DS will get moving pretty soon so i am looking for tips on how to clean the house as naturally as possible without chemicals. Im talking about all aspects of household cleaning so any tips would be appreciated.
If you have floorboards, clean them with water & metho because the metho evaporates quickly making the floor wet & slippery only for about two minutes
Vinegar & bicarb are awesome cleaners together. Shake on the bicarb & use a spray bottle of vinegar to clean just about everything (I thank Niliac for that one!)
If you want to shell out a bit of cash, start buying some Enjo cleaning fibres. They only use water to clean everything - the only exception is the carpets. I haven't used chemicals in my house except for dish washing liquid (which you really don't need but sometimes I like it on greasy pots and pans) and washing machine powder.
The only problem is, Enjos can be a bit pricey to buy. I think the bathroom cleaner is like $30 or so for example.
I always just used Spray 'n Wipe until I fell pregnant! Now I am officially converted to using as much natural stuff as possible. I dilute 1/4 vinegar in 3/4 water, pop it in a spray bottle and use it to clean most surfaces. I use bicarbonate of soda and vinegar to clean tougher grime like shower soap scum and to freshen up kitchen and bathroom drains. Bicarb is great for cutting through grease.
If you don't like things smelling like a fish and chips shop, there is a product that I have discovered called Vinegrrrr. I have only seen it at Woolworths, though. Basically it is odourless vinegar, which is great if you have guests coming over and want to "once over" everything without leaving a lingering smell before it eventually dissipates.
Another bi-carb/vinegar user here! Lemons are also fab for cleaning - and smell fresh too! You can sprinkle bi-carb on a cut lemon and scrub your bathroom surfaces & kitchen sink
Add 1/2 cup of bicarb to your wash to whiten whites or brighten colours, and use 1/2 cup white vinegar instead of fabric softener!
If you dont like the vinegar smell in your bathroom you can use a drop of eucalyptus or tea tree oil
My multi purpose cleaner (instead of spray & wipe) is 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water in a spray bottle. Bicarb is great too. I have just started using lemon oil (has to be essential oil, not fragrant oil) on my duster and on my broom and sweep the ceilings, walls and then the floor. Lemon oil smells really fresh and deters spiders!
Oil of cloves is great to use in the bathroom. Make up a paste of bicarb, vinegar & water (not too much vinegar though as too much can eat the tile grout), add a couple of drops of oil of cloves to the mix to help deter mould. I haven't tried this yet but have been told that it works wonders.
If you are going out for a few hours, flush the toilet and then pour 1 cup of regular household bleech in and around the bowl. Leave it for a minimum of 2 hours, then flush. I've done this with really bad stains and smells. The smell goes and even the most stubborn stains dissappear, no scrubbing! It does leave the loo smelling like a swimming pool though.
I have just replaced my nylon duster with a lambs wool duster and I love the lambs wool. I find it's better than anything I've used before. It can be washed in warm soapy water. I find dust just sticks to it so well.
i had a similar thread a little while ago, and got heaps of great suggestions on how to convert from the cleaners i was used to using, to natural products. (which i made a list out of, and stuck it up in my laundry. dp calls it my hippy cleaning products lol)
Thanks for the tips ladies. Keep em coming. My aim is to get rid of the spray and wipe as not only is it filled with chemicals but it is expensive..
Krystal Ball I will try and find that thread. I had a quick look through but couldn't find anything so ill look a bit harder!
danniellabella i need to get my hands on some lemon oil as i HATE spiders. yuck yuck yuck. They usually show up when dh is away or at work so i have to deal with them on my own. Yuck.
MK I will think of some questions for you and let you know. How much was the book? I might see if i can get my hands on one.
Sambo thanks for the tip of the odourless vinegar. I must admit that is one thing that has put me off natural cleaning as i hate the smell of vinegar.
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Natural house cleaning solutions
Now I am officially converted to using as much natural stuff as possible. I dilute 1/4 vinegar in 3/4 water, pop it in a spray bottle and use it to clean most surfaces. I use bicarbonate of soda and vinegar to clean tougher grime like shower soap scum and to freshen up kitchen and bathroom drains. Bicarb is great for cutting through grease.
lol)
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