How to Disinfect Your Plumbing Tools: 10 Basic Steps

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How to Disinfect Your Plumbing Tools

Here are 10 steps on how to disinfect your plumbing tools for use again! Plumbing tools are notoriously difficult to disinfect, but not impossible. With the right tools and some know-how, you can be sure that your plumbing work is clean and free of any harmful bacteria or viruses.

How to Disinfect Your Plumbing Tools

Step 1: Disinfect your hands

Steps to disinfecting don’t end after you’re done cleaning up the tools. This step is probably the most important one because if any bacteria or virus makes its way onto your skin it can cause serious health problems later on. Wash and scrub all parts of your body that could have come into contact with anything dirty.

Steps 2: Scrub with bleach

Now that you’ve disinfected your hands, it’s time to clean the tools of any bacteria or residue. Mix a solution of either one part bleach and nine parts water or a capful of chlorine in five gallons of warm water. Dip your plumber’s wrench into the mixture and scrub all around until it is thoroughly coated, including on both sides.

If there are areas where some grime is particularly difficult to remove from cracks and crevices, dip cotton balls into vinegar after they have soaked for about 15 minutes in baking soda mixed with hydrogen peroxide (a ratio of three teaspoons each). Wipe down those more stubborn spots before letting them air dry outside overnight.

Steps 3: Dry with an ultraviolet light

Sunlight is great for disinfecting your tools, but if you don’t have access to the sun all day long it’s best not to worry about it. Instead, use a UV lamp or bulb that emits both UVA and UVB rays.

These are typically found in tanning beds at salons, which makes sense because they’re used to kill bacteria! Soak up some of those rays while they’re still strong outside (before noon) then let them dry overnight on top of newspaper or paper towels indoors.

Steps 4: Put everything together

Once everything has dried out completely, put the wrench back together and store it away where you keep other plumbing supplies until needed again. Make sure that everything is completely dry before putting it away for storage to prevent rusting and corrosion.

Step 5: Put on rubber gloves

Now that you’re all clean, put your latex or nitrile gloves back on. The last thing you want when doing plumbing work is any kind of disease getting into the pipes!

You can also choose to wear a face mask if particles in the air could get caught up in your nose or mouth. This isn’t necessarily necessary but will help keep out germs even more. And remember not to accidentally touch your eyes with dirty hands while wearing these protective tools!

Step 6: Use anti-rust spray cans / Solvent works best

This step only applies if you’re using a wrench that opens up because it needs to be completely dry before putting away. If the tool is rust-resistant, you don’t have to worry about this step at all! However, if your plumber’s wrench isn’t rust-proof use an anti-rust spray can or other solvents on any metal parts while wearing nitrile gloves. This will help prevent corrosion and prolong its life so you won’t need to buy another one for years down the road!

Step 7: Store in plastic / Keep tools separate from each other

Again, if everything has been dried out properly there should not be any issues with storing these tools together. But if they are wet when put back into storage make sure they are each in their own plastic bag or container! This will keep them from dripping onto any other tools and causing rust.

Step 8: Keep stored upright / Don’t stack too high on top of one another

The last step to storing your plumber’s wrench is simple but important. When you put it away for storage, make sure it’s standing up so that the liquid doesn’t get into the mechanism if there isn’t a separate cap over it.

If this happens then some parts can rust even when everything has been dried out properly.

And finally, try not to store anything else on top of these plumbing supplies because they’re at risk of getting dirty again due to contact with other items nearby! Keeping everything organized and in its own place will help prevent any accidental contamination.

Step 9: Store away where the sun shines through the window during the day / Keep separate from other tools if they are wet when put away

When everything has dried out properly, it’s safe to store these items together in a cabinet or regular toolbox, just make sure that you don’t have too many things piled on top of each other so that none can get damaged!

The last thing you want is for your plumbing supplies to rust just because someone else was careless about storage. And finally, keep them stored somewhere with direct sunlight coming in during the daytime hours whenever possible.

This helps disinfect anything leftover even after all of our steps! But again, if there are any issues with moisture or rusting, store these tools separately to avoid any accidental contamination.

Step 10: Repeat for other tools!

Repeat this process on all of your plumbing supplies including pliers and wrenches.

Remember that every tool has its own specific disinfection method so make sure you read the instructions carefully before beginning each step in order to get the best results possible while keeping everyone safe from harm along the way!

And finally, don’t forget to put everything away properly when done cleaning because leaving them out defeats the purpose if someone else touches it by accident! The last thing you want is a disease getting into your home’s pipes due to another person who didn’t bother following proper procedure!

Remember, maintaining and cleaning your tools properly will help to keep your home safe from disease-causing organisms that could end up in the air or water supply.

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