Climate change coupled with rapidly spreading diseases has significantly impacted the health and lives of people worldwide. As a result, the demand for “stay home – stay safe” is increasingly emphasized and applied across all nations. Certainly, everyone wants to keep their home clean and safe; however, the continuous cleaning and disinfection can be exhausting and costly.
Safe Disinfection Methods for Your Home
The good news is that we can disinfect our homes without using harmful chemicals or spending a lot of money on professional services. By using natural products that are inexpensive and human-friendly, we can better protect the health of our families, ourselves, and the environment.
1. Vinegar
Anyone who has used vinegar as a cleaning solution has positive feedback about it. Although some may find its smell slightly unpleasant, this does not diminish its effectiveness in cleaning. With a completely natural origin, vinegar contains a high level of acetic acid, along with excellent antibacterial and mold-killing properties.
Among the many uses of vinegar, it is most commonly used for cleaning glass and stainless steel without leaving any streaks. Additionally, if your bathroom frequently has a musty smell, the best approach is to spray vinegar in those areas, as it effectively eliminates mold and unpleasant odors from your restroom. Furthermore, vinegar can also neutralize fishy smells from food such as fish, shrimp, and other seafood without affecting their flavor.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
Surely, everyone has used hydrogen peroxide at least once in their life, whether for small cuts or larger wounds on the skin… it is effective for killing bacteria. Additionally, one of the lesser-known uses of hydrogen peroxide is its ability to clean stains. Whether it’s coffee stains, leftover food, or even sweat from the body… all can be easily removed with hydrogen peroxide.
Combining hydrogen peroxide with vinegar can create a “magical” solution that will help reduce your cleaning efforts by 50%, whether you’re scrubbing the bathroom, sink, or quickly cleaning up carpets/mats in your home. An added bonus for hydrogen peroxide is that its smell is much more pleasant compared to vinegar.
3. Lemon Juice
If your home or appliances are stained with alkaline residues such as soap scum, tea stains, or grease splatters… use lemon juice to clean them. The citric acid in lemons can break down the bonds of residue, making them loose and easier to clean. You can also use lemon to polish copper pots and pans, making them look newer. Besides its excellent cleaning properties, lemon can also disinfect hard surfaces and kill harmful bacteria. The pleasant scent of lemon provides a relaxing and safe atmosphere for everyone.
4. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a completely natural essential oil extracted from the leaves of the Australian tea tree. It has excellent antibacterial, antifungal, and natural disinfectant properties, making it widely used in the cosmetics and skincare industry. It is also a great household cleaner when diluted with water. Since the oil is quite concentrated, you only need to add a few drops to create an effective cleaning solution. Regular use of tea tree oil for cleaning countertops and tiles will provide excellent antibacterial results and leave a pleasant scent in your living space.
5. Soap and Water
If the goal is simply to clean and disinfect your home, the easiest way is to mix a tablespoon of soap into water for mopping. This will help eliminate bacteria on the floor and provide a clean, shiny space for your family. Soap and water are relatively environmentally friendly cleaning agents and pose no harm to young children. In addition to bacteria, this “cheap” solution also repels insects like ants and flies.
