Guest Post – DIY Cleaners

Make Your Own Antibacterial Cleaner

Although many of us have sworn off bleach and maybe even tried our hands at DIY green cleaning recipes, the idea of going DIY with an antibacterial spray cleaner made me nervous. It was one thing to clean my windows with a vinegar and water mixture, but I simply didn’t feel safe going soft and natural on potentially terrifying germs, especially in flu season with H1N1 on the loose. Mothers of young children likely agree.

There are, of course, green options to warding off germs. Like many green products, though, my chosen spray by Seventh Generation was more expensive than conventional sprays. It hurt either way—my values or my wallet.

Breakthrough in Science and Green Cleaning

Just as I was biting my nails and debating whether to buy a toxin-laden spray bottle of antibacterial cleaning spray ($2) or the Seventh Generation counterpart ($5), I learned of a study that changed my habits yet again. The Department of Microbiological and gynecological Sciences at the University of Catania, Italy conducted a study that pitted tea tree oil against the dreaded H1N1 virus—and tea tree oil won! The required dose of the stuff did not exceed levels that remained safe for human cellular contact, which meant that it was a safe, natural, and effective antiseptic, meaning it inhibits the growth of bacteria.

Here’s the recipe to making your own antibacterial cleaner to swipe countertops, bathrooms, and more.

6 ½ cups water
9 ¾ tbsp liquid soap
80 drops of tea tree oil

Breakthrough for Your Wallet

I gave the DIY angle another go and discovered much to my delight that I ended up saving money. We’ve already established that the Seventh Generation brand of antibacterial all-purpose cleaner can run up to $5 for a 26-oz spray bottle. You can make just as much of your own alternative cleaner for under $4 per bottle.

Dr Bronner’s Magic Pure-Castile Soap in Organic Almond at 16 oz. costs $8. Since there are 2 tbsp to an ounce, you’ll get 32 tablespoons out of one bottle, or a little over 3 spray bottles’ worth of soap in one $8 bottle. Since 8 divided by 3 is about $2.7.

The 365 Everyday Value brand of tea tree oil is $13 for 2 fl oz bottle. You’ll get about 600 drops per fl oz, meaning you’ll get 15 uses for $13. That’s an added 87 cents to the total cost of your DIY spray.

This makes your DIY spray total at $3.75 per bottle. Admittedly, $1.25 is not exactly a super saving. Taking into consideration, however, that you’ll make fewer trips to the grocery store and fewer non-recyclable plastic parts are involved with less frequency, you’re doing the earth a favor. Plus, this way you know everything that goes into your home cleaner, making it safer for the kids to help out in the cleaning!

Bio: Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at First in Education where she writes about education, online degrees, and what it takes to succeed as a student taking online undergraduate degree programs remotely from home. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

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