In the current scenario, humans are living one of their most sensitive moments. Fear is taking a toll drastically on our minds. We are not safe outside even though pollution is at its lowest level right now. Being inside our homes is making us agitated though that seem to be the safest places on the earth right now.

Maintaining ‘Social Distancing’, and ‘staying at home’ can save our lives.

How life gets changed in a jiff, I wonder all the time.

More or less, most of us used to follow decent hygiene in our day to day lives. But right now, we all have gone into the next monumental level, when it has become a necessity, a ‘new’ unmissable part of our lives.

Two months back, when hand sanitizers became the part and parcel of our lives, we saw a scarcity in the market. Everywhere it was unavailable, even if it was available, those products seemed less reliable.

Health is wealth, right! So just right then, I have started my quest to find the most trustworthy and consistent solution to make my family’s health safe. After all, hygiene comes first and foremost in terms of safety.

So far, this is how I roll to take care of my home. Below are a few tips and tricks I have been following to sanitize the everyday essentials at my home and kitchen. This is my way of staying the safest way possible.

Pic Credit: Unsplash

How to Disinfect your Home & Kitchen:

a) Alcohol-based Cleaner:

Use a strong alcohol-based cleaner to wipe off the floors, furniture, doorknobs, etc. at your place. Alcohol-based products are the most proven effective solution right now to safeguard your home.

b) Synthetic White Vinegar:

White vinegar can be used as a natural disinfectant. It has antibacterial agent. It is an excellent option to use as a kitchen cleaner as it can effectively kill foodborne bacterial pathogens. You can put an equal amount of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and clean your glass tabletops, kitchen counter-top, doors & windows, sinks, etc. Make sure you don't use this solution on wooden furniture or any natural stone as the acetic acid (with which the synthetic vinegar is made of) can damage them.

•   Remember, White vinegar is not scientifically proven in killing the Covid-19 virus. It is most effective in safeguarding from food bacteria such as Salmonella, E. Coli, etc.

c) Lemon Juice:

It is an amazing cleaning agent which has antibacterial, antiseptic properties. It also acts as a bleaching agent. You can add lemon juice to your vinegar-water disinfectant solution to neutralize the smell of vinegar.

Not only this, with some help of Baking soda and lemon juice, you can also remove stains, and grease from your counter-tops, sinks, etc.

How to Make Hand Sanitizer at Home:

Right now, it is always recommended to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. If you are at home, you can simply use soap and water. That is a much better way to sanitize yourself.

Only if, in some condition, soap and water are not available to you, then use hand sanitizer.

You can check HERE to find out the recipe for homemade hand sanitizer if you are running out of market ones. This recipe includes an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

How to Disinfect Fruits and Vegetables:

a) You can make a vinegar and water solution to cleanse the fruits and vegetables. Heat up the water and let it come to a semi-warm temperature. If you have lots of items, then put the water in a bucket, I put 1 tbsp of synthetic white vinegar in 5 liters of water. Soak the items for 15 minutes. After that, clean everything under running water, wipe the excess water, pat dry, and store them.

b) In the same way, you can use salt and semi-warm water to disinfect fruits and vegetables. I use 1 tbsp of salt in 5 liters of water.

•  I use both salt and vinegar if my food items need extra care.
• Do not use dish-washing liquid or soap for cleaning fruits and vegetables.

How to Sanitize Packaged Groceries:

Most of the non-perishable items (and some perishable items too) come with plastic packaging. You can put them(only the non-perishable items) under the sun for some time or just leave it alone for 24 to 72 hrs. After that, you can make a solution to clean them to the next level. This solution consists of ½ tbsp dishwashing liquid, a few drops of Antiseptic liquid, and the required amount of water. Take this solution in a bowl. Take a small kitchen towel, and wipe off the outer layer of the packets nicely. After that, you can dry the packets and store them.

•   Do not put packaged items in a bucketful of water or any solution. If there’s a leakage, the entire item will go wasted.

Disclaimer:

I am not a medical expert. These tips given here are based on my personal experiences that I have been following for long. They neither provide any specific guarantee nor claim any scientific benefits. Use everything with caution and at your own risk.

So far, these tips have helped me immensely to run my home and kitchen quite smoothly. Hope they can help you too.

Let me know if you know of any other useful tips & tricks.

Take care, everyone,

Cheers!!!

Happy Living…