How cleaning works

You may not know this, but I also work as a cleaner! I work part-time to support Let the Earth as it grows. I enjoy the privilege of getting out and about, into different people’s homes, and leaving them clean and tidy. It is so satisfying - especially when I can walk away and not see it made all messy again for another week or two.

So, I know a bit about what’s involved in cleaning, what works and what doesn’t. I currently clean with both eco and non-eco friendly products depending on what I am provided with. And I can truly say that I much prefer the eco-friendly ones.

Definitions of cleaning

To start with let’s look at some definitions, to help us know what it is we are doing when we clean, and what we are hoping to achieve.

Cleaning

The most basic level of cleaning is the process of physically removing dirt, debris, and some germs from a surface. For example, if you just take a wet cloth and wipe down your kitchen counter. This does not kill germs and bacteria but it does reduce their volume.

Sanitising

The next level up of cleaning is sanitising. This makes a surface free of germs that could be harmful to your health, according to public health standards or requirements. Sanitising reduces, prevents, and kills some bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Things like Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella etc.

Sunshine is a great example of a natural sanitiser. The ultraviolet radiation in sunshine breaks down chemical bonds and kills bacteria. This is why it is recommended that you open your curtains everyday and let the light in. You can also put your mattress or carpets out in the sunshine as part of a deep cleaning routine.

Disinfecting

Technically for a cleaning product to call itself a disinfectant is has to be able to kill 99.9% of harmful germs within 5 to 10 minutes. That is why you will see this, stated boldly, on labels and in advertisements.

Only certain chemicals do this (e.g. chlorides and peroxides) and many are not the kind we want to be using regularly as they are damaging to the environment and to our own health. Another phrase used to describe disinfectants is antimicrobial pesticides!

I’m pretty sure when we think of it this way we won’t want to be spraying disinfectants all over our houses everyday.

A much more natural way to disinfect is to use steam cleaning or boil things in water. Both of these kill up to 99.9% of harmful germs.

Ethanol is also another disinfecting option although it needs to be at least 70% proof (40% alcohol by volume) to be effective.

Sterilising

The highest level of cleaning is killing absolutely everything on a surface or object. This is usually reserved for baby bottles, hospitals and potentially some manufacturing practices.

Usually involves very high heat and/or potent chemicals. It’s rare that you will have to do this in your own home.

Healthy “dirt”

At this point I think it is important to outline that there are some things that we do not want to get rid of when we are cleaning our homes. And that is good microbes.

“Of the million or so microbes that have been identified, just 1,415 are known to cause disease in humans - very few, all things considered.”

Bill Bryson - The Body

The problem is most cleaning products don’t differentiate between helpful and harmful bacteria. If we disinfect all our surfaces we are killing off all the good bacteria along with the bad.

Add to this the anti-bacterial chemicals in so many products and we are not only damaging our own microbiome, but we are contributing to the build up of antibiotic resistance.

My weekly cleaning routine

I thought it may be helpful to run through the types of things I do in a weekly clean of my house.

• Air rooms

  I open all the windows in the flat and leave them open while I clean. 5 minutes will help but between 15-20 minutes is best.

• Tidy & clear

  First I tidy up and return things to their homes in and around the house.

• Clean

  I usually do an initial wipe with a damp cloth of any surface that has visible debris.

• Sanitise

  I then spray the surface with my own DIY all purpose spray. It is made from Marseille soap and essential oils. This combination works well at gently degreasing and sanitising. (I have other products I use in the bathroom)

• Wipe & rinse

  I then use a cloth to rub surfaces, rinse my cloth and wipe them down again.

• Floors

  I end by vacuuming or sweeping the floor.

I don’t use any disinfectants. I just clean and sanitise. That’s all that is needed. And it leaves the place smelling great!

It’s time to put down the disinfectant spray and the anti-bac handwash. Instead, gently sanitise and use soap. The environment, and your health, will thank you!