During this Pandemic people have been frantically bleaching everything and using the most potent chemicals. But do you need to do this? What happens if you run out of bleach? Are you doomed? Can you protect yourself from the virus without exposing yourself and family to tons of chemicals?
Inspired by @just.ingredients:
Many of us associate clean scent with “bleach smell” Or “Pine Smell.”
Believe it or not, “clean” doesn’t actually have a smell!
Another common cleaning misconception is that you need different cleaners for everything: toilet, tub, counters, floor, sink and mirror. You can actually do the bulk of your bathroom cleaning with just one multipurpose cleaner.
You regularly see the terms “cleaner”, “sanitizer” and “disinfectant” on cleaning containers but what do they mean?
Cleaning: Done with water, soap or detergent and scrubbing. This removes dirt and germs by wiping them away. This process removes up to 98% of bacteria and 93% of viruses from surfaces. Of note: Soap is effective on Viruses and on CoronaVirus .
Sanitizing: Will reduce the number of germs by 99.9%. Since this does not clean dirty surfaces, it requires the surface to be cleaned first in order to be effective at killing most (but not all) germs. Most all purpose cleaners are sanitizers.
Disinfecting: This is a pesticide used to kill or inactivate germs. It only works on clean, non-porous surfaces. Disinfecting kills almost everything and is temporary; as soon as the area is touched again, germs will start to grow.
Why not just disinfect if it kills the most germs?
Here’s why:
85,000 commercial chemicals have been developed in the last 60 years yet only the single active ingredient that kills the bacteria/virus/mold has to be labeled on the container. No FDA requirement to list all the toxins
many contain phthalates which are endocrine disruptors
many contain formaldehyde releasers which are carcinogenic
Stay away from cleaners that score a D or F on EGW. For example 409, Lysol, or Mr. Clean.
My suggestion instead of a healthier way that will clean, sanitize, and disinfect is to use Branch Basics All Purpose and Force of Nature Multi-Purpose cleaner!
Branch Basics All Purpose Cleaner
Force of Nature Multi-Purpose Cleaner
