The best natural disinfectants include alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, hot water, and some essential oils. Evidence suggests that in some cases, many of these natural disinfectants can be as effective at killing germs as chemical cleaners like bleach.
Clean Regularly and Clean First
Using household cleaners that contain soap or detergent will remove germs and dirt on surfaces and reduces risk of infection from surfaces in your home. Cleaning alone removes most harmful viruses or bacteria from surfaces.
Here's how to do it: Combine 1 1/2 cups rubbing alcohol with 3/4 cups water and 15 drops each of lavender and lemon essential oil in a metal or glass spray bottle. You can use this spray to disinfect everything you would typically use Lysol for, including toilets, laptops, bathrooms surfaces, door handles, and more.
Cleaning vinegar or white vinegar – not apple cider vinegar or wine vinegar – is most commonly chosen for cleaning. However, it's important to remember that while vinegar does work as a disinfectant to some degree, it is not as effective as bleach or commercial cleansers when it comes to killing germs.
“Of course, vinegar does eliminate some things, but it's important to note it's not a complete solution to disinfectant. It is only 90% effective against bacteria and around 80 percent effective against viruses and mold or mildew. Bleach, however, eliminates 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and mold or mildew.
For an antibacterial cleaner, mix together 3 cups of water, ½ cup of white vinegar and 10-15 drops of lavender or tea tree essential oil in a glass spray bottle. Shake to mix. Store with the lid on and use on cutting boards, counter tops, or anywhere that needs a good germ killing! Shelf life is no more than 2 weeks.
Bringing fresh, outdoor air into your home helps keep virus particles from accumulating inside. If it's safe to do so, open doors and windows as much as you can to bring in fresh, outdoor air. While it's better to open them widely, even having a window cracked open slightly can help.
Though lemon is great for cleaning and has antibacterial qualities, it is not a disinfectant. When you really need to remove bacteria from a surface, you'll need to turn to a stronger cleaning agent.
Laboratory studies later showed that eucalyptus oil contains substances that kill bacteria. It also may kill some viruses and fungi. Studies in animals and test tubes show that eucalyptus oil acts as an expectorant, meaning it helps coughs by loosening phlegm.
Sadly, the answer is no, you cannot disinfect with baking soda - it is ineffective against most bacteria, including salmonella, E. coli. and staphylococcus.
The lavender and tea tree essential oils both have natural disinfecting properties. Tea tree oil is also antiviral and antifungal. It's often used to treat minor skin scrapes and fungal skin infections. Tea tree oil can be a bit pungent on its own, but the lavender complements the oil's piney fragrance.
The lavender essential oil contains antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties; all of which are amazing for disinfecting. Essential oils contain aldehydes, phenolics, terpenes, and other microbial properties that make them effective against a lot of bacteria, germs, and viruses.
3% hydrogen peroxide (in the brown bottle) is a powerful and non-toxic cleaner, whitener, and disinfectant. This makes it one of the best bleach alternatives for bathrooms, laundry, kitchens, and surfaces. For convenience, we recommend attaching a trigger sprayer directly to the brown bottle.
To make a spray that will clean just about anything—countertops, the sink, light fixtures, and more—mix 13 ounces of hot water, ½ cup of white vinegar, 15 drops of grapefruit essential oil, 10 drops of lavender essential oil, and seven drops of lemon essential oil in a spray bottle, says Kimberly Button, a certified ...
A spray consisting of equal parts vinegar, baking soda and water is an excellent multipurpose cleaner. Sprinkle a cup of borax and a quarter-cup of vinegar into your toilet bowl, let it sit overnight, then scrub and flush in the morning.
Household disinfectants — vinegar and baking soda used on their own — were highly effective against potential bacterial pathogens but less effective than commercial household disinfectants.
Rinsing is not necessary! If you're simply using a vinegar and water solution to wipe and disinfect, you won't need to rinse. However, if there's also plenty of dirt and grime you're wiping away, you may also want to rinse with some extra water.