Fav natural all-purpose cleaner?

[Girlo]

I've been using vinegar for about 3 years now and I LOVE it! I also have some Simple Green left over that I pull out sometimes for something different.

However.....I recently found out that my DH HATES the vinegar! Pooper (I digress.....). He can't stand the smell and hates it when I use it to clean before people come over to the house, because they'll be smelling the vinegar. I do cut it with water and add orange and TT oils to it to add something nice. Honestly, I do smell it, but it doesn't bother me in the least.

He also can't stand the smell of the Simple Green.....

We did agree that the smell of the vinegar isn't nearly as offensive as that of of the conventional cleaning products, like 409.

What I'm asking from you all are your fav natural/green cleaning products that smell nice and are generic cleaners (countertops, etc.) in a spray bottle form (yup, paying for convenience). One final note is that I'm also NOT interested in the "green" products from the big box companies, like Clorox. Just because they're producing a small number of products to be trendy doesn't mean they've changed their business practices.

Thanks!

[Girlo]

Oh, I also want to note that this new purchase would be saved for use just before we have company coming over (or while people are visiting). Our compromise is that the vinegar is fine for just our noses, but not for visitors.

[vm9799]

the 2 that we use for "all purpose" quick cleaning is seventh generation free & clear all purpose cleaner and method go naked surface cleaner (neither smell like anything and work as well as vinegar and water). i too am not bothered in the least bit by the smell of vinegar, but my dh isn't too fond of it, so we've compromised with the 2 products above. everyone's happy!

both are all purpose cleaners, come in spray bottle form, and can be purchased at target for under $3.00 each.

[janasmama]

Bio-Kleen...I love the smell and it cleans very good, especially carpet stains.

[vm9799]

Originally Posted by janasmama

Bio-Kleen...I love the smell and it cleans very good, especially carpet stains.

do you use the bac-out for all purpose cleaning??? i had no idea you could do that! lol! i LOVE bac-out, but i use it for bathroom cleaning and any stains, i just didn't know it was okay to use in the kitchen, etc.

[PatienceAndLove]

Charlie's All-Purpose!

[notwonamesalike]

Try Dr. Bronner's liquid magic soap.

I have almond scent and peppermint. They both smell great and get the job done better than anything I've ever used - chemical nasty cleaners included.

You can also get the unscented and add your own eo's.

Oops..just saw you wanted to have it ready made. You do need to use your own spray bottle for this and dilute the dr. B's with water.

[spiderdust]

Originally Posted by janasmama

Bio-Kleen...I love the smell and it cleans very good, especially carpet stains.

Oh, wow! I hadn't even thought of using it for the carpet. I have an icky stain on our carpet from a hurky cat. Maybe that will do the job.

[sprouthead]

Originally Posted by notwonamesalike

Oops..just saw you wanted to have it ready made. You do need to use your own spray bottle for this and dilute the dr. B's with water.

How much do you dilute the Dr. Bs?

[janasmama]

Originally Posted by vm9799

do you use the bac-out for all purpose cleaning??? i had no idea you could do that! lol! i LOVE bac-out, but i use it for bathroom cleaning and any stains, i just didn't know it was okay to use in the kitchen, etc.

BioKleen makes an all-purpose cleaner also but I don't see any reason why you couldn't use it in the kitchen either. I used Bac-out everywhere and never had any problems.

[vm9799]

Originally Posted by janasmama

BioKleen makes an all-purpose cleaner also but I don't see any reason why you couldn't use it in the kitchen either. I used Bac-out everywhere and never had any problems.

thank you!

[dawningmama]

I like to use the peppermint Dr. Bronners too. I have a plastic srpray bottle that I fill with warm water and add one or two squirts (probably about a tablespoon) of the Dr. B. Works like a charm and smells lovely.

[es1967]

I use a cleaner made with TTO for all purpose cleaning-glass etc. Sometimes I add some essential oils but usually I just leave it as is since I love the clean smell of TTO. Usually, deep cleaning is done way in advance of company and then I use vinegar.

2 tablespoons Dr Bronners or all natural dish detergent
2 tablespoons alcohol (not sure if this is considered natural?)
30 drops tea tree oil
fill bottle with purified water
few drops of essential oils if you want

I have small spray bottles so I use half the amounts for my bottles.

[SunRayeMomi]

Ditto BioKleen, use it ev.ry.where and I like Dr. Bronners but Almond got old FAST so I've switched to citrus. Funny, I just cleaned w/vinegar and lemongrass oil today and MY dh hated it too - but all *I* could smell was the lemongrass This coming from the dude that punctuates every comment about my friends with a "peat moss" joke

[Chula13]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Article Posted on BRANDWEEK
Cancer-Causing Contaminant Soils Cleaning Products
March 17, 2008

By Vanessa L. Facenda

Seventh Generation and Method are among the well known brands being cited by an
organic consumers' watchdog group for containing detectable levels of a
carcinogenic
contaminant in various products.

The Organic Consumers Assn., an online public interest organization with over
850,000
members, investigated nearly 100 organic cosmetic, personal care and household
cleaning
formulas, and found that nearly 50% of them contain detectable levels of
1,4-dioxane,
which is known to cause cancer in lab animals. None of the manufacturers
disclosed this
information on their labels, even though many had levels greater than 1,000
times the
acceptable level.

The biggest offenders, per the OCA, were the "natural" dish detergents,
including Citrus
Magic 100% Natural Dish Liquid, Earth Friendly Products Ultra Dishmate, Method
Dish
Naturally Derived Ultra Concentrate, Planet Ultra Dishwashing Liquid and Seventh
Generation Natural Dish Liquid.

Method, San Francisco, refuted the study saying it never made the claim on
labels that the
products tested are natural or organic. "We state that our products are
naturally derived,"
said rep Katie Molinari.

The findings were released by the OCA, which is based in Washington, on Friday
in
Anaheim, Calif., at the Natural Products Expo West trade show.

David Steinman, a consumer advocate and author who directed the study, called
the
findings a wake-up call for the natural products industry: "To knowingly and
unnecessarily put carcinogens into commerce in these modern times is cynical and
barbaric. It betrays the public trust."

The brands will have to remove all "organic" branding and labeling from their
packaging by
Sept. 1., and manufacturers have until April 20 to agree to the terms, said Adam
Eidinger,
principal with Mintwood Media, Washington, a consulting firm that works with the
OCA.

"If [manufacturers] do not comply, they will face a lawsuit accusing them of
false and
deceptive advertising and unfair and unlawful business practice under California
law,"
Eidinger said. "No one is regulating natural claims and these carcinogens have
cumulative
effects on humans and the environment. Something needs to be done to create
higher
standards for these products."

The lawsuit will be filed on behalf of the national OCA, Dr. Bronner's Magic
Soaps,
Escondido, Calif., and the regional Organic Consumers Assn. chapter in Little
Marais,
Minn.

While 1,4-dioxane is present in many conventional personal care products such as
shampoos and body washes, as well as household cleaning products, the issue at
hand has
to do with mislabeling products that consumers deem organic and natural, which
implies
they are free of chemicals and harmful ingredients.

The OCA study also revealed that all products certified by the U.S. Department
of
Agriculture's National Organic Program were free of 1,4-dioxane. In order to
receive the
seal, 95% or more of the ingredients have to be organic. Brands found not to
contain 1,4-
dioxane include Burt's Bees, Clorox Green Works, Avalon Organics and Dr.
Bronner's.