Final answer:
Chemical sanitizers should be mixed only with water to ensure they are effective and safe. Water serves as a neutral solvent for sanitizing chemicals, aiding in proper dilution and activation of their microorganism-killing properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chemical sanitizers are in a concentrated form and should be mixed only with water. Mixing them with other substances like acids, alcohols, or bases can lead to dangerous chemical reactions, ineffective sanitizing mixtures, or potentially hazardous conditions. Water is the usual mixing agent for concentrates because it is a neutral solvent that does not react with the sanitizing chemicals. Furthermore, water can aid in the proper dilution of a sanitizer, ensuring that it is effective at killing microorganisms without being too harsh or corrosive.
For example, alcohols such as ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol are used in solutions of around 70% mixed with water because they work better in aqueous solutions. Water helps to denature proteins effectively, which is crucial for the sanitizer’s ability to kill bacteria and viruses. Pure alcohols can coagulate proteins on contact, preventing effective penetration and killing of microbes. Thus, appropriate dilution with water is necessary to ensure the effectiveness and safety of alcohol-based sanitizers.