How to Use Tea Tree to Disinfect Counters

Tea tree oil can also disinfect places like floors and door handles.

Tea tree oil is obtained when leaves from tea trees are steamed and then wrung out to extract oil from them. The oil's use as an antiseptic can been traced back to the aboriginal tribes of Australia. According to the Bastyr Center for Natural Health, tea tree oil is powerful enough to kill such bacteria as Staphylococcus aureus, which causes staph infections. Since the oil is so potent, it must be diluted with water when using it as a disinfectant. However, you don't need to rinse your counters after wiping them with the solution since the oil's concentration has been weakened.

Things You'll Need

• 16-oz. spray bottle
• Hot water
• Tea tree oil
• Paper towels

Instructions

1. Remove the cap of an empty 16-oz. spray bottle and fill it with hot water from the sink.

2. Add 50 drops of tea tree oil to the water.

3. Screw the lid back on the spray bottle and shake it for 30 seconds to mix the ingredients.

4. Spray a coat of the tea tree oil solution directly on the counter top that needs disinfecting and leave it to sit for 10 seconds.

5. Wipe the solution off the counter with a paper towel and discard the towel.

6. Repeat Step 4 and Step 5 for all the counters that need disinfecting.

Tips & Warnings

• Some people find that their skin is sensitive to tea tree oil. Do a patch test by placing a few drops of diluted oil on your hand. If your skin turns red or feels irritated after several minutes, wear latex or rubber gloves to protect your skin when you use the oil.

References

• The Nambucca Tea Tree Oil Farm in Australia: Disenfectant Uses
• Eco Hearth: Tea Tree Oil: A Natural Home Disinfectant for the Flu Season
• Bastyr Center for Natural Health: Tea Tree Oil and Staph