Travis, GODALMING

1. Empty the contents of the bin into a new bin liner.Tie it at the neck which will stop any maggots getting out.
2. Clean out the bin.Use boiling water to kill any maggots. (Drain the liquid into a foul drain (e.g. the drain outside the kitchen) not a rainwater drain.)
3. Rinse out the bin with dilute Domestos bleach or Domestos bleach cleaning spray.
4. Put the bin liner of rubbish back in the bin

How do I prevent maggots from living in my bin? - Anna Mason, STOKE-ON-TRENT

To prevent the build up of maggots in your bin make sure that you wrap food waste so it is enclosed and doesn't spill out into the bin. This will prevent flies from landing on the waste and laying eggs.

We have green wheelie bins for garden waste. Would domestos affect the composting process? - Bernadette Griffenn SUNDERLAND

Assuming the kitchen compost intermediate bin is well rinsed it shouldn’t adversely affect the waste going to be composted.

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