These days, people are more interested than ever before in the best ways to sanitize and disinfect their homes and other surfaces they come in contact with. Families are stocking up on cart-loads of chemicals in an attempt to kill germs and keep themselves safe. However, there are also more natural approaches cleaning that are effective but that aren’t as harsh or dangerous to your health or the environment.
Here is an overview of natural disinfectants to consider as you clean the various parts of your home.
White Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural product that belongs in every home because of its versatility and effectiveness for cleaning and disinfecting. White vinegar is made from acetic acid and has a high enough acidity to reduce bacteria on surfaces without the use of bleach.
Borax
Borax is a common household cleaning ingredient and a natural mineral that comes from the earth. It is effective for removing stains and killing mold and bacteria. Homemade DIY recipes even use it to make a natural insect repellent.
Rubbing Alcohol
Choose rubbing alcohol with a 70 percent concentration to be an effective disinfectant without chemical products. This is a major ingredient in hand sanitizer, and you can even make your own hand sanitizer with rubbing alcohol and aloe vera gel.
Hot Water Steam
Another effective way to disinfect items without chemicals is to simply heat up water to produce steam. Steam helps remove stains and grease and is also a sanitizer for various surfaces. Just be patient while steaming because it can take up to half a minute to sanitize an area and remove bacteria and germs effectively.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can be used for much more than just treating cuts and wounds on the skin. It is a natural cleaning product that can kill mold and remove stains. Just be careful when using this product because it can bleach fabrics or etch stone surfaces with frequent use.
Olive Leaf Surface Cleaner
To safely wash away germs without chemicals, we recommend Seagate Olive Leaf Surface Cleaner, which is a 100% all-natural approach to cleaning. It contains 99% olive leaf extract and 1% grapefruit seed extract, both of which have natural antimicrobial properties and is gentle and effective to use on everything from cell phones to baby cribs and pet bowls.
Lemons
Lemons contain citric acid, which is used to sanitize non-porous surfaces. It has also been studied for its effectiveness in reducing bacteria on surfaces. An added benefit of cleaning with lemon is that it will make your house smell fresh and clean.
Vodka
Certain types of alcohol, especially vodka, are effective for disinfecting surfaces and removing mold and mildew. Choose 100-proof vodka if you can find it for the most effective cleaning.