Safe Ways to Kill Germs

Posted on 14. Jan, 2010 by Oksana Irwin in Good Home, Good Home Living, Indoor Air Quality

Even if you wear gloves when cleaning the toilet or bathtub, it is a good idea to wash your hands afterward. This eliminates bacteria from water that may get on your hands as you take off the gloves.

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Clean the bathtub at least once weekly with scouring powder or a solution made with one-half cup of bleach and one gallon of water.
Sweep the bathroom floor at least once weekly and clean with a basic cleaner, such as Lysol, or a solution made with one gallon of hot water, two tablespoons of borax, one teaspoon of dish detergent and five drops each of patchouli and lavender essential oils. These oils contain effective natural disinfectants.
Wipe bathroom sink and counters after every use. Once a week, use a disinfectant made with one-quarter cup distilled white vinegar and one-half teaspoon of dish detergent in two cups of warm water. The bathroom sink is a bacterial hot spot because germs on your hands can spread to faucets.
Disinfect the toilet bowl, seat and outer surfaces weekly with a commercial cleaner or with a solution made with one-half cup of baking soda, one-half cup of borax, one-quarter cup of distilled white vinegar, one teaspoon of dish detergent, three drops of sweet orange essential oil, and two drops of patchouli oil. Let it soak for an hour, scrub, then flush. Wipe and disinfect the handle daily because it’s frequently touched by unwashed hands.
Close the toilet lid when you flush. During flushing, bacteria disperse into the air and can land on any surface that is within six feet, including toothbrushes.

By K.M. Thompson ScD