Comments on: Itty Bitty Bonzai #1 http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/2009/02/itty-bitty-bonzai-1/ Socially Conscious, Totally Fabulous Fri, 10 Sep 2010 01:08:24 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Sayward http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/2009/02/itty-bitty-bonzai-1/comment-page-1/#comment-7765 Sayward Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:13:56 +0000 http://dev.bonzaiaphrodite.com/?p=232#comment-7765 @ Britt - Oh man, I totally thought I responded to this! I use diluted vinegar in my kitchen and feel very comfortable with that. As for salmonella, I'm not sure. I keep a vegan kitchen so it's not really something I worry about! Sorry! @ Britt – Oh man, I totally thought I responded to this! I use diluted vinegar in my kitchen and feel very comfortable with that. As for salmonella, I’m not sure. I keep a vegan kitchen so it’s not really something I worry about! Sorry!

]]> By: Britt http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/2009/02/itty-bitty-bonzai-1/comment-page-1/#comment-7473 Britt Fri, 27 Aug 2010 05:36:55 +0000 http://dev.bonzaiaphrodite.com/?p=232#comment-7473 Nice! Thanks for the encouragement! But the one question which remains unanswered: Is the 50/50 vinegar/water sufficent, or should I use pure, undiluted vinegar? And any advice on how to banish those pesky salmonella germs? P.S. - I agree about our declining immune systems and the rise of allergies. I seriously just want to roll my eyes and say, "Well, DUH!!!" ; )> Nice! Thanks for the encouragement! But the one question which remains unanswered: Is the 50/50 vinegar/water sufficent, or should I use pure, undiluted vinegar? And any advice on how to banish those pesky salmonella germs?

P.S. – I agree about our declining immune systems and the rise of allergies. I seriously just want to roll my eyes and say, “Well, DUH!!!” ; )>

]]> By: Sayward http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/2009/02/itty-bitty-bonzai-1/comment-page-1/#comment-7395 Sayward Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:19:34 +0000 http://dev.bonzaiaphrodite.com/?p=232#comment-7395 @ Britt - Yes! Vinegar does kill ~99% of bacteria and germs. I found one study that concluded vinegar was effective against E. coli (<a href="http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/iafp/jfp/1998/00000061/00000008/art00005" rel="nofollow">here</a>) but couldn't find anything conclusive on Salmonella. I will say that I feel 100% confident using vinegar as my disinfectant. I think it's not only 'greener' but also much safer than industrial chemical cleaners. Some people believe that allergies are on the rise because we're over-sanitizing, and children's immune systems are not being exposed to enough buggies! Anyway, that's another topic but suffice it to say, it sounds like you're doing great. Use your vinegar with confidence and try not too stress on germs too much (I know I know, we're mommies! Easier said than done . . .) Ooh also, lavender would be great! antibacterial and much nicer smell. =) Luck! @ Britt – Yes! Vinegar does kill ~99% of bacteria and germs. I found one study that concluded vinegar was effective against E. coli (here) but couldn’t find anything conclusive on Salmonella.

I will say that I feel 100% confident using vinegar as my disinfectant. I think it’s not only ‘greener’ but also much safer than industrial chemical cleaners. Some people believe that allergies are on the rise because we’re over-sanitizing, and children’s immune systems are not being exposed to enough buggies!

Anyway, that’s another topic but suffice it to say, it sounds like you’re doing great. Use your vinegar with confidence and try not too stress on germs too much (I know I know, we’re mommies! Easier said than done . . .)

Ooh also, lavender would be great! antibacterial and much nicer smell. =)

Luck!

]]> By: Britt http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/2009/02/itty-bitty-bonzai-1/comment-page-1/#comment-7393 Britt Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:33:46 +0000 http://dev.bonzaiaphrodite.com/?p=232#comment-7393 Oh yeah...! And also would it be benefical to add lavender essential oil to the vinegar spray? I hear it's antibacterial AND smells lovely! : ) Oh yeah…! And also would it be benefical to add lavender essential oil to the vinegar spray? I hear it’s antibacterial AND smells lovely! : )

]]> By: Britt Readman http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/2009/02/itty-bitty-bonzai-1/comment-page-1/#comment-7392 Britt Readman Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:16:18 +0000 http://dev.bonzaiaphrodite.com/?p=232#comment-7392 Does vinegar kill salmonella and e.coli and all that other nasty stuff all around the kitchen? Is it better to use undiluted vinegar (no H2O), or is it just as effective to use a spraybottle of H2O with a couple tablespoons of vinegar in it? Or half and half? Also, my main cleaner (besides a half-half mix of vineagr/H2O) is a spraybottle full of H2O with 2 tsp ammonia, 1 tsp vinegar, and 1/2 tsp baking soda. Is this sufficent? Do I need to add more ingredients to the water ratio? HELP! I'm a new mom (Congratulations to you, by the way! So cool, huh??), anyway, and I'm pretty concerned about killing all major germs, without using bleach or chemicals. You know. But I just don't feel like I'm doing enough! So would you please sort all this out for me, oh Meistress of Science and Fabulous Information, please?! I can never find answers to these questions anywhere, so I thought I'd take it to the sage...! Thanks, Lady. You rock my socks off!! Does vinegar kill salmonella and e.coli and all that other nasty stuff all around the kitchen? Is it better to use undiluted vinegar (no H2O), or is it just as effective to use a spraybottle of H2O with a couple tablespoons of vinegar in it? Or half and half? Also, my main cleaner (besides a half-half mix of vineagr/H2O) is a spraybottle full of H2O with 2 tsp ammonia, 1 tsp vinegar, and 1/2 tsp baking soda. Is this sufficent? Do I need to add more ingredients to the water ratio? HELP! I’m a new mom (Congratulations to you, by the way! So cool, huh??), anyway, and I’m pretty concerned about killing all major germs, without using bleach or chemicals. You know. But I just don’t feel like I’m doing enough! So would you please sort all this out for me, oh Meistress of Science and Fabulous Information, please?! I can never find answers to these questions anywhere, so I thought I’d take it to the sage…! Thanks, Lady. You rock my socks off!!

]]> By: Sayward http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/2009/02/itty-bitty-bonzai-1/comment-page-1/#comment-4401 Sayward Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:56:23 +0000 http://dev.bonzaiaphrodite.com/?p=232#comment-4401 @ Katie - Vinegar (and peroxide) is a GREAT disinfectant. It's all I use (with a sprinkle of baking soda) in my toilet, and it works great. Vinegar will definitely kill the germs that need killing. =) And thanks! I can't wait to be a momma! @ Katie – Vinegar (and peroxide) is a GREAT disinfectant. It’s all I use (with a sprinkle of baking soda) in my toilet, and it works great. Vinegar will definitely kill the germs that need killing. =)

And thanks! I can’t wait to be a momma!

]]> By: Katie http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/2009/02/itty-bitty-bonzai-1/comment-page-1/#comment-4395 Katie Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:09:54 +0000 http://dev.bonzaiaphrodite.com/?p=232#comment-4395 Hi Sayward, does this peroxide/vinegar combo kill germs as bleach does? Any suggestions for cleaning the germs out of places like the toilet? Thanks for all of your FABULOUS tips (i love your blog), and best of luck to you as a new momma! Hi Sayward, does this peroxide/vinegar combo kill germs as bleach does? Any suggestions for cleaning the germs out of places like the toilet? Thanks for all of your FABULOUS tips (i love your blog), and best of luck to you as a new momma!

]]> By: Sayward http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/2009/02/itty-bitty-bonzai-1/comment-page-1/#comment-881 Sayward Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:36:43 +0000 http://dev.bonzaiaphrodite.com/?p=232#comment-881 @ Friendly Chemist - Yes! @ Friendly Chemist – Yes!

]]> By: Friendly Chemist http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/2009/02/itty-bitty-bonzai-1/comment-page-1/#comment-709 Friendly Chemist Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:20:08 +0000 http://dev.bonzaiaphrodite.com/?p=232#comment-709 The compounds potentially formed are called "organochlorides," a wide variety of compounds. While some of these compounds have known toxic properties, many (for example 4-chloroindole-3-acetic acid, a naturally occurring plant compound found in peas http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1066676) do not. The compounds potentially formed are called “organochlorides,” a wide variety of compounds. While some of these compounds have known toxic properties, many (for example 4-chloroindole-3-acetic acid, a naturally occurring plant compound found in peas http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1066676) do not.

]]> By: Sayward http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/2009/02/itty-bitty-bonzai-1/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Sayward Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:10:41 +0000 http://dev.bonzaiaphrodite.com/?p=232#comment-23 @Amber - There are various natural lighteners/whiteners around, with reports of variable success. Living in SoCal is definitely an edge - sunlight is a natural whitener! Simply line drying your whites will help keep them bright. Another trick to avoid yellowing is to soak in a 1:1 solution of lemon juice and water. So you would do a load of laundry, then soak the wet clothes in lemon juice/water, then rinse, then line dry. Of course, there are also non-chlorinated bleaches available. This is not as natural as lemon juice, but certainly preferable to chlorine. Look for one that contains hydrogen peroxide, sodium percarbonate, or sodium perborate. Hope that helps! ~Sayward @Amber – There are various natural lighteners/whiteners around, with reports of variable success. Living in SoCal is definitely an edge – sunlight is a natural whitener! Simply line drying your whites will help keep them bright. Another trick to avoid yellowing is to soak in a 1:1 solution of lemon juice and water. So you would do a load of laundry, then soak the wet clothes in lemon juice/water, then rinse, then line dry.

Of course, there are also non-chlorinated bleaches available. This is not as natural as lemon juice, but certainly preferable to chlorine. Look for one that contains hydrogen peroxide, sodium percarbonate, or sodium perborate.

Hope that helps!
~Sayward

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