What Do You Use to Disinfect Home?

What Do You Use to Disinfect Home? When it comes to disinfecting your home, there are many different methods and products you can use. You may have a certain product that you like to use, or you may look for products that have the best reviews. Whatever your method of choice, it’s important to know what’s in the various disinfectants and cleaners so that you can make sure they’re safe for your household.

What Do You Use to Disinfect Home?

1. Bleach

This has been the top choice of disinfectant for generations. Bleach removes bacteria and most household germs. However, bleach can leave behind a bleached odor, so you may want to dilute it before using it on your furniture or other items made of fabrics or leather. Bleach will remove germs on hard surfaces such as glass, metal, and plastic but not in the air so you will need to open a window for 5-10 minutes after using it to let the bleach evaporate before going back in the room.

2. Boric Acid and Borax

Boric acid and borax are sold as individual powders that you mix with water in a 12:1 ratio. The boric acid will kill many different household germs including molds, mildew, and yeast. The downside is that the indoor air may be nastier after the house has been cleaned. Other cleaning supplies kill germs but are not effective in killing molds and mildew.

Borax is used in many home cleaning products to kill germs. If you have pets or small children, you may be more comfortable with a less powerful cleaning product. You can also use these cleaners in place of bleach if you want a natural-tasting, non-nasty clean.

3. Vinegar

Vinegar is an all-natural cleaner that can disinfect sinks, tubs, and other surfaces. The catch is that it must be completely mixed with water to be effective. If you use vinegar straight out of the bottle, there may not be enough liquid to clean the surface completely. Vinegar will kill most surface bacteria but not mold or mildew so you may want to combine it with another cleaner for a thorough clean.

4. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is also a common household disinfectant. It is also an effective cleaner for toilet bowls and other hard surfaces. Although hydrogen peroxide has many of the same uses as vinegar, it may be more effective against certain germs and bacteria than vinegar. You will need to completely mix the hydrogen peroxide with water to achieve the best results.

5. Alcohol-based sanitizers

These cleaners are very similar to hand sanitizers that you would use after using the restroom. They work best in areas where surfaces are not porous and do not absorb much liquid. Because of this, you will see the most results by spraying or dabbing the alcohol disinfectant directly on the surface you want to be cleaned. You may also see an increase in effectiveness when combined with other cleaning chemicals such as vinegar or bleach.

6. Lysol, Clorox, and Lysol wipes

These are available as wipes or as sprays. They can help to kill some germs and bacteria, but will not be effective against chemical germs or viruses so once again you may want to combine these with another disinfecting cleaner for complete cleanliness. Disinfect your home with Clorox wipes, Lysol, and Lysol spray; it is a natural and best way to disinfect your home.

7. Soap and water or Windex

Although these products may have different properties, they are both considered disinfecting cleansers that may be used in areas where an alcohol-based disinfectant is not appropriate. Using a mixture of water and soap or Windex in the bathroom or kitchen sink can help to make them smell fresher and prevent germs from living on the surface longer than necessary.

Home Disinfecting Tips

1. Do not overuse bleach or hydrogen peroxide

You don’t have to disinfect your home daily, but you also don’t want to disinfect surfaces more than once a week, especially if you’re using them for food prep or eating. Very strong chemicals can irritate your skin and cause respiratory problems. Diluting cleaners are usually best for most areas of the home, but also make sure to keep it out of reach of children and pets as well.

2. It’s best to use less than what you think you need

If you have a large home or if you live with a lot of different people and pets, then it’s easy to forget how much bleach or hydrogen peroxide is needed. You don’t want to waste any of the disinfectants and so when in doubt, just reduce the amount you are applying. Most disinfectants are diluted with something other than water anyway so diluting will not add unnecessary chemicals to your home.

3. Use a disinfectant cleaner that’s safe for your toilet

If you are using a disinfecting cleaner to get rid of germs in your home, then you want to make sure that it is safe to use on surfaces that touch the skin. You don’t want to use chemicals that may irritate or harm your skin or cause respiratory problems.

Some cleaners are available as flushable acid wipes and feature natural antibacterial ingredients by design and can be flushed with water. These are particularly effective in areas like bathrooms and kitchens.

4. Start by cleaning countertops, benches, and tables

When you first get everything cleaned up, you want to start with the most important areas that touch the skin such as countertops, your workspace, table tops, and your dining room table that might be used for eating. By starting with these areas that most frequently touch the skin, you can spread out the disinfecting by cleaning other areas.

For example, a kitchen is going to be disinfected by the main sink but you can also disinfect the surfaces that will be touched by hands more often such as the table or countertops.

5. Remove visible dirt without scrubbing

Once you’ve cleaned the most important surfaces, you want to move on to slightly less important areas such as cupboard door handles and other household items that don’t touch the skin directly. You can use a disinfecting cleaner that is appropriate for these surfaces without scrubbing them. For example, if you’re using a toilet bowl cleaner, you don’t want to scrub it so instead you might use one of the disposable wipes designed for this purpose.

6. Avoid strong scents or perfume

If you don’t want the disinfecting scent to linger, then avoid using cleaners with strong scents. Even some of the strong air fresheners can leave a lingering odor that can irritate your nasal passages if it gets too concentrated in your nose. Keep in mind that it is also possible to develop allergies from these cleaners depending on your skin or respiratory system. In general, most disinfecting products will not cause such reactions as long as they are used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

What Do You Use to Disinfect Home? – Conclusion

Disinfecting household products can be one of the easiest ways to keep your home clean and germ-free. There are plenty of options available at local stores and online so you should have no problem finding the right product for your home. By disinfecting your home, you can help prevent further illness in your family and keep everyone safe.