When it comes to cleaning, Vital Oxide is a multi-tasking powerhouse. Beyond regular cleaning and disinfecting, there are a lot of other ways Vital Oxide can come in handy. But first, let’s talk about what makes Vital Oxide so special. Vital Oxide’s hero ingredient, chlorine dioxide, is a tried-and-tested disinfectant that was introduced to the U.S. in the 1940s to disinfect drinking water. And while it has “chlorine” in its name, it’s very different from chlorine bleach. Unlike bleach, which has a harsh odor, is extremely corrosive, and forms carcinogenic trihalomethanes after use that get washed down the drain and deposited into the environment, chlorine dioxide creates oxygen – breaking down to water, oxygen, and common table salt after use. This makes it much less corrosive to surfaces and an excellent environmental choice. It also breaks down quickly, which means it won’t harm the Earth’s soil or add toxic deposits to the ground or water.
Vital Oxide is colorless, odorless, and free from any harsh chemicals. It also has a safety rating that is not common with other disinfectants. Vital Oxide has the lowest toxicity level that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gives for pesticide (disinfectant) applications – Category 4 – which means that you do not need to wear gloves or any other personal protection equipment while applying it. Vital Oxide is safe to use on virtually any surface that can get wet. It’s powerful, responsible, and safe for the environment.
Take a look at some of the uses for this cleaning wonder:
1. Save Your Smelly or Moldy Cooler
Well, you had a great time fishing, but now your cooler smells like bad fish. Coolers can be a huge investment, and getting a new one every time a smell or mold pops up just isn’t realistic. Instead, try this: After thoroughly rinsing your cooler, drop one tablespoon of liquid dish soap and a generous spray of water, and scrub thoroughly, inside and out. Rinse the cooler again, then liberally spray with Vital Oxide. Leave the lid open and allow the spray to dry. That's it. Vital Oxide is food safe and will not discolor fabrics, but it handily kills fish smells, and germs, too.
2. Defunkify Garbage Cans
Your garbage can might never smell like roses, but it doesn’t have to be totally offensive either. Even after taking out the trash, lingering garbage can smells can stink up the whole kitchen and even seep into other rooms. To keep odors under control, spray the inside of the can with Vital Oxide each time you take the trash out before adding a new bag. It’s inevitable that juices and other waste can occasionally get between the can and the garbage bag, so you should wipe the inside of the can regularly, about every two weeks, or whenever you notice a spill or a lingering smell. Then, aim to give the garbage can a proper deep clean at least once every other month by scrubbing it thoroughly inside and out (don’t forget the lid!) with warm soapy water, rinsing it out, and then spraying with Vital Oxide to banish any lasting odors and kill germs.
3. Help Your Garden Flourish
By properly cleaning and disinfecting your flower pots and planters, you’ll help prevent the transfer of molds and diseases from old plants to new ones. To disinfect, wash and rinse pots and planters by hosing them out to remove any dirt (use a scrub brush if needed) then spray with Vital Oxide and let air dry before planting. The slippery slime that grows on concrete decks and pavers can be a real safety hazard. Once again, Vital Oxide to the rescue. It will eliminate that slippery biofilm and keep it from coming back for weeks.
4. Clean & Disinfect Your Humidifier
Humidifiers add moisture to the air, which can be beneficial for people with respiratory conditions such as asthma or allergies, dry skin, and can even help ease cold and flu symptoms. However, if you neglect to clean your humidifier properly, it can quickly become an incubator for germs – one that aerosolizes those microorganisms and mists them into the air you breathe. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has long been warning people against the dangers of using dirty humidifiers. Medical experts have also identified something they call “humidifier fever,” a form of viral lung inflammation caused by colonized humidifier bacteria. Therefore, cleaning your humidifier properly is critically important. Experts recommend washing your humidifier on a daily basis by emptying, rinsing, and drying the base and tank every day. Twice a week, clean and disinfect the humidifier’s water reservoir using unscented dish soap and warm water, making sure to scrub the sides to remove any build up. Rinse thoroughly, and then spray with Vital Oxide to eradicate any lasting germs.
5. Keep Yoga Mats Clean & Free From Odors
There’s nothing worse than rolling out your mat before a yoga session and noticing a layer of grime or smelling a subtle hint of days-old sweat. Yet it happens to the best of us, because keeping a yoga mat clean is often an afterthought. Yoga mats absorb all the sweat, oil, and grime that they’re exposed to, which means they can become dirty, smelly, and even contaminated with germs quickly. To keep all that gunk off your mat, establishing a consistent cleaning routine is crucial. After each session, spot clean to remove any spills, sweat, gunk, dust, or dirt buildup, then spray with Vital Oxide to remove odors and anything else that tries to linger in your mat. Namaste.
6. Get Rid of that Terrible Smell from Your Front Load Washer
If you have a front load washer, you know how awesome they are! Most front load washing machines on the market these days are high-efficiency, meaning they use about 35% less energy and 35% less water than regular washers. Unfortunately, problems with odors persist for some front load washer users. Most of the time, the smell comes from the stagnant water trapped in those pesky rubber gaskets. Spray those gaskets after each cycle to keep the mold and mildew at bay. If the washer has been closed for a while and smells foul, you can add 1 cup of Vital Oxide and run a clean cycle to get rid of the odor.
7. Freshen Litter Boxes
Don't use harsh chemicals when cleaning the litter box such as ammonia, bleach, or other strong scents. They can cause serious harm to your cat, and may cause it to avoid using the litter box. Use this kitty-friendly method instead: Along with daily scooping, completely empty litter box at least once a week. Scrub empty litter box with soap and a mild soap and rinse out. Next, spray the litter box with Vital Oxide and let dry completely before adding in new litter. Vital Oxide is odorless, and safe to use around pets, so it is just purr-fect to use in litter boxes!
8. Clean Baby Gear: Strollers, Car Seats, High Chairs, & More
If you’re a parent or a caregiver, you know that all of these things are more likely to be stinky, sticky, and germy than clean on any given day. To clean, deodorize, and get rid of germs on any sort of baby gear, first wipe or rinse off any crud with water (or use Vital Oxide to clean for extra gross messes). Next, spray with Vital Oxide and let air dry. It’s colorless, odorless, free from any toxic chemicals, and won’t leave behind any harsh fumes or harmful residues so there’s no need to rinse it off after applying.
9. Wash Cloth Diapers
Cloth diapers can be better for the environment and your wallet, but they can also be massively stinky! Probably the number one thing that freaks people out when they think about using cloth diapers is washing them. But it’s really not as bad as it might seem. Here’s a simple routine for washing cloth diapers: First, remove any ‘solids’, then pre-rinse in the washing machine with cold water and no detergent. Next, use a regular warm water cycle, fragrance-free detergent, and ½ to 1 cup Vital Oxide, depending on the number of diapers you’re washing. Dry diapers in the dryer, or hang dry, or a combination of both.
10. Banish Stinky, Musty Smells on Boats
If you own a boat or have ever been out to sea on a vessel that had been sitting for a while, you’re probably remembering that stale, musty funk right now. The smell may be permeating from upholstery, bedding, cushions, carpets, or headliners. If there was a leak, humidity, or condensation, these items may have mold or mildew in them. Steam cleaning carpet and upholstery and spraying with Vital Oxide will get to the root of the problem and banish odors, and make hanging out in the cabin a much better experience.
11. Deep Clean Makeup Brushes
Did you know that Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and E-coli are commonly found on makeup brushes? When you don’t wash and sanitize your beauty tools, they will become happy breeding grounds for germs and even dust mites, too. To really clean your makeup brushes, first remove product buildup with unscented soap and warm water. Rinse well, and remove excess moisture with a clean paper towel. Reshape brush head and spray liberally with Vital Oxide and let air dry to eradicate germs.
12. De-grime the Garage Door
Is your garage door looking a bit grungy? Try this: Spray it down with the hose and remove any dirt with a scrub brush. Spray any stubborn stains with Vital Oxide and scrub in a circular motion. Rinse, and then spray Vital Oxide on the whole garage door and voilà: A beautifully clean garage door that should stay clean and mold free for months.
13. Clean Your Diaper Bag or Backpack
Mom life is stressful enough without worrying about spilled milk, spit up, squashed fruit, and sticky stains on the outside and inside your diaper bag! It can be expensive to get your bag cleaned by a professional and you don’t want to buy another one, especially if you’ve bought one of the new, hot stylish diaper bags. So how can you clean your diaper bag at home without ruining it? Don’t worry; It’s like taking candy from a baby! Just remove any chunks or grime with a rag (or gently scrub with a scrub brush for extra stubborn gunk) and hot water. Spray with Vital Oxide and let dry naturally to target odors and to prevent anything from festering. For heavily soiled cotton, fabric, or canvas bags, you can generally wash them in the washer on a hand wash cycle with detergent. Add Vital Oxide to the load to help get rid of stains and eradicate germs.
14. Keep Baby’s Bath Toys Clean
Bath toys – especially ones that reside in the bathroom full time – can easily become host to mold, bacteria, and other yuck. Keep the germ load down by regularly spraying rubber ducky and pals with Vital Oxide. No need to rinse!
15. Degerm Your Phone & AirPods
It’s common knowledge that our phones are basically germ magnets, but did you know that cellphones carry 10x more bacteria than most toilet seats?! No need to throw out your phone; a daily cleaning and disinfecting routine can help to keep the germs at bay. To clean your phone, turn it off and gently polish it with a microfiber cloth to remove any oils or crud. Next, lightly spray the cloth with Vital Oxide and wipe down your phone, and let dry. To clean and disinfect your AirPods, lightly spritz a cloth with Vital Oxide and gently wipe the exterior surface, being careful to avoid the speaker mesh. Don’t forget to wash your phone case! Based on the material the case is made of and manufacturer’s instructions, you should be able to wash it with soap and water. Next, spray it with Vital Oxide to kill 99.999% of germs and bacteria.
Learn more about the science behind our product, as well as tons of great tips on reducing allergens, cleaning, and more. If you have any questions, please Contact Us or Send Us a Message on Facebook. We’re here to help.
