10 replies to this topic

[Belle]

Do you use regular cleaning products at home, or do you purchase (or even DIY) "green" or non-toxic/organic cleaning products?

Do you find that organic products work as well as Ajax or Clorox, etc?

I would like to switch over and throw out our truly toxic products.

[Devils Advocate]

I find the organic/non-toxic stuff doesn't work at all. I have learned to avoid them.

[Moshi]

We use the non-toxic stuff (e.g. from Trader Joe's). Works just fine for most daily tasks (e.g. dishwashing soaps, household cleaners, detergents, shampoos, toothpaste, etc.). They fail for some extra-tough tasks, but those are not so common and so I have no problem using toxic stuff on those rare occasions. As with everything, some brands are better than others.

[Short]

I use Clorox Greenworks for most all-purpose cleaning. My cleaning lady claims it's better than the other stuff, like Mr. Clean. There are also things that clean better than cleaners, but you have to know what's what. Making a paste out of baking soda, shmearing it in a dirty oven, and leaving it overnight before wiping the oven clean is a great alternative to toxic oven cleaners. Vinegar makes a very good cleaning solvent, but it doesn't have a pleasant smell (I use it to clean my guinea pigs' cage). Lemon juice works well on some things too.

[Kalashnikover_Rebbe]

I buy what is cheapest and works the best... Maybe if I had babbys running around I'd be more careful, but I don't think I will accidentally drink any bleach...

[Belle]

We use the non-toxic stuff (e.g. from Trader Joe's). Works just fine for most daily tasks (e.g. dishwashing soaps, household cleaners, detergents, shampoos, toothpaste, etc.). They fail for some extra-tough tasks, but those are not so common and so I have no problem using toxic stuff on those rare occasions. As with everything, some brands are better than others.

what do you consider "extra tough tasks?" My husband is ok with me using a natural glass cleaner, but when my oven and stove are dirty (which is always), he insists we need the hard core stuff to clean it, and then it ends up being often and not rare.

I use Clorox Greenworks for most all-purpose cleaning. My cleaning lady claims it's better than the other stuff, like Mr. Clean. There are also things that clean better than cleaners, but you have to know what's what. Making a paste out of baking soda, shmearing it in a dirty oven, and leaving it overnight before wiping the oven clean is a great alternative to toxic oven cleaners. Vinegar makes a very good cleaning solvent, but it doesn't have a pleasant smell (I use it to clean my guinea pigs' cage). Lemon juice works well on some things too.

I should try homemade stuff.

I buy what is cheapest and works the best... Maybe if I had babbys running around I'd be more careful, but I don't think I will accidentally drink any bleach...

My sister drank bleach when she was 2.

But anyway, it's not only the questionable ingesting, it's also the fumes that bother me.

[greentiger]

i don't. I once tried making orange cleaner but its just not the same. I need my toxic products. I have a shelf above my bathroom door which i can barely reach while standing on a chair where i keep these products. There is no way the kids can get them. As to the fumes, what good is a clean house that doesn't still smell of cleaning products?

a great product to have though is a magic sponge. I let the kids help me clean the oven with it.

[Belle]

As to the fumes, what good is a clean house that doesn't still smell of cleaning products?

There's a difference between the lemony smell of floor cleaner and the smell of bleach or Ajax, no?

[comfortingsong]

I need my toxic products.... As to the fumes, what good is a clean house that doesn't still smell of cleaning products?

[greentiger]

There's a difference between the lemony smell of floor cleaner and the smell of bleach or Ajax, no?

i don't get what you're asking. I love the smell of bleach if thats what you mean.

[Belle]

i don't get what you're asking. I love the smell of bleach if thats what you mean.

I meant that some people love the smell of moderately-toxic cleansing agents, like lemony scents, etc, "breezy" scents like detergents, etc. Bleach is erosive, corrosive and highly toxic, I can't imagine anyone loving that smell in their home.