Introduction
According to Dr. Richard Nahas, there are all kinds of sanitizers and disinfectants in your local supermarket. However, all of them aren’t made equal and are used for different surfaces and purposes. Let’s check out the right sanitizers to keep your home safe and clean.
The Options
- Hydrogen peroxide – Hydrogen peroxide is used in many disinfectants and is usually viewed as a safe and environmentally friendly ingredient. When used to disinfect your home, hydrogen peroxide breaks down into oxygen and water, two naturally occurring non-toxic compounds. You can also make your own homemade disinfectants with store-bought hydrogen peroxide.
The chemical is mildly acidic and that means it won’t damage surfaces. However, it’s very effective at destroying viruses and bacteria. Disinfectants based on hydrogen peroxide can kill covid viruses within less than a minute. However, you should use gloves and other safety gear while handling this product.
- Alcohols – Alcohols make some of the best sanitizers known to man. While direct alcohol isn’t good for your skin, diluted variants can easily kill off a wide range of viruses and bacteria. However, you won’t be able to use alcohol-based sanitizers to clean a lot of surfaces in your home.
They evaporate very quickly and may not be effective at killing strong germs. Instead, alcohol-based sanitizers are best for sanitising your hands and electronic products like phones and laptops. Make sure not to use alcohol to clean TVs and monitors since it may damage the LCD screen.
- Quats – Quats are Quaternary Ammonium Compounds that are the best solution for keeping a space disinfected and free from germs. They are regularly used by hospitals and other medical institutions, and labs due to their quick action and relatively low cost.
At hospitals, they are usually mixed with different types of detergents to make them an all-purpose solution that can clean and disinfect at the same time. You can do the same at your home for wiping floors, cleaning bathrooms and more.
- Phenolic compounds – Disinfectants based on phenolic compounds are very effective against a whole host of pathogens including the fungi, viruses, and bacteria that causes tuberculosis. That means you can use disinfectants based on these compounds to treat and kill mould and mildew in your home. However, their vapours aren’t good for you. Make sure that the room is properly ventilated and that you use proper safety gear like masks, goggles and gloves while using these products.
- Chlorine compounds – While chlorine-based sanitizers and disinfectants may not be as quick in action and effective as the rest of the compounds on this list, they are dirt cheap. So, if you need to clean large and wet spaces, they are a good choice. However, make sure to test surfaces before using chlorine-based compounds to avoid discolouration and damage.
Conclusion
Dr. Richard Nahas suggests that you take your time choosing sanitizers and disinfectants for your home. Read the label for ingredients and choose products that are relevant to you. You don’t want something with toxic harsh chemicals that may damage your floor or harm your family.
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