by Katri Marson

Created on: March 03, 2009

There are many commercial cleaners available touting to kill bacteria and germs in your home, while using questionable toxic chemical ingredients. Grapefruit seed extract is a great non toxic way to disinfectant your household. With grapefruit seed extracts bacteria, fungi and parasites killing ability, it has the power to replace almost all your toxic household cleaners.

All Purpose Germ killing cleaner

Fill a 32 ounce spray bottle with water and add from 40 - 60 drops of grapefruit seed extract. Put the cap back on, shake, then spray were germ killing and cleaning is needed.

This is great to replace those new germ killing sprays, that you use around trash cans or other germy surfaces.

Cutting Board cleaner

Instead of using toxic bleach, try putting about 15 - 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract onto a cutting board and rub it in really good, with a cloth or sponge, all over the board. Let the board sit for at least 30 minutes. After the time is up, rinse the board off with water.

Non-Toxic Mold Killer

This is for typical household mold. It is best to have a professional inspect your home if there is excess mold and you are not sure of the type of mold it could be.

15 to 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract in 2 cups of warm water. Add to a spray bottle and spray onto the mold, leave it on and do not rinse it off.

I like to add some essential oils to make a mold and germ killing air freshener spray

Food wash

I like to use this for all my fruits and veggies. It is a lot cheaper than buying the prepared sprays in the stores.

Fill up your sink full of water and add a 35 drops of water, while the sink is filling. Put the food items you need to wash, in the water and let them soak for a brief time. Take them out and use as you like.

If your sink is full of dishes and you don't have the time to clean them up, you can prepare the grapefruit seed extract into a spray and use it like the commercial spray washes available at most grocery stores.

In an average 32 ounce spray bottle, fill with water and add 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract. Put the cap on, shake it up and spray as needed.

Toothbrush/ Dental appliance soak

In a glass or a container, depending on what you are soaking, add about 5 drops, or more, of grapefruit seed extract. Soak toothbrush or appliance for at least 20 minutes. They can be left to soak till you need to use them again. When they are done soaking, rinse them off and use. Make sure you rinse them well or you could end up with a little bitter taste in your toothbrush or appliance. The soak can be reused for about 4 days or so, then just replace the mix. This recipe can also be used to disinfect make-up brushes.

A small 2 ounce bottle can cost about $10 or less, but don't be afraid of the cost in comparison to the size of the bottle, for every application, all you need is a few drops. The one bottle will last forever, well almost forever. Compare it to all the bottles of cleaners you will replace with the one little bottle.

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