Sanitise Your Home the Natural Way
Press enquiries
If you are a journalist with a media enquiry, please contact our Press Office by email at pressoffice@ecotricity.co.uk
For all other general enquiries, please call 0345 555 7100 or email home@ecotricity.co.uk.
During this unprecedented time, it’s important that we don’t forget about the bigger picture and long-term environmental impacts of quick, impulsive purchases of products that could end up leading to a rise in plastic pollution.
Over the past few years, consumers have been more and more conscious of the environmental impacts of recycling and single-use plastics and opting for the “greener”, more sustainable and ethical choices when shopping. We want that to continue especially during these challenging times.
It’s important to stay mindful of the long-term effects of purchases, and the easy way to do this is to make a shift towards self-sufficient living. This will reduce waste, save money and reduce environmental impact.
Amidst the panic-buying in supermarkets, many of us have been faced with empty shelves and not knowing what to do next. So some of our colleagues here at Ecotricity have been busy mixing and blending their own eco-friendly cleaning recipe’s – we thought we’d share them with you!
First things first – tear up old clothes and fabrics (which can’t be donated!) to use as cleaning rags and reuse plastic bottles and containers to store your DIY produce.
Katrina’s homemade eco-friendly hand sanitiser
You will need:
Mixing bowl and spoon
Funnel
Bottle (with dispenser if possible) – recycle an old shampoo or shower gel bottle.
Ingredients:
2/3 cup / 150 ml Rubbing Alcohol (you should ensure there is at 60% alcohol to be an effective anti-bacterial / disinfectant)
3 tbsp. / 50 ml Aloe Vera gel
1 tsp. / 5 ml Vegetable Glycerin or Vitamin E oil
Approx. 10 drops of essential oils – Tea tree, Geranium, Sweet orange, Lavender etc.
Method:
Put the rubbing alcohol (or witch hazel) aloe vera gel and vegetable glycerine (or vitamin E oil) in the bowl. Mix together thoroughly. Pour the ingredients into your bottle. Add the essential oils straight into the bottle and shake to mix.
Important Notes:
To ensure this is an effective anti-bacterial / disinfectant, make sure your mixture there it contains at least 60% alcohol – the higher the alcohol content, the more effective it will be at killing germs and bacteria but the quicker it will dry your hands out.
For an even “greener” hand sanitiser you might want to use witch hazel (15 ml) instead of rubbing alcohol but there is conflicting evidence on its anti-bacterial effectiveness and it not a proven disinfectant.
Rachel’s eco-friendly bathroom sanitiser
Baking powder, white vinegar and lemons are your best friends! (Lemon in particular has many disinfectant properties!)
For mirrors and windows – use hot water and white vinegar
For cleaning the toilet – use half a cup (110 ml) of vinegar with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of baking soda.
For the bath and sink – just use vinegar, water and lemon. Simple and fresh!
Chris’s eco-friendly surface cleaner
1-part water, 1-part vinegar, 10-15 drops of essential oils (or peppermint can be nice) The high acidity in the vinegar will get straight to attacking any germs and bacteria whilst the oils will leave your room smelling fresh!
If you don’t already have these things at home in your cupboard, buy locally, mix together and you’ll have yourself a natural disinfectant.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Remember, we are being asked to self-isolate to both avoid the coronavirus and prevent the spread. During this difficult time, it is important to use safe, effective means of sanitisers and disinfectants to kill bacteria.
Whilst DIY cleaning products are one way forward for our environment and certainly aren’t bad for you, they are only a mild form of anti-bacterial. If you wish to use stronger methods, check out what our friends at Ethical Superstore and Lush who can provide eco-friendly anti-bacterial products.
We are closely watching and following the government’s latest guidance on coronavirus/COVID-19. If you have any concerns about your energy supply or topping up your pre-pay meter go to our Coronavirus help page.
If you have concerns about Coronavirus and to stay safe, keep an eye on the gov.uk website.
Similar articles
Your Guide to RTS, the Radio Teleswitch Service
Technology supporting Radio Teleswitch is planned to end in June 2025 as it comes to the end of its operational life. This is an industry-wide change, so it isn’t just affecting Ecotricity customers.
Join our Customer Research Panel
Our customers are at the heart of what we do and we’re always looking to improve our customer service and the experience you have with us. That’s why we’re launching our very first Customer Research Panel.
12 days of Christmas energy saving tips with Ecotricity
The countdown to Christmas it well and truly on, and here at Ecotricity we’re still thinking of ways to save energy and the planet at the same time.