Reimagined: Essential oils and vodka for cleaning

We're constantly looking for new, easy, and natural ways to clean and disinfect our homes, from the clothes we wear to the cars we drive and the beds we sleep in. Read on to discover how products such as vodka and essential oils can help to sanitise your home, and all the answers to important questions like, “will vodka kill germs?”.

Key Steps:

• Vodka is a natural disinfectant. Use vodka to clean everything from countertops to windows.

• Use vodka to remove odours from mattresses, clothing and even shoes.

• If you want an alcohol-free version, many essential oils have antibacterial properties.

• Top disinfecting essential oils include eucalyptus, lavender, and tea tree oil.

Can vodka kill bacteria? Top 10 uses for vodka around your home

From using vodka to clean to enlisting it to help control pests around your home, here are our top 10 ways to use vodka for cleaning.

1. Use essential oils for killing germs in the air. There are a number of bacteria and viruses which are airborne, so why not use a diffuser to reduce and kill them in the air? We recommend diffusing the following essential oils:

   1. Cinnamon bark

   2. Lemongrass

   3. Geranium

   4. Eucalyptus

2. Now you know which essential oils kill bacteria in the air, why not create an essential oil blend for your diffuser for even greater benefits? You could try:

   1. Lemongrass, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil (best as an antimicrobial combo)

   2. Eucalyptus and lavender (the perfect combo for sleep)

3. Why not create an all-purpose cleaner with your essential oils? All you’re going to need is:

   1. ¼ cup of white vinegar

   2. 1 ¾ cups of water

   3. 30 drops of your chosen essential oil – our favourite combos are 15 drops each of grapefruit and lavender or 10 drops each of eucalyptus, peppermint, or wild orange.

Benefit from the natural disinfecting properties of vodka and essential oils by making a disinfectant from ¾ cup of vodka, ¼ cup of water and 15 drops of essential oils.

Disinfecting with vodka and essential oils: Your questions answered

From answering, “does vodka kill germs” to sharing germ-killing essential oils to diffuse we’ve answered some top questions below:

Can vodka be used as a disinfectant?

Vodka, just like most alcohol is a natural disinfectant and so can be used to clean and sanitise your home.

Does vodka kill bacteria?

Whilst drinking vodka won’t protect you against germs and bacteria, using it to clean will! We recommend using a vodka which is 100 proof. Does vodka disinfect 100% of germs?

No product can claim to kill 100% of germs and bacteria, but if you’re wondering, “is vodka a good disinfectant?” the answer is yes! Vodka is a pretty effective way to disinfect your home. If you are looking for a chemical-free, natural option, vodka is a good choice.

Do essential oils kill germs?

We all know you can use essential oils for a number of purposes, but did you know there are a number of essential oils that kill germs? These include lavender, tea tree oil and eucalyptus.

How do essential oils kill bacteria?

Depending on which essential oil you choose to use, they contain properties which can help to disinfect your home and kill harmful germs and bacteria. If you’re wondering what essential oils kill germs and how they work, here are a few examples:

Lavender and cinnamon: natural disinfectants with antibacterial properties

Tea tree oil, lemon and peppermint: natural disinfectants with antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.

Eucalyptus: Contains camphor which works as a germicide.

So, with answers to the important questions about vodka and essential oils like, “do essential oils kill bacteria” this article can help you understand how to use them for keeping your home clean and sanitised.