Most People Use Disinfectant Products Wrong
I always thought that strong chemical smell meant my house was perfectly clean and completely safe from germs. I used to just grab a spray bottle and immediately wipe down every single surface in a frenzy. But I recently learned that almost all of us have been using these powerful cleaning products completely wrong. It turns out that truly disinfecting our homes requires a little bit more patience and a slightly different approach. Here’s what you should actually be doing.
Cleaning The Surface Dirt First
The biggest mistake I always made was trying to disinfect a counter that was actually still dirty. Disinfectant sprays are designed to kill invisible germs but they absolutely cannot penetrate a layer of sticky jelly or a pile of toast crumbs. You actually have to clean the surface with regular soap and water first. Once the visible grime is completely gone, then the disinfectant can actually reach the hard surface to do its real job.
The Magic Of Just Walking Away
We are all so used to spraying a counter and wiping it dry a second later. But if you read the tiny print on the back of the bottle it usually says the surface needs to remain wet for up to ten minutes. The chemicals need actual time to sit and break down the bacteria. Now I just spray my bathroom sinks and walk away to fold laundry before coming back to wipe them down. It’s as easy as that!
The Danger Of Reusing The Wipe
It feels very efficient to walk from the kitchen to the bathroom using the exact same sponge or cleaning rag. But doing this just moves bacteria from your kitchen sink directly onto your bathroom door handles. You are essentially just giving the germs a free ride around your house. It is so much safer to use a fresh cloth for every single room or simply use disposable paper towels for the really gross jobs. Don't spread the germs you’re trying to kill.
Don't Mix Products
When we really want to get a room sparkling clean it is tempting to use a little bit of different products to get things extra clean. But mixing different cleaning chemicals together is incredibly dangerous. Combining bleach with anything containing ammonia or vinegar creates toxic fumes that can seriously hurt your lungs or even put your life at risk. You should always stick to just one single disinfecting product at a time and make sure the room has plenty of fresh air flowing where you use it.
Does It Expire?
I used to keep giant bottles of bleach under my sink for years thinking they would last forever. But the active ingredients in disinfectants actually break down and lose their germ killing power over time. Bleach starts to lose its effectiveness after just a few months of being open. It is a good idea to check the dates on your bottles and replace them so you know they are actually doing what you need them to do.
Don't Sanitize Everything
We honestly put so much pressure on ourselves to keep our homes completely sterile. But you really do not need to disinfect every single square inch of your house every day. Regular soap and water is perfectly fine for most of our daily messes. Save the heavy duty disinfectants for the high traffic spots like doorknobs and the kitchen faucet especially during cold and flu season. Our homes are meant to be lived in.
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Changing how we clean can feel a little bit strange at first when we are so used to our old routines. But realizing I just need to let the spray sit for a few minutes actually gave me an excuse to slow down. Keeping a healthy home does not have to be an exhausting battle against invisible enemies. It just means using products as they were meant to be used in the first place.
Bliss Donahue-Power
