Is potentially contaminated water (where Cryptosporidium is not the significant contaminant) safe for washing dishes or clothes?
Yes, if you rinse hand washed dishes for a minute in dilute bleach (1 tablespoon per gallon of water). Allow dishes to completely air dry. Yes, if you clean your dishes in home dishwasher using the hot wash (170 degrees) and dry cycles. Note that not all dishwashers reach this temperature. Again, allow dishes to completely dry. Yes, for commercial dishwashers if you use a NSF listed washer manufactured with either a hot wash (170 degrees) or a disinfectant rinse. It is safe to wash clothes in tap water. 4. Is potentially contaminated water safe for bathing and shaving? The water may be used for showering, baths, shaving and washing, so long as care is taken not to swallow water. Children and disabled individuals should have their bathing supervised to ensure water is not ingested. The time spent bathing should be minimized. Though the risk of illness is minimal, individuals who have recent surgical wounds, are immunosuppressed, or suffering from chronic illness may want to consider usi
