Retro household cleaning products
9 years ago
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Comments (6)Oh yeah, dilute it. It doesn't take but a drop or two. I hesitate to say that it will be safe on all painted surfaces, because that has more to do with the paint quality and how it was applied than it does the cleaning products used. If you have factory finished painted cabinets, then it will be fine. A microfiber cloth is the other magic ingredient. If you are having issues with grease in your kitchen anywhere other than around your immediate cooktop, the first thing to do is to address your venting. It's not adequate....See MoreWhich is the best house cleaning product?
Comments (3)I would strongly suggest NOT using Murphy's Oil Soap on any kind of finished wood surface. It can do more than clean --- it can also damage the finish over time. It will also damage the finish on vinyl floors - use distilled white vinegar instead, or whatever the manufacturer of the product suggests. What you "think" is dirt on your cleaning rag is probably the finish slowly being removed. What you "think" is a clean shine is just a coating of chemical crap that traps dirt and dust on the surface. Hubby is a V.P and CKD with a cabinet manufacturing company (40-years with the company), and when they see damaged finishes, it's usually from people using Murphy's Oil Soap on cabinets, so they specifically state not to use it or it will void the warranty. Use Murphy's Oil Soap at your own risk in your own home, but if you are cleaning someone else's home, I would suggest nothing more than mild soap and water will do the trick just as well. And make sure you have good liability insurance for any damage you may have to repair. Even better - for you, the environment, and your pocket (cost) - switch to cleaning with steam instead of a long list of harmful chemicals you enjoy so much. I have friends who take care of some of the most expensive homes in our area, and all they use are steam cleaners and distilled water for their machines. Occasionally they may need a natural cleaner - vinegar, baking soda, liquid castile soap.... But they don't need a tote full of dangerous chemicals. -Grainlady...See MoreGreat Household Products /Solutions to share
Comments (164)What a fun thread! All this talk of cleaning toilets brings me to contribute my favorite toilet cleaning tool: a toilet mop. DH first used these in college when he cleaned the 3rd floor dorm bathrooms as his work-study job. (The guys loved him, they had the cleanest bathrooms in the whole dorm!) He begged me to find a toilet mop when we were fist married, but I only found the bristle styles in stores. He said the mop style worked so much better. A few years later I heard about toilet mops in Don Aslett's cleaning books, but, again, I could never find one locally. Then I was swayed by Flylady hype and ordered "rubba swishas," and sadly, hated them for their intended purpose. After waiting for the scrubba to die, grumbling each time I used it, I finally broke down and looked for toilet mops on Amazon, and came across the Fuller Brush model. It works great, and I really like the flexible plastic cover that can be used to squeeze out the excess water after using it. I plan to put a command hook on the side of the tank and hang the mop by the hole in the handle. (I also tried a mop with a nylon type fluff head and didn't like it nearly as much as the Fuller Brush one.) Fuller Brush Toilet Swab Now I see Amazon has a Don Aslett model, but I've not tried them....See MoreAffresh Cleaning Products for Washers, Dishwashers?
Comments (15)I bought a new HE top loading washing machine about 3 years ago. The owner's manual stresses using the cleaning cycle, and recommends using Affresh, so I do. Probably not nearly as often as they recommend, though. But I doubt I do as much laundry as they expect, as I only have my own to do. I do all my linens in hot water, occasionally adding a Clorox soak. All my sheets, pillow cases, towels, washcloths, etc., are white 100% cotton. My washer doesn't have a sanitizing cycle. I don't have a dishwasher, it broke down several years ago, and I just never replaced it. (Repairing it wasn't feasible.) But I'd never heard of running a cleaning cycle on a dishwasher until I started reading these forums! But then, I'd never heard of a cleaning cycle on a washer, either, until I started seeing Affresh ads on TV. I guess it's the low water usage that makes them necessary? So that makes me wonder if using so much less water is all that good. It sure does make a difference in the utility bills, though! Rusty...See More- 9 years ago
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