How vinegar works?
Vinegar has about 2,5 pH level which means it’s very acidic. It helps loosen mineral deposits, such as lime, calcium, and rust, dissolves soap scum or grease and removes grime. Its smell evaporates together with undesirable odors in your home.
Vinegar (as well as citric acid) reduces the number of pathogens. The main component of vinegar is acetic acid, which has the ability to cross the cell membrane of bacteria to prompt a release of protons, which causes the cell to die. It can inhibit the pathogenic growth of bacteria and mold.
How soap works?
Soap is made of pin-shaped molecules, each of which has a hydrophilic head — it readily bonds with water — and a hydrophobic tail, which shuns water and prefers to link up with oils and fats. These molecules, when suspended in water, alternately float about as solitary units, interact with other molecules in the solution and assemble themselves into little bubbles called micelles. Soap dissolves lipid membranes which some bacteria and viruses have, and in this way inactivate its ability to infect the cells. Soap has emulsifying properties. This means that while oil (which attracts dirt) doesn’t naturally mix with water, soap can suspend oil/dirt in such a way that it can be removed.
How essential oils work?
Essential oils play an important role in the protection of the plants as antibacterials, antifungals, antivirals, and have the same function in cleaning art.
Natural compounds of these volatile oils like limonene, thymol, carvacrol, geraniol, linalool santalol etc. can kill or stifle the growth of bacteria and fungi. Phenolic compounds of EO’s allow easy penetration of the hydrophobic molecules of the bacteria cell wall. At low concentrations, they can interfere with enzymes involved in production of energy, and at higher concentrations, they can denature proteins. Most EO’s have a more powerful effect on Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative species.
How sodium bicarbonate works?
Commonly known as baking soda causes dirt and grease to dissolve in water, neutralizes both basics and acidic odors, removes surface rust in cold solutions and can be used as a mild abrasive without damaging the surface. Sodium bicarbonate can be an effective way of controlling fungal growth. It neutralizes unwanted acid solutions or acid spills. Alkaline cleaners work best when soil can be hydrolyzed, such as kitchen grease containing natural oils and fats, natural greases, body oils and some proteins.
It is widely used to clean and disinfect ovens, carpets, countertops, chopping boards and sinks, coffee stains. It is gentle and does not damage surfaces. It quickly dissolves in water and does not leave white residue on surfaces.