Unscented cleaning products

[DLgal]

Yikes, some bad advice here.

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

I used a steam mop on hardwoods for 4 years and did absolutely no damage. It's what the homeowners told us to use.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Yikes, some bad advice here.

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

I only steam mop my tile floors (and not as often as I should ) - I always worried it would warp the wood.

 

[LuvOrlando]

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.

But microbes is the term, antibacterial is just bacteria and antiviral is just virus, microbial is both plus fungi etc

I suspect Norovirus can be killed off with peroxide if you spray and let it sit, but you should look it up, I only do this when someone says they have something specific going on.

 

[LuvOrlando]

-duplicate

 

[DLgal]

But microbes is the term, antibacterial is just bacteria and antiviral is just virus, microbial is both plus fungi etc

I suspect Norovirus can be killed off with peroxide if you spray and let it sit, but you should look it up, I only do this when someone says they have something specific going on.

I get most people don't bother, I do need to be bothered though which I don't love but there it is. I might try a mop if I could add soap but would it just shoot bubbles?

You cannot add any type of cleaner to a steam mop. You will ruin it. It will clog up.

 

[wowsmom]

We use Seventh Generation disinfecting wipes - I just checked the label and they have an EPA number on the back & say they kill 99.99% of bacteria and viruses.

They come in a Lemongrass Citrus scent and have Thymol in them, which makes them smell like Italian food. They make wipes or also a liquid solution.

I can't handle most fragrances and bleach makes it difficult for me to breathe. It's a real challenge finding cleaning products that don't smell but this at least isn't a chemical or perfume smell.

You can find these at Target or some grocery stores.

 

[LYSE]

We have used steam mops for years, we have a really nice entry level commercial unit that does get to adequate temp but you must go slow to disinfect, the cheaper units are less likely to heat the floor surface enough..at least not fast enough to be practical over a large area.

Other than steam you might want to consider mixing hydrogen peroxide into water/cleaner..we add it to carpet cleaner for rugs/carpet.

 

[LuvOrlando]

We use Seventh Generation disinfecting wipes - I just checked the label and they have an EPA number on the back & say they kill 99.99% of bacteria and viruses.

They come in a Lemongrass Citrus scent and have Thymol in them, which makes them smell like Italian food. They make wipes or also a liquid solution.

I can't handle most fragrances and bleach makes it difficult for me to breathe. It's a real challenge finding cleaning products that don't smell but this at least isn't a chemical or perfume smell.

You can find these at Target or some grocery stores.

We have the dishwashing liquid and I get what you are saying, it's not unscented but very mild. DD came home from college much more aware than I ever had been and has been directing my attention ever since, haven't seen the wipes but will give it a try.

 

[_19disnA]

I would also never recommend any type of steam cleaning for real wood floors (either hardwood or engineered hardwood). You can damage the surface finish and/or cause the layers of wood to delaminate.

What you use to clean the various non-wood floors in your home depends on exactly what you are trying to accomplish.

 

[VGCgroupie]

If your goal is to kill everything without a strong scent then commercial/medical grade accelerated hydrogen peroxide cleaners are your answer. Not easy to get but can be gotten with effort. I came upon them trying to find what kills parvo without toxic fumes.

 

[Toolulu22]

I use different products- this Castile soap is gentle enough to shower with and comes unscented.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Hug and I I use Kroger Brand unscented body wash. For laundry, All Free and Clear works great.

 

[disneyseniors]

But microbes is the term, antibacterial is just bacteria and antiviral is just virus, microbial is both plus fungi etc

I suspect Norovirus can be killed off with peroxide if you spray and let it sit, but you should look it up, I only do this when someone says they have something specific going on.

Isn't Norovirus the one they have on cruise ships a lot of the time? It must be even harder to get rid of on those ships.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I’ve had good luck checking the baby aisle for cleaner options—stuff there is often unscented and super gentle. Also, rinsing twice helps if even mild residue bugs your nose.

Welcome to the DIS, @Blondientor.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Since this thread I discovered Bona makes a fragrance free multi-surface product that doesn't bother anyone's asthma nor my migraines which is great. There is a teeny smell it seems only I smell but I throw open a door or window and it is gone very quickly. Even better I can buy it in little pouches to be added to water in their reservoir so there is far less packaging waste which is better for the landfills. No animal testing.

Also discovered that Clorox makes a version of fragrance free pop up I can find at Target that also does not seem to bother anyone's asthma nor my migraines so that is a big win. I think it is also marked compostable, which I love for the environment. There is also a free and clear spray I have on hand but I really just use the wipes most times as I clean so frequently it is just a bunch of light effort on light switches, doorknobs, remotes, kitchen handles and bathroom surfaces. The brand says it does animal testing only when required by law when there is no alternative available.

I had been using Tide fragrance free for a long time but discovered that Seventh Generation makes fragrance free Laundry Detergent that cleans really well (I need to use gloves for their unscented dish soap) and they don't do animal testing, Tide does not have any cruelty free designations which is why I switched.

Trader Joes has an automatic dishwasher product that is fragrance free.

Hand soap is Everspring fragrance free, Shampoo is now Honest brand fragrance free and bar soap is Dr Bronners Castille.... ohhh and Devacurl now makes a fragrance free hair cream that I like, I haven't tried their fragrance free shampoo and conditioner yet.

Took a really long time to find brands of unscented everything, glad to see the businesses are catching on that there are lots of people who don't want fragrance.

Isn't Norovirus the one they have on cruise ships a lot of the time? It must be even harder to get rid of on those ships.

Yes, and schools get over run too. Getting registered is a very expensive process that probably leads to very expensive products. As far as I can tell everyday spray bottles of hydrogen peroxide seem to do the trick for the everyday sorts of things around us, it is hospital and care facility settings that mostly encounter the really nasty germs.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9119914/

Ships do have a terrible time with these infections but they are unique in the volume of people in close proximity and I imagine the lower floors where food prep goes on create their own limitations where you can't just spray stuff and throw open a window to air the area out like a land restaurant could do.