I Hope I'm Not Going To Regret This!

champys

ceridwen wrote: »

Whereabouts does one get neat caustic soda please?

I have always been able to get caustic soda reliably in Boots (I use it for soap making).

beemuzed

I'm impressed by your generosity Ceridwen - I can't ever imagine volunteering for something like this ( I can't even face my own oven at the moment, let alone somone else's! Make sure you keep us updated on your progress - bet you'll feel great when it's done!

StressedSteph

Have you checked out Rhonda Jeans fantastic website "Down to Earth" she has a HM oven cleaner & HM All purpose cleaner that involves Ammonia.

When I get low on my stuff I will be giving these a try.
http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2007/08/various-recipes-for-green-cleaning.html

I have already made her Laundry detergent which works out at 100 washes for a little under £5 :eek: and so far has washed everything fine. White vinegar used a fabric conditioner.

I have also just a HM soaps:D

Shes a fantastic woman :T

janb5

Hi.. First of all well done for all your sterling efforts.

This is how I would attack the oven. I wouldnt use the caustic soda - really best to use that for blocked drains and then very cautiously.

Put one black bin bag in another for reinforced strength. Put all the oven shelves in there and add two cupfuls of ammonia( averting your eyes cos it is strong stuff) Tie a knot in the bag and leave outside the door overnight. Please dont do this on bin day for obvious reasons- back garden is best!

Next day, using gloves, empty out the shelves and hoze it down. All the crud simply falls away. Really effective and the beauty is it can be doing its stuff overnight. HTH

I keep all sorts of old rags and old pants just for horrible jobs like yours so they can be chucked away afterward.

Invest in some hand cream to slaver over your hands afterwards.

ceridwen

Thanks all for helpful comments and Mr Bad Example: well it was worth a try wasnt it:rotfl:

Have seen what looks like a professional degreaser in Lakeland catalogue (HG Grease Away) - has anyone used it? Also seen Barmans Friend there (definite mental note). Good thought re the oven bits in bath. I am wincing SO visibly at the thought of these hugely chemical cleaners it looks like I will have to use for this job (as I personally am moving over 100% to environmentally-friendly stuff). WINCE/OW!/WINCE/OW!

Dont want anyone under any misapprehensions here that I'm being madly altruistic to do his kitchen - I owe him favours - hes been pretty helpful to me when I wanted - so I'm just "paying my way" back. I dont think he is that concerned about the "material world" so to say (hence state of kitchen - what do I mean kitchen? Whole house to be more precise!) - but he will appreciate a clean kitchen and it might just reduce the risk of food poisoning. (Thinks - hope he doesnt read this website ever and identify himself! Well - if he does and realises its me asking for advice here - THANKS A MILLION MATE FOR YOUR HELP TO ME.). Good job hes got a sense of humour.

edit: Re the caustic soda - how exactly do I use it? I'm envisaging making up a paste of water and caustic soda (say 50?50) and spreading it on with something (what?). Is that correct? Have got goggles I discover for some strange reason (found them in my loft when having a go at that) - though I guess my huge wrap-round sunglasses would also do the trick at eye protection!

Now why do I get the feeling Mr Bad Example is going to be finding this amusing?! (Of course - if you're near enough I could pop round for the "going rate" of course. My charges are pretty high - I dont think you can afford me! - lol)

Hardup_Hester

This reminds me of something I used to do with a friend, everytime our kids school did an auction of promises we auctioned ourselves out to do a 4 hour blitz clean of someones house. It was always one of the biggest sellers & raised a lot of money for the school.
Hester

ceridwen

4 hour blitz clean - whole house. I WISH!:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Think I'd have to move in for 4 WEEKS on this one! I'm reckoning that the kitchen alone will take me all day - and I'm not betting on finishing it. Think I probably will - but I'm not so sure about larder - and its a definite pass on the utility room.

ceridwen

Nearly forgot! - re the caustic soda - do I have to open windows wide (ooh...hope not....freeze!) or wear mask whilst using it? Dont know if theres any awful fumes emitted by it!

Penelope_Penguin

ceridwen wrote: »

Nearly forgot! - re the caustic soda - do I have to open windows wide (ooh...hope not....freeze!) or wear mask whilst using it? Dont know if theres any awful fumes emitted by it!

Caustic soda comes as small pellets (or you may get it as a solution). No fumes, but it is EXTREMELY caustic, and can cause serious burns. I'd advise rubber gloves and goggles (it can blind you if you get it into your eyes).

You dissolve it in water to use (never heard of it being used as a paste) but remember to always add the caustic to the water not the other way around (dissolving it generates large amoiunts of heat. If you add the water to the caustic the water can boil).

Best of luck :beer:

Penny. x

saving-grace

I'm worried about you using caustic soda, its dangerous stuff. Have to say I'm with janb5 -keep it for blocked drains and use bio washing powder for the oven shelves or ammonia if the ovens really bad.