Did you know that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 80 percent of all infections are spread through hand contact with a surface? For this reason, using a disinfectant spray on the objects you and others touch regularly is important if you wish to avoid becoming sick. Not convinced? Studies estimate that one in three American workers goes to work in spite of being sick, and that their germs spread quickly; the average office desk has four hundred times as many germs as a toilet seat, and a telephone usually has more germs than anywhere else in the average work space. To avoid the spread of bacteria and illness, you should periodically disinfect surfaces in both your home, at work, and other areas where you spend a lot of time.

However, finding the best disinfectant for you can be difficult, especially if you have small children, pets or both. While you might think to turn to any number of room decontamination products, ranging from a bleach disinfectant to a room fogging product, not all disinfectant products are created equal. And just as you wouldn’t use, say, a laundry disinfectant in your kitchen, some chemical products are too harsh and sometimes even too toxic to be safely used around children and animals.

Instead, try using a hydrogen peroxide disinfectant to clean your home. Unlike harsh chemicals, hydrogen peroxide is a safe and effective way to decontaminate your home and office. And it provides numerous options for you if you’re looking to decrease the number of germs in your home: if you want, you can even purchase hydrogen peroxide at your local grocery store and make a homemade disinfectant spray yourself. Recipes for a hydrogen peroxide-based homemade disinfectant spray can easily be found online, or you can search for a ready to use disinfectant that contains a hydrogen peroxide and silver formula. However, if you’re intrigued by the idea of making your own homemade disinfectant spray, there are many different recipes, including a few organic disinfectant spray formulas, that are non-toxic as well.

There are many ways to transfer and contract germs, especially in shared areas with a lot of regularly-touched surfaces. To keep from spreading and receiving bacteria, make sure to wash your hands often or use a hand disinfectant. Also, keep yourself in good health, and try stay at home if you’re sick; working with an illness not only keeps you from getting better but also passes your germs along to your coworkers. Lastly, use surface disinfecting wipes or disinfectant sprays, whether you prefer a homemade disinfectant spray or a store-bought option, to prevent germs from spreading from the office telephone to your hands to your family.