What is the most effective, affordable, and safe household disinfectant; grapefruit seed extract, oil of thyme or oregano, something else?

[Erica Tjelta]

Has anyone already figured this out?

 

I am currently debating whether or not to re-order the NutriBiotic GSE Liquid Concentrate (active ingredient: "Citricidal") that I have been using for the past six months for my own household cleaning and laundry as well the paid "green" housecleaning I do.  Based on the research I did before purchasing it I determined it is not truly a natural product since the "extract" is basically created through scientific means from the grapefruit seeds as opposed to actually being naturally extracted and used "as is".  I decided I was fine with that--as long as it truly worked as described and was actually as non-toxic as promised.  After further reading, I'm not so certain my criterea are met by this product.

 

I have been reading recently about the effectiveness of both oregano and thyme oil.  I am wondering though how much you have to use and how they work in greatly diluted proportions (such as in your washing machine.)

 

Also, I am aware that it's been clinically proven you can kill the vast majority of bacteria by applying vinegar and peroxide (apply either one, follow with the other--just don't mix them first.)  This, however, won't work for the laundry. 

 

The perfect thing would be ONE product or extract that is affordably priced and applicable all around the house.

 

This is one of the fab things about the GSE--it can be added in a very small amount to anything else you already use and, "voila", you have a disinfectant wood-cleaner, or floor-cleaner, or laundry detergent, etc.

 

Let me know what YOU know.  Links regarding the GSE are below.  Thanks folks!

 

http://www.nutriteam.com/tech.html

 

http://www.air-water-nutrition-healthsmart.com/open/product_info/gr...

 

http://andrews-george.com/product/pdf/citricidal.pdf

 

 

[Pat]

Have you considered tea tree oil?


Pat

[Erica Tjelta]

Well, I do use tea tree oil. Mostly topically. I have used it when washing cloth diapers as well. However, I'm not really sure how much you have to use to create an actual disinfectant--such as in a 32 oz spray bottle. Do you know? I believe that thyme and oregano are proving to be more effective in this application. But again, I could use some type of clinical study showing at what dilution and with what appliation method do you get reliable results as a disinfectant.

Pat said:

Have you considered tea tree oil?


Pat