Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Household Cleaners


Being a neat freak and obsessive cleaner, I don't mind giving and receiving tips on how it can be done better. Better with a more effective cleaner or more efficient and saving me time. Recently I switched toilet cleaner brands to be more "eco-friendly". I also tried using back to basics cleaners that include lemon juice, baking soda and ammonia. I'm not sure that using more "eco-friendly" products save money in your wallet.

I started with cleaning the bathroom sink and tub with baking soda. It scrubbed away the grime and soap scum without scratching the counter-top. It removed most of the iron in the bottom of the tub and the dirty tub ring was gone. I was pleasantly surprised. It was nice to use a cleaner and not smell the "bleachy" chemical smell associated with most household cleaners.
The downfall, just a few days later the tub was beginning to look grimy again and it took quite a bit of baking soda to clean the tub. It may only cost about 40 cents for a small box, but when you need to use more than half the box each time it adds up.

I moved onto the toilet with my new GreenWorks toilet bowl cleaner. I try to use thick gel-type toilet cleaners. I feel that if it starts under the rim and has time to sit on the "slimy toilet scum", it's going to be more effective. The Greenworks is thicker, has no chemical smell but doesn't hold up against my original brand. It does not remove the iron stain and the mildew that grows around the water line came back before the next cleaning. I clean the toilets every week and it was nasty before 7 days.

I cleaned the tub last night with my tried and true duo. My soft scrub and clorox cleanup. The clorox removes the grime and iron and the soft scrub finished it off. So until I can find an eco-friendly cleaner that keeps my bathrooms cleaner for at least a week, I'm going back to my bleach buddies. Oh, don't get in a hurry forget to use gloves. I did that last night too. My hands smelled of bleach for hours. Another reason to keep on my mission.

2 comments:

We 2 Bees said...

Cleaning supplies always assume me. I can't ever seem to find a brand I love! I'm a comet user, bleach is good and good old vinegar. Green seems over rated to me! Go with what you know and gives you the lasting results - we are too busy for anything else! Enjoyed you walk through the dirt though.

Jill said...

Okay... call me crazy but I love baking soda for cleaning my face, teeth and feet.
Do you ever where flip flops and after walking around all day you have like a black line on the bottom of your foot.
If you take baking soda on a damp cloth and scrub it takes it all off and the dry skin.
I know.. I am weird!
I entered you in my contest! ;)
Would you mind if I mentioned u on one of my posts this week??
Your blog deserves way more attention and I can get it for you!
Let me know.
Justjill76@cfl.rr.com