If you want to make a chemical-free, antibacterial disinfectant, all you need are a few herbs and some vinegar. During the 1700s, a band of French thieves was caught looting the belongings of plague victims. They seemed, magically, to be immune to the plague and in exchange for their secret, they were given clemency for their crimes.Their secret was a special preparation of herbs and vinegar latter dubbed Four-Thieves Vinegar.We can still make good use of this disinfectant. Instead of relying on harsh chemicals to clean, this antibacterial, herbal vinegar makes an inexpensive, effective and chemical-free alternative.
Instructions
1. Thoroughly clean a glass jar and lid. Combine 4 tablespoons each of dried thyme, sage, rosemary and lavender with 2 cups of white vinegar and using a funnel, combine all ingredients in the jar and cover it tightly with the lid.
2. Rosemary contains camphor, a powerful anti-microbial. Thyme contains thymol, which clinical studies have shown to kill staphylococcus and salmonella. Lavender contains antibacterial compounds that are more concentrated than many chemical components used cleansers, like phenol, and sage contains natural phenol. Because these herbs are plants, not chemicals created in a lab, they offer less risk of creating super strains of bacteria through drug resistance, or causing adverse reactions in humans and animals.
3. Allow the mixture to cure for a month to six weeks in a warm, dark place.Shake the mixture occasionally during curing to help incorporate the herbs.Shake the mixture occasionally during curing to help incorporate the herbs.Strain the mixture through a doubled thickness of muslin or a fine-mesh strainer.
4. Mix equal parts water and the mixture into smaller batches for use. Add diluted mixture to a spray bottle and use as needed to clean counter tops, floors, appliances, glass and other surfaces.
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