Mumsnet Talk

I use a lot of cleaners in my house - bleach, kitchen cleaner, oven cleaner, bathroom cleaner, Flash etc. I am starting to get a bit concerned about the amount of chemicals in these and want to try and find some alternatives.

So what 'natural' cleaning products are there? I don't mean Ecover and things like that, but things like using white vinegar, lemon juice etc.

check out this page of tips

This is a handy little book www.amazon.co.uk/Natural-Stain-Remover-Without-Che micals/dp/1840924195

Method cleaning products are really good

i love soda crystals

they clean my floor far better than any chemical filled "floor cleaner"
they are so cheap and you only need a couple of tablespoons

they are useful to add into a load of laundry in the washing machine as they help get out stains and you can use less chemical filled expensive laundry detergent

white vinegar is just the best at cleaning glass / mirrors and shining metal taps

Where can I buy vinegar in larger quantities?

Has anyone been using microfibre cloths? I bought one recently and have to say that I am not that impressed. It does work quite well on the stainless steel sink and hob, but does not seem all that great for the bath and basin. It does work eventually, but only in the sense that rubbing the bath with anything for long enough will eventually get it clean. Any tips on how I could make it more efficient?

I use a lot of white (ie clear) vinegar - for removing limescale from kettles/shower head/taps, removing tea stains from teaspoons, as a fabric softener when I wash towels etc.

Here's a useful thread on another website about where you can buy it in large quantities:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php ?t=331660

I use soapnuts for my machine washing but only of dark clothes and bedlinen-still use ecover powder for whites as the soapnuts don't work quite as well on whites.Highly recommended for everything else though-cheap to use as well!.

Oohh I hadn't heard of Biod-will go and investigate-thank you.

To Covkimbo,
Please message me with details on how I can join Wikaniko.

I have an eco business and sell a range of eco cleaning products, my customers just love them ! check out my website www.ecofriendly.vpweb.co.uk

here you go:
http://yumetc.blogspot.com/2011/05/green-clean.html

I use distilled white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda to clean everything and I find it works really well.

Sprinkle bicarb in smelly shoes leave overnight and pong gone <or so I'm told>

Wabbit wears socks so no stinky feet <no word of a lie face emoticon>