Abstract: A vessel (14) receives biological fluid wastes. After the biological fluids wastes are drained (24) from the vessel, the vessel is sprayed (36) with a cleaning and decontaminating solution. The solution is formed by mixing water with powdered reagents including (a) a highly soluble hypochlorite, preferably lithium hypochlorite, (b) a chelator including citrate and gluconate salts and EDTA, (c) a buffer for buffering the pH to a range of 7.0 to 13.0, (d) a stabilizer for stabilizing the hypochlorite, (e) a corrosion inhibitor, preferably an organic corrosion inhibitor such as a triazole and an inorganic inhibitor such as a molybdate, and (f) a surfactant, preferably present in a concentration of 0.2 to 5%. After the interior of the vessel has been decontaminated and the drain has been closed, the solution continues to be introduced into the vessel, such that a charge of the solution is present in the vessel to decontaminate next received biological waste fluids.