Solutions, methods and kits for deactivating nucleic acids

1. A homogenous solution for use in preventing nucleic acids from acting as templates in an amplification reaction when the solution is combined with a nucleic acid deactivating agent, the solution consisting essentially of a corrosion-inhibiting agent, a wetting agent, and a solubilizing agent, each of the agents remaining substantially in solution at 22° C.,

wherein the wetting agent and the solubilizing agent are each needed to maintain the other agent substantially in solution in the presence of the corrosion-inhibiting agent,

wherein the amount of each agent is such that, when combined with a nucleic acid deactivating agent in an amount sufficient for the solution to substantially deactivate nucleic acids, the corrosion-inhibiting agent reduces the corrosive properties of the deactivating agent, the wetting agent improves the dispersion properties of the deactivating agent on a solid surface and/or increases the solubility of the deactivating agent and/or other material that may be present on a solid surface or in a solution, and the solubilizing agent increases the solubility of at least one of the deactivating agent, the corrosion-inhibiting agent and the wetting agent, and

wherein the solution does not include a nucleic acid deactivating agent;

wherein the corrosion-inhibiting agent comprises sodium bicarbonate; the wetting agent comprises a detergent; and the solubilizing agent comprises an emulsifying agent.