Having a natural disinfectant in the house is indispensable. Germs are everywhere and they pose a real threat to our health. Bacteria from your food and crevices around the kitchen; microbes released by your ill child who recently got over a terrible virus; germs brought inside from your dog… the risk of ending up with a box of tissues by your side and a stuffy nose, is real. And although you may think that anti-bacterial detergents are the answer to all your problems, you should reconsider.
Read on to find out what you can you to make your own safe home detergent.
Though you might have been taught that homemade disinfectants are not as effective as the conventional anti-bacterial detergents you get at the store, you would be surprised to know that studies have shown that certain substances you might have at home are just as powerful as anti-bacterial ones.
Our trusty old friend bleach is not your best option. Sure, it can get rid of almost anything unwanted on any surface around your house, but the fumes are dangerous for your eyes and your lungs. Your health should not be a compromise.
White vinegar is your best bet. It contains 5% acetic acid, which has great antimicrobial properties, and is powerful enough to kill nearly all household bacteria, mold and mildew. Not only is it safe to use, it is also good for the environment as it’s completely biodegradable.
As surprising as it may seem, certain oils are also able to provide you with a natural way to get rid of unwanted bugs. Tee trea, neem and orange oil can be used to clean your house and to leave it smelling better than cleaning with artificial cleaners.
Furthermore, hydrogen peroxide is also a great option for a clean house. So much so that it’s also recommended to be used in hospital settings. It’s non-toxic and it simply breaks down into water and oxygen.
if you want a universal natural detergent to keep at hand, it will suffice to get 1 part vinegar, 1 part water and a few drops of the pure essential oil of your choice. Add more vinegar if you need a more potent detergent and always make sure you’re using pure essential oils and not just fragrance oils.
If you’re one to buy second hand toys or you simply want to clean your sick child’s toys before letting any of his/her siblings use them, you may want to make sure they are bacteria free to prevent the disease from spreading. There are two simple ways you could disinfect them toys. After washing them with water and soap as you would normally do, you have a choice: you can either use herbs or you can use vinegar:
Additional tip: if you don’t have big enough bowls, put the mixture inside a spray bottle and spray the toys until wet.
Though it may be hard to accept, commercial laundry detergents are not the best solution for clean clothes. In fact, they simply remove the outer most layer of dirt, while leaving the deeper ones untouched and proliferating colonies of microbes that end up taking over your washing machine. But fear not! There are simple and inexpensive ways to get clean clothes, both inside and out.
Vinegar and Baking Soda. It’s common knowledge by now that both vinegar and baking soda are miracle disinfectants for items and places around the house. However, this powerful combo can do wonders for your clothes. Baking soda helps boost the cleaning power of your common detergent as it helps increase the alkalinity of the water, and vinegar helps remove excess soap from your clothes, leaving them softer than usual. Thus, all you need to do is add 1/4 of baking soda with the detergent and 1/2 cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle. You may also add a few drops of essential oils to leave them smelling even better.
Lavender. Not only does this herb exude a very pleasant aroma that provides relaxation and relief, it also holds anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties. Just add a few of drops of lavender oil along with unscented detergent, and expect to have fresh- and natural- smelling laundry for days.