Save Zillions On Cleaning Products

helzbelz_57

for any that are interested i have two books about the uses of vinegar an baking soda.

they are; vinegar-1001 practical uses by margaret briggs

and

pure baking soda for baking, cleaning and deodorizing by arm and hammer

GreenandThrifty

Now I've joined the flylady thread I'm loving my new clean house but I can't help wondering how much all this extra cleaning is costing me?? Washing Machines, Hoovering etc all runs up the bills
One day I hope to be totally self sufficient but I don't want to live in a tip just to save money so I'm trying to change my rountines now :money:


(I already make my own cleaning products from borax, vinegar and soda crystals).:T

What OS tips have you got for saving money and electricity on your cleaning routines??

fernliebee

It's funny I was thinking this just last night. I used to only hoover once a week- month, and now (mainly cos DD is crawling) I'm hoovering everyday! Was just thinking I'm going to buy a better sweeping brush and sweep every day and go back to hoovering once a week. My washing machine goes on once a day regardless- baby in the house, and they wear washable nappies!! So I just need to accept that at the minute. Apart from that I only use vinegar and bicarb to clean most stuff (occasionally a bit of ecover multisurface but 1 bottle has lasted a year and still some left!) I also use diluted tea tree as an antibacterial- it's £1 a bottle in home bargains which is the cheapest I have found it.

GreenandThrifty

cheers fernliebee, always on the lookout for reasonably priced tea tree oil, but my nearest HB would be an 80miles round trip

hex2

Hi GnT

I bought a manual carpet sweeper from Argos for £20 which is fine for daily use - no running costs, does an adequate job rather than a good one. Less hassle and faster than dustpan and brush. Small children love using it too!

I also find that better planning means I use the WM and DW more efficiently. Things aren't filthy so I can get away with a short wash or a cooler wash, I don't have the emergency wash with one item in because I 'need' X for 1pm. I also group things, don't stick rigidly to the lists, eg, all the white bedding is washed at the same time, regardless of which room it is from.

Maybe invest in some drying racks? I use my TD a lot but since getting involved in Flylady I have learnt to fold and put things away while they are still hot, saves on the electric costs of ironing. I know the TD costs money too but I used to leave it in there for days and then had to iron or re-wash which costs more.

HTH

GreenandThrifty

hex2 is it a totally manual one? I know my mum has one that is rechargeable at the mains. Maybe this is a halfway compromise if I can charge it from solar panels for more stubborn hoovering?

hex2

I have two totally manual ones (one for each boy :rolleyes: ).

GreenandThrifty

Theres a £10 one in argos atm with v good reviews, might treat myself to it tomorrow then I can use that daily and the hoover whenever it needs a deepclean wonder how long it'll take me to find a cool river with a big rock to beat my handwashing on!!

kal25

Just a quick question...wopuld a sweeper work on laminate or not? just thinking that the only rooms in my house with carpet r hallway & our bedroom. but if worked on laminate means I could watch kids room a bit more and living room could b done more often...Have to watch when hoovering as hubby works nights..so this could work well if this was the case. Thanks kal25

GreenandThrifty

kal, yes i think some do, but you'd be best going on a recommendation from someone re brand etc rather than just reading the box