DJ Richey Rich
New Member
Many of us are aware of the toxic nature of cleaning products and want safe cleansers for ourselves and our pets.
Anti-bacterial products cause micro-organisms to evolve to withstand such cleansers, creating 'superbugs' that cannot be killed with ordinary cleaners. Avoid using anti-bacterial cleansers.
Many soaps leave residue which can make us and our pets sick.
Bleach kills germs well, but the fumes are toxic to us and our pets.
Many people are hyper sensitive to chemicals from overuse and really need an alternative.
So what is left that kills germs?
Heat
Heat kills bacteria and sterilizes surfaces.
Smaller items can be sterilized by boiling for 20 minutes, or placed in the oven at low heat for several hours (if it won't melt or catch fire of course!).
For larger items, such as cages, or your kitchen counter top, a hand held steam cleaner is a great investment. These can be bought for under $100 and used throughout your house to completely sterilize surfaces without any chemical cleansers. Just add water.
Vinegar & Hydrogen Peroxide
Another method which is very cost effective is vinegar and 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Buy 2 spray bottles, and put one in each. Don't mix them together as this dilutes the effectiveness.
Simply spray first one then the other on surfaces, wait 10 minutes, and wipe with a damp sponge, or rinse under running water. Either one can be sprayed first.
This mixture is safe for almost any cleaning task (avoid using this on nice woods!) from cleaning vegetables to laundry and is more effective than bleach or commercial cleansers!
Hand Washing
Most germs are spread between people (or to ourselves) because we do not wash often enough or well enough. After handling pets (amongst other things) be sure to wash using warm water and soap for at least 30 seconds. Make sure children know to wash between their fingers. Drying your hands afterwards with a clean towel or paper towel also helps to remove any germs left behind.
Anti-bacterial products cause micro-organisms to evolve to withstand such cleansers, creating 'superbugs' that cannot be killed with ordinary cleaners. Avoid using anti-bacterial cleansers.
Many soaps leave residue which can make us and our pets sick.
Bleach kills germs well, but the fumes are toxic to us and our pets.
Many people are hyper sensitive to chemicals from overuse and really need an alternative.
So what is left that kills germs?
Heat
Heat kills bacteria and sterilizes surfaces.
Smaller items can be sterilized by boiling for 20 minutes, or placed in the oven at low heat for several hours (if it won't melt or catch fire of course!).
For larger items, such as cages, or your kitchen counter top, a hand held steam cleaner is a great investment. These can be bought for under $100 and used throughout your house to completely sterilize surfaces without any chemical cleansers. Just add water.
Vinegar & Hydrogen Peroxide
Another method which is very cost effective is vinegar and 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Buy 2 spray bottles, and put one in each. Don't mix them together as this dilutes the effectiveness.
Simply spray first one then the other on surfaces, wait 10 minutes, and wipe with a damp sponge, or rinse under running water. Either one can be sprayed first.
This mixture is safe for almost any cleaning task (avoid using this on nice woods!) from cleaning vegetables to laundry and is more effective than bleach or commercial cleansers!
Hand Washing
Most germs are spread between people (or to ourselves) because we do not wash often enough or well enough. After handling pets (amongst other things) be sure to wash using warm water and soap for at least 30 seconds. Make sure children know to wash between their fingers. Drying your hands afterwards with a clean towel or paper towel also helps to remove any germs left behind.
