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These days many people have become more aware of proper cleaning and disinfecting practices. Proper cleaning practices should be a part of everyday life. Medical facilities have protocols in place and if you have ever worked in the food and beverage business you surely know how safe food handling practices are essential.
What if I told you that there are common household supplies that can be very effective disinfectants?
You may have some supplies in your house currently that have been shown to be very effective against pathogens such as bacteria and viruses (including the influenza viruses).
Let’s review why social distancing and cleaning practices are helpful as well as some of those common household items that can come in handy.
Some Common Household Items Can Be Effective Disinfectants
Are you one of those that likes those handy sanitizing wipes in your house? Are you unable to get your hands on them at the store, or do you think they are just too overpriced? Well chances are that you have some things in your home that can do a pretty good job.
Fortunately there is a nice peer reviewed study that was posted back in 2010. It was appropriately titled as “Effectiveness of Common Household Cleaning Agents in Reducing the Viability of Human Influenza A/H1N1”. The study was seeking to review common household agents that are viable and inexpensive with their effectiveness with H1N1. If you do not recall the The H1N1 flu was about 10 years ago. Below are some of the items mentioned in the research.
Household Bleach Shown To Be Effective
Most may already know this, but bleach is a very effective. It’s common and very useful in many capacities. Depending on how sensitive your skin is you may have to wear gloves. Here is a handy resource guide from the CDC which includes proportions for a few difference purposes.
Alcohol Is Very Effective
Alcohol is also referenced on the CDC site for disinfection. There is a reason why it is also included in those first aid kits. The alcohol based gels, wipes and sprays (containing at least 70%) have been shown to be very effective. If you have a bottle in your medicine cabinet you can make use of this.
You May Not Know That Vinegar Is Effective As Well
This is the one that may draw some true curiosity. It’s an item most often used for food purposes but vinegar has so many more uses beyond our kitchen table. Vinegar has been used medicinally and even for cleaning. However, the study referenced how vinegar was also able to provide a means to disinfect surfaces from the influenza A virus. It also stated that malt vinegar (4-8% acetic acid) was effective down to a solution to 10%.
Another tidbit of information about vinegar (active ingredient – acetic acid) is that its antibacterial qualities have been proven to be effective against tuberculosis. Vinegar has been used for thousands of years as a common disinfectant. The study proved that it was effective against mycobacteria, the most disinfectant-resistant bacteria.
REMINDER: When using any of these items in your house check to see if it ok to use on that particular surface. Some porous surfaces may be stained if cleaned with certain types of solutions. Perform your proper due diligence.
Some Highly Effective Disinfectants Are Both Inexpensive And Readily Available
Sometimes circumstances may be where marketed disinfectants may not be readily available. There could be supply issues caused by a variety of reasons including natural disasters. If that is the case we can look at some common items in our household that may be very effective. Something is always better than nothing so take the time to clean and wipe things down.
You can help eliminate many common illnesses with some common sense and items that are both inexpensive and sitting in your cabinets as we speak.
Stay empowered and informed.
