While I don’t like to clean, it helps that I like what I use…
Some of my favorite cleaning products:
For the bathrooms:
Method Tub 'N Tile
Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Will make your bathroom smell so clean and minty fresh, and not chemical laden!
For Mirror/Windows:
(from my mother-in-law) vinegar and rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle
For dusting:
Method Wood for Good w/a microfiber cloth
Almond = warm and yummy!
For the kitchen:
Mrs. Meyer’s countertop spray – geranium scent
Love this smell, too!
While these products do cost a few dollars more (even on sale… of course I buy them on sale:)), I like to think that how we spend our money matters and I feel good supporting these companies in their quest to offer earth, animal, and people friendly products.
My favorite thing about them is that they smell SO good, and that is because of the essential oils they contain. I don't have to wonder what chemicals I am inhaling. Oh, and that they clean well, too. Also, that most are non-toxic = important to me when they are something my family is going to put their skin against or their food on. Ok, so that's 3 favorite things about them.
I could probably do it cheaper by making all the cleaning products myself and adding essential oils or something for scent, but I am not there, yet.
Oops, I can’t forget the trusty vacuum! We seriously have to clean the floors (or at least vacuum them) every other day because our dog SHEDS and we have a little girl crawling and scooting around on the floor. We empty the vacuum often, and I use my husband’s air compressor to help clean (by blowing off) the removable filter (outside, of course).
Confessions:
I do have some "killler cleaner" on hand only for those times when someone is nasty sick and I just have to know that those germs are eradicated for good. It just about makes me sick to use it though.
Also, I have a Swiffer wet-jet for the kitchen floor. Wasteful and probably super-toxic, I know. I am more likely to clean it if it is easy, though. I guess I try to justify the disposable mop-heads by the fact that I use cloth diapers. So throwing one mop-head every two weeks or so is not so bad….? (I try to stretch them to last for multiple uses.) Any good suggestions out there as alternatives to the Swiffer wet-jet? I'd love to hear...
Well, those are what work for me, I’d love to hear what works for you!
Visit Rocks in my Dryer for more ideas and tips!
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7 comments:
I'm with you about the healthful cleaning, although I am in love with the Scrubbing Bubbles action scrubber. I posted about the wet jet alternatives a while back, so I'm just going to leave you the link to my post, because I'm too lazy to type it all out again! :) heathershodgepodge.blogspot.com/2008/03/thrift-tip-mopping.html
I haven't tried it yet but I've read about using a reusable cloth on the wet jet. I've also seen instructions on how to fill the swiffer wet jet bottles with vinegar based cleaning solutions.
My outlook on using green vs conventional is do you best, but don't feel guilty if you're not the Martha Stewart of green.
I've recently made some more of my own cleaning products and have been really happy with them so far. My favorite essential oil is Tea Tree Oil. The scent is fabuluous. I'm going to do a post on cleaning products too, hopefully soon.
Also for the Swifter...This is what I've been doing lately and I love it. I use a rag (old t-shirt cut up usually) and put it on my swiffer. The more ruff and worn out the rag, the better for scrubbing. I do a "dry" run and then I use another rag to do a "wet" run across the kitchen and entry floors. I have been spraying my own safe cleaner on the floor instead of buying the Swifter brand. I love the results and it seriously doesn't take any more time. Plus there's nothing to throw away.
I love Method, too.
I traded in my swiffer for an Orangle Glo flat floor mop. They have one for hardwood, and one for vinyl. I never use the solution. I made my own spray bottle with my favorite mopping solution. I spray down the floor and use the microfiber mop. When I'm done, I peel off the microfiber mop and toss it in the laundry. I bought 4 extra mopping pads, and even use them for dry dusting the ceiling, walls, and fans.
Thanks for the idea, everyone! I will definitely be trying a non-disposable mophead when these disposable ones run out.
Non Toxic is the way to go. Good job for taking the steps you have. I love Ecofriendly products I know aren't killing my family.
We have a little Bissel that has a vacuum and mop ability. I think it was $40 and comes with 2 washable pads. They suggest you use their solution (of course) but you could easily fill the container up with the solution of your choice. I LOVE that little vacuum. Maybe that's what I'll do my WFMW about. ;)
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