While we just want our home surfaces to glow and shine, it’s not just their overall appearance that matters: just often-touched surfaces need to be disinfected on a regular basis. Sure, some of the natural cleaning products in your pantry or fridge (e.g.: vinegar and lemon juice) can successfully clean your countertops, sinks, and many other high-traffic areas, but they’re not packed with enough of the best ingredients to sanitize your space properly. That doesn’t mean you need to turn to conventional all-purpose cleaners to do the job, though.
How to eliminate bacteria with natural cleaning products
When used correctly, plant-based disinfectants may be almost as efficient as chemical cleaners. However not all-natural cleaners are made in the same way: to make sure you purchase the best cleaners, search for those licensed by the U.S. Environmental Security Organization including ingredients such as thymol, and the Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes and Cleaners. Such natural disinfectants destroy bacteria and viruses on hard surfaces, no matter whether they are sprayed or washed, but they function more slowly than chemical disinfectants. To disinfect correctly, rinse the surface with soap and water before using your favorite disinfectant and, based on the drug instruction, kill 99.999 percent of the germs. However, in case you don’t have time to do regular cleaning to your home, contact a good maid service.
Note: All cleaners promising to kill germs must be licensed with EPA. Every Lab needs to use it as a reference when checking sanitizers and disinfectants, it will ensure that if you follow the instructions, the drug will operate as stated. That being said, here are a few tips on how to clean, whether you prefer natural cleaning products or chemical products:
- Sanitizing is not the same thing as disinfecting. Sanitizing (reduces the chance of infection by destroying 99.9 percent of germs) typically requires fewer time — sometimes only 30 to 60 seconds — while disinfecting (destroying 99.999 percent of germs) can take up to 10 minutes depending on the substance.
- Consult the label on how long rough, non-porous surfaces must stay wet to kill the most powerful bacteria. Since liquids evaporate, you might need to apply the product multiple times.
- No substance can adequately sanitize or disinfect the contaminated surface, so make sure you clean — even with regular soap and water — before you rinse.
- Standard soap and water kills germs, but sanitizing and disinfecting products are needed to destroy germs.
- Soft surfaces are brittle and can never achieve the level of germ killing necessary to be properly disinfected.
- Never mix disinfectants with other cleaning materials (e.g. bleach and vinegar) and open the window or ventilate the room if the smell is irritating.
- Test surfaces in a hidden area before using alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or any surface disinfectant, particularly a delicate one. On food contact surfaces, clean with clear water and dry after disinfection, unless explicitly specified otherwise on the product label.
Vinegar and lemon juice
Although citric acid in lemons or acetic acid in vinegar eliminates certain bacteria and are EPA-registered additives, the concentration and PH levels are not sufficiently effective to disinfect in the same way as other EPA-registered cleaners. Even if you’re really trying to polish up your countertop, fridge, or other hard-hit area, at least they’re going to make things look better than before.
Rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide
This is up to question whether or not rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide are called safe cleaners, but one thing is for sure: they are both viable alternatives to toxic disinfectants. Higher concentrations of alcohol evaporate too easily to be efficient, so it’s better to stick with 70% isopropyl alcohol or 3% hydrogen peroxide. Enable the rubbing alcohol to sit for at least 30 seconds and the hydrogen peroxide to sit for at least one minute before washing.
Steam cleaners
Yes, steam is an excellent way to kill bacteria or other germs without toxic substances. Don’t hit the efficient textile steamer, though: household steam cleaners, achieve temperatures that are strong enough to eliminate germs on rough household utilities. The catch: Steam must have direct interaction with the surface for a long time to be efficient. Consult the procedure in the owner’s manual of your steamer for optimum performance.
If you’re looking for a company that only uses the best cleaning products to disinfect your home, contact Marianna’s Cleaning. We offer the best residential cleaning services at the most affordable prices.
