3% hydrogen peroxide to disinfect urine-contaminated surfaces

Disinfecting urine-contaminated floors, surfaces and objects is a persistent challenge in healthcare. While chlorine-based compounds such as bleach are often used to decontaminate surfaces, they are known to degrade plastics and may leave harmful residues and release potentially irritant vapors making them unsuitable disinfectants for materials that come in direct contact with humans. The objective of this study was to evaluate an alternative urine disinfection procedure. Treating urine-contaminated surfaces with 3% hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was hypothesized to remove bacteria. Furthermore, when applicable, the efficacy of the same H₂O₂ stock solution for its repeated use over time was assessed further increasing simplicity and accessibility.

The effectiveness of disinfecting two materials, a flat plastic surface and a long lumen representing a more challenging surface to clean, was evaluated with a commonly used method of water and soap versus using a 3% H₂O₂ solution.

Contamination persisted when washing with soap and water but was effectively removed after one hour of H₂O₂ storage for flat plastic surfaces and after 3 hours for lumen surfaces. The same stock of H₂O₂ solution could be reused for up to three weeks with no colony formation.

The results show that bacteria can be removed from a urine-contaminated surface by being soaked in 3% H₂O₂ for one to three hours based on the surface type without the need for scrubbing or rinsing. The same stock solution can be used for repeated washes for up to three weeks to expand its sustainability and accessibility.