to use just use fairy liquid for most cleaning jobs?

[blunderbuss12]

DP and I disagree about this a lot! I’d really like to simplify things, partly for clutter and partly because I cannot be bothered with replacing 12 different sprays all the time.

So… AIBU to basically just use Fairy Liquid for almost everything?

I’m talking:
-spot-cleaning clothes before they go in the wash,
-a spray bottle for kitchen, bathroom surfaces,
wiping down general spills,
-even the occasional carpet stain.

Obviously I’m not sticking it in the dishwasher or using it instead of laundry detergent — I’m not that feral — but is it basically fine as a one-size-fits-all cleaner?

Works just fine.

Yes, this plus a spray bottle of white vinegar is all I have used for years now.

Also Jif instead of more expensive Hob Brite.

We do similar but I use Stardrops, the basic orange stuff in a squeezy bottle which is about a quid in home bargains. Dilute it about 1 part liquid to 2 parts water in a trigger bottle and that's used for all kitchen and bathroom cleaning.

The idea that you need separate cleaning products for floors, surfaces, kitchen, bathroom, carpets is a marketing con to encourage you to spend more. And products like single use wipes, carpet sanitiser and the rest of it - don't get me started. ALL that single use plastic which is not easily recycled because of the multiple types of plastic in one bottle/trigger.

Another one here. But not necessarily Fairy liquid either, any decent washing up liquid does the trick. The only other things I have under the sink (just looked!) are a spray bottle of window cleaner (I know I can make my own, but no not arsed) a pack of Brillo pads - for the ceramic hob - honestly they get every bit of gunk off and it's back to shop bought condition after a rub over and polish with paper towels after. Test a small corner of yours first though! A small (decanted) bottle of fabric conditioner for the occasional hand wash of delicate tops etc. and a can of WD40.

Up to a point I agree with you.
I also use bleach occasionally, disinfectant sometimes and a specialist cleaner for the bathroom tiles’ soap sludge.

I think the adverts play too much on our hygiene insecurities to sell their dedicated chemically poisoned products for this and that around out homes.

My mother managed with washing up liquid, bleach and Ajax. We never suffered with anything like stomach upsets etc because our home wasn’t clean. It always was.

Another thing I think is daft is all the wipes for disinfecting toilet seats or floors! Sheets and sheets of yet more cleansing chemicals and expensive too.

They can’t do anything a good old fashioned floor cloth and a bit of disinfectant cant do. An old fashion mop and bucket does a great cleaning job.

Yes we do similar! I use the refill packs of washing up liquid from Lidl.

Glad to hear I am not alone. Jif is very underrated - always amazed how many people have never even heard of it!

I used to have every cleaning product known to man-if I saw a new product,I bought it

I moved in with dp and he pointed out we didnt need loo/floor wipes,6 different types of shower cleaner,4 different bottles to clean the bathroom,3 different bottles of kitchen cleaner or 5 different bottles of disinfectant

I swapped to 'one bottle does everything' (I love method-the custard cream one is lovely) cleaning spray for general cleaning (everything from wiping down the kitchen sides to wiping up dust from behind the tv),zoflora for if either of us catches a tummy bug (i rarely use it-its happened twice in ten years-i wont be replacing it) floor spray for when we mop them and washing up liquid for the dishes/window cleaning

I bought some reuseable cloths (i think i got them from b&m) and we've not looked back-the rest was just costing me money and space (which I had very little of both)

House is still clean and smells nice

I use this, white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda to clean my house. The sprays used to make me wheeze, god knows what they were doing to my insides.

Washing-up liquid (any brand) is a detergent product and totally fine for most cleaning jobs. Anything with detergent properties has surfactant molecules in it, and dirt/grease attaches to them and is then rinsed/wiped away with the water (that's a really bad explanation but you get the general idea).

Things like shower gel, soap, shampoo, face wash etc also have detergent properties, as do laundry liquid, dishwasher tablets etc but obviously they have other ingredients added to make them do other things as well as just lift dirt (eg shower gel has stuff added to make it kinder to skin, dishwasher tablets froth up less, etc). But they all basically work in the same way and for most household cleaning jobs washing-up liquid and water are going to work just fine.

I make my own spray of water, vinegar, a few drops of washing up liquid and some lemon essential oil for the smell and use it for absolutely everything. I use bleach in the toilet bowl but everything else is my spray.
I don't think all the different cleaning chemicals are great around people and animals tbh.
But yes washing up liquid is good for spot cleaning stains and scrubbing the extra dirty bits like the shower.

Yeah it’s fine! I have specialist cleaners for mould and limescale and then use whatever’s to hand otherwise

YANBU except that most supermarkets have an own brand equivalent that’s as good as but cheaper than Fairy.

It can make floors and surfaces slippy, so needs a good rinse, other than that, why not. My mum cleaned her Lino floors, kitchen and bathroom with just bleach back in the day.

I use washing up liquid for most things I did stain a top trying to get a stain out i think I left it on to long,but yeah work tops washing windows , my cooker top bathroom tiles are all washing up liquid. I also use a "squidge " in my floor washing water it gets them sparkling.

It can yes i did learn the hard way 😀 but I add the teeniest bit now.

I have a scrub daddy stick scrubber with Fairy in for bathroom.
Fairy is in the mop for the floors, diluted, with a floor cleaner that I alternate for variety of smells.
Yes, Fairy is the stain remover, but the ALdi carpet cleaner with the brush on the end works well for that too.
I use a fun Fabulosa on the surfaces tho as I enjoy the smells they offer.
I get some of the bundles off TikTok shop as they do some nice smells and they're a really good deal.

Ok, going against the grain here, but I love my well stocked cleaning cupboard! I have different products for different jobs. I swear by elbow grease spray for certain things, but I love the smell of zoflora products. I have a different spray for the windows, a spray for the surfaces. Cream cleaner for the sink. Pink stuff for the oven, Limescale spray for the shower, bathroom cleaner for the bath.
I also have different sponges for different surfaces, a spot cleaner for the carpet, an electric toothbrush type scrubber for between the tiles.

It makes me happy and more inclined to clean. I'm sure I'll get told that its bad for the environment.

I have loads of different cleaning products bought it the hope that they will actually deliver what they claim, but I’m usually disappointed. Maybe I should follow your example.

Completely agree.
No strong sprays in this house.
Fairy for so much.
I tripped with a drink on the stairs and fairy in hot water did the job.
There was turmeric in the drink so it was amazing it lifted so well.
Straight on to clothes stains too.
Jif is the business.
Vinegar excellent too.

Doesn’t it leave the surface feeling a little sticky?
Would it actually be cleaning, or just a lubricant for wiping? I can’t imagine it’s disinfecting anything at such a small quantity

I don't believe in bleaching everywhere, just the loo.
Hot water and washing liquid works great for cleaning, jif fir stubbor marks.

You dilute it , soap breaks up out layers of bacteria so it does clean and disinfect, or it wouldn't be suitable for washing dishes.

Works fine for me