When it comes to household chores, homemade cleaning products are becoming increasingly popular. Not only does it save you money, but it’s also more environmentally friendly because it doesn’t contain the harsh chemicals found in store-bought products.
But if you’re looking to make your own cleaning sprays, or have already started, you may be wondering if they’re still just as effective at killing germs. After all, harsh chemicals are there to disinfect with their antibacterial properties.
We asked cleaning experts for their advice, pros and cons, and what to use. “Unfortunately, some DIY formulations may not meet the stringent standards of commercially available disinfectants, which may reduce their disinfectant effectiveness,” said an Ecover spokesperson. Masu.
Whether you’re trying to clean your mattress with baking soda or your dishwasher with vinegar, we’ve got everything you need to know about the effectiveness of homemade products. So, are DIY cleaning sprays effective? Here’s what experts say:
Can DIY cleaning sprays kill germs?
Spray the cleaner on the cloth (Image source: Shutterstock)
A DIY cleaning spray might clean just that, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it will eliminate all the germs and bacteria lurking in different areas of your home. “DIY sprays are highly effective and can be just as effective as commercially available disinfectants, but are often more affordable,” says Nigel Bearman, director of Daily Poppins. I bought a disinfectant spray at the store. ”
Hisense experts reveal: Many natural ingredients have antibacterial or antibacterial properties, but they may not be as strong as commercially available disinfectants. Homemade sprays are useful for daily cleaning and light disinfection, but stronger disinfectants may be needed in high-risk areas or to kill more resistant bacteria and viruses. ”
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using DIY spray?
Various cleaning supplies and tools, including bleach, squeegee, sponge, and spray bottle, on a wooden surface (Image source: Shutterstock)
There is a lot of debate regarding the pros and cons of using DIY sprays. The downside is that you can harm yourself by working with strong ingredients. Melissa Dibble from the CDC says, “When preparing bleach solutions at home, never mix household bleach (or disinfectant) with other cleaning products or disinfectants, such as vinegar or ammonia. This may result in the release of vapors which can be extremely dangerous to your health.” Take a breath. ”
Moreover, they are not only potentially harmful to you, but also to your home. “The downside to homemade cleaners is that they can damage certain surfaces if used incorrectly. For example, acidic cleaners like vinegar can damage stone countertops,” Bearman says. says. It is easy to make mistakes when placing wooden furniture. ”
But he agrees they can have many benefits. “Homemade cleaners are less likely to cause harm or irritation than commercially available chemicals and are often safer for everyday use. They are also better for the environment and can help reduce indoor pollution. Economical From a perspective, DIY sprays are much cheaper to make than store-bought ones, making them a good economical option.”
Echobar’s experts also added, “Homemade cleaners are cost-effective and give you control over the ingredients, ensuring they align with your values.” You can customize formulas for specific cleaning tasks, choose your favorite scent, and exclude ingredients that may cause skin sensitivities. Many of the necessary ingredients are easily available and can often be found in your kitchen. Additionally, you can minimize your impact on the environment by reusing spray bottles and containers. ”
Common DIY cleaning products and their effects
1.Vinegar
White vinegar (Image credit: Shutterstock)
For an all-purpose cleaner, you can mix 1 cup of distilled white vinegar with 3 cups of water and spray it all over your house. Diluting the vinegar is important, but using warm water also helps prevent grease stains. However, regarding its effectiveness against bacteria. “Vinegar can kill some bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella, but it’s not effective against all bacteria and viruses,” Bearman says. “Vinegar can also take much longer to kill bacteria than using commercial disinfectants.”
Svetlana Georgieva, co-founder and cleaning expert at Samyx Cleaning, adds that while vinegar is “known for its acidity and mild antibacterial properties, it is not a broad-spectrum disinfectant, especially against viruses.” I am.
2. Alcohol
Holding rubbing alcohol and cotton balls (Image source: Shutterstock)
Similar to vinegar, mix 3 cups of water with 1 cup of alcohol. For this purpose, it is important to use isopropyl alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol. Bearman adds, “Ethyl alcohol (70%) is considered a powerful disinfectant and is effective at killing germs on both surfaces and hands.
Using at least 70% alcohol is recommended by the CDC to provide the best way to kill germs around your home. When using rubbing alcohol, avoid heat sources as the solution is highly flammable. Also, avoid vinyl, rubber, painted or lacquered wood, and some plastic materials as they can cause damage.
3. Baking soda
Baking soda in the kitchen (Image source: Shutterstock)
Baking soda is very effective for cleaning, but is it really effective? Because it is weakly alkaline, it is often used to eliminate odors and remove dirt, but can it also remove bacteria? “While baking soda alone won’t kill germs directly, it can clean effectively when used in combination with other things. Baking soda is very effective at loosening debris, and it’s great for cleaning things like children’s toys. ,” says Bearman. ”
Georgieva added: “It’s great for scrubbing and deodorizing, but it’s not a disinfectant.” In this case, baking soda can be mixed with other ingredients on the list, such as vinegar or rubbing alcohol.
4. Lemon juice
Cutting lemons on white laundry (Image credit: Shutterstock)
We used lemons to clean our house for a week. You can also use lemon juice in your laundry, but does this fruit actually kill germs? “Vinegar and lemon juice have some antibacterial properties, but professionally formulated disinfectants and By comparison, they are often insufficient to effectively eliminate a wide range of pathogens,” say Ecover experts.
Bearman added: “Lemon juice has antibacterial properties and may be effective against some bacteria, but it’s not as strong as other options. Lemon juice has antifungal and antibacterial properties. there is.”
5. Bleach
A person wearing gloves removes the lid from a bleach bottle (Image source: Getty Images)
Diluted bleach is also the homemade cleaner of choice and is the number one product known for killing germs. “Bleach containing sodium hypochlorite is effective at killing germs when diluted properly,” agrees Dibble. “After you clean the surfaces in your home with soap and water, you can make a bleach solution to disinfect the surfaces in your home.
This additional step will kill any germs left on these surfaces after cleaning, and is especially helpful if there is someone in your home who is sick, or if someone who was sick recently visited your home. You can make a bleach solution by mixing 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) of bleach per gallon of room-temperature water, or 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of room-temperature water. ”
However, it’s important to be aware that there are risks when working with bleach. The CDC advises that “after preparing a bleach solution, avoid washing food with bleach, applying household cleaning products or disinfectants to bare skin, and intentionally inhaling or ingesting detergents or disinfectants. We recommend that you avoid dangerous activities.
We highly recommend wearing gloves or washing your hands thoroughly after use.
