The coronavirus pandemic has changed the cleaning habits that we have at home. Not only are we washing our hands regularly, but we are also cleaning our homes more. The sale of cleaning products in America have sky-rocketed in the last few months as we all try to slow the spread of the virus and other germs. Cleaning is an important part of the battle, as studies have found that the virus can live on wood for two days, on glass for four days and on plastic for up to seven days. The good news is however, that you don’t need to use heavy chemicals like bleach that can be harmful to the skin, especially for seniors. There are plenty of eco-friendly ways to clean that will still combat the coronavirus effectively.
Old fashioned soap
One of the biggest campaigns in the past few months is to get people to wash their hands regularly. What are we washing our hands with? Good old fashioned soap and water. This in itself is good enough to combat the spread of coronavirus, as washing your hands breaks down the lipids and proteins that are part of the structure of the virus. Soap and even washing up liquid dissolves the lipids, which prevents the coronavirus from binding to our cells. You can use soap and warm water to clean the surfaces and contact points in your house; just make sure that you are regularly changing the cleaning cloths you are using. Choose your favorite eco-friendly soap — even a natural goats milk soap will work.
Using alcohol
After you have cleaned, it is a good idea to wipe down your surfaces with a natural disinfectant. There are a number of eco-friendly brands on the market, such as Eco-Fresh, Zoflora, Ocean Saver and Ecover. Alternatively, it is very easy to make your own disinfectant that is completely non-toxic. Alcohol is a natural disinfectant — it makes the base for hand sanitiser. Surgical spirit, rubbing alcohol or ethanol will do, they all have the same effect. In a spray bottle put equal amounts of alcohol and water. It’s as simple as that. If you want to improve the scent, then you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Lavender and rosemary are obvious choices because they both have antibacterial properties.
Other natural disinfectants
Borax is a natural mineral that is used heavily in the cleaning industry, it not only disinfects but is also extremely effective at reducing mold. In a spray bottle, mix ⅓ cup of Borax with 8 oz of warm water. This can be directly sprayed onto work surfaces and then wiped over. Citric acid is also a powerful natural disinfectant that is used in many commercial products. It is the main component of lemon juice. Mix ⅓ cup of citric acid crystals with 8oz water, or alternatively put the juice of two whole lemons in with the water instead.
You don’t need to use harsh chemicals to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Cleaning your house with eco-friendly natural alternatives is just as effective.
Shop Disinfectants at Senior.com
By Jackie Edwards
