Many household cleaners are composed of harmful chemicals that can cause respiratory problems, cause skin irritation, and pollute the air inside the home. Instead of using these products, you can make a natural disinfectant based on vinegar, denatured alcohol, and essential oils to reduce your family's exposure to chemicals and keep your home as clean as if you had used a store-bought disinfectant..
Note: Vinegar is not effective against the COVID-19 virus. Alcohol solutions below 60% are also not effective against the new coronavirus strain. Be careful when making a natural disinfectant, as you cannot be sure of its effectiveness
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Prepare a Denatured Alcohol and Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfectant
Step 1. Use undiluted denatured alcohol
Opt for a product that has an alcohol content of at least 70%, otherwise it will not be effective against bacteria or viruses. Pour it into a spray bottle so you can easily apply it to any type of surface.
- This solution should be effective against the coronavirus.
- Do not dilute alcohol with water, otherwise it is easy to go wrong and get a product with a percentage that would be ineffective.
Step 2. Prepare a solution of denatured alcohol and plant extracts
Pour 10-30 drops of thyme essential oil - or another of your choice - into a 240ml glass spray bottle. Fill it to the brim with a product that has an alcohol content of at least 60%. Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients and store it in a cabinet or pantry.
This solution is also effective against the new coronavirus strain
Step 3. Use a combination of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide
Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide are two very effective ingredients for disinfection, but they should not be mixed in a single container because they interact to produce peracetic acid, a potentially toxic mixture. Then, pour the undiluted white vinegar into one spray bottle and the 3% hydrogen peroxide into another.
- This remedy is not effective in fighting the coronavirus.
- To clean a surface, first spray a substance, let it sit for about 5 minutes, then wipe it with a clean cloth. After that, spray the other one and let it sit for another 5 minutes. Finally, wipe with another clean cloth.
- It doesn't matter if you start with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide.
Method 2 of 3: Prepare a Vinegar-Based Disinfectant
Step 1. Create a vinegar-based mist solution
Pour 1 part water, 1 part vinegar, and 5-15 drops of 100% pure essential oil into a standard-sized glass spray bottle. You can use the fragrance you prefer or choose it according to the room to be cleaned.
- Vinegar-based solutions are not effective for disinfecting surfaces from viruses, including that of the new coronavirus strain.
- Lemon essential oil is traditionally used to clean the kitchen, because it has a scent that can neutralize the strongest odors that tend to be concentrated in this home environment.
- Tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil are great for eliminating bathroom odors.
- It is preferable to use more delicate fragrances, such as chamomile or vanilla, in areas of the house where there are no bad smells.
- Sometimes essential oils can react with plastic, so it's best to use a glass spray bottle.
Step 2. Prepare some disinfectant wipes
If you prefer disinfectant wipes instead of spray, follow the same recipe for creating the vinegar solution, but instead of pouring the ingredients into the spray bottle, transfer them to a large glass jar and shake it to mix. Cut 15-20 pieces of fabric into 10-inch squares on each side and dip them into the jar.
- This remedy is not useful for disinfecting surfaces contaminated with the coronavirus.
- Squeeze the wipes inside the jar so that when they get wet, they can absorb the detergent. Then, close the container with the lid and store them in a cabinet or pantry.
- If necessary, take one out and squeeze it to remove excess detergent, then wipe the surfaces to be cleaned.
Step 3. Make a vinegar and baking soda spray
Pour 950ml hot water, 60ml white vinegar, and 30g (2 tablespoons) of baking soda into a clean bowl or bucket. Mix the ingredients until the baking soda dissolves, then cut a lemon in half and press it while adding the juice to the solution. Put both peels in the mixture and wait for it to cool.
- Vinegar and baking soda are not effective against COVID-19.
- Once cooled, add 4 drops of lemon essential oil or another fragrance of your choice. Filter the solution through a fine mesh sieve to remove the pulp, seeds and peels; finally, transfer it to a spray bottle.
Method 3 of 3: Use the Disinfectant Spray
Step 1. Clean the surface
No disinfection process cleans surfaces or removes dirt and encrustations, so it is important to clean them thoroughly before disinfecting them. Use a natural or organic cleaner if you want to avoid harsh chemicals.
Step 2. Shake the solution
Shake the bottle well to mix all the ingredients and make sure the mixture works effectively.
Step 3. Spray the disinfectant all over the surface
Hold the spray bottle an arm away from the area you intend to treat and apply the solution thoroughly. If you need to sanitize several surfaces, spray the product on all those you have decided to disinfect.
Step 4. Let the solution sit for 10 minutes
Wait about 10 minutes for the disinfectant to work and effectively kill the germs.
Step 5. Wipe with a microfiber cloth
After 10 minutes, clean the disinfected surface with a microfiber cloth. If you've cleaned several kitchen or bathroom countertops, use one for each surface to prevent contamination.
Advice
- You can make a scented antibacterial solution by mixing 1 part vinegar with 1 part distilled water. Then, add a few drops of cinnamon essential oil and 6 drops of orange essential oil. The scent will be very pleasant and will last a long time!
- If you want to add essential oil, try using a glass spray bottle because the oil can react with plastic.
- Shake the bottle well before nebulizing the contents.
- Always clean a surface thoroughly before disinfection, otherwise this last step will be less effective.
