Keeping a clean home can do more than lift your spirits–it can also prevent germs from spreading from one family member to another. However, conventional products, like bleach, often contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to breathe. Fortunately, there’s more than one way to clean and disinfect your home, and you can start today with just a few simple ingredients you probably already have in your cupboard.

White Vinegar

Vinegar’s acidic properties have been scientifically proven to diminish bacteria on hard surfaces. You can use a white vinegar and water mixture as a double-duty solution: one that can clean (cut through grease and grime) as well as disinfect (reduce bacteria). If you’re not a fan of the smell, add a few drops of citrus essential oil to make it more pleasant.

Lemons

Like vinegar, lemons contain acid (citric acid, to be exact), which allows them to cut through tough stains in kitchens and bathrooms as well as kill bacteria. Lemon will work best on non-porous surfaces.

Pro Tip: To remove gross stains in a microwave, slice a lemon in half, and squeeze the juice from the halves into a bowl of water. Add the halves to the bowl of water, and microwave the whole thing for 3 minutes. Let the bowl stand for 5 minutes, then carefully remove it from the microwave (it will be extremely hot). You should then be able to wipe down the inside of your microwave with no trouble. Use the remaining lemon-water mixture to scrub if needed.

Alcohol

For household disinfecting purposes, you technically can use the hard alcohol in your liquor cabinet if you have nothing else (vodka is generally best). However, it’s far better to use rubbing alcohol (also called isopropyl alcohol). Just use caution where you clean with it because it can be highly flammable.

You can make a water and rubbing alcohol solution to spray onto mirrors, bathroom tiles, chrome, and brass. You can also use it to disinfect frequently touched items like remote controls, computer mice, and keyboards because it dries almost instantly.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Many households already contain a bottle of this in the medicine cabinet to disinfect cuts and scrapes–but did you know you can also use hydrogen peroxide to reduce bacteria on surfaces around the house? You can use it to wipe down cutting boards, clean toilets, remove tough stains on clothing, and even kill mold.

At Green Planet Plumbing & Sewer, LLC, a big part of our company’s mission is to help local homeowners and businesses go green wherever possible. Every project is completed with an environmentally conscious approach. If you’re looking for prompt, friendly, green plumbing services in Seattle, call us today at (206) 207-7625.