A chemical cock-tail wont kill the coronavirus any better than soap and water.

Soap and Water is just as effective at killing off the coronavirus as any chemical on the market when disinfecting your skin. It’s also safer, cheaper and made by many small-businesses.

Editor's Note: These recommendations are made for disinfecting your skin. For a list of effective cleaners to clean your house, use this list by the CDC. 

​Nathan Bek

The threat of the coronavirus made many Americans feel dirty. The hyper-infectious disease, mostly spread by close-contact, inspired a germaphobe trend. As fear and stigma of the disease spread, so did the surges in consumer demand for harsh cleaning products. 

But while Americans bathed in hand-sanitizer and bleach, soap and water proved to be just as effective in killing off the virus. 

The virus itself does not need a chemical cocktail to be killed. The Covid-19 disease is considered one of the easiest pathogens to eliminate because its DNA is heavily exposed, it’s only protection is a small bundle of lipids and proteins. This make-up is called the viral-envelope. 

“Soap works so effectively because its chemistry pries open the coronavirus’s exterior envelope and causes it to degrade,” said Sarah Gibbens, a writer for NatGeo.

Liberally using chemicals can also have a reverse effect on one's health. Harsh chemicals, like bleach, can cause respiratory issues themselves, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Consistent exposure to harsh chemicals can also create birth defects, asthma and even cancer. 

Consumer spending has also been concentrated on corporate juggernauts like Clorox. Their stock skyrocketed during the crisis, while many small-businesses, like ours, were left in the dust. 

While the pandemic has brought forward more questions than answers, it is very important to know the facts and not act on fear. Making informed consumer decisions will be crucial at this time. 

In the midst of this crisis, we want to help. Use of the promo code ‘DreamTeam’ to receive 20% off your entire order. From all of us at GreenDream: Stay safe and continue to support the small businesses!