4 Best Disinfecting Essential Oils

You clean floors, carpets, upholstery, furniture, kitchen countertops, and windows. What do you clean them with? Detergents, liquids, powders, and generally cleaning products. Full of chemicals. Or perhaps it's worth considering natural alternatives like plant essential oils? Essential oils are not just for their beautiful and enticing scents. Many can be used as natural alternatives to chemical disinfectants. Some commonly used herbs are rich in antibacterial and antifungal properties. By using essential oils to clean your home and disinfect wounds , you're ensuring a safer environment for your loved ones and the environment. One study published in the Journal of Alternative Medicine confirms that certain essential oils can inhibit the growth of staphylococcus, influenza, and E. coli bacteria. Cinnamon, clove, thyme , and rosemary oils proved most effective. Cinnamon oil Obtained from the bark of the cinnamon tree, it is not recommended to swallow it or apply it to the skin without first diluting it. Diluted cinnamon oil not only adds flavor to dishes but also helps destroy foodborne pathogens that can cause illness. The oil can be used to clean minor scratches and surfaces in the kitchen or bathroom. Clove oil Clove oil is best known as a spice and a home remedy for toothaches. It is also a powerful disinfectant, derived from the buds of the evergreen clove tree. The oil can be used to cleanse minor cuts and soothe swelling from insect bites, as well as minimize scabies and athlete's foot. Like most essential oils, it must be diluted before use. Rosemary oil Rosemary is a sought-after culinary herb found almost everywhere in the world. Besides adding flavor to dishes, it can inhibit the growth of foodborne bacteria. Although rosemary oil shouldn't be applied directly to the skin, you can mix a few drops with vegetable oil and use it to cleanse minor wounds. Rosemary oil freshens the air. It's a good household surface disinfectant—it's great for disinfecting bathtubs and showers, for example. Thyme oil Thyme has been used for centuries as a traditional germ-fighting remedy. Thyme is an active ingredient in one of the few environmentally friendly cleaning products. The essential oil is extracted from the plant's leaves through steam distillation. Thyme oil is effective in combating foodborne pathogens, such as salmonella. Therefore, you can add a few drops to the water used to wash cutting boards and kitchen utensils that have been in contact with raw eggs or meat.