tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post598565122510997293..comments2024-02-02T04:26:58.941-08:00Comments on My Year Without Spending: August baby steps challenge: switch to natural household cleansersAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16599239118658166008noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-81045449873358882742010-12-28T02:44:17.231-08:002010-12-28T02:44:17.231-08:00Ah! I bought the exact same shelves from Target an...Ah! I bought the exact same shelves from Target and had the EXACT same problem! I actually tore up my receipt from Target, rolled it into a few small balls and shoved it in the holes on the back of the shelf. Worked like a charm. Great minds.... :)<br /><br />Susan Grahamrustic dining tableshttp://www.1cabinfurniture.com/dining.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-19321834510440267332010-11-10T06:57:50.889-08:002010-11-10T06:57:50.889-08:00Hi, that's a great article.After reading your ...Hi, that's a great article.After reading your site.I understand this,your site is very useful for me.I bookmarked your site.Susan Grahamhttp://www.1cabinfurniture.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-29945365432407635932010-04-02T03:31:08.449-07:002010-04-02T03:31:08.449-07:00I have never used bleach in any of my cleaning, on...I have never used bleach in any of my cleaning, only sometimes a dilute solution to sanitize things for certain kinds of food preparation.<br /><br />For toilets and surfaces I just use water, maybe some dish soap, and a sponge or brush. Using Clorox doesn't make sense to me because I don't see the sense in trying to sanitize those surfaces. In any case, washing bacteria away with water and soap obviates the need to kill them, assuming there ever was a need to kill them. After all we're not licking those surfaces, or often even really touching them at all. <br /><br /> For tubs I can't give advice, those are hard to clean. You need a pretty strong surfactant or vinegar to cut through the stuff in a tub.moociferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01325412523164314073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-77222527285043770082009-08-14T19:19:25.365-07:002009-08-14T19:19:25.365-07:00Angela, that's awesome about your compost bin!...Angela, that's awesome about your compost bin! I hope you get lots of great compost. All composed, of course, of trimmings from your CSA delivery and not food that started composting in your fridge.<br /><br />[returning from laundry room] All makes a version of Free & Clear for front-loaders.WilliamBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-26925107800744389832009-08-13T22:30:43.869-07:002009-08-13T22:30:43.869-07:00William B- I'm SO happy to know I can keep my ...William B- I'm SO happy to know I can keep my Murphy's Oil Soap. I use it so seldom (a few times a year) that I can keep a container for several years. It's the Windex and the 409 I really have to replace, oh, and the Clorox. <br /><br />As far as the HE detergent, I'll let you know because my skin is sensitive and we always have to buy allergy-free so we're actually using regular detergent in a front-loader, just about half the amount.<br /><br />p.s. I've already filled up my first compost bin (!!) and am picking up a new one tomorrow. This time I'm going to cut out the bottom as you recommend and see if it lasts longer. I can't keep adding a new one every month- we don't have the room! And I'm still squeamish about buying and adding my own worms. I'll write a post update after I do it this weekend.Angelahttp://myyearwithoutspending.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-43642684685805273182009-08-13T21:55:41.918-07:002009-08-13T21:55:41.918-07:00I'd like to do this also but it's darn har...I'd like to do this also but it's darn hard to tell what recipes actually work. The internet is the Net of Lies, and even books (which go through a more rigorous process) are contradictory.<br /><br />That said, every single source I consulted say Murphy's Oil Soap is a good and environmentally unoffensive product.<br /><br />And second the motion about EndDust et al. Better to put up with a little dust, or the effort of waxing, than ruin your furniture.<br /><br />I've *never* seen a green alternative to HE laundry detergent for a front-loader. If you find one, let us know.WilliamBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-46167351037335686142009-08-07T09:44:47.410-07:002009-08-07T09:44:47.410-07:00Hi - I'm new to your blog, but I thought I'...Hi - I'm new to your blog, but I thought I'd add my 2cents to your question. <br /><br />Another lifetime ago (museum life, that is) I knew someone who restored antique furniture. She always said that using anything like pledge or old english polish actually dries out the furniture, making it look dull, forcing you to keep repeating the process. <br /><br />She said the best thing to do is use furniture wax (available at hardware stores), about 4 times per year, maybe more if the furniture is in the sun. Otherwise, just pick up dust with a static cloth. And actually, this goes for wood floors too (only wax once per year though, or everyone will fall down).<br /><br />The wax comes in a tin about the size of a coffee mug and will last you forever, since you only need a small amount.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-67699451632524166812009-08-06T15:23:42.196-07:002009-08-06T15:23:42.196-07:00"Clean House, Clean Planet" is really an..."Clean House, Clean Planet" is really an amazing book, full of fantastic recipes. Get it from the library!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-6114924726351944512009-08-06T12:43:26.915-07:002009-08-06T12:43:26.915-07:00I think you can still use your OxiClean: "Sod...I think you can still use your OxiClean: "Sodium percarbonate is excellent for cleaning and removing organic stains such as coffee, tea, wine, fruit juices, foods, sauces, grass and blood from fabrics and common surfaces made out of porcelain, ceramics, wood and many more. As a cleaning product, OxiClean® is favorable because it's environmentally safe, biodegradable, and leaves no harmful bi-products"<br /><br />From http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/the-science-of-cleaning-products<br /><br />I was pretty sure it was OK, but found a website to back me up. ;-)<br /><br />However, your Borax or washing soda (another great household cleaner) could do the trick and keep one less box around. Can't convince DH to try it however as he's a huge OC fan, too.AnnMariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05505967972774910106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-65312606877794039422009-08-06T00:47:33.812-07:002009-08-06T00:47:33.812-07:00Lemon juice. Cleans great and smells great. http...Lemon juice. Cleans great and smells great. http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/136/1/24-handy-lemon-tips.htmlSabrinahttp://www.sabrinajl.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-65936063172655412842009-08-04T18:43:57.340-07:002009-08-04T18:43:57.340-07:00I use microfiber cloths and a microfiber mop for m...I use microfiber cloths and a microfiber mop for most of my cleaning. The cloths come in different weaves for different uses. I don't have to use a cleaner with the mop -- though I do have to wash it afterwards to get rid of the dirt it picks up (either by hand in the sink or in a wash load)!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-52521624829730358882009-08-04T18:17:44.879-07:002009-08-04T18:17:44.879-07:00Sorry to sound promotional (I don't work for t...Sorry to sound promotional (I don't work for the company in any capacity at all!!) but I'm really into ACT Natural cloths from Sweden. (http://www.actnatural.net/) They are used in Swedish hospitals, use nothing except water and have been clinically proven to disinfect as well as bleach.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-4286898897952268072009-08-04T15:43:11.806-07:002009-08-04T15:43:11.806-07:00I've got a step by step DIY cleaners guide w/ ...I've got a step by step DIY cleaners guide w/ pics if that might help: <br /><br />http://www.lessismorebalanced.com/2009/02/limb_project_6_natural_diy_cle.html<br /><br />Happy cleaning!!daniellehttp://www.lessismorebalanced.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-53510821068187063062009-08-04T15:01:47.441-07:002009-08-04T15:01:47.441-07:00Michele- Thanks so much for the award! I have so m...Michele- Thanks so much for the award! I have so many posts planned ahead, I'll try to do it on the weekend... Thanks again- I'm so glad you found my blog.<br /><br />Thanks to everyone for all the info. and suggestions. It looks like I have most of what I need already: vinegar, lemon, borax, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide, and will buy a couple of things: Dr. Bronner's and Sun and Earth. And maybe I'll give one of the Seventh Generation products a try.Angelahttp://myyearwithoutspending.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-53142178000950475172009-08-04T08:40:18.775-07:002009-08-04T08:40:18.775-07:00THANK YOU THANK YOU - Brilliant, awesome readers f...THANK YOU THANK YOU - Brilliant, awesome readers for sharing your knowledge. <br /> <br />I do think I'm ready to go with the advice here- I'll come back later today with some specific questions for a few of you.<br /><br />Again, thank you all so much. I'm actually excited to get started. <br /><br />Krista -Don't worry- I won't toss the old stuff, it will either be used up by my husband in the garage and basement or given away on Freecycle.Angelahttp://myyearwithoutspending.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-11690722312290552062009-08-04T07:33:38.316-07:002009-08-04T07:33:38.316-07:00You've already been told most you need to know...You've already been told most you need to know.<br /><br />Vinegar is the bomb for cleaning, everything. It is a natural disinfectant, but smells horrible. I keep two jars filled with orange rinds and lemon rinds (NO flash at all!!) and fill them up with vinegar so that it smells a bit better for the cleaning.<br /><br />Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide will do your "bleaching" for you in the laundry room. That's pretty much what all those oxi cleaners are!<br /><br />You tube has many video's too. Just look up home made cleaners.<br /><br />Kris SAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-6266814126473262992009-08-04T06:42:19.369-07:002009-08-04T06:42:19.369-07:00I'm with Krista. Seventh Generation products w...I'm with Krista. Seventh Generation products work well and they always have coupons available on their website and sometimes directly on their products (like on the laundry detergent I purchased yesterday).Jennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-75513041967989694062009-08-04T05:53:14.306-07:002009-08-04T05:53:14.306-07:00What can I use in place of bleach to get stains ou...What can I use in place of bleach to get stains out of white sinks? And is there anything besides bleach that will kill mildew? I would love to use something else.<br /><br />LisaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-19155037750870551762009-08-03T19:22:33.299-07:002009-08-03T19:22:33.299-07:00I've been using recipes from "clean House...I've been using recipes from "clean House, Clean Planet" by Karen Logan for a quite few years now and I absolutely love them! Here's my favorite all-purpose cleaner (it replaces 409): Mix 2 Tbsp vinegar with 1 Tsp borax in a 16 oz spray bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with very hot water and shake until the borax is dissolved. Add 1/4 cup Dr. Bronner's and 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil. Shake it up a bit then spray and wipe. It's my all-time favorite. <br /><br />That book has a ton of good recipes. I'm not sure if it's still in print but you're welcome to copy recipes from mine!Colleen Paeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08218930688866372571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-2715207180261647402009-08-03T16:42:23.187-07:002009-08-03T16:42:23.187-07:00Here's what I use...
Borax (a natural powder f...Here's what I use...<br />Borax (a natural powder found in the laundry section) for sinks and toilets<br />1/2 Vinegar and 1/2 water for glass and mirrors<br />Vinegar and water or baking soda for kitchen counters and surfaces<br />Water with a bit of natural dish soap for all floors<br />1 part lemon juice and 2 parts olive oil for a few fine wood pieces<br />Borax for soaking tough laundry stains<br />Hope that helps...Stacy Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-37748330418497591742009-08-03T16:05:03.908-07:002009-08-03T16:05:03.908-07:00I just earmarked this article:
25 Safe, Non-toxic...I just earmarked this article:<br /><br />25 Safe, Non-toxic, Homemade Cleaning Supplies<br /><br />http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/25-safe-non-toxic-homemade-cleaning-supplies/Katehttp://becheap.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-61775903153502243362009-08-03T15:06:32.156-07:002009-08-03T15:06:32.156-07:00I use white vinegar and baking soda for nearly eve...I use white vinegar and baking soda for nearly everything... and ecover for everything else.<br /><br />For counters, a mix of vinegar and water is fine.<br /><br />For sinks, toilets, etc, I just toss in 1 cup of baking soda, followed by some vinegar. It bubbles up like hydrogen peroxide does on a cut. Then I run some water to polish off. If I want to clean a drain, I use boiling water.<br /><br />I also use this to clean the stove top and burner bowls.<br /><br />Mirrors and glass--just vinegar, water, and a drop of dish soap. <br /><br />For wood, you're on your own. I tend to just wipe my chairs with a nearly dry watered rag. :)<br /><br />For clothing stains, explore online. I use ecover for that too, though.Rossiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06327048493660190699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-82738136894676145802009-08-03T15:03:54.156-07:002009-08-03T15:03:54.156-07:00I really enjoy this blog (it is not a blanket endo...I really enjoy this blog (it is not a blanket endorsement).<br /><br />http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/<br /><br />She uses soap nuts for washing her clothes. Now that sounds green, huh? :)<br /><br />I use vinegar and baking soda for everything. I cannot stand the smell of harsh chemical cleaners.Book a Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05984457994246989794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-76983670113300469102009-08-03T14:33:54.331-07:002009-08-03T14:33:54.331-07:00I haven't made the leap to natural cleaners ye...I haven't made the leap to natural cleaners yet, but it is on to do list.<br />As for new spray bottles... you already have two-- your 409 bottle and your Windex bottle. Once they are empty just refill with your new "green" cleaners.<br /><br />Stop by my blog. I have a bloggy award for you to grab!Michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10964706203762271736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-26170626831710163732009-08-03T12:50:53.711-07:002009-08-03T12:50:53.711-07:00Ang - This is the surface cleaner I use:
SUN &...Ang - This is the surface cleaner I use:<br />SUN & EARTH glass cleaner<br /><br />It cleans glass (no streaks!), enamel, stainless steel, chrome, plastic and pretty much every other surface. <br />And smells great!<br /><br />4 Ingredients : <br />Natural Alcohol from Corn, Natural Based Surfactants (derived from Coconut and Vegetable Oil, Orange Oil, Water<br /><br />http://www.sunandearth.com/productdetailspage.aspx?Pid=2<br /><br /><br />stephstephaniehttp://thosetricks.tumblr.comnoreply@blogger.com