What and How Much to buy for 6 months cleaning?

rosieben

Norman_Bean wrote: »

T... So do I need to get the white vinegar and bicarb or not? Does anyone use those?

Norman x

yes I would say white vinegar and bicarb are essential I'll see if I can find the threads so you can see how other people use them. I buy white vinegar by the gallon and bicarb in large tubs (not food grade) from an online store but not sure if you could get a delivery. I think some people get their white vinegar from Asian supermarkets? I dont know about that as I've never seen an Asian supermarket.

have a browse through Save Zillions on Cleaning for info on white vinegar and bicarb as well as lots of other stuff, and see the 'useful links' at the bottom for more vinegar info and you might find something useful in the cleaning section of the OS Index

Gigervamp

Really, the best way to get bicarb is from an online store as you can buy it in kilos which works out a heck of a lot cheaper than getting a small tub from the supermarket. Will you be staying with someone here? You could get it delivered to a friend or family member. I think I'd order a 5 kilo bag if I were you.

I like to use bicarb as a carpet freshener, like Shake-n-vac. I add some dried lavender to it, then shake over the carpet (I've got a flour shaker for this purpose), leave for half an hour or so, then hoover it up.

Bicarb can also be used in the bath (it's the main ingredient in bath bombs). Leaves your skin feeling nice and soft.

Bitsy_Beans

My Stardrops lasts at least 3-4 months and that's cleaning my kitchen and bathroom. A little goes a long way.
Last time I was in Tesco they sold value Microfibre clothes, 3 for £1 - bargain and mine are still going strong 6 months on. Use them for cleaning the kitchen and bathroom.
For dusting I tend to use a damp terry nappy that I cut up but I guess any damp cloth will work.
I don't use anything for softner in my washing machine and I can't say I've noticed a big difference. I could only buy the more expensive white vinegar in supermarket so not really bothered using it for washing machine etc. I mix water and vinegar in spray bottle as cleaner for glass and mirrors, lasts ages (but then again I don't clean my windows that often ).
Bicarb - Hmmmm I've seen larger boxes (say 500g size) sold in my local pound shop so you could try there. As for how long it will last depends on what you're using it for. I don't use it that often so I don't get through it that quickly.

soda crystals are sold with the washing powder in the supermarket.

Norman_Bean

easy wrote: »

I have to say that "For 6 months I would probably buy 6 of each" sounds like an AWFUL lot of cleaning products. I guess I get thru about one bottle of original stardrops per month, and don't buy the other stuff at all. Perhaps I'm just a slattern?

:rotfl::rotfl:I think I may similar cleaning levels to you Easy? :rotfl:

I think I'm going to get 7 bottles to encourage me to clean ...

Thanks so much for all the replies girls - really useful x I am staying with my mum so will investigate pound shop for bicarb then if no luck will order online x The lavender sounds a nice idea :cool:

Can I use the microfibre cloths on glass worktops or are they too scratchy?

Norman x

patchwork_cat

I like Stardrops with ammonia for more powerful cleaning. I would also get some bleach, value or own brand whichever you prefer. I have both.

LilacPixie

Stardros lasts forever. I got one of the stardrops kitchen versions from B&M and wasn't impressed TBH. It did have the same stardrops cleaning power but was diluted so you needed to use it like you would flash or cilit bang or any of the usual cleaning sprays. Not OS in my opinion.

OP where is it you live and is Weight a factor if you have to fly back??

csarina

If you are going to buy micro fibre cloths ,DO NOT put fabric conditioner in when you wash them it stops them working properly.

I use vinegar to clean glass, an old cotton cloth and then buff it up with a dry micro cloth.

As an ex nurse I have always used a damp micro cloth to dust with. I do not use polish at all, wipe over with the damp cloth and then buff up with a dry one.

If you get a build up of limescale in the loo remember FLAT coke will fetch it off, empty as much water as you can out of the toilet, pour in the flat coke and leave overnight, then use a green backed sponge to scrub any stubborn bits off. Lime scale under the rim.......use several pieces of kitchen roll - roll into a sausage and wet with white vinegar then pack it round under the rim and again leave overnight, in the morning take the kitchen paper out DO NOT FLUSH IT DOWN THE LOO, :eek:it will block it up, put it in the bin, flush and again scrub with one of the green backed sponges, they will not scratch the porcelain, a metal one will. You can also use the kitchen roll trick on lime scale round taps, soak in vinegar wind it round the tap and fix a poly bag over it, leave it for a while and remove, the lime scale should have dissolved and stubborn bits can be removed with said sponge.

Vinegar will also keep your tiles in the kitchen and bathroom sparkling, I spray it on, use an old cloth to scrub with and then buff up with a micro cloth. Glass shower cubicles get the same treatment. When we moved into this house I though the glass in the shower screen was frosted….until I sprayed vinegar on it, discovered it was in fact clear glass……:D

I use the cheapest washing powder I can get, which at the moment is Tesco at £1.64 for 2kilos, I mix this in a bucket with washing soda crystals and use a cup full per wash. Do not expect it to foam up, it doesn’t but my washing is clean. I have white vests belonging to my husband as white as the day I bought them. Stains on clothes, especially oily ones like tomato from pizza etc, rub in a little washing up liquid into the stain and then wash as usual. Vinegar in the conditioner draw will kill any remaining soap in your clothes, the smell does not linger.

For general cleaning, I use an old spray bottle, 1/3 stardrops, a glug of bleach and fill up with water, give it a good shake.

Tesco sell soda crystals where you find the stain remover stuff. Boots sell bicarb in a kilo (I think) box. Chinese and Indian supermarkets sell white vinegar in3L containers. I buy 2 a time at about £3.50 each. They last ages.

I hope you are coming over in a car and not travelling by air with this lot, it will cost a fortune in overweight fees………..:eek::eek:

Norman_Bean

LilacPixie wrote: »

Stardros lasts forever. I got one of the stardrops kitchen versions from B&M and wasn't impressed TBH. It did have the same stardrops cleaning power but was diluted so you needed to use it like you would flash or cilit bang or any of the usual cleaning sprays. Not OS in my opinion.

OP where is it you live and is Weight a factor if you have to fly back??

I live in Normandy and am driving so weight not a factor - I've even removed one of the backseats so I canpack more bargains in

Norman_Bean

Thanks Csarina - top tips indeed - I'm going to cut and paste that!
I'm inspired by your shower glass as I fear mine may look a little 'etched'

Yes I'm travelling by car .... may have to leave one of the kids behind at this rate though !!!

lil_me

I bought 16 bags of soda crystals a couple of years ago, I use them all the time inc in laundry and still have some bags left I keep them in a cereal tub once opened.

I got mine delivered in a big order from Wilkinsons which sell stardrops etc too to save me carrying them.