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Non-Toxic Disinfecting: Surviving Flu Season

On a day-to-day basis I’m perfectly satisfied with cleaning with vinegar and baking soda; it’s effective and reduces my family’s chemical exposure.  When the flu virus rears its ugly head, however, my gut instinct is to pull out the big guns: the Clorox bleach.  I can’t help it.  I’m looking for total annihilation.  I want to keep my kids healthy; I hate to see them sick.  I want those germs stopped in their tracks.

Don’t worry.  Knowing bleach has no place in the home, I stopped buying it long ago.

What can you do when you want to avoid exposing your children to toxic chemicals like bleach but still kill the germs that will make them sick?

It’s simple. Keep white vinegar in a spray bottle, and 3% hydrogen peroxide in another.  (The bottle containing the hydrogen peroxide should be opaque, as it will degrade in a clear bottle.)  Spray your contaminated surfaces with the vinegar and follow with the hydrogen peroxide.

This lethal (to germs) combination has been shown to be as effective as chlorine bleach, killing 99% of bacteria.

My little girl has been laid up with the flu all day, and I’ve been liberally spraying the hot spots where germs hide.  I’m happy to report that the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide treatment has also been effective at neutralizing the smell of vomit, although I did sprinkle baking soda on particularly stubborn areas (vacuuming up when dry).

And I’ve been reminding everyone to wash, wash, wash their hands with plain old soap and water.  Hopefully, we can stop this flu cycle right in its tracks…

Photo credit: Robin Elton

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Comments

  1. Diana says

    October 7, 2015 at 11:40 pm

    Do you then just let the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide evaporate, or do you wipe it up? Also, where to do you get your hydrogen peroxide from? In most places I’ve looked it’s been quite expensive, I think.
    Thanks for the info!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Lance says

      October 9, 2015 at 5:20 pm

      I just let dry. Please note vinegar is harmful to granite and marble counter tops. They will need to be resealed after repeated vinegar applications. I buy peroxide at Costco.

      Reply
      • Diana says

        October 10, 2015 at 12:52 am

        Thank you !
        I did know about the risk to those materials — including limestone, I believe. It’s good to be reminded, though.

        Reply
  2. Diana says

    October 7, 2015 at 11:42 pm

    this may be a duplicate. sorry.

    Do you wipe off after spraying, or just let it air dry?
    And — any advice on where to get the hydrogen peroxide at a relatively inexpensive rate? Thanks!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Tip of the Day - Kill the Flu Bug in Your Home | EcoSilly says:
    February 9, 2009 at 7:01 am

    […] without the toxicity of bleach. Here’s a combination I’ve never heard of before — vinegar and hydrogen peroxide!? Apparently it is a great alternative to regular old bleach which has enough toxic qualities that […]

    Reply

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About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

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