Let's talk about GREEN cleaning products, shall we?!
 

Soooooo.....I was a little stressed last night, so I CLEANED and I actually used up all of the cleaners I had in my house. (I love scrubbing bubbles and arm and hammer oxy clean bathroom spray and lysol)

I am really into the all natural or GREEN products....I like the fact of no harsh chemicals, good for the earth, less waste, etc.

Have you used any, what product have you used and how did you like it?

Also, what are some "home-made" cleaners? And what can you clean with them?

THANKS!:aimeeyork

Jenn I use a mixture of white vinegar and water (50/50) to clean, mop, clean puppy messes and even as a substitute for Clorox. I tell you it works well. The smell is there for a couple minutes after usage but you can buy some essential oils of your liking and add a drop or two to the mixture to give a nice scent.

I recently did a look up on the stuff because the clorox was damaging my clothes..even though it's made for the dang thing.

I have been using the v/w mixture instead of natures miracle and all that stuff to clean up puppy accidents....works like a charm.

You can use vinegar/baking soda to clean the tub, sink and even the drains. To uses as a scrub mix as you need to make a paste and spread on. To use to clean the drains...you dump in baking soda in the drain and then put in about a cup or so of the vinegar afterwards and it bubbles like a bugger and breaks up the gunk in the sink. After a while you run very hot water and clean the drain.

I have been putting a lot of thought into this stuff. Making your own cleaners like that is so much cheaper. I have to check my pc at home. I bookmarked a recipe to make natural clothes detergent. It was on a mommy savers site so you can be frugal and green. I will post it here for you.

I have also been thinking of using a natural deoderant product. A year or so ago I had enlarged lymphnodes by my breast. I was checked by a specialist and she said they were ok. After some heavy reading I found that deoderants and antipersperants are not good for you. They have aluminum which is harmful to the body and can clog pores and nodes...might have been what cause my problems.

i have to make a mixture and keep it handy. if i put it in a spray bottle,
it wont disintegrate will it? i do put vinegar in a bowl and just leave it there to cut the smells when lexi pee pees on her pad and im at work and cant change it. 3 days later i have to put more in the bowl. it disappears

Nope I mix up a huge bottle of v/w and keep it in a spray bottle. It's really good because it doesn't cover up the odors. It's also great because it won't damage the hardwood floors.

Gina Lexi might be drinking it...the smell usually goes away within five minutes when you leave it out in the open like that. So my guess is the smell is gone and Lexi needed to replenish her fluids :p

no no your too funny,,, its in a bowl on top of the dresser, im sure she cant
reach it... just a bowl of vinegar.

I've been using Mrs. Meyers all purpose and Bon Ami for pretty much everything. I got a handmade all natural peppermint cleaner from a local boutique that I'm liking a lot too. Peppermint is supposed to deter ant and in FL I have to always be on guard for sugar ants. I just found this really cool site though and it's inspired me to start making my own. Green Living Tips cleaning articles This is the one I'm going to make:

32 oz. (around 950ml) spray bottle - try to use a bottle made from recycled materials, or is recycleable. Maureen recommends #2 plastic
- water
- White distilled vinegar. It should be vinegar made from grain or plant material. Believe it or not, some is made from petroleum based (crude oil). It gives a whole new meaning to fuel as food.
- Genuine lemongrass essential oil. Lemongrass has anti-bacterial properties. For increased disinfecting power, you can use Tea Tree oil which also ahs anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.
- Earth friendly dishwashing liquid. This can be found in just about any supermarket. The dishwashing liquid is necessary to clean mirrors and glass streak-free. Many commercial window/glass cleaners have chemicals of a waxy nature in them; so when you switch to vinegar/water, there will be streaking unless you have the dish detergent in your cleaner.

Method

1. Fill bottle half with water

2. Top it up with white distilled vinegar, but leave a little room for the additional ingredients and for shaking

3. Add 10-14+ drops lemongrass essential oil. Maureen says she uses around 30 drops, but started off with 14 to minimize the chance of skin irritability.

4. Add 2-3 drops of the earth friendly dishwashing liquid.

5. Cap and shake. There should be a thin layer of foamy bubbles at the top - but not too many.

6. Label container clearly. Shake before using and store out of direct sunlight.

Instead of dish washing liquid I'm going to use peppermint Dr. Bronners soap. I'll probably play with the essential oils too.

I never read that it dissipates...I will check around...lol.

I love cleaning with vinegar and water. I also like Mrs. Meyers and Method products. Method products are easier to find, I believe, because they are sold at Target. Mrs. Meyers smell so good and I love the Method shower spray. :)

beth, i swear , i swear..

Gina lexi has herself a straw link up and is sipping it like pina colada when your not looking...:D

I mix up a commercial spray bottle of the v/w and it goes down from my usage not evaporating...

yea, same thing beth... straight vinegar does it in the bowl.. dont get it though

Sent you a pm...it can evaporate because it's already slightly mixed with water. According to the information due to the water content it will evaporate if left out and subject to the elements.

i knew that.. lol

I didn't...I never leave it out like that. I always have it mixed in the spray bottle. So it's not exposed to evaporate.

I have to tell you it does a dang good job whitening things without tearing them up.