Covid-19 has brought a stark new reality to our lives. Finding homemade cleaning products that are safe on the environment and good at killing germs throughout our homes is important. I have been doing this for years.
Back in March, disinfecting cleaners flew off the store shelves as quickly as toilet paper and paper towels. Many of us had the ingredients to make safer, better cleaning products in our cabinets.
Why are homemade cleaners a better option than store-bought products?
- First, they cost less.
- Second, they have less harsh chemicals.
- Third, they are better for the environment.
- Fourth, you do not need to leave your home to make them.
- Fifth, they are free of fragrances that can cause headaches and breathing problems.
There are certain things to remember when making and using eco-friendly cleaning products at home:
- NEVER mix ammonia and bleach – the fumes are highly toxic
- LABEL all your bottles with the ingredients inside and what they are used for
- ALWAYS read product labels before mixing chemicals
With these simple tips, you are ready to begin making safe, homemade cleaning products for your home.
Homemade Cleaning Products That DO NOT Work for Covid-19
You have probably heard that you can use a vinegar cleaning solution as an excellent option for many surfaces in your home, but it will not kill Covid-19 itself. If the goal is to kill the coronavirus germs, you want to use a product that contains at least 70% alcohol. For those of you asking, yes, you can mix vinegar and alcohol.
While bleach is extremely effective at killing coronavirus, it is hard on your surfaces, smells terrible, and can damage paint, fabric, and even corrode metal. Since the mixture of bleach and water (4 teaspoons bleach to once quart water) loses its effectiveness within 24 hours, a new batch is necessary every day. There are better options.
Save Vodka for Drinking!
Another product that you may have seen made into various forms of house cleaners is vodka. Forget what you have read elsewhere – save the vodka for your cocktails – do not waste it on your home. Vodka and other distilled spirits are not effective sanitizers!
While it can be added to homemade cleaning products, tea tree oil is another product that has no evidence against the coronavirus.
Hydrogen peroxide does not cause the amount of damage as bleach, yet it can discolor some types of fabric, including carpet. You would have to use it straight (undiluted) on the surfaces of your home for it to work. In a pinch, it is a good option if you do not have anything else to use to disinfect and sanitize. Just remember to let in remain on the surface for a minimum of one minute before wiping away. (Some reports say 6 to 8 minutes.) *DO NOT mix hydrogen peroxide with vinegar.
You can learn how to make homemade natural cleaning products that also disinfect here.
Call HK Interiors at 954-401-8542 to learn how to transform your home or office into the vision you desire.