The coronavirus that causes Covid-19 can survive for a couple of days on some surfaces. The life span of the virus varies but it can hang around long enough to make disinfecting frequently touched surfaces an utmost priority.

Buying disinfectants can be a challenge during this period of time, especially with all the panic buying. By making your own disinfectant, it will help you eliminate those germs that are in your home. This will ensure your family’s safety and health.

What is a disinfectant?

A disinfectant is antimicrobial agents that are designed to destroy microorganisms on inert surfaces. The disinfectants work by destroying the cell wall of microbes or interfering with their metabolism.

Homemade Disinfectant Spray#1

What you will need:

  • 1/2 cup of White Vinegar
  • 1/2 cup of 70% Rubbing alcohol
  • 1 cup of distilled water or reverse osmosis water
  • 5 drops of lemon essential oil
  • 5 drops of lavender essential oil
  • Glass spray bottle

The reason a glass bottle is suggested is that citrus essential oils can eat through the plastic. Hence, it is best to avoid a plastic spray bottle for this disinfectant spray. Not only that, but it is also best to avoid a metal spray bottle as the oils can pit the metal.

Instructions

  1. To make this homemade this disinfectant spray, add the white vinegar, rubbing alcohol and water to the glass bottle.
  2. Then, add in the lemon and lavender essential oil
  3. Finally, shake the mixture to combine them
  4. Anddd you’re done!

The essential oil comes down to preference. You can use any essential oils of your choice based on your preference of scent. Some of them you could use are orange, cinnamon, and lemongrass.

Homemade Disinfectant Spray#2

What you will need:

  • 4 teaspoons of household bleach
  • 1 quart of water
  • Spray bottle

Instructions

  1. To make this homemade disinfectant spray, first pour both into one spray bottle
  2. Shake vigorously
  3. Spray on surface, let it sit for 10 minutes and wipe with a wet cloth

Homemade Disinfectant Spray#3

What you will need:

  • 1 1/2 cups of 100 prof alcohol (vodka) or higher
  • 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar
  • Tea tree essential oil or lavender essential oil

Instructions

  1. Pour the vodka into a bottle
  2. Then, add the essential oil in
  3. Shake the bottle to combine both the solutions
  4. Finally, add in vinegar and shake the bottle again.

Note: This disinfectant is not safe to be used on special stone surfaces like granite or marble.

Homemade Disinfectant Spray#4

What you will need:

  • 3/4 cup of distilled water
  • 1/4 cup of white vinegar
  • 7 drops of lavender essential oil
  • 7 drops of tea tree essential oil
  • Spray bottle

Instructions

  1. First, pour the white vinegar into your bottle
  2. Then, add in the essential oils, followed by the distilled water
  3. Shake the bottle
  4. Start disinfecting!

For more instructions on how to make homemade disinfectant sprays, watch this video:

Source: Something’s Cooking With Alpa

What surfaces should I disinfect?

  • Doorknobs
  • Table surfaces
  • Chairs
  • Kitchen counters
  • Bathroom
  • Faucets
  • Toilet seats & handles
  • Switches
  • TV remote controls
  • Game controllers
  • Furniture
  • Mattresses

How to use a disinfectant spray?

  1. First, you have to clean the surfaces to remove contaminants, dust or debris. You can do this by wiping them with soapy water or a hand towel.
  2. Then, apply the disinfectant on a wipe or cloth and clean the area again.