The selected chemical I had around my house that I chose to use for this research was my Method All-Purpose Cleaner. This all-purpose cleaner costs $3.59 at Target, which is relatively cheap considering how long it has lasted in my three-person college household. Since this is an all-purpose cleaner that does not claim to disinfect, it only can wipe off the surfaces around the house and make it less “dirty.” The active ingredient of this cleaner is Potassium Hydroxide, following the main ingredient of simple Water. The product claims to “cut grease and grime” and says it is suitable for counters, tile, stone, wood, and glass. There are no specific organisms this product targets, however, it does include on the packaging that it “will help you put the hurt on dirt.”
When making a do-it-yourself cleaner it is important to be aware of what ingredients actually disinfect and sanitize, depending on the goal of your product. According to Cleanipedia, to make a disinfectant spray with alcohol, “You will need 100 proof vodka or 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, and essential oil drops” (Cleanipedia, 2022). As we have learned in lecture and through the textbook, aqueous solutions of 60-80% ethyl or isopropyl alcohol quickly destroys vegetative bacteria, enveloped viruses, and fungi. We have also learned that alcohol solutions are used as disinfectants, however, they evaporate quickly, which limits their germicidal effectiveness. As far as the vinegar used in this solution goes, there are also some drawbacks. According to this article from Healthline, vinegar can only kill or reduce some certain types of pathogens, commonly known as foodborne diseases (Healthline, 2020). Although the alcohol is a good at-home disinfectant, its ability to evaporate quickly hinders it; the vinegar is also a fine at-home option for cleaning, but it too has drawbacks.
There are also other ways online that state how to make a disinfectant, one I will discuss only uses essential oils and water. According to this article from The Thrifty Couple, “All you will need to make an at-home disinfectant is water, lavender essential oil, lemon essential oil, melaleuca essential oil, and oregano essential oil” (The Thrift Couple, 2015). Although these essential oils may be thought of only for their aroma and therapeutic uses, they actually offer disinfectant purposes as well. According to this article by Healthline, “Tea tree oil and lemongrass oil have been shown to have antibacterial properties and can even improve S. aureus and B. cereus” (Healthline, 2021). In combination with the alcohol and vinegar, these essential oils can also provide aid in disinfecting, however, they also have a generally short evaporation period, making it difficult for a surface to stay disinfected. These three options – being alcohol, vinegar, and (select) essential oils – can make for good at-home disinfectants, however, they do have some drawbacks including short evaporation time and long contact time in order to fully disinfect and kill microorganisms. I personally would trust at-home disinfectants over name brand disinfectants because I will be able to know mainly everything that is in it and I won’t be as inclined to trust it simply based off the marketing of the product and what it promises it can do.
Sources:
Cleanipedia UK. “How and Why to Make a DIY Disinfectant.” Cleanipedia UK, Cleanipedia UK, 10 Feb. 2022, http://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/in-the-home/make-your-own-antibacterial-spray-diy-solutions.html.
Nunez, Kirsten. “Is Vinegar a Disinfectant? Can It Kill Bacteria and Viruses?” Healthline, Healthline Media, 5 Aug. 2020, http://www.healthline.com/health/is-vinegar-a-disinfectant#products.
Couple, Cassie from The Thrifty. “Homemade Natural Antibacterial Spray Cleaner (for Cleaning and…” The Thrifty Couple, 28 Oct. 2015, thethriftycouple.com/homemade-natural-antibacterial-spray-cleaner-for-cleaning-and-personal-use/.
Higuera, Valencia. “Antibacterial Essential Oils: How Do They Work?” Healthline, Healthline Media, 1 Apr. 2021, http://www.healthline.com/health/antibacterial-essential-oils#lemongrass-oil.
Emily Mahn - MCRO 251 