The Eco-friendly Way to Get Rid of Bacteria and Germs

The COVID-19 global pandemic has created a massive demand for household cleaning supplies. With parts of the world in lockdown, most of us are concerned about cleaning and at home to keep ourselves and our families safe. While cleaning to get rid of germs, viruses, and bacteria is important, it isn’t healthy to fill your home with harsh chemicals daily.

In this post, we’ll look at some of the dangers of using household cleaning products. We’ll also look at how to get rid of bacteria and ways you can use all-natural and reusable cleaning products for the best way to clean a house top to bottom.

The Dangers of Household Cleaning Products

The terms cleaning and disinfecting are often used interchangeably, but they are very different things. Health Canada explains that most cleaning products cannot kill viruses like COVID-19, but they can “limit the transfer of germs and remove germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces by using soap and water.” They reduce the risk of spreading infection by removing germs, so you are less likely to contact them.

To kill germs, you need to use products with bleach or other disinfectants. If handled incorrectly or not properly diluted, bleach can burn your skin, eyes and lungs. It is also dangerous to mix bleach with other cleaning products. Bleach and alcohol that can kill viruses can also be harsh on surfaces and damage metal finish, floors or wood over time.

Many people with allergies or who are sensitive to chemicals also have strong reactions to bleach cleaners. It is best to use them sparingly to clean and then rinse thoroughly. Some household cleaners release dangerous chemicals called volatile organic compounds or VOCs. These VOCs can contribute to respiratory problems, allergic reactions and headaches.

Environmental Dangers of Cleaning Products

Cleaning products also affect the environment. When you clean toilets, sinks or bathtubs, the chemicals get washed down the drain. Some of the contaminants end up in the water system, affecting wildlife and contributing to algae growth in lakes and rivers.

Disposable cloths and other disposable cleaning products also get tossed after one use and end up in the landfill where they take a long time to break down.

Eco-Friendly Cleaning

So how do you thoroughly clean your home of bacteria and germs and not release harmful chemicals into your home and the environment? With eco-friendly commercial cleaning products!

• Eco Cleaning Solution

For surface cleaning and mopping, a plant-based cleaner such as Nellie’s Floor Care Solution is biodegradable, has no phosphates or strong perfumes and will safely deep clean hardwood, tile, ceramic and other flooring.

You can also make your own all-purpose floor cleaning solution with this easy DIY recipe. Simply mop the floor with the cleaning solution. The alcohol will help with floor stains, and the detergent helps cut through grease and grime. Rinse with fresh water.

Get 8L of warm water in a bucket, add:

• 1/2c rubbing alcohol

• ½ c vinegar

• A few drops of dish detergent

• A few drops of essential oil for a pleasant smell (optional)

• Surface Cleaning and Mopping

Luckily, there are many natural cleaning options that won’t break the bank and do a great job of cleaning and disinfecting your home without harmful chemicals. Reusable mops like the e-cloth deep clean mop, make it easy to clean and have a reusable and washable cloth.

To get a thorough clean on your floors and use less water, with no germs, a Nellie’s Wow Mop is a must! These mops make it easy for everyone to clean their floors thoroughly. It has pads that oscillate 1000x per minute, so the mop removes dirt and grime effortlessly. The cleaning pads are removable and machine washable.

• Cleaning and Deodorizing

Baking soda is a natural cleaner and deodorizer. To get your fridge clean and fresh, make a baking soda and water solution and wipe down all surfaces inside your fridge. When you put your food back inside, include an open box of baking soda to keep nasty fridge odours away.

• Eco-friendly Carpet Cleaning

Nellie also has these natural cleaning products to get rid of other smells in your carpet or laundry.

Ecloths are excellent replacements for disposable cleaning cloths. Many people wonder, do eCloths really kill bacteria? The truth is they kill 99% of bacteria with just a bit of water. They can also be cleaned after each use and washed up to 300 times before needing replacement. This makes e-cloths a great eco-friendly cleaning option.

• Dusting

For dusting all surfaces of your home, including hard to reach areas like the top of your cabinets, the e-Cloth Cleaning and Dusting Microfibre Wand is a great tool. You can dust without chemicals, and the duster can be easily washed and reused over and over.

• Kitchens

Clean your entire kitchen from bacteria and germs with this ecloth microfiber cloth kitchen cleaning kit. You get a kitchen cloth, scrubbing pad, dishcloths and everything you need to clean countertops, dishes and sinks with just a bit of water.

Visit our site today for more eco-friendly cleaning options or natural products to help clean your entire home from top to bottom, without harmful chemicals.