Around the House Cleaner Series: Non-Toxic Disinfectant

Has someone in your house had a cold lately? Have you had a summer party with lots of people? Sounds like you need a powerful disinfectant for those spots everyone touches, like doorknobs and handles. And all you need is two ingredients you already have (probably)...

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DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR and HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

Really?! That's all I need to completely disinfect something?! Yes!! I do like to keep them in spray bottles, as shown above, because they must be sprayed and wiped separately, not mixed in one bottle to be most effective. Hydrogen peroxide comes from the store in a dark brown bottle because it's light-sensitive, so be sure to keep it in a closed cupboard out of light unless you're using it.

Here's what Heather of Mommypotamus wrote about this solution: "Still clinging to bleach for heavy-duty disinfecting? According to tests run at the University of Nebraska, there is a way to naturally disinfect without deploying the 'nuclear' option. Unfortunately, many homemade cleaning recipes combine the two fundamental ingredients for this recipe, which deactivates their antimicrobials. No worries, though! This easy recipe delivers just the “one-two” punch you’re looking for."

In her ebook, DIY Non-Toxic Cleaning Recipes, Heather explains more about why this is so effective and suggests specific essential oils you can add to these ingredients to aid the disinfecting process. However, adding essential oils is optional and should only be done in a glass bottle because essential oils break down plastic.

I have been using this method since I bought Heather's book and am so happy with it!! My son has gone through colds and so have we but the effects have been minimized because of this disinfectant.

Are you ready to try this? What other non-toxic cleaners would you like to see featured here?