Green And Frugal Cleaning Tips

Rosesandrainbows

Morning all,

I am more of a lurker on these boards but this was the first place I thought to come in search of some advice about green and frugal cleaning tips. I hope you can help.

For some time now we have been trying to live a more sustainable life. So far we have tackled the garden in order to grow more fruit and veg and have created space to keep chickens for eggs. I now want to turn my attention to more things I can do indoors and although my house is (mostly!) clean and tidy I would really like to banish the chemical products and use something more natural that might also save me some pennies in the long run.

At present my cupboard under the sink is full of half used bottles of cleaning products that I never use so my intention is to finish them up first (i hate waste) and when something runs out replace it with a better option.

I look forward to hearing your ideas

[Deleted User]

White Vinegar and bicarbonate of soda will clean most things, with perhaps methylated spirits on scrunched up newspaper for cleaning windows. WD 40 is pretty good for cleaning stuff as well

Rowan9

Hello - there used to be a wonderful site from an Australian lady called Rhonda. She covered exactly this kind of thing. Down Under? Some name like that? I'm sure someone here will remember.
JackieO has given you good ideas ��

Rowan9

Oh that was a smiley face!!

spirit

white vinegar
Lemons
Stardrops
another vote for bicarb

FairyPrincessk

Rhonda's blog is here: http://down---to---earth.blogspot.co.uk/

She also wrote a book, I think.

You can use vinegar on windows as well--that is what I grew up doing before I even know about 'green' cleaning.

I find having a supply of small reusable cloths helpful. We have sort of flannel sized for normal cleaning, a good supply of tea towels (both terry and muslin) and I also have small hand sized cloths for washing up, cleaning up spills etc. It helps cut down on using disposable things like kitchen roll, sponges etc. If you don't currently run a load of washing on more than 40 then it may not be that environmentally friendly, but I do one anyway for other reasons.

Rosesandrainbows

Thank you for your replies and I will take a look at the blog you've recommended.

I've done a bit of cleaning this morning and started to use up some of the old stash of products but i don't plan on replacing them when they are gone.

I've seen people mention bicarb before so i will research how I can use it and please can someone also tell me what star drops is used for and where I might get some.

Thanks again for your suggestions

Upsidedown_Bear

Rosesandrainbows wrote: »

Thank you for your replies and I will take a look at the blog you've recommended.

I've done a bit of cleaning this morning and started to use up some of the old stash of products but i don't plan on replacing them when they are gone.

I've seen people mention bicarb before so i will research how I can use it and please can someone also tell me what star drops is used for and where I might get some.

Thanks again for your suggestions

There are a few different Stardrops. Wilko sell 2.
Links here for info

Stardrops All Purpose Cleaner
Stardrops Disinfectant

Highly recommend Stardrops. Other shops sell it as well as Wilko.

ETA
Just found the link to the company website:
Stardrops

gonebust

Most of my house is cleaned using just micro fibre and water

Flash, bleach and fairy for everything else

I have huge patio doors which always have cat, dog, hen and grandchildren 'art' on them. I use a damp, straight out of the wash, microfibre for glass on them. Cleans lovely with no smears. Also great for the high gloss kitchen

The only real nasty chemical I buy is oven pride. Easy pain free oven cleaning

Nargleblast

General purpose cleaner - 1 part washing up liquid, 2 parts lemon juice, 4 parts white vinegar and 5 parts water. ( I use 50mls, 100mls, 200mls and 250mls respectively to make 600mls of cleaner). Stir together in a jug and decant into spray bottle. Use for kitchen surfaces, paintwork, bathrooms, toilets etc.

pollyanna_26

Hi another here for vinegar and baking soda . I also use decent organic essential oils in warm water for most cleaning .
Soda crystals for grease and keeping drains clear .
I've been using the e cloth system since it first came out . The cloths and mop , they now have a smaller mop for bathroom tiles and small floors . I use it for windows too and it's great .
No detergent needed and you just rinse the cloth as you go so no dragging a bucket back and forth .
I never use bleach , a few drops of tea tree oil diluted in a spray bottle is all that's needed .
polly