monsterbeard":3pzjaup3 said:
Do any moderators or professionals have any advice on removing possible bacteria?
Vinegar is not an effective disinfectant, at least not on its own. Also the fumes are an irritant.
Here are my recommendations.
A 10% bleach solution is pretty much the universal standard as a general purpose disinfectant. Contact times can very, but soaking the driftwood or rocks for approximately 30 minutes should suffice. You'll need to scrub the items with soap and water first, then soak, as the presence of debris and other soils can prevent the item from being fully disinfected. After the 10% bleach solution soak, soak in fresh water for an equal amount of time then let air dry.
Option 2. Go to home deport and purchase a product called Simple Green d Pro 3 (or Pro 5). This is a QUAT based disinfectant (Quaternary ammonium compound), which makes it a VERY effective disinfectant. The pro 5 is straight disinfectant while the Pro 3 has a mild detergent mixed in. Dilution ratios are something to the effect of 2 ounces per gallon of water. Allow the items to soak for 20 minutes at the recommended dilution ration, then rinse with fresh water (for wood, soak for 20 minutes in fresh water). I personally use the Pro 3, and it is very effective while having a mild non-irritating odor when diluted that rinses clean.
Option 3. Chlorhexidine Gluconate. Typically used as a topical disinfectant during surgeries and for other topical uses like ear cleaning in dogs and wound dressing. Can also be used as an effective disinfectant that is very safe for use around animals. Sold under several brand names, though the above is the generic name. You might be able to find a variety of this at a pet store, probably labeled for ear cleaning, though you'll save money by ordering a concentrate online. A quick rinse is all that is needed, as this is safe for direct skin (and scale) contact.
Option 4. This is perhaps the most interesting, though all my research points to it as effective. In one spray bottle put white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. In another spray bottle put 3% hydrogen peroxide. Place item to be disinfected on a flat surface and start spraying it with both bottles. Allow to sit for 5 minutes, then rinse. Vinegar on its own is not very effective at disinfection, and neither is hydrogen peroxide. But both of them mixed directly on a surface results in a pretty incredibly combo that is safe and effective. There is science behind it, but that's for another day. The key is that the pair has to be mixed directly on the surface to be cleaned. Placing them both in the same bottle defeats the purpose, as the chemical reaction taking place is quickly exhausted and the mixture becomes ineffective if pre-mixed. The order of spraying doesn't matter, as long as you spray one directly after the other (or both at the same time if you want to channel your inner rambo and dual wield the sprayers).
Option 5. Boil or bake. I don't recommend boiling or baking rocks, as rocks can have moisture pockets inside which can lead to cracking or exploding when heated. The wood can be boiled or baked. Boil for 7 minutes, or bake at 250 degrees for 2hrs.