Is stardrops environmentally friendly?

vivw_2

I have been using stardrops for a while now and find its cleaning properties to be good. However I am finding its smell almost suffocating which makes me wonder whether its environmentally friendly or not?

ceridwen

Hi

I have a rough "rule of thumb" - if it smells awful, it is awful.

I have googled the website for Stardrops before now - wondering exactly that question. In a word "no" - it isnt.

I recognised some of the ingredients as environmental "baddies" from some environmental checklist somewhere (cant quite recall whose - could have been either Friends of the Earth on the one hand or LILI on the other hand) (LILI - Low Impact Living Initiative).

Think it was probably LILI website that I got that list from - not sure?

Sorry - it sent me back in the direction of white vinegar/bicarb and Ecover washing-up liquid personally.

Another rule of thumb is - if the list of ingredients sounds like a chemistry lesson - be wary.

vivw_2

Thanks ceridwen. You have said exactly what I thought was probably the case. I will now need to try and create some kind of all purpose cleaner to replace it.
Also does anyone have any information about borax?

evi3000

I've avoided it too for that very purpose. I stick to bicarb, vinegar, borax and ecover as much as possible.
Although like you woud be interested to findout more about borax (sounds chemically!)

ceridwen

One recipe for strong general cleaner I have found - not tried yet by me - I am still working my way through various ones is:

110 grammes of washing soda crystals and 4.5 litres of warm water. Mix. Apply with soft cloth. Rinse with clean water.

(NB: dont use on fibreglass or aluminium)

Could be worth a go.

Dont know owt against borax - it comes up a lot in recipes for making own cleaners and I am assuming its okay (unless someone proves otherwise).

ceridwen

Ones I have made up so far:

1. ALL PURPOSE CLEANER
1/2 tsp Ecover washing-up liquid and 4 pints hot water (suitable for painted walls and woodwork)

2. ALL PURPOSE CLEANER
2 tsps bicarbonate of soda/125 ml white vinegar/4 pints hot water
(suitable for vinyl type floors)

Will let you know as I investigate further.

Gigervamp

Ceridwen, do you have the link for the ingredients list for stardrops? I've been trying unsuccessfully to find one.

Edited to add:
Regarding borax, you need to be careful using it in household cleaners, and don't use it in recipes for skin creams. I can't remember if it's banned or restricted in cosmetics, but cold creams used to be made with it (it worked in conjunction with beeswax as an emulsifier) and I have seen recipes for homemade cosmetics that still use this ingredient.

thriftlady_2

I agree with Ceridwen, if it smells strongly of chemicals then it's probably pretty nasty.

I realise my standards are pretty low, but I find most things are easily cleaned with a damp cloth;)

Penelope_Penguin

ceridwen wrote: »

2. ALL PURPOSE CLEANER
2 tsps bicarbonate of soda/125 ml white vinegar/4 pints hot water
(suitable for vinyl type floors)

As a qualified chemist, I'm still at a loss to see why people continue to promote this combination The two chemicals (an acid and an alkali) will react together producing another chemical (sodium acetate) which has no cleaning properties whatsoever

As to whether Stardrops is "environmentally friendly" it depends on what you mean by this? It will have taken fossil fuels to manufacture and transport, so probably no

Penny. x

thriftlady_2

Penelope_Penguin wrote: »

As a qualified chemist, I'm still at a loss to see why people continue to promote this combination The two chemicals (an acid and an alkali) will react together producing another chemical (sodium acetate) which has no cleaning properties whatsoever

Maybe it's all the fizzing and frothing that people like :rotfl:

Aren't they good for cleaning when used separately? The vinegar cuts through grease doesn't it? Bicarb can be used to loosen dirt in the oven. I've not tried it though.

Btw when I don't have a damp cloth handy I spit on a tissue. Now that's real Old Style

Penelope_Penguin

thriftlady wrote: »

Maybe it's all the fizzing and frothing that people like :rotfl:

Possibly, but it has absolutely no cleaning properties

Aren't they good for cleaning when used separately? The vinegar cuts through grease doesn't it? Bicarb can be used to loosen dirt in the oven. I've not tried it though.

Yep, vinegar is great at removing grease, and bicarb is an excellent deodoriser, and has abrasive properties

And Wiki hs just informed me that bicarb can be used for cutting cocaine

Penny. x