The kitchen place is obviously a cooking place, the place were best dishes are made, but for the food to be good enough it has to be cooked from a clean kitchen. Tea tree oil is one top disinfectant which is safe to use in the kitchen, however, if you are short of it, other natural essential oils can be used as substitutes of tea tree oil. We are going to discuss those substitutes below right after a brief background of what tea tree oil is.
Contents
What Tea Tree oil is
Tea tree oil, largely known as melaleuca oil is a fresh odour essential oil originating from Australia. It is also economical as compared to other essential oils. Tea tree oil reacts to air so it is very important to first test it before using it on your kitchen countertops so that you avoid discoloration. Tea Tree Oil does not only deodorise but it also inhibits the growth of bacteria, thus, you can use it on your garbage bin to prevent it from being smelly.
Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner
Most people dread making their own all-purpose cleaner thinking it might turn out less effective than the store bought ones. This particular all-purpose cleaner is natural and effective. All the ingredients you need are probably things you already have in your house.
Ingredients
½ cup white vinegar
3 cups water
¼ teaspoon tea tree oil (10 drops)
Directions
- Mix together the vinegar, water and tea tree oil and shake well so it’s well blended. Be assured, your house will not smell of vinegar smell, it dissipates as it dries. Also, the tea tree oil improves the scent, killing bacteria, viruses and fungi too, thus making the all-purpose cleaner very effective. The final product is safe to use on glass surfaces too. The acid in white vinegar enables it to disinfect and wipe clean grease.
Warning: Keep the homemade all purposes cleaner away from marble, granite and soapstone countertops as vinegar can etch away at these surfaces.
Note that 100% pure tea oil is toxic and it should at no point be ingested by humans or pets.
Cinnamon Essential Oil
Cinnamon essential oil contains acids which successfully inhibit bacteria. This means using it in your kitchen will help you rid it of stubborn, diseases-causing germs. That qualifies it into substituting tea tree oil. If you are not a fan of that tea tree oil smell, cinnamon essential oil will work well for you as it has a pleasing scent. To use it, mix 3-4 drops of cinnamon essential oil in one gallon of water. This solution works just as tea tree oil does on countertops and kitchen surfaces.
Lemon and Lime
Lemon is a popular aromatic used for cleaning and disinfecting the kitchen. Lime is lemon’s citrus sibling, they share the same antiseptic properties, though lime has a lighter scent. When using lemon or lime, test it on the surface you intend to clean so that you avoid discolouring your countertops. Lemon leaves surface as squeaky clean as tea tree oil would, this it makes a good substitute for tea tree oil.
Lemon Tea Tree
Lemon Tea Tree might be the best substitute for tea tree oil. It is a combination of the refreshing scent of lemon, it’s cleansing properties and the powerful and antimicrobial properties of the tea tree. Using lemon tea tree ensures a bacteria free kitchen with a refreshing smell.
Thyme Essential Oil
Thyme essential oil is made of constituents which can help your kitchen be bacteria free. This is a better substitute for tea tree oil as it is not only safe to use on surfaces but on all kitchen utensils. In fact, thyme essential oil can be used to inhibit growth of bacteria in eggs and raw meats. It can be used as both a food preservative and a non-toxic cleaner.
Oregano Essential Oil
This particular essential oil makes a good substitute of tea tree oil as it is strong enough to destroy molds. It inhibits bacterium activity, killing germs found in areas regularly exposed to moisture, such as the sink. Oregano Essential oil is antiseptic, with it, no bacteria can breed in your kitchen, just as no bacteria would breed when you use tea tree oil. Mix two cups of water, two tsps. of castile soap and thirty drops of oregano essential oil in a spray bottle then use that oil cleaner to disinfect your kitchen.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
This is a popular versatile natural agent. It is antiseptic and antimicrobial, making it useful in the kitchen and a good substitute for tea tree oil. It deals with resistant bacteria and it protects mold prone corners. Add three drops of eucalyptus essential oil into a cup of hot water, use the mixture to clean your whole kitchen, not leaving out all those corners where molds are prone to thrive.
Peppermint Essential Oil
This is a very powerful antimicrobial disinfectant just like tea tree oil, hence it can be used in place of the latter. Peppermint Essential oil is an even better substitute for tea tree oil because it does not only disinfect surfaces but it repels insects too. With it, cockroaches and ants will keep away from your kitchen. Mix ten drops of peppermint essential oil with a cup of water and use it for deep cleaning your kitchen. Peppermint Essential oil would be the best choice for substituting tea tree oil as it offers a fresh minty aroma giving your kitchen a form of freshness.
Clove Essential Oil
This essential oil has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties which can disinfect your kitchen. Clove essential oil substitutes tea tree oil well as these two hold the same properties, they should not be consumed. Clove essential oil can also be used to kill molds. To use it dilute ¼ tsp of clove oil in 1litre of water. Spray the solution on the surfaces including corners where mold tends to grow. Allow the spray to sit on the surfaces for at least an hour before wiping it off with a wet cloth.
Tangerine Oil
You can always substitute tea tree oil for tangerine oil. It offers a powerful citrus cleaning power, ridding the kitchen of all fungi, leaving surfaces sparkling clean and shiny. It also has a sweet scent. Mix a few drops of oil into a cup of warm water and scrub your kitchen surfaces.
Cinnamon bark
If you don’t mind the smell of cinnamon, this might be the right substitute for tea tree oil. Cinnamon bark is a very effective disinfectant. It has a 98% strength to destroy pathogenic bacteria. It leaves your kitchen with a warm, holiday scent.
All homemade essential oil all-purpose cleaners must be stored in cool dark places, away from children. They also need to be constantly alternated to avoid having bacteria grow resistant.
