Help me green our clean!

[ghostlykisses]

I am trying to phase us into a more green way of cleaning but I have some things to work out.

First off how do I make my grandmother in law who lives with us understand that just because I do not have nasty chemical cleaners and paper towels it does not mean we do not have cleaning supplies? We have a cleaning lady who comes every other week and she told a new one that because I let the chemical cleaners run out and I am replacing them with things like vinegar and baking soda.

Next how do I make the cleaning lady understand? The one before last (they quit on us because they are afraid of our large dogs...seriously!) sat there and told me she expected me to have paper towels and certain cleaners on hand. I have not bought paper towels in over a month. I have a large towel I cut up for cleaning dirty things and I have dishcloths I crocheted for dishes and kitchen stuff. The last cleaning lady seemed confused and mystified by my request that she use cloths for cleaning instead of paper towels. There is also often a language barrier which is not helpful!

Lastly what do you clean with? Any tried and true cleaning recipes?

HELP!

[greenmulberry]

I clean most things with a spray bottle that is half vinegar/half water, with one or two drops of liquid soap. It is good for counters, front of the fridge, ect. Any kind of hard surface.

After doing this for many years, I find the odor of spray cleaners (like 409) to be really strong and offensive.

I save old towels and use them for wiping down the counter, instead of paper towels.

[Peace+Hope]

maybe pre-mixing your cleaners and labeling the bottles clearly - and maybe in english and first language of your cleaning ladies - would help with them... and your grandmother. you could make more bottles than you might have needed for yourself, like TOILET CLEANER, ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER, etc... also, if you use something like bar keeper's friend instead of comet, the container will be similar and maybe pass as a "real cleaner"

i use natural products that i dilute but still smell clean. i found i didn't like just vinegar, but i love diluted citrasolv - it still smells fresh and clean when i'm finished, and maybe your grandmother and your helpers need something like that.

would you consider going farther and making a cleaning station for your cleaning people that has labels, and even instructions translated for them, above piles of cleaning rags as well, also labeled as such? maybe knowing they have a place to go to get what they need will help them adjust to the different products and methods you want them to use.

[bscal]

I'm LOL over here. My grandmother is just amazed that I don't clean with all those handy spray cleaners like Chlorox Cleanup. I've tried to explain to her for years that 1) those chemicals are bad for my children (who all have a tendency towards upper respiratory infections and 2) those types of spray cleaners tend to make my eyes water and my throat feel scratchy. It's hard to convince the older generation that those "convenience" items just aren't good.

Anyways, I like the idea that pp suggested of setting up a cleaning station for your cleaning lady and grandma could use. I have a cleaning bucket - one of those long oval plastic bucket/baskets with a handle - and have all my cleaning rags, spray bottles and old toothbrushes in there. Most likely something similar would work for your situation. I'd put a large bucket out and label it "dirty rags" so that your cleaning lady (and grandma) know where to put used ones - perhaps a bucket in your laundry area and a second one in a bathroom if you have a 2 story house.

GL,
Beth

[Jackies Ladybug]

i use 2-3 drops dish liquid diluted in a spray bottle of water for my floors and counter tops, sometimes i use vinegar and lemon oil diluted in water to clean the tougher stuff like the stove.
you really have to experiment for a while to figure it out.

the issue with natural cleaners is that they really do take a bit more elbow grease to work, something i dont mind but professional cleaners may not be so into.
you may have to go through a few different maids to find the right one. i have heard of organic cleaning companies, maybe there is one in your area?