CLEAN PATROL

90. BATHROOMS

Toilets, sinks, showers, baths, and floors in a bathroom can be a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and fungi if not cleaned frequently and thoroughly. Toilet seats, for example, have about fifty bacteria per square inch. That may seem like a lot, but it’s really not, considering the human body houses one hundred trillion microbes. The good news is that a very small percentage of the germs encountered here are pathogenic and likely to cause illness. Gastrointestinal and foodborne viruses can last up to a week on solid surfaces and can induce diarrhea and vomiting if picked up by unsuspecting individuals. Simply flushing a toilet and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes can transfer a pathogen from the hands and begin an infection. Other organisms can cause athlete’s foot (if walking barefoot in the bathroom) or exacerbate asthma or allergies. Always wash hands after using the toilet, and make sure to sterilize toothbrushes periodically. Launder shower towels twice a week and hand towels every other day. Many products are available specifically marketed to disinfect bathrooms. They often contain ingredients that affect the respiratory system, cause skin irritation, and lead to allergies. Other ingredients are poorly biodegradable and can pollute the water systems.

All-natural cleaners without harmful chemicals can be used with the addition of antimicrobial essential oils to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and fungi lurking on toilet seats, in the toilet bowl, and on every other surface in the bathroom. For an all-purpose cleaner, combine 2 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of castile soap, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 30 drops of lemon essential oil, and 20 drops of rosemary essential oil. Keep in a spray bottle and shake before use. Simply spray, allow to sit on the surface for a few minutes, and wipe away. To clean inside the toilet bowl, mix 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup baking soda, and 7 drops of peppermint essential oil. Be careful, because this will fizz a lot. Pour into the bowl and scrub with a toilet brush. Other oils to choose from include lime, tea tree, eucalyptus, oregano, bergamot, cinnamon leaf, clove, cit-ronella, and palmarosa.

91. BURNED COOKWARE

It takes only a moment’s diversion to pull the cook’s attention away from the sauce simmering on the stovetop or the casserole in the oven. In the span of minutes—or maybe much longer, it happens!—food can burn and get stuck on the cookware. Now there’s a sticky, crusty, stuck-on mess that no amount of elbow grease will get rid of. If this happens, pour warm water in the pot or dish and gently scrape off loose bits of food using a spatula. Pour out the water and food residue. Add a few drops of lemon essential oil and let it sit for several minutes. Using a plastic scrubber, work the oil over the burned areas. They should lift out with a little effort. For a really stuck-on mess, combine the lemon oil (10 drops) with equal amounts of vinegar (1/4 cup) and baking soda (1/4 cup). Let this sit for 20 minutes, then scrub the burned areas away.

92. CLEANiNG PoWER

There is a plethora of products that wipe away grime and make countertops, sinks, and windows shine. Some products cater to one job, while others are touted as all-purpose and can be used to clean just about anything. Only 7 percent of cleaning products list all their ingredients, and many contain toxic compounds that can harm your health and the environment. There are no US federal regulations for chemicals in household products, and some contain carcinogens, formaldehyde, and other highly toxic compounds known to cause reproductive, neurotoxic, and respiratory damage. These chemicals can build up in our bodies over time and trigger disease. When the product’s instructions for use include wearing safety goggles and gloves and state that inhalation could be harmful or fatal, you would do well to avoid them. Even products that claim to be natural or green can still be toxic, so beware of these, too.

Simple, nontoxic cleaners can be made at home with a short list of commonly available ingredients. Perhaps the easiest all-purpose cleaner is made by combining 1 cup of warm water, 3/4 cup of apple cider vinegar, and 30 drops of essential oils. Good ones to choose from include lavender, tea tree, lemongrass, oregano, wild orange, eucalyptus, peppermint, and grapefruit. This solution will destroy germs and wash away dirt and residue on surfaces. It can be used on cutting boards, countertops (but not marble or granite), windows, sinks, microwaves, tiles, and stainless steel. Spray on and wipe off with a clean microfiber cloth.

93. FRiDGE

Refrigerators keep fresh food cool to minimize bacterial, viral, and fungal growth and maintain edibility for longer periods of time. No food is sterile, and when it gets stored in the fridge, it inevitably carries germs, which will multiply and contaminate other items. Foods host to pathogens perish more quickly, but they also run the risk of infecting consumers with harmful germs that can make them very sick. Regular fridge cleanings are recommended to prevent this from happening.

Remove food from the fridge one shelf at a time. Spray a solution of 2 cups of warm water, 1 cup of vinegar, and 15 drops of lemon essential oil over the shelf. Wipe with a clean microfiber cloth. Replace the food and move on to the next shelf. This solution will destroy germs lingering on surfaces and loosen sticky spills.

Once the fridge is clean, place a jar of 1 cup of baking soda containing 10 drops of lime, mandarin, grapefruit, or sweet orange essential oils on a shelf in the fridge to keep odors at bay. Shake the jar occasionally to release the scent. Replace the jar every four months.

94. VAGUuMS

Nearly every home has a vacuum to suck up dust and dirt from floors, window coverings, and furniture. Unfortunately, most of these release some fine dust, pollen, dander, and bacteria back into the air, which can trigger asthma and allergies. Considering people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, this chronic exposure can cause significant problems for some. Even vacuums with HEPA filters re-suspend dust and bacteria, although they are better than conventional filters. It’s an aesthetic issue as well as a health issue. For those who are not prone to respiratory or allergic conditions, dust spewed back into the air can make the house smell old, dusty, musty, and just all-around unpleasant.

Before vacuuming, wipe down the outside of the vacuum to remove dust and debris. Then clean the filter pads, or change them, if disposable. Dust any accessible interior parts. Add 3 drops of any antimicrobial essential oil like lavender, tea tree, lemongrass, mandarin, manuka, oregano, rose, sage, sandalwood, peppermint, eucalyptus, bergamot, or sweet orange to the filter pad. Add another 3 drops to a cotton ball and place it in the vacuum bag or canister. When the vacuum is turned on, the essential oils will disperse through the air. Not only will they leave a pleasant aroma in the home, they will work to destroy harmful germs in the air.