Green cleaning methods

[puddle]

I want to try and use fewer cleaning products and wondered whether people can give me some ideas for green alternatives (other than ecover-type products).

vinegar is great for lots of things - lots of sites for ideas on just what to do! I use it to clean limescale (neat) , windows, clean surfaces ( in a spray bottle with water) and in fabric softener section of washing mashine, a good splash.

I use diluted white vinegar for most cleaning around the house. I have it in a spray bottle and use it with a microfibre cloth. It's very good on watermarks and soap residue.

hana this is a stupid question....but just basic vinegar? Like fish and chip vinegar?

What about cleaning the loo? This is when I get the real environmental Bad Boys out.

yes - I"ve used malt vinegar before but try to get white vinegar - malt is a bit whiffy.
toilet - I still use the powerful stuff as well - have to have a vice or two!

What about the bath (I have a white bath and I love my bottle of cif)

You can honestly clean almost anything with a microfibre cloth and plain water - they are magic - they can get all the dried on soap/toothpaste/film off basin and bath, and are great for dirty marks on walls because despite all that they are not abrasive.

(Praps not for the loo though )

microfibre cloths and the vinegar/water in a spray bottle as well - give it one last loving clean with your cif.....trouble is keeping it up and not leaving too long. that's when the powerful stuff is really nice to have!

Works well on the bath. Like I said, great on watermarks and soap residue. I also still use bleach in the toilet, although I use the vinegar to wipe around it, seats etc. Distilled vinegar smells a little bit, but not so much that your house smells like a chippy.

lakeland sell some yummt green products, inclusing a bathrromy one that smells of lavender

Bicarb's also good for all sorts of things. Brief guide here , but expatinscotland is another expert on this stuff too - there's a thread here with more info.

Agree with all the others have said - I run a cleaning and supply company and basically ALL cleaners are the same - just in different concentrates of the same stuff, packaged up fancy and called Kitchen blah, blah or Bathroom blah, blah.

We provide a one stop solution you dilute to different strengths for various tasks - It's called Orange Power and is totally environmentally friendly - we use it for ALL jobs including the really scummy lav ones and it is fine to use where there is a cess pit etc.

Basically get some trigger sprays, decant the Orange goo and dilute according to the use.

However I find vinegar, lemon juice and bicarb Brilliant for most things too !!

This is fabulous - thanks very much everyone.

Loving that bleach addict thread Jackieno

I have used handsoap and dishwashing liquid ( yes really!) to clean the bath. They both worked for me