What are some good products for cleaning?

[logan&jordansmommy]

What do you use around the house that you like? I am looking for everything really.....laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, all purpose cleaner, floor cleaner etc. I would love to use something that works good but doesn't cost an arm and a leg but I am willing to spend what I have to if it doesn't break us.

Thanks!

[Bimmergal2005]

I like Biokleen and Seventh Generation products. I use BK laundry detergent, Bacout for stains, dishwasher detergent and their soy bath and kitchen cleaners. I use SG for daily cleanups in the kitchen.

You can download coupons from Seventh Generation's website and you can email Biokleen for coupons. Ecover also has coupons you can request, though I've never used their products.

[Leylla]

Personally?

I have been converted to mostly baking soda and or vinegar.

Baking Soda is a wonderful abrasive, yet gentle. It is also a wonderful deodorizer.

Vinegar cuts grease well and works on stuck on stains, especially when mized w/ baking soda.

I will also fill a pan halfway with water, 4 tbsp of vinegar, and either put some cinnamon sticks in it or a sliced orange or lemon in it and boil. Wonderful air freshner.

I do pick up 7th Generation products when I can find them at a huge discount like at a bent-n-dent store or something. (Still tickled over the jugs of dishwashing machine gel at $0.75 a bottle) their apple scented dishsoap (apparently discod, but I have 26 more bottles) is top notch. Very gentle on the hands, GREAT at cutting grease, and for me, makes a very gentle yet effective shampoo. (super greasy hair)

I am a little dissapointed w/ their glass/multi surface cleaner, but vinegar and newspaper work better anyways.

Dish machine gel works wonders and smells good too.

Their laundry detergent actually broke me out even though it's hypoallergenic. I have never had issues w/ detergents either. It does smell good, and it works GREAT, so I will use it on DHs clothes or the kids when I can snap it up for cheap. I personally wash my clothes (and others' clothes when I don't have pre-made product) with baking soda, vinegar, and tea tree oil.

For floor cleaner I will admit for deep cleanings I will use amonia. However I have had the same bottle of amonia for 8 years now. (It was a third gone when I took it when I left home and got married) But for general cleaning and daily "dusting" a general damp mop works well.

HTH-Steph

[Drummer's Wife]

I use vinegar and baking soda to clean everything. Both are super cheap and work really well with the important benefit of being non toxic. (they also deodorize and sanitize)

We don't have any type of cleaner with chemicals around the house. I just keep a spray bottled under the sink with water and a small amount of vinegar.

For dish soap we use seventh generation and it works really well. But I havent' bought any of their sprays or cleaners since I've been happy with the baking soda and vinegar and it's much cheaper.

[cupofjojo]

I am a big fan of Shaklee products. They re did some of their cleaning line and I love it. They have a cleaner called Basic H2 that is very concentrated, non toxic, biodegradable etc.

One bottle of it is like 80 bottles of all purpose cleaner and several hundred bottles of window cleaner. I have had my bottle now for one year and I still have 1/3 left.

It can be used as glass/window cleaner, all purpose spray like 409, degreaser for my stove, spot remover used in a heavier concentration. I use it as veggie wash - again its non toxic and biodegradable. We use it as bubble bath for my DS's bath, and its great because there is no ring around the tub afterward and my tub is clean.

There are literally 100's of ways to use this and with one bottle lasting so long it has been a great investment. I just refill my spray bottle over and over and over again

They also have dish detergent and an entire line of products. Actually they were just on Oprah on Friday.

[Bimmergal2005]

It's my understanding from a source I trust that Shaklee products are not all natural. They may be better than your typical brand, but they are not as natural as they claim to be. I have not used their products so I can't give personal experience, but I trust this person's findings.

[maxsmum]

I am also a huge fan of baking soda and vinegar - cheap! (alot of the natural cleaners are vinegar solutions). Bio-Kleen is great for the laundry, I also use ecover fabric softener.

[cupofjojo]

Originally Posted by Bimmergal2005

It's my understanding from a source I trust that Shaklee products are not all natural. They may be better than your typical brand, but they are not as natural as they claim to be. I have not used their products so I can't give personal experience, but I trust this person's findings.

Is this based on the new cleaning line? It was not my understaninding with the entire new line of Get Clean products. I'd be curious and which products specifically. I know the Basic H2 looks very different. The label even says Basic H2™ Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate.

[jenerationx]

Originally Posted by Bimmergal2005

It's my understanding from a source I trust that Shaklee products are not all natural. They may be better than your typical brand, but they are not as natural as they claim to be. I have not used their products so I can't give personal experience, but I trust this person's findings.

Could you provide more information? I'd really appreciate it!

[jenerationx]

Originally Posted by cupofjojo

Is this based on the new cleaning line? It was not my understaninding with the entire new line of Get Clean products. I'd be curious and which products specifically. I know the Basic H2 looks very different. The label even says Basic H2™ Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate.

I talked to a Shaklee rep the other day and she told me that the only difference between Basic H and Basic H2 is that Basic H2 is even more concentrated than Basic H. Both are labeled as organic.

[cupofjojo]

Originally Posted by jenerationx

I talked to a Shaklee rep the other day and she told me that the only difference between Basic H and Basic H2 is that Basic H2 is even more concentrated than Basic H. Both are labeled as organic.

It is my understanding that the ingredients are natural sustainably sourced ingredients – derived from corn and coconuts, biodegradable, with no phosphates or dyes.

I've written to their customer service to find out for sure.
Will be curious to get their answer.

[Guava~Lush]

Another baking soda and vinegar cleaner here!



I only buy laundry detergent and dish soap- what ever is on sale at the local HFS.

[dbsam]

I've tried so many brands and products! Like a PP I love Bi-O-Kleen products. Their laundry products, dish soap, soy solvent, and especially Bac-Out are wonderful. I also use baking soda and vinegar for sinks and floors. Restore makes a great Lime-Away type product for hard water stains, etc. I used Seventh Gen laundry products for years but prefer Bi-O-Kleen. Ecover makes a few good products too. Automatic dishwasher detergents can be challenging and may depend upon your machine. I’ve had good luck with Planet Earth.

[cupofjojo]

Originally Posted by dbsam

Restore makes a great Lime-Away type product for hard water stains, etc.

Yeah! My Lime Away has been my only non-toxic that I haven't been able to give up. We have so much clay in our water that we get pink stains. Can't wait to try it.

[logan&jordansmommy]

For those that use vinegar, how do you use it? Do you add water and use it as an all-purpose cleaner? And baking soda as an abrasive?
Thanks!

[mosesface]

vinegar all purpose cleaner = 50/50 white vinegar and H20 (distilled)
vinegar fabric softener = straight vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser

baking soda "abrasive"= make a paste of baking soda and water and scrub! i clean my bathroom floors with a once over of the vinegar 50/50 mix and then sprinkle baking soda, scrub, and then wipe up with the vinegar mix.

ETA: you can use more than 50% vinegar in your mix. and rest assured that once it dries, the vinegar smell WILL go away. promise!

[binxsmom]

Originally Posted by mosesface

ETA: you can use more than 50% vinegar in your mix. and rest assured that once it dries, the vinegar smell WILL go away. promise!

funny, i have used vinegar for so long that i now associate the smell with a clean house.

[dbsam]

For porcelain sinks I find baking soda alone is not always enough so I sometimes add coarse salt.

[MommyErin]

Originally Posted by dbsam

For porcelain sinks I find baking soda alone is not always enough so I sometimes add coarse salt.

In my porcelain sink, I use borax as an abrasive when it's bad. Borax is all natural and biodegradable but NOT non-toxic.

I also really love the Ecover toilet cleaner.

[stelly]

I use Trader Joes multi-surface cleaner for the kitchen, and Method tub and tile cleaner in the bathroom (anything less doesn't seem to work). I do use ACV and white vinegar elsewhere in the house, especially in the laundry, and I sprinkle baking powder on just about anything that stays still!!

I do have some chemical cleaners I am using up that were purchased a long time ago, but after they are done I will try and work solely with TJ's and Method since I like the smells and results.