How to Kill Germs with Bleach in a Few Easy Steps

There is one powerful disinfectant that can be found in nearly every household, and that is bleach. It is usually preserved for the toilet or for cases when serious sterilization is needed, and not usually used to clean ‘regular’ surfaces. However, with the outbreak of the coronavirus, many people are looking to take extra safety measures to keep their homes as germ-free as possible. This is where bleach comes in. 

Is it actually effective? The short answer is yes. Studies confirm that bleach can indeed kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses, such as influenza, streptococcus, and salmonella. This is because the sodium hypochlorite found in bleach oxidizes or burns the protective membranes of bacteria and the protein shell of viruses, thus leaving them vulnerable to destruction. Influenza is known to survive 24-48 hours on inanimate surfaces, while COVID-19 can live on them for 72 hours or even days depending on the surface. Bleach radically reduces the chances of that happening. 

Still, before you resort to bleach, there some important precautions you should be aware of!

Instructions for Using Bleach to Disinfect Surfaces

What is Bleach Safe For? 

• Most kitchen counters
• Bathroom sinks
• Door handles

Do NOT use it on wooden floors or painted surfaces! Always wear gloves when working with bleach.

How to Kill Germs with Bleach According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
1. Mix one cup of bleach and five gallons of water in a bucket. For a smaller dose, use 4 teaspoons of bleach with one quart of water.
2. Scrub the surface using a stiff brush and the solution.
3. Let it air dry for at least 10 minutes. This is important, as it assures proper disinfection.

Using Bleach to Sanitize Fabric:
1. For a normal-sized load of laundry, add ¾ cup of bleach to the wash cycle. In case of a large or heavily soiled load, add 1 ¼ cups.
2. Dry on high heat.
3. Note! This is to be used mainly on whites, as bleach can ruin and fade colored fabrics. 

Important Warning -  bleach may release toxic fumes. The CDC recommends seeking medical help immediately if you feel one of the following after using bleach:

• Blurred vision
• Headaches

Difficulty breathing.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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Sanitize vs. Disinfect: What's the Difference?

When it comes to cleaning, the words sanitize and disinfect are often used interchangeably. But in actuality there's a significant difference between the two terms. Knowing the difference between sanitizing and disinfecting can help you to know exactly what cleaning products to buy, and how to use them in order to keep your home a clean and safe environment.

We looked at what the experts at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had to say on the subject. Keep reading to learn the difference between the sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing.

Sanitize vs. Disinfect

While cleaning refers to simply removing dirt and other impurities from a surface, sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing all go far beyond this to eliminate harmful bacteria. Knowing the difference between these deep cleaning terms helps us to safely and effectively use our cleaning products.

According to the CDC, sanitizing refers to lowering the number of germs on a surface to a safe level, "as judged by public health standards or requirements." This process works either through cleaning (which physically removes germs from surfaces) or disinfecting (which kills germs). Sanitizing is generally a little more gentle than disinfecting.

So while sanitizing refers to lowering the number of germs to a safe level by either cleaning or disinfecting, disinfecting itself refers to killing nearly 100 percent of germs on surfaces or objects, according to the CDC. This works by using chemicals to kill germs. Disinfecting doesn't necessarily clean dirty surfaces, but it does kill germs, helping to lower the risk of infection.

When to Sanitize

It's best to sanitize surfaces that don't normally come into contact with dangerous bacteria, or those that are best cleaned without powerful chemicals. For example, cooking tools or children's toys would be best for sanitization, as you don't want those coming into contact with powerful chemicals.

What Is Considered a Sanitizer?

In order to be considered a sanitizer (like this $5 Amazon bestseller), a product must reduce bacteria on a surface by at least 99.9 percent, according to the EPA. A simple water and beach solution can be a sanitizer or a disinfectant, depending on the concentration of bleach in the solution. Solutions with higher concentrations of bleach will be a disinfectant, while lower concentrations are more likely to be a sanitizer.

When to Disinfect
Unlike sanitizing, disinfecting won't be a super common part of your cleaning routine. It's really meant for serious messes like those involving bodily fluids, making it more common in medical settings.

What does it mean for your household cleaning? You'll likely want to disinfect things like toilets or sinks that can come into contact with dangerous bacteria. You'll also want to disinfect high-touch areas like door-knobs and faucets. Overuse of disinfectants can lead to harmful health and environmental consequences.

What Is Considered a Disinfectant?

According to EPA standards, a disinfectant (like this bestselling hospital-grade disinfectant) must kill 99.999 percent of germs, compared to 99.9 percent for sanitizers. While this difference might seem minimal, it can make a huge difference in reducing the spread of infection.

Is Bleach a Sanitizer or Disinfectant?
Bleach can be used as a disinfectant or a sanitizer, depending on how concentrated the bleach solution is. It all comes down to how much it's diluted. Its active ingredient, sodium hypochlorite, is effective in killing bacteria, fungus, and viruses. Refer to the instructions on the packaging for how to dilute bleach. And remember, never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner.

And What About Sterilizing?

Sterilization is an entirely different beast, and it's not something the average person will need to do in their home. According to the CDC, sterilization is the process of destroying or eliminating all forms of microbial life.

It's often carried out in health-care facilities using physical or chemical methods including: steam under pressure, dry heat, EtO gas, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma, and liquid chemicals. These extreme forms of decontamination are necessary for things like surgery, or in certain environments like laboratories or hospitals.

The main difference between the two is disinfection is the process of eliminating all harmful microorganisms, while sterilization is the process of killing all microorganisms.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
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Antibacterial soaps may do more harm than good

We all try to buy the best soap/hand wash to keep ourselves and our family free from germs. And when the cold and flu season revs up, we become even more cautious and might opt for antibacterial soaps to keep ourselves flu-free. 

But turns out, the antibacterial soap is not any better than the regular soap and might even contain harmful chemicals. This is why the food and drug association has made it a rule that would require the manufacturers to give data showing the safety and effectiveness of antibacterial soaps.
What does the antibacterial label mean?
If the product is labelled as antibacterial, it means it has a specific agent that can kill bacteria. This chemical in most cases is triclosan also called triclocarban. Experts say all soaps kill germs and not only the ones with these ingredients as soaps are already antibacterial and do not need anything extra. The additional antimicrobial substance in the soap can do more harm than good. 

The Food and Drug Administration requires the antibacterial soap making company to prove that these soaps are safe and better. As per the FDA, experts warn about the potential risk these harmful chemicals in your antibacterial soap.
The study
The lab study have found that these chemicals work as endocrine disruptors (interrupt with the way your hormones work) and can lead to antibiotic resistance. The study was done on mice and there is no clear evidence about the effect on humans.
Bottom line
Switch to normal soaps that do not have any anti-bacterial chemicals. Many labels won’t mention antibacterial but triclosan or triclocarban, be careful to and do not buy these products. 

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement     

Study Finds Vinegar Kills Germs Just as Well or Better Than Some Commercial Cleaners

We are sorry to inform you that you have wasted all that money on so many different household cleaners, while you’ll only need two things to clean the entire house: vinegar and baking soda.

They can be used separately, together, or mixed with other natural products, and they will always be the healthiest and less toxic way to clean the home.

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a mild alkali that cleans and deodorizes, while vinegar is an acid that is an effective alternative to popular cleaners, including bleach. It also deodorizes and removes rust, mold, and stains.

Here are five reasons why you should replace all those store-bought products and turn to baking soda and vinegar:

1. Non-Toxic
While commercial cleaners are full of cancer-causing, hormone-disrupting, DNA-mutating chemicals, these two are non-toxic. Baking soda is a simple, chemical compound of sodium and bicarbonate. It is also found in nature.
Distilled white vinegar is made from fermented grain, and is natural and non-toxic.

2. Vinegar Kills Germs
One study found that vinegar is just as effective as, or even better than, 6 top commercial disinfectants at a microbial reduction. Moreover, vinegar effectively kills flu viruses.

US researchers from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine discovered that vinegar efficiently killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis — the bacteria that causes tuberculosis — after 30 mins of exposure to a six percent acetic solution.

According to Professor Peter Collignon, an infectious diseases physician at the Australian National University’s medical school, “TB is a hard-to-kill bacteria, so the fact that it works against them means most other bacteria will likely be killed by vinegar as well.”

3. Clean Better
The combination of baking soda and vinegar can do wonders in the bathroom and kitchen. The abrasive of the baking soda gives extra scrubbing power, so you will easily clean all dirty surfaces and grease.

4. Environmentally Friendly
Commercial cleaners contain pollutants that are toxic to animals, contribute to smog, and reduce the quality of drinking water. On the other hand, vinegar and baking soda are the most green options for cleaning your home.

5. Cheaper
To clean the entire house for nearly forever, you will spend $10 for a 13.5-pound bag of baking soda, and $4 for a gallon of distilled white vinegar. Now compare this with the prices of commercial cleaners!

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement    

Sources:realfarmacy.com
www.aciscience.org
 

Unlimited Uses Of TEA

1. Clean carpets: Clean up musty, dirty carpets by sprinkling dry, used green tea leaves on the carpet. Let them work their magic for about 10 minutes, then vacuum them up.

2. Clean antique rugs: Delicate Persian and Oriental rugs can also benefit from a sprinkling of tea leaves. In this case, sprinkle nearly dry, used whole tea leaves on the rugs, and gently sweep them away.

3. Shine wood floors: The tannins in black tea can help shine and color hardwood flooring. Follow your regular floor cleaning routine by carefully rubbing some brewed tea into the floor (don’t use too much water on hardwood flooring) and letting it air dry.

4. Polish furniture: Brewed tea also can help clean and shine wood furniture. Dip a soft cloth in a small amount of tea, and use it to wipe down the tables, chairs and more.

5. Clean mirrors and windows: Tea can remove stubborn, greasy fingerprints from glass, and make it sparkle. Simply rub a damp teabag on the glass or fill a spray bottle with brewed tea.

6. Clean toilet stains: Rumor has it that used tea bags can magically remove stubborn stains in the bottom of the toilet bowl. Just leave them in the toilet for several hours, then flush the toilet and brush the bowl.

7. Get rid of fishy smells: Rinse your hands with tea after eating or preparing fish (or other stinky foods) to eliminate odors.

8. De-stink fridges: Instead of baking soda (or maybe in addition), try used tea bags in the fridge to absorb odors.

9. De-stink cat litter: Likewise, used tea leaves can help deodorize litter boxes when mixed into the litter. Dry, green tealeaves are recommended.

10. Prevent fleas: Tea is also rumored to help prevent fleas, so sprinkle some dry used tealeaves around pet bedding.

11. Kill dust mites: Carefully spray diluted black tea on the carpet to kill dust mites. Color-test the tea first in an inconspicuous spot.

12. Clean the fireplace: Sprinkling wet tealeaves on fireplace ashes while scooping them out may help reduce blowing dust.

13. Make potpourri: The herbs and flowers in used herbal tea bags may have run out of flavor, but they often still have a good scent. Dry out herbal tea bags and add to potpourri or scented sachets.


14. Make a car air freshener: Likewise, you can freshen up the car without a chemical-laden commercial air freshener. Put lavender tea or other soothing herbal tea in a bag under the seat to fight odors. 

Personal:


15. Soothe a sunburn: Wet teabags can soothe sunburns and other minor burns. For a full-body sunburn, soak in a tea bath.

16. Soothe tired eyes: Warm, wet teabags can reduce puffiness and soothe pain around tired eyes — and teabags on your eyes look a little less ridiculous than cucumber slices.

17. Soothe pinkeye: You can also use warm, wet teabags as a compress to soothe the pain of pinkeye.

18. Soothe razor burn: A wet tea bag can also reduce and soothe razor burn.

19. Drain boils: Cover a boil with wet tea bag overnight, and it should drain painlessly.

20. Soothe blisters: Hot teabags are also rumored to draw out infections when left on fever blisters and canker sores.


21. Dry poison ivy rash Dry a weepy poison ivy rash with strongly brewed tea. Simply dip a cotton ball into the tea, dab it on the affected area, and let it air-dry. Repeat as needed.

22. Save a broken fingernail: To salvage a partially broken fingernail, use a piece of mesh tea bag to create a splint of sorts between the nail and the broken piece. Coat in nail polish.

23. Make soap: Tea is a useful addition when making glycerin soap. The texture and scent can help make the soap smell and cleanse better.

24. Help recover from injections: A wet teabag on an injection site can be soothing, for babies or adults.  

25. Soothe bleeding gums: For an older child who loses a tooth, try putting a cold, wet teabag in the mouth where the tooth was lost. It can reduce bleeding and soothe pain.

26. Make mouthwash: Similarly, toothaches and other mouth pain can be soothed with a rinse of antiseptic peppermint tea mixed with a little salt.

27. Shine dry hair: Brewed tea makes a good conditioner for dry hair. Rinse with (unsweetened) tea and leave to dry for a while, then rinse again with water.


28. Dye hair: Brewed tea also is a good natural hair dye. Mix rosemary and sage into dark black tea and let the mixture stand overnight. Strain the mix and thoroughly work it into your hair. Repeat as needed for the desired color.

29. Improve skin: To protect and beautify skin, try bathing in green tea. Another widely recommended skin booster is chamomile tea in a facial steamer.

30. Cure acne: Some acne sufferers swear by washing their faces with green tea to cure or reduce their acne.

31. De-stink feet: Soaking your feet in strong tea for 20 minutes per day may be a relaxing and effective way to reduce foot odor.

32. Heal warts: To help plantar warts on the feet heal faster, press a warm, wet teabag onto the wart for 20 minutes per day.

33. Improve breath: Gargling with strong tea can help reduce halitosis.

34. Get smarter: Caffeinated teas have proven effects on mental alertness, but some traditional Chinese medicine practitioners swear that tea leaves in pillows can also help improve mental alertness. They say after sleeping on tea leaf pillows, people can wake up more clear-headed and quick-thinking.

35. Cure the common cold: The same Chinese traditionalists also swear by tea as a time-tested remedy for many cold symptoms. Of course, others maintain that a cold will last seven days with tea treatment, or one week without.


36. Prevent dizziness: People drink tea for a variety of health reasons, but many older adults do not realize that black tea could reduce their dizziness when standing up. The tea boosts blood pressure, reducing the threat of dizziness. WebMD also lists a litany of other health benefits of black tea, including reduced risk of heart attacks, kidney stones, Parkinson's disease and ovarian cancer.  
 Kitchen:


 37. Tenderize meat: Marinate tough meat in black tea to make it more tender.

38. Smoke it: Add tea to a smoker to make tea-infused cheeses and meats.

39. Boil eggs: The Chinese also like to add tea leaves to the water after boiled eggs are cooked. This adds some flavor and color to the boiled eggs.

Garden:

40. Add to compost: Pouring strong tea into a compost bin will help speed up the process and encourage more friendly bacteria to grow, improving the compost.

41. Fertilize roses: Spread used tea leaves around rosebushes, then add mulch and water. The tannic acid and other nutrients will benefit the plants.

42. Help houseplants: Occasionally use brewed tea instead of water to feed ferns and other houseplants that like rich, acidic soil.

43. Add to potted plants: A few used teabags in the bottom of a planter can help the soil retain water, and adds valuable nutrients.

 44. Dye fabrics: Green and black teas have long been used in dyes for fabric and paper, particularly for generating a beige faux- antique look.

45. Paint with tea: Some artists use strong black tea to paint backgrounds or accents on black-and-white sketches.

46. Strengthen puppy pads: A footbath with strong black tea is rumored to help strengthen the pads of dog feet.

47. Repel mosquitoes: Burning tea leaves is said to repel mosquitoes with none of the side effects of chemical bug sprays.