http://www.care2.com/greenliving/green-bathroom-germ-cleaning-kit.html
Green Bathroom Germ Cleaning Kit
By Annie B. Bond
Take this simple quiz to dispel any myths you may have about where germs are found in the bathroom. Then follow these easy directions for making your own green bathroom sanitizing kit using ingredients most of us have in our cupboards. With this kit you will effectively clean away the germs where they really are, without contributing to the creation of drug-resistant superbugs that can be caused by the overuse of disinfectants.
The truth is that even if you wanted to, you can not sterilize your bathroom. If you want to reduce the germ population to keep things more sanitary, it helps to know where to put your efforts.
Where are the highest concentration of germs in the bathroom?
–Doorknob
–Bathtub
–Drains
–Toilet
–Toilet seat
–Floor
–Shower stall floor
Answer: The drains.
Where is the least germ-contaminated place in the bathroom?
–Doorknob
–Bathtub
–Drains
–Toilet
–Toilet seat
–Floor
–Shower stall floor
Answer: The toilet seat.
Does soap work to kill germs?
Yes
No
Answer: Yes!
Even the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using it to kill germs. Make sure you use real soap, not a detergent.
Germ-Killing Kit
“Disinfectants” are registered with the EPA as pesticides and have at least a 99 percent “kill rate.” The green kit, below, only includes one product registered as a disinfectant, and it is 100 percent botanical. The rest of the recommendations are sanitizers from simple, natural ingredients and are not officially recognized disinfectants (I put this one product in for anyone who has a special need and believes they have good reason to use a “hospital grade” disinfectant with a 100 percent kill rate.)
As mentioned above, one good reason to avoid synthetic disinfectants (as opposed to one that is botanical), is that when chemical disinfectants kill off bacteria, a resistant strain grows in its stead that is harder to kill. The overuse of botanicals has not been found to cause the growth of superbugs.
Ingredients
* White household distilled 5 percent vinegar. (I buy a gallon jug of this from my local supermarket, and keep it under the kitchen sink.) Vinegar has an 80 to 99 percent kill rate for viruses and bacteria.
* Liquid soap, such as Dr. Bronner’s. (I buy large bottles of this, too, and prefer to buy the type that includes a pure antibacterial essential oil, such as lavender.)
* Antibacterial essential oils such as tea tree oil, rosemary, thyme, and lavender. (These are also available at the health food store; they are expensive, but a little goes a long way.) To use, add 1 teaspoon of the essential oil to 1 cup of water and in a spray bottle, and spray. Do not rinse when you use this spray. (This smell is quite strong but it will dissipate in a few hours.)
* If you buy a disinfectant for special needs cases, research for one that is a 100 percent botanical, hospital-strength and EPA-registered. Some examples include Benefect.
* A few clean spray bottles.
Formulas
Toilet Deodorizer
Pour a cup or two of straight vinegar into a spray bottle and spray on the ring; pick up the toilet seat and spray around the top rim of the toilet and the backside of the seat. Do not rinse. (The smell will dissipate in a few hours.)
Alternative: Use the antibacterial essential oil spray mentioned above.
Drain Deodorizer
Pour 2 cups of straight vinegar down the drain a few times a week.
Doorknob Cleaner
Add 2 tablespoons of liquid soap to 1 cup of water. Saturate a cloth and scrub the area. Rinse.
Alternative: Spray with the essential oil spray, above.
General Guidelines if Someone in the House is Sick
Frequent hand washing with soap and water is the most important preventative measure for everyone in the house. You can spray some of the antibacterial spray described under “ingredients” in the air as you would an air freshener, to kill germs, too, which is the protective measure used down the ages.
Caution: If anyone in the house is pregnant or has serious allergies, consult with a doctor before using essential oils.
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64 comments
add your comment »Thanks for the information.
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why is this inappropriate?
Linda, Thanks for stopping by the web site! I appreciate your comments and agree that if an oil is not pure, it should not be ingested. Because I blend several oils together to create my products, I do not recommend that they be taken internally. For instance, my Renew with Chamomile & Lavender is a calming and relaxing spray mist but I don't recommend that people take a tablespoon of it to calm their nerves. It is meant to be misted onto the face. I use only the finest pure essential oils available but not all of them are beneficial if taken internally. You wouldn't want to add pine oil to your tea or swallow a dropper of patchouli oil, but that doesn't mean they are of inferior quality. All the best!
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Linda A. please be aware that essential oils are Gods oils. If in fact the oil is pure, distilled and extracted with care it can in fact be taken internally. The only oils that can be taken internally are the Young Living oils. i checked godscountrybotanical as Viola suggested and all say cannot be taken internally. I use pepperment for intajestion and infact take it internally mixing 2 drops with water and drinking. I use young Living products, I had a very bad tooth ache and use clove oil directlly on the gums and as a mouth wash, the tooth ache was gone within 2 hours. So be advised if a company is telling you do not take internally the the oil is not pure and you should reconsider there products......
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Young Living is not the only place that has pure essential oils. I purchase my essential oils from Essential Oil University and all their oils come with purity documentation. You can check out my green cleaning products at www.godscountrybotanicals.com. I am on a mission to educate people about the toxic products we use everyday. Thanks for the forum!
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Young Living is not the only place that has pure essential oils. I purchase my essential oils from Essential Oil University and all their oils come with purity documentation. You can check out my green cleaning products at www.godscountrybotanicals.com. I am on a mission to educate people about the toxic products we use everyday. Thanks for the forum!
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I'm just visiting this page but the last comment by Steve Harper seems pretty interesting. What are you talking about? Do you have a better formula for a cleaning product? Are you willing to share? Thank you.
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I have a question. If you were to find a completely natural household cleaing product (made from corn and coconuts) that is so concentrated that the single pint concentrate bottle will last years and make dozens and dozens of gallons of cleaning solution for window/glass/mirror (for just 1 penny per gallon) and in another spray bottle make dozens and dozens of gallons of heavy duty cleaner solution (for just 21 cents per gallon) that takes out just about every stain/spot imaginable Why would you NOT use it? Why would you not forgo the 400 vinegar (or other cleaning products) empties (26 years of use) versus a dozen empty containers when using my stuff? Steve
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Wow thank you for the tips.. Will put them to work now..
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I found a good use for coca cola--cleaning my toilet. If left overnight, the next morn there is no ring.
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My roommate puts bleach in with the dishwashing liquid...Acch! I will never put my hands in that water..
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