Connecticut Barber Licensure Practice Exam

The correct ratio of water to bleach for disinfecting tools is a 1:10 solution, which means one part bleach to ten parts water. This concentration is effective for disinfecting surfaces and tools in a barbershop environment because it is strong enough to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi without being overly harsh, which can damage the equipment or surfaces being disinfected.

Using the proper dilution is crucial for ensuring safety and efficacy when disinfecting. A stronger solution, such as a 1:5 mixture, would be excessively concentrated and could pose risks for both tool damage and harmful inhalation of bleach fumes. Similarly, a 1:7 or 1:12 ratio would either be insufficiently concentrated for effective disinfection or could be unnecessarily diluted, leading to a less effective sanitization process. Therefore, the 1:10 ratio is the recommended standard and is widely recognized for effective microbial control in personal care settings.