8 replies to this topic

[pwcross]

Hi, everyone,

Do you have favorite natural, non-hazardous cleaning products? We've been working to get rid of all our hazardous chemicals, particularly with a toddler in our house, and I'm wondering what all of you recommend as products that are safe but the most effective. I'm open to all suggestions -- all-purpose, glass, wood, oven, tile, you name it!

I just want to pitch in that I got one of those HAAN steam mops, which cleans with just water, and I'm a huge fan. I'm not a big as-seen-on-TV sort of person, but after reading reviews of this one, it seemed worth trying.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Good ole' tried and true; baking soda and vinegar.
Other organic cleaner/ ideas here: (10 pages worth)
http://forums.treehu...14030&start=120

[pwcross]

Wow, thanks for that link! There are some great ideas in there. I have tried cleaning out my kitchen sink with vinegar instead of bleach, as well as tossing a little into my cloth diaper laundry when they need stripping. I guess I'll try vinegar on some other things, too!

[carol4]

I am glad to hear that the Haan Steamer really works. I still use my Clorox Cleanup, but I am going to try using baking soda and vinegar more often. I do rinse my hair with vinegar as it gets rid of all the shampoo residue.  I just think that we have to make small steps and get used to each one before trying something else.  This way we will stay with our new cleaning idea. How nice it will be to have no toxic substances in the house.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Good rule of thumb? If you can eat it, it's safe to clean with it.

[mariaandrea]

Vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda. That's all I use on everything. Different strengths and combinations depending on what's being cleaned, but that's it. There are a lot of great "recipes" on the web for cheap, effective and easy homemade cleaners. Not only are they non-toxic, but as I mentioned, they're so much cheaper than commercial cleaners. I like saving money.

[artistry]

Shortpoet, thanks for the great link, listing the safe cleaning substances. We need such things to use in our homes. Very nice of you to post it.

[kat74]

Yap, baking soda and vinegar works very well in cleaning up in the kitchen and washrooms. Sometimes even lemon juice works for some stains.

[Ansem]

Mythbuster they tested, cola due to it's dioxide gas can get rust off metal and is quite a good cleaner overall.
Just need to get rid of the smell afterwards.