Unscented cleaning products

[LuvOrlando]

I already looked at Vinegar and it is not acceptable as an antimicrobial according to EPA, would have been a nice easy answer.

Thank goodness most businesses now have unscented products for laundry and dishes, but I've been on a quest to find an unscented floor cleaner without awful fumes for light germ removal every-day use and haven't seen anything that is rated as an antimicrobial, I see products in the big go to health oriented stores but when I check for the EPA number on products it's a big nothing Anyone have one?

At the moment, I'm contemplating using unscented dish soap or unscented laundry detergent with a bucket of water, although I'm not sure of the ratio, too much product and floors get tacky but not enough and it won't kill germs... although I'm not entirely sure it will kill germs if used in this way or just make me feel better about cleanliness. I feel comfortable using a sudsy soapy washcloth to wipe down door handles, light switches, kitchen surfaces and bathroom surfaces but the floors are tricky.

We had 3 family members with respiratory infections over the summer which lead me to loving the Clorox floor mop wipes, I'd turn it over and use the spotless clean underside to wipe down door handles, light switches and bathrooms. Trouble is the chemicals are rough when I can't air out properly with summer humidity and heat so I'd like to keep these for when someone is sick and try to find a safer for day to day. Lysol with a bucket is also good for floors and every other part of a room but same chemical smell & ventilation issue will be a thing until fall.

 

[Cadiewampus]

we use a steam mop on our floors

 

[NannyBeBe]

Because I have dogs, I need to use a floor cleaner that would not hurt them if they licked it off their paws. I've been using Pure & Clean for about two years and I highly recommend it. I use it on my floors, counter tops, breakfast table, etc. I use their Surface Cleaner, but they do have a disinfectant that is antimicrobial.

 

[LoveSpringsteen]

We have a steam mop. We like it because we can use it on different types of flooring and can use it to refresh our area rug. This is the one we have.

 

[DLgal]

I'd get a steam mop.

My go to floor cleaner (for wood look tile) is lemon scented Pine Sol. It really isn't that strong and dissipates quickly without windows open. Just leaves a fresh clean scent behind. You dilute it quite a lot. I use 1/2 cup to 8 gallons of water.

How important is killing germs on a floor? Are you eating off the floors regularly? High touch surfaces are most important for that kind of thing. Floors don't need it in a non Healthcare setting.

 

[Imzadi]

Clorox makes an unscented bleach. Don't know how unscented it really is. Someone here, a while back posted cleaning videos by someone who is a professional cleaner who used Tide mixed with Clorox to clean practically everything. That is her go-to cleaner as she knows detergent can be mixed with bleach. And detergent is made to cut grease and lift off a whole assortment of stuff, not just off of clothes but many surfaces.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Can you put a bit of soap in a steam mop? It sounds good but an article from Consumer Reports Aug 2020 says it would need to sit in one spot 10 min to really work, so maybe a bit of soap could help?

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I am of no help mop-wise but we use Target's Up&Up Brand Free and Clear Laundry Detergent and are happy with it. I am not a fumy smell person either. I hope you find products that work well for you, LuvOrlando.

 

[DLgal]

Can you put a bit of soap in a steam mop? It sounds good but an article from Consumer Reports Aug 2020 says it would need to sit in one spot 10 min to really work, so maybe a bit of soap could help?

No, absolutely not. Water only.

What germs do you need to kill, exactly? Is this an actual health issue or are you just very specific about your cleaning needs (no shade either way, just trying to understand your needs)?

 

[Imzadi]

How important is killing germs on a floor? Are you eating off the floors regularly? High touch surfaces are most important for that kind of thing. Floors don't need it in a non Healthcare setting.

Yes! I got turned on to a TikToker who has a cleaning philosophy that is just turning things on it's ear for so many of us. She's changed many of our lives.

For decades, cleaning had somehow turned into this standard of having to be operating room level clean, where everything had to be germ free, shiny and spotless. The advertisements for cleaners really capitalized on that mindset, instilling in us that if one's kitchen isn't shiny, streak-free & sparking, then one has morally missed the mark or failed as a housewife and cleaner.

Then you get the people who like to come in and do the white glove test. Everywhere can be spotless, but they run their hand over the back of a picture frame on the wall and find dust. Well, nobody except people like Carson, the butler on Downton Abbey, or one's potential MIL, who doesn't like the future DIL, run their hands behind a picture frame on the wall. They are purposely looking for stuff to SHAME others, and feel morally superior.

This woman's philosophy is that, "Cleaning is morally neutral. The level one is able to clean, doesn't make a person good or bad. Cleaning is FUNCTIONAL." Unless your children are licking the back of picture frames, it doesn't need to be dust-free every minute. Clean is different than spotless or streak-free - which is about aesthetics. If that's your aesthetic, go for it. Yet, understand, the goal of spotless was sold to us by advertisers of cleaning products.

Unless you are doing surgery, you don't need every surface of your place germ-free, and all completely done and to the same level of "clean" at the same exact moment. Cleaning is for functional purposes. You only need to clean enough to make things FUNCTIONAL for you. And functional is different for everyone. Someone with an infant crawling on the floor will need a germ-free floor. Others, not so much.

 

[Imzadi]

Can you put a bit of soap in a steam mop? It sounds good but an article from Consumer Reports Aug 2020 says it would need to sit in one spot 10 min to really work, so maybe a bit of soap could help?

The hot steam from the mop would kill any germs. Why do you need the floors to be surgical level of clean? What function are you doing on the floor in your house that you need it to that level day-to day?

 

[LuvOrlando]

The hot steam from the mop would kill any germs. Why do you need the floors to be surgical level of clean? What function are you doing on the floor in your house that you need it to that level day-to day?

Lots of people need to be more careful than average for legitimate reasons.

 

[Imzadi]

Lots of people need to be more careful than average for legitimate reasons.

I'm not saying people don't have legitimate reasons to be more careful, like those with infants or people who are immune compromised. I'm saying just make sure you aren't going along with some unexamined standard set for you by others that aren't necessarily appropriate for your level of needs.

 

[Her Dotness]

Lots of people need to be more careful than average for legitimate reasons.

True enough, but I suspect the questioner hoped for more specifics as to why you feel floors need antimicrobial cleanliness.

A small child with an immune disorder, for instance, who'll be sitting or crawling on the floor?

It's difficult to advise when we don't know the potential seriousness of your concern.

 

[unrequited23]

I use vinegar in hot water to mop. For the serious hands and knees scrubbing I use a stronger cleaner, but that only happens every 4-6 weeks.

The downside to cleaning with vinegar is the craving for salt & vinegar chips afterward.

 

[disneyseniors]

I use vinegar in hot water to mop. For the serious hands and knees scrubbing I use a stronger cleaner, but that only happens every 4-6 weeks.

The downside to cleaning with vinegar is the craving for salt & vinegar chips afterward.

I use vinegar a lot too to clean, but I put a few drops of scented orange oil in it to get rid of the vinegar smell.
I also use vinegar as a clothes softener,, instead of buying Downy or some other softener. The clothes come out very soft and they. don't. smell. like. vinegar aT ALL. They smell great, and it also saves money.

 

[LuvOrlando]

True enough, but I suspect the questioner hoped for more specifics as to why you feel floors need antimicrobial cleanliness.

A small child with an immune disorder, for instance, who'll be sitting or crawling on the floor?

It's difficult to advise when we don't know the potential seriousness of your concern.

You don't think you can figure out whether a product is an antimicrobial unless you know why an antimicrobial is wanted? Please explain how this works because this is interesting, do go on

 

[LuvOrlando]

I'm not saying people don't have legitimate reasons to be more careful, like those with infants or people who are immune compromised. I'm saying just make sure you aren't going along with some unexamined standard set for you by others that aren't necessarily appropriate for your level of needs.

Lets just say it is appropriate to give me the benefit of the doubt and go from there, or don't and leave it be

 

[DLgal]

You don't think you can figure out whether a product is an antimicrobial unless you know why an antimicrobial is wanted? Please explain how this works because this is interesting, do go on

I think it's more the fact that some cleaners can kill certain viruses and bacteria but not others. Like, what level do you need and what is the actual concern? Like norovirus is REALLY hard to kill...you pretty much need bleach. But influenza is easier. "Microbes" is too general.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Yikes, some bad advice here.

Please do not use a steam mop on wood floors unless you enjoy paying to replace wood floors.