Home What Do You Clean With?

[Class n Sass]

I am currently in the middle of doing my weekend housework since my husband is at work and I am off today. I ALWAYS use bleach as I have heard it is the best thing to clean with. I really do feel like everything is "clean" once I am done. Unfortunately the smell can sometimes be overwhelming initially. So I am asking what do you use to clean with that doesn''t leave such a strong smell, but still a clean smell. Williams Sonoma has scented cleaning supplies that I was thinking of purchasing....any suggestions?????

 

[Sabine]

I use bleach products in the bathroom for the tub and toilet, but for counters and in the kitchen I use Lysol wipes. I still feel like it''s clean, but it''s a lot easier and pleasanter than using bleach. For floors, I use the swiffer wet cloths.

 

[applequeen]

Like you I clean with bleach ( Clorox spray, Comet with Bleach, etc..... if it has bleach in it I use it

)

I love to walk into a room and faintly smell bleach (agree about it getting overwhelming... gotta watch out there)... to me that smell just says "welcome to a clean room"

I mop with Lysol (the yellow kind?) and I like that smell too.

My husband and i would like to start a family this year though and I''m a little worried that all those fumes will not be a good idea when I''m pregnant so I guess that either DH will have to do all the cleaning

or I should think about trying something more natural and less toxic (my MIL would LOVE that).

 

[AsscherGirl]

I used to clean everything with bleach (learned from my mom). I found that it was always leaving a sticky residue and started to worry about the health issues, so I made the switch to "green" products.

For my shower, most times I sprinkle baking soda, and spray it with a solution of vinegar/water (we get horrible soap scum, so I need to scrub). I scrub and rinse. Yeah - white vinegar doesn''t smell so good when you spray it, but it dries odorless and it actually neutralizes odors, so everything just smells clean. For the toilet, I tried using an all natural toilet cleaner, but it wasn''t getting rid of the ring around the toilet we get (I think we have really hard water). So I use Lysol toilet bowl cleaner on the inside and the vinegar/water solution on the outside (vinegar is a natural disinfectant, I just let it soak in a minute or two before I wipe away). For the countertop, mirror, sink, etc in the bathroom, I use glass plus. It makes everything shiny! Since the bathroom floor is so small, I clean it with the vinegar/water solution on my hands and knees!

I do admit to using tilex every once in a while though. We seem to get a patch of mold in our grout in our shower continuously, so I spray at night, turn the fan on an dclose the door. I stay as far away as possible when I do that though - the smell is foul.

I also like the Method bathroom tub & tile cleaner - it''s eucalyptus & mint smell, but it''s so expensive, most times I just stick to the vinegar/water mix!

In the kitchen, again I use the vinegar/water almost everywhere - floors, sink, counters, etc. My one non-green product is I use pledge to polish my stainless steel - it''s awesome and keeps the smudgies off for a long time! If I have something really stuck on the stove, I have a bottle of fantastik under the counter for emergencies.

Applequeen - my mom thinks the same thing about bleach smell in a room -hehehe.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

I actually like the smell of bleach...at least until I use so much of it that I lose my sense of smell for hours.

We have a dog, so I don''t clean with bleach anymore--I''m always afraid that the residue will get on his paws and he''ll digest it somehow.

On the tile floors I use Mr. Clean. You know the kind with Febreeze in it? I love that smell! I''m sort of a Febreeze addict, actually. I will leave the sink full of water/Mr. Clean after I''m done mopping because I just like the smell. I have to mop the floors about every other day, so we go through quite a bit. I joke that half of our grocery store budget is spent on cleaning supplies...I use a lot of them.

 

[angel_nieves]

I like to use green methods of cleaning also (bleach smell makes me throw up)

I love vinegar and Dr Bonners soaps to clean with. I normally clean my bathrooms with a tea tree oil mix, as it is a natural antiseptic, germicide, antibacterial, fungicide. It also leaves a much nicer sent than chemicals. Also baking soda is a wonderful scouring powder

 

[fleur-de-lis]

We *love* the Restoration Hardware Surface Cleaner for our little daily clean-ups. Not only is the lavender rosemary scent beautiful and the range of surfaces well-cleaned by it impressive, but we like the simple ingredients list: grain alcohol, water, coconut and plant surfactants, fragrant oils and color. That''s it. It works surprisingly well and smells MUCH nicer than the harsher products-- and what can I say, I love being impressed by (insert cheesy announcer voice here) "THE CLEANING POWER OF COCONUTS!"

f-d-l

 

[moremoremore]

I use 409 for counters, sinks, etc..

I use the Windex all purpose and material wipes for dusting, etc....

Tilex for showers...with windows open for sure! It stays in your nose and is horrible...

I use a cleaning solution with bleach for the white tile floors in the bathrooms upstairs

For the rest of the house which is wood, I just use Murphy's floor cleaner but today I got brave and used a solution that the cleaning lady from when we first moved in left behind as labeled Wood Floor...and it's awesome! Wish I new what was in it..

I was thinking about greening my routine up and will probably do so soon....so this info is great!

 

[akmiss]

I rarely use bleach but will have products with bleach added to them. I honestly think I am allergic to the toxic smell of come cleaning product and try not to expose my children to them. Simple green and Meyers lemon verbena are my favorites. I love powered comet for the bathroom. My middle son has mild asthma and come smells (including strong perfumes!) can make it difficult for him to breath.

 

[OUpearlgirl]

I really like Fantastick, it has a great, clean smell. My roommate just bought a windex antibacterial spray for the windows and it''s supposed to smell like lemons but I think it smells like pineapple... I LOVE IT!

I''m also addicted to Clorox wipes.

 

[ljmorgan]

I prefer more natural cleaners. I use Caldrea products that I purchase from their website. They are the ones that also make special editions for Williams Sonoma -- I love the Caldrea lavender pine and their ginger pommelo.

I like Mrs. Meyers natural cleaners, and JR Watkins which can both be found at most Target stores. Both lines are lovely, I prefer the scents of the JR Watkins. They make a great window cleaner in a lavender scent with natural oil as the humectant. Yummy! I clean and my whole house smells great.

 

[radiantquest]

try scented bleach

 

[diamondfan]

I like things that do clean well (disinfect) but are non toxic. I also like citrus scents or lavendar, not chemical smells. I cannot stand the smell of bleach or really strong cleaners. But it must clean well...

 

[Babyblue033]

I first learned about dangers of harsh household chemicals when I had pet rats years ago, because they have very sensitive respiratory system (some find this ironic

). Now I have cats and birds (talk about sensitive), and I have asthma, so using any sort of scented harsh chemicals around the house is a huge no no.

I only use bleach in the bathroom (out of limit for all pets) but I can barely stand the smell myself. For the rest of the house I use baking soda with white vinegar, and I have small spray bottles of GSE all over the house. I also have a steam vac and use a few drops of GSE in it for serious cleaning.

On a side note, my FI thinks I''m crazy whenever I pull out this huge steam vac with million different attachments, to clean my 2 rings

 

[diamondfan]

I have the scunci cleaner thing that literally uses hot water only. I think also that it is best to use certain things outside. If I have to use any oven cleaners I take the racks outside and use gloves. I try not to use it on the inside if at all possible. Vinegar, baking soda, those are all good but I am not sure if they disinfect. But harsh stuff is not great either.

 

[angel_nieves]

Diamond fan, I am in a hurry right now however will post some good natural cleaners that also have natural antiseptic, germicide, antibacterial, fungicide properties.

 

[diamondfan]

Macie, that would be great, when you have a moment!

 

[ladypirate]

Date: 8/15/2008 9:45:30 PM
Author: *Lindsey*
I prefer more natural cleaners. I use Caldrea products that I purchase from their website. They are the ones that also make special editions for Williams Sonoma -- I love the Caldrea lavender pine and their ginger pommelo.


I like Mrs. Meyers natural cleaners, and JR Watkins which can both be found at most Target stores. Both lines are lovely, I prefer the scents of the JR Watkins. They make a great window cleaner in a lavender scent with natural oil as the humectant. Yummy! I clean and my whole house smells great.

We use Mrs. Meyers Clean Day as well! I love their dish soap (I have it in Geranium). You should check out their website (which I believe is www.mrsmeyers.com). I think that they/Caldrea/Williams Sonoma''s cleaning products are all made by the same company?

 

[LaraOnline]

I use Orange oil (as in the fruit)cleaning spray.
Jif etc have versions of it.
Leaves a lovely citrus smell.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 8/16/2008 1:02:37 PM
Author: ladypirate

Date: 8/15/2008 9:45:30 PM
Author: *Lindsey*
I prefer more natural cleaners. I use Caldrea products that I purchase from their website. They are the ones that also make special editions for Williams Sonoma -- I love the Caldrea lavender pine and their ginger pommelo.


I like Mrs. Meyers natural cleaners, and JR Watkins which can both be found at most Target stores. Both lines are lovely, I prefer the scents of the JR Watkins. They make a great window cleaner in a lavender scent with natural oil as the humectant. Yummy! I clean and my whole house smells great.

We use Mrs. Meyers Clean Day as well! I love their dish soap (I have it in Geranium). You should check out their website (which I believe is www.mrsmeyers.com). I think that they/Caldrea/Williams Sonoma''s cleaning products are all made by the same company?

me too, I got them at Tarjey. hehe I love the lavender one, yum!!!

 

[LaraOnline]

Date: 8/15/2008 2:09:34 PM
Author: fleur-de-lis
We *love* the Restoration Hardware Surface Cleaner for our little daily clean-ups. Not only is the lavender rosemary scent beautiful and the range of surfaces well-cleaned by it impressive, but we like the simple ingredients list: grain alcohol, water, coconut and plant surfactants, fragrant oils and color. That''s it. It works surprisingly well and smells MUCH nicer than the harsher products-- and what can I say, I love being impressed by (insert cheesy announcer voice here) ''THE CLEANING POWER OF COCONUTS!''

f-d-l

I''m intrigued! Do you have a picture of this stuff? Perhaps there''s a version at this end of the globe!

 

[Miranda]

I have a bit of a cleaning product fetish. I guess it''s by necessity. Teenage boys = Febreeze as a staple!

Counters are cleaned with 409 for stone - I love how it smells!

Sinks, tubs, toilets or anything yucky get the bleach treatment. I happen to love it''s scent.

I also use the Mr. Clean w/ febreeze. The lavender smells good. Sometimes I spray it in the kitchen sink before I leave so the house smells fresh when I get home!

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 8/17/2008 8:44:09 PM
Author: Miranda
I have a bit of a cleaning product fetish. I guess it''s by necessity. Teenage boys = Febreeze as a staple!

Counters are cleaned with 409 for stone - I love how it smells!

Sinks, tubs, toilets or anything yucky get the bleach treatment. I happen to love it''s scent.

I also use the Mr. Clean w/ febreeze. The lavender smells good. Sometimes I spray it in the kitchen sink before I leave so the house smells fresh when I get home!

I didn''t even know they made Mr. Clean w/febreeze. I love the smell of febreeze; I buy the wetjet refill in the febreeze scent. hehe

 

[Miranda]

Date: 8/17/2008 8:46:21 PM
Author: Skippy123

Date: 8/17/2008 8:44:09 PM
Author: Miranda
I have a bit of a cleaning product fetish. I guess it''s by necessity. Teenage boys = Febreeze as a staple!

Counters are cleaned with 409 for stone - I love how it smells!

Sinks, tubs, toilets or anything yucky get the bleach treatment. I happen to love it''s scent.

I also use the Mr. Clean w/ febreeze. The lavender smells good. Sometimes I spray it in the kitchen sink before I leave so the house smells fresh when I get home!

I didn''t even know they made Mr. Clean w/febreeze. I love the smell of febreeze; I buy the wetjet refill in the febreeze scent. hehe

Yes they do! There is a greenish one that is called mountain fresh or spring fresh...or something like that. And there is the lavender one. Does the wetjet work well? I was thinking of getting one for quick clean ups.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 8/17/2008 8:51:04 PM
Author: Miranda

Date: 8/17/2008 8:46:21 PM
Author: Skippy123

Date: 8/17/2008 8:44:09 PM
Author: Miranda
I have a bit of a cleaning product fetish. I guess it''s by necessity. Teenage boys = Febreeze as a staple!

Counters are cleaned with 409 for stone - I love how it smells!

Sinks, tubs, toilets or anything yucky get the bleach treatment. I happen to love it''s scent.

I also use the Mr. Clean w/ febreeze. The lavender smells good. Sometimes I spray it in the kitchen sink before I leave so the house smells fresh when I get home!

I didn''t even know they made Mr. Clean w/febreeze. I love the smell of febreeze; I buy the wetjet refill in the febreeze scent. hehe

Yes they do! There is a greenish one that is called mountain fresh or spring fresh...or something like that. And there is the lavender one. Does the wetjet work well? I was thinking of getting one for quick clean ups.

Miranda, I was looking at the Mr. Clean and didn''t know which one to buy??? I saw both of them, which is the yummy smelling one?

Yes, I love love the wetjet!!! I bought some microfiber clothes to go over it instead of the ones they sell and just throw them in the washer. I don''t think you can use them on hard wood floors or nonsealed tiles though.

 

[Miranda]

Date: 8/17/2008 11:31:53 PM
Author: Skippy123

Date: 8/17/2008 8:51:04 PM
Author: Miranda

Date: 8/17/2008 8:46:21 PM
Author: Skippy123

Date: 8/17/2008 8:44:09 PM
Author: Miranda
I have a bit of a cleaning product fetish. I guess it''s by necessity. Teenage boys = Febreeze as a staple!

Counters are cleaned with 409 for stone - I love how it smells!

Sinks, tubs, toilets or anything yucky get the bleach treatment. I happen to love it''s scent.

I also use the Mr. Clean w/ febreeze. The lavender smells good. Sometimes I spray it in the kitchen sink before I leave so the house smells fresh when I get home!

I didn''t even know they made Mr. Clean w/febreeze. I love the smell of febreeze; I buy the wetjet refill in the febreeze scent. hehe

Yes they do! There is a greenish one that is called mountain fresh or spring fresh...or something like that. And there is the lavender one. Does the wetjet work well? I was thinking of getting one for quick clean ups.

Miranda, I was looking at the Mr. Clean and didn''t know which one to buy??? I saw both of them, which is the yummy smelling one?

Yes, I love love the wetjet!!! I bought some microfiber clothes to go over it instead of the ones they sell and just throw them in the washer. I don''t think you can use them on hard wood floors or nonsealed tiles though.

I like them both. I happen to love the scent of lavender so that''s the one I prefer.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 8/17/2008 11:42:02 PM
Author: Miranda

Date: 8/17/2008 11:31:53 PM
Author: Skippy123

Miranda, I was looking at the Mr. Clean and didn''t know which one to buy??? I saw both of them, which is the yummy smelling one?

Yes, I love love the wetjet!!! I bought some microfiber clothes to go over it instead of the ones they sell and just throw them in the washer. I don''t think you can use them on hard wood floors or nonsealed tiles though.

I like them both. I happen to love the scent of lavender so that''s the one I prefer.

I love lavendar too; maybe I will buy it next time I am at Target! I had to pick up some pictures this evening and went over to see them and I couldn''t decide! hehe

 

[blondebunny]

I dont know why but me and my BF love windex for some reason.. I have noticed lately that we clean everything with it.. hahaha but the yellow kind that the antibacterial... I dont clean the bathrooms.. BF does...so not sure what he uses..

BUT I love febreeze too!!

 

[pennquaker09]

I clean with different things. The last time I went to Target, I decided to switch to the new Green Works products and I have to say that they work very well. I was really surprised because I''m used to using things with chemicals. I have the entire line, but I probably use the All Purpose spray the most.

One product that I miss a lot is the Clorox spray with Teflon. It was seriously the best bathtub cleaner on the market. It''s funny that this topic was brought up, I was watching HGTV and I saw a commercial for Swiffer Dust and Shine. That''s on my list for the next time I go to Target.

In addition, I use the Williams Sonoma Pure spray and all purpose cleaner. I have the Lemon Parsley and Grapefruit scents. And then, I also have the Mr. Clean w/ Febreze in the Lavender Vanilla.

One thing that I don''t think I''d ever give up is Fantastik with Oxy Power. I use a lot a lot in the kitchen, especially on the stainless appliances.

 

[Class n Sass]

Thanks for all the responses. I am definitely going to look into some of the products mentioned (Restoration Hardware, Caldrea & Mrs. Meyers). I actually sometimes do like the smell of bleach and I am glad to know that I am not the only one...lol. I do worry about having a baby one day and having them breathing in such harsh chemicals.