Hi ladies, I'm searching for a brand - or even a recipe! - for a natural cleaner I can use on my hardwood floors that will actually disinfect them. I usually use the Method products, but their options for floors were limited to cleaners and polishes. I didn't see anything that actually said it was a disinfectant. In a pinch, I use their Anti-bac on my tile floors, but I was hesitant to use it on hardwood.
Thanks!
These are fantastic! Thank you for taking the time to share.
I'm not a germaphobe or super neat freak (don't use anti-bac soaps, etc), but recently my dog had a multi-room poo mess (ARGGGGH!) and I was concerned about that as my son is all over the place and harmful bacteria can be present in feces. Thank you for the useful information!
Vinegar! I highly recommend getting the book, Clean House Clean Planet. She has recipes in the book, each of them rated (so you can determine if you want to do the homemade or still buy), each of them with detailed instructions (some ingredients need to be added in exact order to maintain the PH or acid levels). Good luck!
Vinegar. Mix with water, throw in a little tea tree oil if you want (extra antibacterial power) and youre good to go. That's what I've been using for years and my hardwoods and tile are clean and shiny.
Vinegar is a good disinfectant. You can find a variety of recipes by googling "non-toxic home, cleaners," or similar key phrases. I don't have hardwood floors, but if I did, I think I'd also add a splash of Citra-solv, which is made from orange peels with no toxic solvents added. (http://www.citrasolv.com/products.shtml)
Be aware that "killing" bacteria happens naturally, without chemicals or any effort on our part – most of them will die as they dry out only an hour or two after landing on most surfaces. Mold spores will live somewhat longer, but they won't generally be a problem in open areas with decent ventilation.
So even if a surface looks dirty, there are probably few if any living bacteria on it unless a person or a pet was recently in contact with it. We all have huge societies of bacteria on our skin, most of which are helpful and outcompete the nasties. And of course, new bacteria can be deposited just moments after you've cleaned the floor.
The obsession with killing bacteria that so many of us are burdened with is the result of decades of very effective advertising.
Im not sure about hardwoods but for my laminates I use white vinegar. The acid is a disenfectant. You can use this to clean your kitchen counters too.
I use the shark steam mop at one house I clean, it can be used on hardwood floors and it uses no chemicals...just water/steam...it does an amazing job, I have not bought one for myself yet, but am saving for one...they are not really that pricey for what it does.
I use plain white vinegar in a squirt bottle and a damp mop on my laminate floors. Vinegar is a mild disinfectant. I don't really worry that much about germs on floors, since none of us lick our feet.
Disinfection is not usually necessary, unless you're planning on eating off your floors. A clean, dry surface will rarely harbor bacteria or viruses.
I don't know how this would work with hardwoods but for my ceramic tile I use 2 cups water
1.5 teaspoons Castile Soap
2 drops tea tree essential oil
5-10 drops lemon essential oil
I love it and it smells great too!
