Home remedies to eliminate germs – Household germs are all around us and they’ve become part of our lives. They come in four different species; viruses, fungi, protozoa, and bacteria. If either of these types of germs gains entry into our body, they settle in for a period taking in our body’s nutrients and energy while releasing poisonous toxins.
The toxins are the ones responsible for various infections like body rashes, vomiting, coughing, fever, sniffles, and diarrhea and if they are not kept at bay, these infections will result in death.
How can you safeguard yourself from germs?
Germs often get transmitted through various means in both air and surfaces of materials. For instance, sneezes, coughs, breaths, sweats, saliva, blood, or body contact like shaking hands with a person having a cold and then poking your nose.
Being aware and handling with caution the things that can transmit germs is the most excellent way of safeguarding yourself against germs. You can do that by;
Cleaning your hands
Washing up your hands is the finest way to avoid germs. Cleaning your hands after coughing or sneezing, before taking meals or cooking, after using the washrooms, at the end of playing in the field, after visiting an ailing friend or relative, and after caressing pets.
You can use either warm or cold water together with hand soap and for a minimum of 20 seconds, rub your hands together and dry with a clean towel.
Getting immunized
Through immunization, your body can have a strong immune system that can fight germs.
Enhance your immune system
Ensure you take foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals to boost your immune system. Also having enough sleep and keeping fit through exercises will help you develop a strong immune system thus preparing your body to battle germs.
Covering up
It is important to ensure your nose and mouth are covered with your elbow, and tissue, or each time you are sneezing or coughing. Do not use your hand or handkerchief to cover up since they will retain germs thus spreading them further.
With the above, you can protect yourself against germs to a certain extent. To further ensure you get rid of germs, home remedies would work best for you.
What are the home remedies to eliminate germs?
1. Use of alcohol
The best and most efficient substitute for chemical disinfectants of getting rid of germs at home is using alcohol. The cell walls of germs are destroyed by alcohol but it gets more efficient when used at a higher and adequate level of concentration- at least 60% concentration.
Most household cleansers like hand sanitizer, wet wipes, and other virus disinfectants contain not less than 60% concentration of alcohol.
2. Hydrogen peroxide
A report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) affirms hydrogen peroxide as effective in killing bacteria and viruses just like any other chemical disinfectant. Research has that hydrogen peroxide is more beneficial at destroying some constitute of bacteria than quadrivial ammonium compounds predominantly grounded in chemical disinfectants.
To achieve effectiveness, apply a concentration of 3% hydrogen peroxide available in chemical outlets as a disinfectant or mix it to a concentration of 0.5%, with 2.5 liters of water and 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Allow the mixture to settle on the applied surface for a minimum of two minutes before drying for the solution to efficiently kill germs. The vigor of hydrogen peroxide will decline when it is subjected to light. To preserve hydrogen peroxide’s effectiveness as a cleaning agent store it in a dark canister.
3. Vinegar
Unlike alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, vinegar is less effective in killing germs even though it has with it some disinfectant properties. Most people refer to it as a natural cleanser due to its acidic nature. Acetic acid is the main component of vinegar, and it aids in decomposing dirt hence decreasing bacteria in dirty areas.
In a 2010 research study, it was affirmed that 10% malt vinegar decreases the feasibility of the flu virus. Also, in a 2014 research journal by the American Society for Microbiology, vinegar was found to be efficient in destroying bacteria causing tuberculosis when at a 10% concentration.
A combination of white distilled vinegar usually available in grocery stores- has a less potency acetic acid of approximately 4% to 7% with an equal amount of water can be effective and used on floors, cupboards, or countertops to destroy pathogens. For vinegar to be very effective in killing germs, it must be allowed to be on the disinfected surface for approximately 30 minutes.
4. Hot water
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends boiling the water to about 140 to 150 degrees Celsius to increase its effectiveness in killing germs. To kill germs on foods being cooked or reheated, boil the water to at least 212 degrees Celsius. Using hot water with soap or any other disinfectant increases the chances of killing germs more so when washing utensils or clothes.
A report from the Public Library of Science in 2010, established that water boiled to over 130 degrees Celsius wasn’t efficient on its own in killing viruses but topping it up with a strong oxidizing agent, such as bleach, altered the virus sufficiently and prevented it from advancing.
When you are disinfecting your clothes clean them at a minimum temperature of 140 degrees Celsius. Using your dryer set at temperatures almost 135 to 150 degrees Celsius will help kill germs. You should however be careful when disinfecting using hot water to avoid burning or irritating your skin.
5. Essential oils
Viruses and bacteria are killed when essential oils such as cinnamon or patchouli are applied on dirty surfaces. They act by interfering with the plasma membrane of the viruses and bacteria hence weakening them. Use a little number of essential oils when disinfecting to achieve fragrance together with better disinfecting agents such as alcohol and vinegar.
Home Remedies To Eliminate Germs – Takeaway
Considerably germs are not harmful to humans even though some are detrimental. Your easiest and best means to safeguard yourself from germs is washing your hands frequently and keeping the surfaces of your home free from microorganisms.