Today, perhaps more than ever, it's essential to keep your home and your body clean and free of germs. But finding the right products to help you do that can be challenging.
Labels and product claims are hard to sift through, and sometimes even basic terminology can prove to be tricky. That's often the case when trying to figure out the difference between antibacterial and antimicrobial - two terms that though similar, maintain significant differences.
What exactly is the difference? We’ve been asked this question multiple times. We will do our best to offer answers here.
Antibacterial vs. Antimicrobial
Antibacterial soaps and other cleaning products have one primary goal - to stop the growth of bacteria. They are useful in preventing the spread of common bacteria, including E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella.
And, in many cases, these antibacterial agents can also offer protection from common viruses.
Despite their benefits, however, many experts argue that there is little difference between using antibacterial products and simply washing your hands with soap and water - both can remove (read, not kill) bacteria.
Antimicrobial soaps and cleaners, on the other hand, cover a more extensive range of harmful organisms. That includes bacteria, fungi, mold, viruses, and even parasites.
Since most antimicrobials are also antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, etc., they can help make it easier to maintain a clean environment without relying on a long list of cleaners. Some are alcohol-based, and others have chemicals that are not desirable by many.
For concerned consumers, that can make antimicrobial cleaning and hygiene products preferable when compared to simple antibacterial products.
Chemical vs. Natural Antimicrobial Solutions
Antimicrobials are often an excellent choice for your home, particularly since they can help you keep bacteria and viruses as well as mold and mildew at bay. But are all antimicrobial products created equal?
Before you introduce any cleaner, including antimicrobials, into your home, it's essential to consider what's inside the bottle.
Many of the cleaners sold in stores maintain antimicrobial characteristics. Still, they also can contain a host of chemicals that represent a whole new set of dangers for you and your family.
For instance, disinfectant wipes often contain harsh chemicals, like benzalkonium chloride and ammonium chloride. As such, these popular cleaners can have adverse effects on the skin, respiratory systems, and even the environment.
Fortunately, there are great natural antimicrobial solutions available that carry all the power without the health risks.
Best Natural Antimicrobial Cleaning Solutions
You can harness the power of natural antimicrobials in a variety of ways, including the food you ingest. Many common ingredients, including garlic, oregano, honey, and echinacea, provide your body with the antimicrobial benefits. Of course, that doesn't mean you need to start washing your hands and scrubbing your counters with your favorite foods.
Another significant naturally-occurring antimicrobial element is silver. Cleaning products derived from silver can help you harness the germ and virus-fighting powers of antimicrobials without exposing you, your family, or your pets to harsh chemicals.
TRU47 offers natural, chemical-free, antimicrobial products that can be used both on your body and around your house.
Here are a few easy ways to get leverage the antimicrobial powers of silver:
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99% Pure Silver-plated Cloths: Our Stellarcleenz line includes reusable silver cloths mitts, handle wraps, and even scarves. Silver is proven to be more effective at sanitizing than sprays, wipes, or gels, but soft and safe enough to use directly on your skin and by adults and children. You can use them to clean everything from your hands to counter taps, laptops, cell phones, and even exercise equipment. Plus, since our Stellarcleenz items are washable and reusable, you'll find that they're also an extremely economical cleaning solution.
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Colloidal Silver Sprays: If you prefer to use a spray-on solution in your home, office, or even while out grocery shopping, TRU47 also offers a whole line of silver Sprays that can be used on a vast array of surfaces like kitchen counters, grocery cart handles, yoga mats, gym equipment, and airline seats, and more. The best part is that these spritzes are chemical and alcohol-free, making them a non-toxic cleaning solution, no matter where you are.
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Colloidal Silver Inhalers: Fighting germs and bacteria on the outside isn't enough. Our colloidal silver inhalers allow you to internalize the benefits of silver and clean your body from the inside out. Each of our custom-formulated inhalers includes 100% Pure Organic Essential oils, Himalayan sea salts, and trace minerals that can help you stay healthy and enhance your overall well-being.
Antibacterial and antimicrobial solutions may have a lot in common, but when it comes to your health and the cleanliness of your home, the difference matters.
Antimicrobial products can help you protect your family from germs and bacteria, like the flu and COVID-19, as well as fungal, parasitic, and other microbial threats. But that doesn’t mean all antimicrobial products are the same.
Though many products have antimicrobial properties, silver is one of the few that can tackle germs without harsh or harmful side effects. It has been around for years - long before the advent of antibiotics in the 1940s.
Silver is regarded as the most potent germ busting remedies of today and continues to be used in wound care globally.