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Natural cleaning products - where to start?

9 replies

katzensocken · 23/05/2018 03:52

Different thread from me, for once. I'm distracting myself from house buying woes by cleaning all the things in my rented flat.
I currently use Method products and e-cloths which are working pretty well, but really I'd like to use stuff that's Very environmentally friendly.

I was thinking of getting some soda crystals, liquid soap flakes, bicarb and vinegar from Wilko but I don't know exactly how and where I should use everything. DH thinks I've gone slightly mad and that we'll still need 'actual' cleaning products (he's the opposite of a germaphobe but still wants to remove bacteria rather than just make stuff shiny).

Is bicarb good for 'actual' cleaning, then, or just polishing up the kitchen surface? Could you use it, for example, for cleaning the worktop after handling raw meat? Or should I stick with something more heavy duty? Likewise with the loo. I don't ever bleach the loo, I put cleaner down there which works fine but I'm not sure if white vinegar would do just as well.

For laundry I use Fairy something or other and softener, this combo works okay as I have sensitive skin and I've had hell trying to find stuff that doesn't make me itch in the past. Could I just throw some soda crystals in there instead? No kids yet, so clothes don't ever get anything more than worn/grubby.

If you've switched fully to natural stuff I'd love to hear what you use it all for and any tips. If you use a combination of natural and other stuff, how often do you do a 'proper' clean with chemicals or disinfect? Daily/weekly schedules are appreciated and encouraged!

OP posts:
BabyBed · 23/05/2018 14:50

We use bioD range, everything has been quite good except the dishwasher powder which was rubbish (might be because we are in a hardwater area). Tbh I still use a bleach based spray on surfaces that raw meat comes into contact with, not least because I'm veggie and it turns my stomach! But really, I wouldn't be too convinced of friendly alternatives when you want to nail nasty bacteria. As I'm not a fan of licking the toilet bowl I'm less concerned about that...

specialsubject · 23/05/2018 20:03

no need to put anything down the loo except the dreaded toilet brush, sprayed with a bit of anti bac afterwards.

the stuff from Wilko is the same as the expensive 'gosh look how natural we are' products, you just aren't paying for the babble. Of course all this stuff are chemicals, as is the water. (I can't work out the right grammar for that sentence, sorry!)

don't use fabric softener. Totally unnecessary and wasteful.

Rocinante1 · 23/05/2018 20:08

I make my own laundry detergent - cold process soap with 100% coconut oil.

united4ever · 23/05/2018 20:58

for a multipurpose spray for worktop or bathroom. buy a spray bottle fill half with white vinegar, couple of drops of fairy liquid, couple of drops of tee tree oil and top up with water. when I clean the bath I sprinkle bicarb of soda on the sponge and spray the liquid on it to get the chemical reaction. otherwise I just use the spray for worktop etc. by the way that moneysavingexpert has a good forum on old school cleaning which is great.

ToadOfSadness · 24/05/2018 00:52

I use vinegar, bicarb, lemon juice, liquid soda crystal spray and vodka.

Google has many pages on how to use them and what for.
I find the best way to clean the hob and oven is with the soda spray, it dries white so you can see where you have missed bits.
Vinegar removes smells if heated in a pan with water but don't inhale it.

OrganicPlanet · 09/02/2019 10:57

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Highfever · 09/02/2019 12:40

OrganicPlanet did you join just to push your expensive products? Four posts with same link just this morning. Please at least credit us Mumsnetters with intelligence to spot unpaid marketing. Reported.

CaptainWales · 09/02/2019 12:46

I look forward to influencers law changes.

QuercusRose · 09/02/2019 12:53

Not sure I'd want cleaning sprays in glass bottles. Risk of dropping a glass bottle with wet hands would be higher, they would be more bulky and would be heavier so more fuel used for transport.

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