Comments on: Cleaning Doesn’t Need to Cost the Earth http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/ Simple Living... Frugality... Gardening... Cooking From Scratch... Knifty Knitter Projects.. And More. Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:06:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: SJSFalter http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-6058 SJSFalter Mon, 26 May 2008 11:26:53 +0000 http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-6058 This was brilliant. I am trying each day to consider what I am using and how it is a waste of money and resources. Being more frugal and environmentally conscious is actually quite fun. This was brilliant. I am trying each day to consider what I am using and how it is a waste of money and resources. Being more frugal and environmentally conscious is actually quite fun.

]]> By: Smiley Saturday « The musings of a green knee capping leprechaun http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-4081 Smiley Saturday « The musings of a green knee capping leprechaun Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:55:45 +0000 http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-4081 [...] big shout out to Lightening and the people who have commented on this blog. I am a cleaning Nazi. Let me rephrase that, I was a cleaning Nazi. Now I have relaxed some. But it [...] […] big shout out to Lightening and the people who have commented on this blog. I am a cleaning Nazi. Let me rephrase that, I was a cleaning Nazi. Now I have relaxed some. But it […]

]]> By: Cathy http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-4039 Cathy Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:38:33 +0000 http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-4039 I have tried a number of cleaning techniques with my toilet bowls, and this one is my favorite: squirt some lemon juice or vinegar around (anything acidic, though the lemon juice certainly smells better!) then sprinkle in some Borax. Scrub with your toilet brush, then let sit for 30 minutes or overnight. I just leave it until the next person uses the toilet. I clean the entire toilet and area with a vinegar and water solution in a spray bottle, let it sit to "eat" the urine splashes (two potty-trainers and a husband!) then wipe down. My toilets have never been so clean! With the commercial products, the toilet always looked clean, but the stale urine smell never went away. The vinegar takes care of that easily, and would probably also kill algae. I have tried a number of cleaning techniques with my toilet bowls, and this one is my favorite: squirt some lemon juice or vinegar around (anything acidic, though the lemon juice certainly smells better!) then sprinkle in some Borax. Scrub with your toilet brush, then let sit for 30 minutes or overnight. I just leave it until the next person uses the toilet.

I clean the entire toilet and area with a vinegar and water solution in a spray bottle, let it sit to “eat” the urine splashes (two potty-trainers and a husband!) then wipe down. My toilets have never been so clean! With the commercial products, the toilet always looked clean, but the stale urine smell never went away. The vinegar takes care of that easily, and would probably also kill algae.

]]> By: Lisa http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-4009 Lisa Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:03:29 +0000 http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-4009 Nice article. I'm trying to reduce my commercial cleaning product consumption as well. I know I could make a lot of it, but it's the time factor. I always say I will, then never get to that part of my to do list. So I try to find coupons for the green commercial products. Nice article. I’m trying to reduce my commercial cleaning product consumption as well. I know I could make a lot of it, but it’s the time factor. I always say I will, then never get to that part of my to do list. So I try to find coupons for the green commercial products.

]]> By: Jenn http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-3998 Jenn Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:22:20 +0000 http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-3998 Great post, Lightening. We are trying to use less of the commercial products, too, but it's more because we don't want to use all those chemicals all the time. Never thought about how it will save us money, too! Hubby uses vinegar to wash the windows and sliding glass doors and it does a fantastic job. Thanks for the great ideas! Great post, Lightening. We are trying to use less of the commercial products, too, but it’s more because we don’t want to use all those chemicals all the time. Never thought about how it will save us money, too! Hubby uses vinegar to wash the windows and sliding glass doors and it does a fantastic job. Thanks for the great ideas!

]]> By: river http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-3962 river Sat, 23 Feb 2008 13:02:20 +0000 http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-3962 I wonder if a little bicarb dropped into the toilet each night and left until morning might help the algae problem? Or maybe vinegar? I'd be having dreams about sitting on the loo and having the algae growing and trying to get me. I wonder if a little bicarb dropped into the toilet each night and left until morning might help the algae problem? Or maybe vinegar? I’d be having dreams about sitting on the loo and having the algae growing and trying to get me.

]]> By: Ricky Buchanan http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-3958 Ricky Buchanan Sat, 23 Feb 2008 08:12:31 +0000 http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-3958 Ohhh, I do 99% of the stuff in your post already - even down to using old chopped up towels for cloths. That made me smile! One thing I do that you didn't list is use "Laundry Balls" instead of laundry detergent most of the time (do a search of the name just in Australia or ask me and I can look up the address if you're interested). I don't know exactly how they work but they work fine for me! If I have stuff that's really dirty I use BioZet detergent only using half the amount the recommend - I checked in Choice magazine and it's one of the ones most recommended if you're using the grey water like I am, and not hideously expensive either. The Laundry Balls are good for most stuff but after a while everything gets sort of dingy and grungy and I run them through with the BioZet for one wash instead. Hugs, r PS I'm pretty sure there's some affiliate program for the Laundry Balls so if you want to buy some and put my email as the recommending person that'd be cool :) :) Ohhh, I do 99% of the stuff in your post already - even down to using old chopped up towels for cloths. That made me smile!

One thing I do that you didn’t list is use “Laundry Balls” instead of laundry detergent most of the time (do a search of the name just in Australia or ask me and I can look up the address if you’re interested). I don’t know exactly how they work but they work fine for me! If I have stuff that’s really dirty I use BioZet detergent only using half the amount the recommend - I checked in Choice magazine and it’s one of the ones most recommended if you’re using the grey water like I am, and not hideously expensive either. The Laundry Balls are good for most stuff but after a while everything gets sort of dingy and grungy and I run them through with the BioZet for one wash instead.

Hugs,
r
PS
I’m pretty sure there’s some affiliate program for the Laundry Balls so if you want to buy some and put my email as the recommending person that’d be cool :) :)

]]> By: Jayne http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-3952 Jayne Sat, 23 Feb 2008 05:42:11 +0000 http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-3952 Fantastic post Lightening! :) I've used good old bi carb and yellow laundry soap for years now - it's cheaper, kinder on your clothes/whatever you're cleaning and with all our waste water going straight out onto the garden I know there's nothing to harm my fruit trees or flowers. For cat pee bi carb works well, absorbs all the moisture and odour and vacuums up when dry. Bi carb works for almost anything! :) Fantastic post Lightening! :)
I’ve used good old bi carb and yellow laundry soap for years now - it’s cheaper, kinder on your clothes/whatever you’re cleaning and with all our waste water going straight out onto the garden I know there’s nothing to harm my fruit trees or flowers.
For cat pee bi carb works well, absorbs all the moisture and odour and vacuums up when dry.
Bi carb works for almost anything! :)

]]> By: Widdle Shamrock http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-3951 Widdle Shamrock Sat, 23 Feb 2008 04:45:28 +0000 http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-3951 What a great post !!! We use few products, but I think after reading this, we could use even less. What a great post !!!

We use few products, but I think after reading this, we could use even less.

]]> By: cerebralmum http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-3944 cerebralmum Sat, 23 Feb 2008 02:33:18 +0000 http://www.lighteningonline.com/2008/02/22/cleaning-doesnt-need-to-cost-the-earth/#comment-3944 Me too. Water all the way. And for things that require a little extra on the hygiene side, I have a spray bottle with a little bleach in it. And I mean just a little. Do you know how much bleach you need to kill all the nasties? About three drops. That's what the scientists say. So all those products supposed to protect your family from germs are extreme overkill. And considering that chemicals aren't exactly great for your family, they're not doing a very good job. And I agree with the drying as you go. I always have, and that's more hygenic too as bacteria likes a little moisture. Great post, Lightening. xx Me too. Water all the way. And for things that require a little extra on the hygiene side, I have a spray bottle with a little bleach in it. And I mean just a little. Do you know how much bleach you need to kill all the nasties? About three drops. That’s what the scientists say. So all those products supposed to protect your family from germs are extreme overkill. And considering that chemicals aren’t exactly great for your family, they’re not doing a very good job.

And I agree with the drying as you go. I always have, and that’s more hygenic too as bacteria likes a little moisture.

Great post, Lightening. xx

]]>