Antibacterial soap is better for you right? Well….the answer to that question is more complicated than yes or no.
The FDA recently announced that antibacterial soaps would be removed from shelves over the course of the next year. Does that mean that no soap is antibacterial?
Nope.
What this really means is that the chemicals most companies used in their products to be able to claim they were antibacterial had two issues:
- The chemicals have not been shown to prevent the growth of bacteria any better than regular soap
- The chemicals have not be shown to be safe for humans when being used daily
Triclosan is the chemical of most concern, as it is used in a variety of products besides soap that claim to be antibacterial. However, tests on animals show this chemical changes hormones in animal bodies, and further testing needs to be done on humans. Researchers are also concerned that dependence on this chemical is leading to further antibiotic resistance of common bacteria.
However, we still want to kill germs, so in our houses we use doTERRA’s OnGuard products (click to read more about these products or to order). These are non-toxic cleaning products made with doTERRA’s OnGuard blend, which is used to help support healthy immune systems naturally. It contains the oils wild orange, clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary. Not only does it smell amazing, it’s safe enough that I feel good about having my kids use it daily, as it doesn’t contain the worrisome chemicals the FDA has finally decided shouldn’t be used. There is also a cleaner that I let my kids use that is OnGuard based so there are no harmful fumes or risks of skin sensitivities.
This blend works by essentially discouraging the growth of bacteria and viruses, reducing your chances of getting sick. Click here to read a scientific study specifically testing OnGuard’s effectiveness against disease causing microorganisms.
Here are some ideas for DIY cleaners using essential oils and a few other ingredients:
- Multi-purpose cleaner: add 12 drops of any citrus oil (lemon or orange work great!) and 4 tablespoons of white vinegar to a 16-20 ounce spray bottle, fill the rest of the way with water, mix and clean on!
- Floor cleaner: add 10 drops of melaleuca (aka tea tree oil), ¼ cup Castile soap, and ¼ baking soda to a bucket of water. Mix and mop on!
- Window cleaner: add 15 drops of lemon oil, 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup water to a spray bottle. Mix and spray on!
Source: Antibacterial Soap? You Can Skip It
Do you have questions or comments about this blog? Would you like to find out more about purchasing essential oils for yourself? Click here or complete the form on the right side of this page and I’d be happy to help you! You can also subscribe to our blog on the right side of the page.
*These claims have not be evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you have serious health concerns, consult a doctor- and bring your oils with you! You never know which doctors will be willing to help you take a more natural approach to health care!
