autumn_mom
Settling In
Posts:172
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| 06/03/2008 7:52 PM |
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My favorite commercial cleaning product is Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day lavendar scented all-purpose cleaner. It's not cheap, but I dilute it and use it as a bathroom cleaner and as mop solution.
For pretty much everything else, I use vinegar and baking soda.
Anybody have any recipes to share? |
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crunchymama
Settling In
Posts:139
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| 06/03/2008 9:08 PM |
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| I'm with you, use a lot of vinegar and baking soda. I use Charlie's Soap all purpose cleaner, it cuts grease quite nicely, but I try not to use it around the kids because it does have a chemical type of smell to me, even though they say it is all natural and non-toxic. |
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Sommer
mama to Asher 3 & Rachel 15 months |
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MamaGrass
No Longer a Newby!
Posts:75
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| 06/04/2008 8:28 PM |
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For my all purpose cleaner I use vinegar. a little borax, and tea tree oil. If the stove or sink is really messy I'll also use baking soda. I use the same concoction for cleaning my bathroom. I love being able to clean the house without my lungs catching on fire. Plus, vinegar makes my mouth water.
For laundry, I found a recipe using a bar of Fels Naptha Soap grated, 1/2 cup of washing soda & 1/2 cup of borax. I use 1-2 tablespoons in each load. For fabric softener I use vinegar in a downy ball. This works fairly well, but sometimes I need something a little stronger to clean stains out of toddler clothing, so OxyClean spray seems to work better than most for me. I don't know how environmentally friendly that is, so I'm open to stain fighter suggestions.
Then, just last week, I read on a natural cleaning site that the Fels Naptha is bad. No worse than your conventional cleaners, but the typical petroleum product issues. They suggested using a castille bar soap instead. That seems to be much harder (and more expensive) to find. Dr Bronners, of course could be used. I'm thinking of buying liquid Dr. Bronners soap in bulk to save money. Then using a small amount of that along with a mixture of borax and washing soda. There are many recipes that involve cooking up big batches, but I don't think I'm up for all of that. I just want something I can quickly throw together. |
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fairymommy
No Longer a Newby!
Posts:43
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| 06/13/2008 12:02 PM |
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I use Dr Bronners, vinegar and baking soda for pretty much everything! you can get a huge thing of Dr Bronners at Target for $12.99! The almond sent smells so yummy, but I love to clean with the pepermint or TTO!
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Lisa-Mama to Lucas (12-14-2004); Leena (10-19-2007) |
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moira_klotho
No Longer a Newby!
Posts:56
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| 06/16/2008 8:07 PM |
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| Would Bronner's lead to build-up issues with CD's? I'm currently trying Charlie's soap and like it well enough, but it's way too expensive to keep buying. I'm already having build-up issues with my pockets, so I'm leary of using any soap with essential oils in it (which Bronner's has). Can anyone think of any other basic, plain eco-friendly soaps to use for diapers? |
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Christy
mama to Novi (2/06) and Ami (8/25/08) |
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crunchymama
Settling In
Posts:139
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| 06/17/2008 8:20 PM |
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| I don't know if bronner's would cause build up on CD or not, but I think it would be way more expensive in the wash than charlies soap. The bag of charlies soap is $15 at sustain and lasts for 80 loads, I can stretch it longer because I don't use a full scoop for all of my loads. I only use 1/4 scoop on dipes, so it lasts for a while for us. I think it is one of the more economical choices in laundry detergent that I have found, especially because I have to use stuff that won't affect my babes' sensitive skin. |
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Sommer
mama to Asher 3 & Rachel 15 months |
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MamaGrass
No Longer a Newby!
Posts:75
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| 06/17/2008 9:04 PM |
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I bought some biokleen at Amazing Graze yesterday. So far so good. But the girl there did tell me not to pour it directly on the clothes b/c it would leave a mark. Its not terrible expensive and you only use a tiny bit.
--Christy |
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holistic_hen
No Longer a Newby!
Posts:50
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| 06/18/2008 2:46 PM |
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| I'm a huge fan of Biokleen! I believe it still comes in a version without EO's that you could try on diapers. Look for it at Sustainkids, some Kroger stores, and Rainbow Blossom. |
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Amanda,
Jackson and Mason's mama |
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fairymommy
No Longer a Newby!
Posts:43
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| 06/18/2008 7:15 PM |
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I just got some from a co-op, what all can you do with it? do you have any good recipes for cleaning with it?
TIA
Posted By holistichen on 06/18/2008 2:46 PM
I'm a huge fan of Biokleen! I believe it still comes in a version without EO's that you could try on diapers. Look for it at Sustainkids, some Kroger stores, and Rainbow Blossom.
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Lisa-Mama to Lucas (12-14-2004); Leena (10-19-2007) |
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holistic_hen
No Longer a Newby!
Posts:50
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| 06/18/2008 8:03 PM |
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| What did you get? I really like Bac-Out for cleaning the bathroom. It neutralizes the urine my boys like to spray everywhere! :-) I have some of the glass cleaner too. It works well and doesn't leave any streaks. If you have the laundry liquid, just put it in your wash or pretreat stains with it. The biokleen brand carries other cleaners as well. I have used a soy cleanser that was great for scrubbing pans and the tub. |
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Amanda,
Jackson and Mason's mama |
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fairymommy
No Longer a Newby!
Posts:43
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| 06/18/2008 9:07 PM |
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I meant to put that I got the bac-out. I'll have to use that for the bathroom, my ds likes to pee everywhere as well. I have tried to teach him to aim, but its not great!
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Lisa-Mama to Lucas (12-14-2004); Leena (10-19-2007) |
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holistic_hen
No Longer a Newby!
Posts:50
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| 06/27/2008 7:26 PM |
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| What do you use for soap scum? I used a pumice stone once that worked really well but I haven't been able to find one. Someone suggested that I should heat some vinegar and poor it around the tub. I'm thinking that won't work, but I guess I should give it a try. |
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Amanda,
Jackson and Mason's mama |
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fairymommy
No Longer a Newby!
Posts:43
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| 06/29/2008 8:35 PM |
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i use the old volcano effect of vinegar and baking soda or borax for soap scum and scrub with a brush. it works pretty decent. of course not as good as the harsh chemicals, but i rather have a little soap residue vs hazardous waste bathing with my kiddos
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Lisa-Mama to Lucas (12-14-2004); Leena (10-19-2007) |
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crunchymama
Settling In
Posts:139
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| 07/06/2008 7:06 AM |
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I use the same thing that Lisa does, and it works. Depending on how long it has been since I cleaned, I might have to use a new scouring pad (green scotch scouring pads - "heavy duty" variety). It doesn't stay clean as long, but at least I can breathe while I clean the bathroom.  |
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Sommer
mama to Asher 3 & Rachel 15 months |
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