Hydrogen Peroxide & Peracetic Acid The commercial hydrogen peroxide-based surface disinfectants can adequately disinfect surfaces between 30 seconds to a minute.
Sodium hypochlorite is a chemical used in bleaching solutions, disinfectants, water purifiers, and cleaning products. As a disinfectant, it attacks and destroys bacteria, viruses, and mold. It can be found in toilet bowl cleaners and tile and grout cleaners, among other products.
So the answer to the titular question is vinegar. Vinegar is better for cleaning. But that's because bleach isn't intended for cleaning, but for disinfecting. And, by the way, if you want to use bleach for disinfecting, make sure the area you want to treat is clean (and rinsed clean, if you used vinegar!) first.
“White vinegar is about 5% acetic acid while cleaning vinegar is 6% acetic acid,” she explains. The higher acidity and concentration is key to giving cleaning vinegar its oomph, Brown says: “It is more powerful in cutting through grease, dirt, and other messes-and better for cleaning.”
Bleach and baking soda are valuable in the laundry and are particularly useful in cleaning white clothes. Bleach is suitable for making whites whiter while baking soda helps make white clothes fresher.
The best natural disinfectants include alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, hot water, and some essential oils. Other natural compounds include plant-based materials, baking soda, sodium, citric acid, glycerin, and more.
Acid cleaners are the most powerful type of cleaning agent and should be used with care. If they are not diluted correctly, acid cleaners can be very poisonous and corrosive. Acid cleaners are generally used to remove mineral deposits and are useful for descaling dishwashers or removing rust from restroom facilities.
Hypochlorite (Bleach)
Using 12.5% hypochlorite (industrial strength bleach) in a 1:10 dilution (one part industrial strength bleach and nine parts water) yields 12,500 ppm or a 1.25% hypochlorite solution, for use within 30 days.
Both bleach and ammonia products are effective in sanitizing and disinfecting and are inexpensive to boot. Bleach is typically used to disinfect and sanitize fabrics as well as ceramics and dishes, while ammonia effectively cleans hard, dirty surfaces such as glass and tile. Remember to never mix bleach and ammonia.
Oxidizing Agent: Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizer that helps in breaking down organic matter, making it effective for deep cleaning. Antimicrobial Properties: Effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
These five household cleaning agents—white vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, castile soap, and rubbing alcohol—are effective, affordable, and readily available. By incorporating these into your cleaning routine, you can maintain a spotless and healthy home environment.
Detergents. Detergents are the most common type of cleaning agent and are used in home and commercial kitchens. They work by breaking up dirt or soil, making it easy to wash it away. In general they will be neutral chemicals PH6-8 and contain surfactants to release dirt for easy removal.
The disinfecting power of HOCl surpasses the effectiveness of traditional bleach by at least 80 times. Dwell Time: Bleach disinfectants must be left to dry on a surface for 5 to 10 minutes to actively kill germs.
A basic natural cleaning toolkit includes white vinegar, baking soda, borax, citrus fruit, and empty spray bottles. You may also want hydrogen peroxide, cornstarch, castile soap, tea tree oil, and other essential oils for scent. Add microfiber cloths or old cotton T-shirts instead of paper towels for less waste.
Keep baking soda away from any wood surface, including wood floors, wooden coffee or dining tables, and cutting boards. "Baking soda is slightly abrasive, and if used to clean wood furniture, especially with a polished finish, it can leave scratches," explains Brown.
Like hand soap, dish soap does not kill bacteria, but it lifts them off surfaces to be washed away by water. Dishes should be washed and scrubbed in soapy water, rinsed with water and finally soaked in water containing germ-killing sanitizers before drying them off.