How to Disinfect for Ringworm

If you are having a bout with ringworm, your home requires proper disinfection 1. Because ringworm is technically a fungus and not a worm at all, it spreads by airborne spores, and it can be extremely difficult to get rid of. Not only that, but the fungus is extremely contagious; therefore, home disinfection should be an immediate concern if you are dealing with an outbreak in your family or with your pets.

Wash all hard surfaces with antibacterial soap and water, including countertops, door handles and floor molding. Repeat this process one to three times, scrubbing vigorously each time.

Disinfect countertops with a 1:10 diluted bleach solution. To create the 1:10 diluted bleach solution, mix 1 cup bleach with 10 cups water. Leave the solution on the surface for at least five minutes, and then rinse with warm water and allow it to air dry. Repeat this at process least three times per week until your stint with ringworm is over.

Vacuum carpeted floors, and throw away the bags afterward. Vacuuming is one of the most effective ways to get rid of the fungal spores in your home. Clean next to walls and in hard-to-reach spots where spores may have settled with vacuum attachments. You can also buy an inexpensive vacuum cleaner and then simply throw it away after the ringworm is fully eliminated from your home to ensure that you won't reinfect the area later.

Steam clean carpeted floors. Although steam itself is not hot enough or powerful enough to kill the ringworm fungus, steam cleaning helps remove the spores that settle in your carpet.

Dust surfaces with an electrostatic cloth. Dusting catches excess spores that you might have missed while vacuuming and steam cleaning; electrostatic cloths trap dust particles that carry the spores instead of just stirring dust around as many dusters do.

Wash clothes, bedding and curtains on hot cycle with detergent and bleach. It's best to use 1 1/4 cups bleach per load, but if that amount is too strong, add 3/4 cups bleach per load. Dry the laundry loads on a hot setting.

Replace furnace and air-conditioner filters weekly until your house is fully decontaminated.

Place fans in front of open windows. Point them so they draw air out of the house. Fungal spores become airborne very easily, so fans help expel them from the house while you are cleaning.

Discard animal bedding, toys, blankets, collars and brushes to avoid the risk of reinfection.

Confine infected animals to one room. Keeping your pets in one room significantly decreases the spread of the ringworm spore, because the spores travel in the pets’ hair and fur.