5 Naturally Greener Ways to Sanitize Your Bathroom

Your bathtub tiles are growing mold, the floor could use some help, and let's not get started on that toilet. But wait! Before you reach for chlorine bleach and other common household chemicals, think green. There are many green ways to sanitize your bathroom. Here are some of my favorites.

Thyme

This natural disinfectant helps keep the bathroom clean and germ-free. It also gives off a fresh scent. Mix one part thyme oil to 8 parts water in a spray bottle. Simply spray down the surface and wipe clean with a cloth. When cleaning with thyme oil, be sure you are in a well-ventilated area. Open bathroom windows or turn on an exhaust fan. Also allow the surface to dry thoroughly. Thyme is a very powerful disinfectant.

Tea Tree Oil

Some people think of chemical disinfectants as more effective in the bathroom than natural ones. However, tea tree oil can be much stronger than chemical solutions when it comes to killing bacteria. It has even shown effective in fighting MRSA when used by infected patients. To use tea tree oil in fighting bathroom germs, mix and use it in the same way as the thyme oil solution above.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice has long been used as a natural disinfectant. In certain situations, it can even be used as a biocide in drinking water. To use lemon juice as a bathroom disinfectant, simply mix 1 part lemon juice concentrate to 4 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray on counters, sinks, toilets, bathtubs, and more for cleaning purposes. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, spray again and wipe clean. This helps destroy germs and many types of bacteria.

Vinegar

Vinegar can be used as a natural disinfectant for many situations. It is very effective at cleaning many different types of soil. In one study, when tested along with commercial cleaning products, vinegar was on the list for the most effective at cleaning both bathroom soil and kitchen soil. It is best used at full, undiluted strength - not the strength commonly found in supermarkets. Garden centers and feed suppliers are most likely to sell the full strength vinegar.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Need to whiten and brighten an area of your bathroom? Ditch the bleach and use hydrogen peroxide instead. Mix a half and half solution of water and hydrogen peroxide in a solid colored spray bottle. Spray onto desired areas, let sit for a few minutes, spray again, and wipe clean. This solution may bleach colored surfaces. Test an inconspicuous area before use. This is a greener way to bleach than with chlorine-based products.

*Note that the author is not a licensed health professional. Some ingredients, while natural, can cause allergic reactions or other ill effects if used improperly. The above advice is meant for informational purposes only and should not take the place of advice from a licensed professional.

Sources:

personal experience

http://jac.oxfordjournals.org/content/45/5/639.full

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7858646

http://www.purdue.edu/envirosoft/housewaste/src/research.htm