05Aug2019
Disinfectants: Are You Doing More Harm Than Good?
Cleanliness is one of the important aspects of keeping the house germs and bacteria-free. However, a clean surface is beyond dusting, scrubbing and washing. If you want a healthy environment and high indoor air quality, then disinfect each and every corner of your house.
But the questions is: Does a disinfectant has a potential to sterilise an entire house? Or are you doing more harm than good using market-based disinfectants? Well, there is no denying the fact that most of the professionals use high-quality cleaning as well as disinfecting products for the best end of lease cleaning in Perth to make your rental property germ-free.
But, they know how to clean and disinfect the different surfaces of a house. For example, windows are thoroughly wiped down to remove dust and grime while doorknobs and appliance handles are disinfected to kill the breeding of germs and infectious diseases.
So, here in this blog post, we will try to explore some relevant points to help you know why disinfectants are not always a solution to a clean and hygienic home.
What are Disinfectants and what are they used for?
Disinfection is the destruction of microorganisms and other kinds of pathogenic such as germs and bacteria. On the other hand, disinfectants are made up of chemicals used to kill microbes such as fungi and bacteria from different surfaces. Instead of preventing the growth and reproduction of various microorganisms, disinfectants destroy them due to the availability of highly-toxic ingredients. However, it is always recommended to use a disinfectant that can offer complete sterilisation without destroying other forms of life. But, finding such type of product as a disinfectant is quite impossible these days. All the disinfected products available in the market sterilise surfaces partially. The black truth is that all disinfectants are potentially harmful to both humans and animals. They should be used with extreme care. Tip: Do follow the safety instructions (mentioned on the packaging) while using the disinfectant for end of lease cleaning in Perth.Common Types of Disinfectants
1. Chlorine
Many cleaning companies in Perth use chlorine to disinfect swimming pools, and also added in small quantities to drinking water. The properties available in chlorine destroy germs and reduce waterborne diseases.
2. Chlorine Dioxide
It is used as an advanced disinfectant to reduce waterborne diseases from drinking water. Many parts of the world use it as a sophisticated alternative to chlorine.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide is commonly used in hospitals to disinfect surfaces. You can mix it with colloidal silver as well to see better results. Hospitals use hydrogen peroxide because it causes fewer allergic reactions as compared to other disinfectants. You can also use it to disinfect things in your home like the doorknobs, handles, remote-control, and faucets and kitchen sink.
4. Phenol and other Phenolics
Both the ingredients are present in household disinfectant. It is available in disinfectant soap, handwashes and mouthwashes. Phenol is one of the traditional disinfectants used to destroy germs and bacteria.
5. Potassium Permanganate
It is a red crystalline powder, which is used to disinfect fish aquariums. It is also used in swimming pool, wells and water ponds in tropical countries.
Best Ways to Disinfect your House
Being a homemaker, it is your responsibility to banish all types of cold and flu by keeping your house germ-free. If you really want to ensure a safe and healthy environment, then carefully disinfect your house. Below are the best ways to help you prevent the breeding of germs from the dirtiest areas of your house:1. Cleaning is a Primary Step
Before using any disinfectant, make sure you clean that particular place first. Wipe down the dust and remove stains from it using a safe and sound cleaning product.
2. Keep the Surface Wet
After cleaning the surface, apply the disinfectant and keep it at least for 10 minutes. Instead of wiping down, keep the area wet for a few minutes. This is because most products are unable to break through the top levels of the soil or dirt to kill bacteria underneath.
3. Use Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a great natural alternative to a disinfectant. The secret about this oil is that it is extracted from the leaves of the Australian Melaleuca tree. It is antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal. You can use it to prepare a homemade cleaner to remove germs from countertops and other hard surfaces.
4. Attack on the Germiest Areas
Whether you are doing a spring cleaning or an end of lease cleaning, make sure you target the germiest places of your house. Attack the hotspots that everyone touches, such as doorknobs, appliance handles, faucet levers, etc. Since viruses and bacteria can live upto 48 hours on these areas, make sure you wipe down with a safe and sound disinfectant using a microfiber cloth.
Also, remember that germs are destroyed during evaporation, so let it air-dry. For no-wet items like remote controls, dab the microfiber cloth in a disinfectant, remove excess product and swab surfaces without letting the liquid inside.
A Brief Difference Between Cleaning, Disinfecting and Sanitising
Believe it or not! But there is a huge difference between these three processes. If you are preparing for end of lease cleaning in Perth and are confused, then keep reading the blog post to know the difference.Cleaning Process
It is the process of removing dust, dirt, grime and germs for a surface. Though it doesn’t kill bacteria, you get into the process to make your home look visually clean and shiny. Cleaning a countertop with detergent and water alleviates stains, spills and grease. It also reduces the number of germs but doesn’t kill them.
Disinfecting Process
This process is beyond removing dust and dirt. This is the next step where you wipe down the surface to kill germs and bacteria. This includes faucet levers, doorknobs, appliance handles, remote control and other germ-prone areas of your house.
Sanitising Process
This process is all about reducing the number of germs to a safe level by either cleaning the greasy area or disinfecting the surface that are prone to germs and bacteria.