Degreasers – Part Two

Grease is everywhere, from kitchens and bathrooms to our skin and clothes. Luckily, there are many types of degreasers to help us stay clean and clear.

Essential oils don’t just smell amazing, they are very versatile with a wide range of medicinal and healing properties. They are great cleaning agents against bacteria and fungus. Adding them to another degreaser like vodka or a solution of soap and water, some essential oils can enhance their cleaning properties. They can help get rid of mold, mildew, and musty odors. There are many essential oils that fight bacteria; tea tree, citronella, geranium, lemongrass, orange, and patchouli. There are studies to find out if the bacteria-fighting abilities of essential oils can be used as an antibiotic.

Not all degreasers have to be a chemical or a natural occurring material. The combination of water and heat that make steam is economical and chemical-free disinfectant. When you heat it to at least 200 degrees Fahrenheit, steam eliminates tough stuck-on stains and grease as well as sanitizes both hard and soft surfaces. Steam cleaning may take longer, taking up to 20 seconds to fully sanitize one area but if used properly, steam is capable of removing bacteria, germs, dust mites and other pathogens.

Castile soap is not a common degreaser but is effective enough to be used by everyone, everywhere. It comes from the Castile region of Spain, hence its name and was made from olive oil in it’s inception but these days, is made from a blend of vegetable oils. Very quick to lather, all you need is one drop of Castile soap to do the dishes, wash the bathtub or get just about any surface squeaky clean. While it’s a great cleaner, it doesn’t have any antibacterial qualities so it’s used along with other ingredients to be extremely effective against bacteria.