can I just say I *love* cleaning this way? - Page 3

[rainsmom]

Thats the one thing in CLEAN HOUSE, CLEAN PLANET that Karen Logan says she hasnt found one that works well. I havent tried any of the ones Ive seen in health food stores.....

[Bearsmama]

rainsmom-thanks. I've tried the 7th generation brand from Whole Foods (I may have the brand name wrong-comes in a white plastic bottle with green). It works just fine, and never leaves that scary smell that chemicals can. The problem is that it's pricey...

[danaalex]

i have always cleaned with just baking soda and vinegar and water. i HATE smells!!! i don't like smelly detergent, candles, soaps, lotions, or cleaning supplies. so, i wash with scent free everything. the scent of vinegar is the only cleaning product that doesn't bother me, :LOL !!!!!!

i get the mirrors just as clean with vinegar as my friends that use windex. i have a girlfriend that likes the smell of cleaning products, she says that things "smell" clean then, blech!!!!!! i think they smell gross!!!!

[Rebecca]

i have always cleaned with just baking soda and vinegar and water. i HATE smells!!! i don't like smelly detergent, candles, soaps, lotions, or cleaning supplies. so, i wash with scent free everything. the scent of vinegar is the only cleaning product that doesn't bother me, !!!!!!

My cleaning lady just left and I returned home to a house that reeks of lemon pledge and whatever anti-grease floor/bathroom/surface cleaners she uses. On one hand I'mthrilled that my house is clean and I didn't have to do it, but all the smells are really making me feel queasy. Guess it's time to fill the crockpot and have some better smells to cover it up.

[danaalex]

see now rebecca, i'd be in a pickle if i got a cleaning lady. on the one hand i would be delighted that I don't have to clean, but on the other hand i'd be sick from all of the toxic fumes in my house. i can't even stand it if my dh uses a cleaning product on the car or outside..........

hmmmmm, maybe i could find someone to would use vinegar and baking soda? ha, not likely right?!!!!

sorry you don't feel good!!!

[Rebecca]

hmmmmm, maybe i could find someone to would use vinegar and baking soda? ha, not likely right?!!!!

I told her that's how we've been cleaning, but I wasn't comfortable insisting she do it that way, kwim? I'm mostly grateful someone is willing to take on the task :LOL and don't want to be too difficult. The smells were quite overwhelming though. I would like to keep looking for a woman who is more in tune with how we clean (well, if we cleaned:LOL ). I'd sure be charging a lot more money if I had to scrub the scum off the shower rather than spray it with battery acid, wait 10 mins and rinse it into our backyard septic (oh, it's making me wanna hurl thinking about it!). I wonder if any cleaning ladies would be willing?

[kimmysue2]

Well as a cleaning person I LOVE it when they like or want to use less harsh cleaning products.
I am going out to get the peppermint and take it to the houses I clean for a trial.

[darsmama]

I just bought a big gallon of Simple Green cleaner. I've been using the vinegar and water but the smell left something to be desired. (I didn't know you could add EO, I was adding TTO but I should have added some Lav)
Anyways, is Simple Green safe and non toxic? What can I use for it?

I also bought some Dr. Bronners soap.
Yay!
I love cleaning green too.

[willowsmom]

I use a tablespoon each of baking soda and washing soda in my dishwasher. and 1 1/2 cups of vinegar in the rinse....for spots.

[G's mommy]

I am loving all of your suggestions and enthusiam about cleaning!! I am also just replacing commercial stuff when I run out with natural and I am excited about it! We are moving soon- I have a whole shelf full of commercial products- wonder if goodwill or something will take it... hmmmmmm? Don't want to have to move the stuff!

Keep those ideas coming ladies!! Thanks!

[violafemme]

We only use baking soda and vinegar to clean just about everything. Sometimes, if we've used lemons in our cooking, I'll save the rinds and let them soak a couple of days in a jar of vinegar. Then I'll strain them out when I put the vinegar in the spray bottle. It doesn't eliminate the vinegar smell but it takes the edge off.

Oh and the added bonus to cleaning our floors with vinegar is that it keeps the ants away. We had trouble with ants once last year so I washed the floor three days in a row with undiluted vinegar and presto! no more ants

[soulsinginmama]

Rebecca - re: your housekeeper issue:

I used to clean a man's house who had the cleaners all ready for me that he wanted to use. That's actually how I learned about Simple Green. Maybe if you have the cleaners either pre-mixed in labeled bottles, or just buy the more natural versions (eg Seventh Generation, etc) of the ones she's used to using, it wouldn't seem like a big deal. Just tell her you've decided to start using these instead, and would like them used in your house. It shouldn't be a problem for her, maybe a minor adjustment, but after all it IS your house, right?