Home Cleaning—back to basics.
If you glean only one thing from this page, let it be this:
“Cleaning” is different from “disinfecting.” Clean with soap and water first, and then ask whether disinfecting is necessary.
We tend to conflate “cleaning” with “disinfecting,” and as a result, disinfectants are overused.
Here is an illustrative—albeit discouraging—example. When my older son was in first grade, his former school had kids disinfecting surfaces multiple times per day. That, in and of itself, is not okay (we’ll get to why in a minute). Here is the really discouraging part. Some of his classmates would finish wiping down their desks, and then they would use the disinfectant wipes to wipe their hands . . . and then their mouths.
What do we expect? It’s not the kids’ fault. We—as adults—have become desensitized to the overuse of disinfectants. And the effect is magnified in the next generation. To the point that a disinfectant wipe is perceived as no different from a wet washcloth.
Why is it so bad for kids to be around disinfectants, let alone handle them or—I cringe to type it—apply disinfectants to their faces?
Let’s start with the basics. Disinfectants are a class of pesticides, which means they are designed to kill living organisms and are thus inherently toxic.
Disinfectants are known to trigger asthma attacks, as well as new-onset asthma. There is also a growing body of evidence linking disinfectants to hormone disruption and reproductive (i.e. fertility) issues. Just from ambient exposure.
The EPA, which regulates disinfectants, warns that children should not apply disinfectants, including disinfectant wipes, because these products can harm children’s health. Similarly, the product manufacturers tell you right there on the label—“Keep out of reach of children.”
I am focusing this discussion on disinfectants, because this is such a huge problem in the wake of COVID. But non-disinfectant cleaning products pose similar risks. Commercial cleaning products tend to include fragrance, dyes, synthetic surfactants, preservatives, and other harsh chemicals that pose real risks to human health. And as with so many things, children are especially at risk due to their small size, developing organs, and hand-to-mouth behavior, among other factors.
You do not need harsh chemicals to clean your home. I mean it. For nearly all purposes, soap, baking soda, and vinegar can perform at least as well as commercial cleaners. You just need to know which one to use in which circumstances, and that’s what we’re going to discuss here.
Guide to Home Cleaning
You’ll need:
Soap (either soap flakes or the concentrate you use for filling soap dispensers)
Distilled white vinegar
Baking soda
Lemon or orange essential oil (optional)
2 Spray bottles
Rags (repurpose old t-shirts, towels, washcloths, etc.)
How to:
Prepare your soap spray bottle. From soap concentrate: Mix 1 tbsp. soap concentrate with 12 oz. purified water in a spray bottle. From soap flakes: Mix 0.5 tbsp. soap flakes with 12 oz. warm purified water in a spray bottle, and stir or swirl to dissolve. (These measurements are just guidelines—play around with ratios based on the size of your bottle.)
This is your all-purpose cleaner. Use it for everyday cleaning of non-porous surfaces (see suggested applications below).
Prepare your vinegar spray bottle. Mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts purified water in a separate spray bottle. Optionally, add a few drops of orange or lemon essential oil for extra degreasing power.
Use diluted vinegar on glass and mirrors (after cleaning with soap spray) for a streak-free finish, or in areas where you want a bit of disinfecting power (but note that it is not a true disinfectant).
Cleaning vs. Disinfecting
To continue the theme above, let’s get straight on some vocabulary.
“Cleaning” with soap and water removes dirt and germs. “Disinfecting” kills the germs that remain after cleaning.
Did you know that “cleaning” is always the first step before “disinfecting”? That’s because dirt makes it harder for disinfectants—even commercial disinfectants—to reach germs. Plus, if you don’t clean first, you’re just smearing dirt around.
That means that before you reach for a disinfectant spray or a disinfectant wipe, you should clean with soap and water first.
So clean with soap and water first—because you have to, anyway—and then ask whether disinfecting is necessary.
Is it ever necessary? Yes. We’ll get to that in a minute.
Cleaning vs. Disinfecting
Cleaning with soap and water removes dirt and germs. Clean first, then ask whether disinfecting is necessary.
Disinfecting kills germs. Dirt makes it harder for disinfectants to reach germs, which is why cleaning with soap and water is always the first step.
Daily Cleaning with Soap and Water
Soap is all you need to clean the majority of surfaces in your home on a daily basis (see the CDC guidance on the topic).
For everyday cleaning of non-porous surfaces, simply spray the surface with your soap spray, let it sit for a minute, and then wipe it down with a rag. Then rinse your rag with water and wipe away any soap residue on the surface. If you still notice soap residue, you might try diluting your soap spray with more water, or you can follow up with diluted vinegar spray (see below).
You can use this approach for counters, sinks, bathtubs and showers, tile surfaces, toilets (see additional notes under “Specific Applications” below), and other non-porous surfaces.
Of course, if you have a particularly dirty surface, or if you are particularly concerned about germs, use more soap, water, and elbow grease for a more thorough cleaning. And see the disinfectant considerations below.
Cheat Sheet
Soap washes away dirt and grime. Use soap for cleaning body oils, food stains, and general dirt and grime.
Baking soda is a powerful gunk and stain remover. Make a paste with water (or even with soap) and scrub away stubborn gunk and stains.
Vinegar eliminates soap scum and water spots. After cleaning with soap, wipe down with vinegar for a spotless, streak-free finish. Vinegar also provides a bit of disinfecting power.
Don’t mix vinegar with either soap or baking soda, because you’ll neutralize both of them!
Using Diluted Vinegar, As Needed
There are two reasons that I use my diluted vinegar spray bottle:
To eliminate soap residue and water spots (e.g., on windows, glass, and mirrors), as described in the “Specific Applications” section below; or
For a bit of disinfecting power.
In our home, I use the diluted vinegar spray (after I’ve cleaned with the soap spray) on my kitchen counter after I’ve handled raw meat, on certain hard surfaces in my bathroom every couple of weeks, and anywhere else I want a bit of disinfecting power.
I say “a bit of disinfecting power,” because while vinegar does kill some germs, it does not kill enough to be considered a “disinfectant.”
Personally, I have found vinegar to be sufficient in our home for nearly all purposes. But see below for instances in which you may want a true disinfectant.
When using diluted vinegar, be sure to start by testing a small, inconspicuous spot on your countertops and other surfaces, because vinegar can damage certain materials. I always see this cautionary note about stone surfaces, in particular, so I am mentioning it here, but I also know plenty of people who have used diluted vinegar successfully on such surfaces. Vinegar can also damage grout over time, so when I use it in our tile shower, I follow up by rinsing with water.
Disinfecting
Do disinfectants still have their place? Yes.
When our dishwasher leaked and created a moldy mess in our kitchen and basement, I killed the mold with a true disinfectant—one that contains only three ingredients (hypochlorous acid, a very small amount of sodium hydroxide, and water), and none of the other junk, like fragrance, preservatives, dyes, etc.
You know the needs of your family best, and perhaps you have circumstances that require more frequent and comprehensive disinfecting with a true disinfectant (e.g., someone with an open wound, a compromised immune system, or other particular needs).
My purpose here is not to tell you what is best for your family, but to encourage intentional usage of disinfecting agents. For example, if you are using a disinfectant out of habit every time you wipe down your kitchen counter or table, I encourage you to clean with soap spray first, and then take a moment to consider whether disinfecting is necessary.
The key takeaway here: clean with soap and water first—because you have to, anyway—and then ask whether disinfecting is necessary.
Removing Gunk and Stains with Baking Soda
Need proof of the power of baking soda? It tackled the unparalleled grime of my backyard chicken’s glassware with ease. Your grimiest of grime has nothing on my “chickenware.”
Here are a few reasons baking soda is awesome for cleaning:
Baking soda is somewhat abrasive, so it is good for scrubbing. (This is why it should be used carefully on surfaces that are prone to scratching.)
Baking soda is basic (high pH), while most odors are acidic (low pH), so baking soda neutralizes those odors.
I saved the best for last. This will blow your mind. When baking soda comes into contact with dirt and grime, which tend to be acidic, saponification occurs. In case your mind is not blown, let me say that again—baking soda turns dirt and grime into soap! No wonder baking soda is so amazing for washing away dirt and grime!
Baking soda has many uses, but my favorite way to use it is to make a paste (with either water or soap from my foaming dispenser) and apply it to stubborn gunk or stains.
For pots and pans, I sprinkle a little baking soda on the gunk, add enough water to make a paste, and let it sit while I clean the rest of the kitchen. Usually, by the end of that time, the baking soda has loosened up the gunk, and I can finish washing with soap and water. Every so often, a second iteration of baking soda paste is required. Note: baking soda is somewhat abrasive, so use carefully on surfaces prone to scratching.
I use the same technique for stubborn gunk on the stove and in the oven.
Or stubborn gunk and grime anywhere for that matter, including toilet bowls.
Specific Cleaning Applications
Windows, glass, and mirrors
Clean these surfaces with your soap spray first in order to remove dirt and grime (and waxy residue from prior commercial cleaners you might have used). Then, wipe down these surfaces with your diluted vinegar spray (you can use a different part of the same rag you used for your soap spray, or you can grab a fresh one) in order to remove soap residue or water spots and leave these surfaces streak-free and spotless.
The results are pretty amazing.
Wood furniture
I simply wipe down wood furniture with a slightly damp rag—mainly to remove dust—and then follow up with a dry rag.
Wood floors
For hard floors, I sweep high-traffic areas regularly (really just the kitchen and areas near the front and back doors), but mopping is a less frequent activity.
For mopping, as a general rule, I only use a damp (not soaking wet) mop pad. My mop has reusable, washable pads with Velcro strips for sticking onto the mop handle/head—the pad goes in the wash with all my cleaning rags and is ready for next time.
If there’s a particularly sticky, dirty, or grimy spot (like if food from the dinner table ended up on the floor and turned to glue), then I’ll spot clean with a rag and soap spray.
Bathtubs and Showers
Only soap and water touches our bathtubs. My kids soak in the tub, so I am careful to avoid residue that might irritate skin.
Use soap spray to clean tile showers. Vinegar can be harsh on grout, so if I use it in our tile shower, I follow it by a rinse with water. If you’re looking for a deep clean, you can use a baking soda paste (or an oxygen bleach paste) with a toothbrush to tackle stained or mildewed grout.
Toilets
Interior: Spray the interior of the toilet with soap spray, sprinkle with baking soda, scrub, and flush. Spray the interior of the toilet with diluted vinegar spray.
Exterior: Clean the exterior of the toilet with soap spray. Follow with diluted vinegar spray.