Green Disinfecting - Kill germs without harming health and the environment
The best ways to clean, sanitize and disinfect your space without compromising air quality and health
Can you really kill the bad germs without harmful fumes and harsh chemicals? Yes, you absolutely can! These options are safe for children, pregnant women and pets too!
EPA-Registered Disinfectants
Purell Surface Disinfectant
Certified by EPA’s Design for the Environment (Safer Choice)
Ethyl alcohol-based surface disinfectant and sanitizer
Available from online retailers or Gojo distributers
Amazon is selling the Purell Foodservice Surface Sanitizer for around $40 for a case of 4 gallons; that’s ~$10/gal and the Healthcare Surface Disinfectant for ~$16/gal
PureGreen24 Disinfectant
Non-toxic hard surface antimicrobial, EPA registered
Made with silver ions and citric acid
Provides 24 hr protection to surfaces
Visit puregreen24.com for more information and to purchase online
DIY Disinfectants
These DIY disinfectants do not necessarily kill a full-spectrum of germs. Homemade disinfectants typically have not been verified by research to compete with standard EPA-registered products. Using disinfectants made from common household and natural products are a great way to reduce toxic exposure and have your space smelling fresh and clean.
You may add pure, cold-pressed essential oils to your disinfectant recipes, however they have been left out for those looking for a simple, fragrance-free recipe.
70% ETHyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
50-90% alcohol is an effective disinfectant. Formulas less than 50% alcohol have been found to lose germ-killing power. Solutions that are 60-90% alcohol are optimum bactericidal concentrations (CDC).
3% Hydrogen peroxide
Undiluted 3% hydrogen peroxide is an affordable and accessible choice for disinfecting
Soap and water
With all the products on the market to kill and reduce germs, people often forget the many benefits of good ol’ soap and water. Cleaning with soap and water allows germs and dirt to wash down the drain. Disinfecting solutions are known to be more effective when they are applied after properly cleaning a surface. Filth is associated with bad odors, germs and disease; basic cleaning with soaps and detergents will reduce the organisms that harm us. Soap and water for disinfecting also applies to hand hygiene. You might have wiped down your home with bleach but could easily bring the bacteria and viruses back in with your hands.