http://www.care2.com/greenliving/antibacterial-spray.html
Homemade Herbal Antibacterial Spray
By Annie B. Bond, Care2 Green Living Executive Producer
New research is proving that the old folk recipes using herbs and essential oils to kill germs, such as those used by 14th century doctors during the Black Plague, were based on good science. Many essential oils, such as the oils of lavender and thyme, are more antiseptic than phenol, the industry standard. Research is also showing that antibacterial plant oils may not cause drug resistance as could be the case with common chemical disinfectants.
The essential oil-based spray, below, leaves a lovely, clean scent. It is a good choice to use for misting your cutting board after use.
Lightly Lavender Antibacterial Spray
1 cup water
20 drops pure essential oil of lavender
Pour the water into a spray bottle. Add the lavender essential
oil and shake to blend. Spray on the surface and let set for at least
15 minutes, or don’t rinse at all.
Makes: 1 cup spray.
Shelf life: Indefinite.
More from Annie B. Bond (3246 articles available)
Go to the Source
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add your comment »I seem to be allergic to lavendar. whenever it comes in contact w/ my skin, I break out in hives. If I breathe it, I get like a sore throat/'scratchy' chest(lungs). Everyone I tell this to thinks I'm making it up because ' how can you be allergic to lavendar? I've never heard of that!'. I know I'm not the only one, because my neice has the same thing. We also seem to be allergic to kiwis and mangos. Are there alternatives to lavendar? I'm a germaphobe and trying to get away from lysol, but don't know how. I've made a solution of vinegar and hemp/eucalyptus oil. It seems to work better on mold than the commercial stuff I've used in the past, but I'm still terrified of germs! Any suggestions? I am also looking for a naturally antibacterial soap to help me get away from using triclosan every 2 minutes.(contamination/cross-contamination issues. It doesn't help my IBS, though! Ahh!)
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Looks useful
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We use a variation on the Vinegar of the Four Thieves formula everywhere that we previously used disinfectants (door knobs, countertops, etc.). www.ForMyKidsOnline.com
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Clear essences like Lavender and Eucalyptus won't stain, but others like chamomile, cedar and orange could easily leave a color trace...you can always test by putting a drop on a tissue and see if there is a color remaining after the essence dries.
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Eucalyptus is my first choice when I am looking for an essential oil that is also antibacterial. According to Jean Valnet, MD " a spray solution containing 2% Eucalyptus will kill 70% of staphylococci. Just be sure to shake your spray bottle each time before use, oil and water do not mix.
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Using herbs and EO's have become the way I clean, bathe, disinfect, did use for my pet for years now. Not only are they safer, they do the best job and the scent in the house is an added bonus. Air freshener sprays can't hold a candle to them. Its much better, cheaper and multi-purpose in the long run they can't be beat.
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Emily, I use a variation of Lightly Lavender on my leather sofa and I've never had a problem with staining. In fact, I use a spray that's just water and essential oils, and I've never had a problem with staining on ANYTHING.
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Emily B. - I've never had a problem with essential oils leaving a mark on anything.
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I am hesitant to use the "oil" sprays for fear they'll leave oil marks on my furniture and greasy countertops. Please tell me how Naive I am....
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We love Lightly Lavender. It's so easy to make and you just feel good after using it. We also like Vinegar of the Four Thieves to use on places where you would use a disinfectant. You can get it at www.ForMyKidsOnline.com. We especially like it because it gets the germs without making our kid- and pet-filled house toxic.
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