Pre-packaged disinfecting wipes in plastic containers can be really handy for cleaning up messes and sanitizing surfaces. However, my family avoids using toxic conventional cleaners. With a large family, the cost of store-bought natural cleaners can add up quickly. That’s why I’ve found it easy and effective to make my own natural disinfecting wipes, which work well for cleaning surfaces around the house.
I often use essential oils in my cleaning and beauty products. When used correctly, essential oils are powerful germ fighters that are safe for children. Based on my research, all essential oils have some level of anti-microbial properties, but lemon and tea tree oils stand out for their effectiveness. These oils are generally safe to use for all ages when cleaning surfaces, and when combined, they offer strong protection against a variety of pathogens, possibly including E. coli, MRSA, and salmonella.
Back in 2013, the FDA stirred things up by banning a few antibacterial soap ingredients, citing concerns over their long-term safety, as well as some potential risks identified in collaboration with the EPA. They concluded that, at least for handwashing, regular soap and water is just as effective as antibacterial soap when used properly.
Sanitizing surfaces is crucial, especially areas exposed to raw meat. While other household cleaning tasks might need more than just soap and water, I prefer to use disinfectants sparingly to maintain healthy bacteria levels in the home.
I’m a big fan of vinegar for cleaning. Many homemade cleaning solutions use vinegar for its disinfecting properties, but it doesn’t mix well with soap. In this case, because my recipe for natural disinfecting wipes includes castile soap to tackle greasy spots, vinegar isn’t suitable. Instead, alcohol is used in this recipe for its disinfecting and degreasing abilities. Alcohol dries quickly, which is especially helpful in places like bathrooms to prevent mildew that thrives on wet surfaces.
While most people have rubbing alcohol at home, my recipe opts for vodka as the alcohol of choice. These wipes are my first line of defense for most kitchen spills and messes. I also keep white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide on hand for tackling bigger kitchen clean-up jobs.
Vinegar’s use in food preservation highlights its ability to inhibit bacterial growth. It may not be a complete disinfectant, but it’s a great degreaser with some antibacterial benefits. I keep a spray bottle of white vinegar in the kitchen to deal with sticky messes and grease and sometimes use it first on raw meat before applying the wipes.
Additionally, I use hydrogen peroxide as a natural disinfectant in the kitchen. Equipped with a spray nozzle, I use it to sanitize cutting boards and dishes used for raw meat before the usual wash. We also maintain our pool with food-grade hydrogen peroxide instead of chlorine. With the 35% food-grade peroxide I now have, I can make a more concentrated solution for kitchen cleaning. Just remember to store hydrogen peroxide in a dark, opaque bottle to keep it from degrading in light.
This article was reviewed by Dr. Shani Muhammad, MD, a board-certified family medicine doctor with more than ten years of experience. This information isn’t personal medical advice, so I recommend consulting your doctor or working with one at SteadyMD.
Do you have any favorite natural cleaning tips? Is using natural disinfectants part of your cleaning routine? I’d love to hear about it!
