Want fewest amount of cleaning supplies

LoveMyGirlz · September 2010

I'm looking to really just simplify and get down to the fewest number of cleaning supplies I need. I like the idea of vinegar/water solution for a lot of surfaces, but I'd still need what? Windex, scrubbing bubbles, floor cleaner, dust cleaner, etc. So I'm looking for a list of the fewest cleaning supplies to clean the whole house. Thanks!

LisainNC · September 2010

You can use vinegar on your windows and on your floors (as long as they're not hardwood). For scrubbing the tub and such you can use baking soda and elbow grease. For really tough spots scrub with baking soda and then chase it with vinegar.

Whitfields2011Wedding · September 2010

Straight Orange oil can handle almost anything. It's like bleach or even oxi-clean but more natural and doesn't hurt anything, and a little bit goes a long way.

When mixed with water it makes a good spray for almost anything- windows, carpet stains, surfaces (hardwoods included), etc. I've used it to pull coffee stains from my truck carpet.

Generally speaking, Orange oil does a good job without needing a million bottles of the stuff, and doesn't leave the awful smell that vinegar and baking soda leaves (grandma's method- while affective- is outdated).

Hudson_Hawk · September 2010

water and vinegar is great for a multi-purpose/glass cleaner. For tubs and such you can use vinegar and water, baking soda, or a magic eraser. Microfiber clothes are fantastic general cleaning cloths and can be used on walls, windows, counters, and floors for wet cleaning or dry/slightly damp for dusting.

kaymay420 · September 2010

love this! i just bought a big bottle of vinegar and i cant wait to get to it!

Temp6313048411121614 · September 2010

I only use a few things (and no, they're not eco friendly). I use Perfect Glass on windows and mirrors (only thing I've found that doesn't streak). Lysol All Purpose with water for counters, table, and floor, Comet for sinks and toilets. There's a furniture polish I got from American TV when we bought our bedroom furniture but they don't make it anymore, I dread the day that it's gone.

blue_elle · September 2010

I would say you can clean your whole house effectively with just the following items:

White vinagar

Baking soda

Lemon juice

Vegetable or oil based soap (ex: Dr. Bronners or Castile)

In addition to those items I also use Bar Keepers Friend, which is incredibly versatile and is non-toxic and biodegradable. Comet is toxic, more abrasive, and bleaches surfaces, whereas Bar Keepers and Bon Amie do not, so they can be used on more items.

melkay · September 2010

blue_elle:
In addition to those items I also use Bar Keepers Friend, which is incredibly versatile and is non-toxic and biodegradable. Comet is toxic, more abrasive, and bleaches surfaces, whereas Bar Keepers and Bon Amie do not, so they can be used on more items.

Ooh, I didn't know that about Bar Keeper's friend. Thanks!

We use vinegar and water for windows, bathrooms, cleaning carpet spots, and the kitchen. We use dry microfiber cloths for dusting.

We also have a stronger carpet cleaner on hand for rare pet accidents.

Nicole and Chris · September 2010

melkay:
blue_elle:

In addition to those items I also use Bar Keepers Friend, which is incredibly versatile and is non-toxic and biodegradable. Comet is toxic, more abrasive, and bleaches surfaces, whereas Bar Keepers and Bon Amie do not, so they can be used on more items.

Ooh, I didn't know that about Bar Keeper's friend. Thanks!

We use vinegar and water for windows, bathrooms, cleaning carpet spots, and the kitchen. We use dry microfiber cloths for dusting.

We also have a stronger carpet cleaner on hand for rare pet accidents.

Bar Keeper's friend is AMAZING. Used it as a paste to wipe down my stainless steel appliances and get the rust spots out of my knives. I also had a slight rust spot on the top of my toaster oven (stainless). Made a paste let it sit for about a minute, gave it a little elbot grease, and it was gone. I love this stuff!!

alicat32908 · September 2010

In the past I had a plethora of cleaning supplies but this year I decided to pare down to the basics. In fact, this board told me how to do it. Now, for the most part, I clean with four products: water, vinegar, bleach and baking soda, and I mix them with water and put them in inexpensive spray bottles. I use dish liquid and water for general cleaning like wiping down sinks and counters. For glass I use vinegar and water. For the bathroom I use bleach and water. I use the baking soda when there's something needing scrubbing, like the bathtub. I do use a commercial floor cleaner on my hardwoods. For dusting, I use a microfiber cloth - it eliminates the need for dusting spray. With the exception of the hardwood cleaner, I get all this stuff at the dollar store.

LoveMyGirlz · September 2010

Thanks everyone! Glad to know I can use vinegar on glass. I better google to find out what else I can do with it. Also, I will be looking for some of the other things you mentioned. Thanks a lot!

MrsLele · September 2010

blue_elle:

I would say you can clean your whole house effectively with just the following items:

White vinagar

Baking soda

Lemon juice

Vegetable or oil based soap (ex: Dr. Bronners or Castile)

In addition to those items I also use Bar Keepers Friend, which is incredibly versatile and is non-toxic and biodegradable. Comet is toxic, more abrasive, and bleaches surfaces, whereas Bar Keepers and Bon Amie do not, so they can be used on more items.

yep! this is basically all that I use!

alicat32908 · September 2010

Crash*Into*Me:

alicat32908:
In the past I had a plethora of cleaning supplies but this year I decided to pare down to the basics. In fact, this board told me how to do it. Now, for the most part, I clean with four products: water, vinegar, bleach and baking soda, and I mix them with water and put them in inexpensive spray bottles. I use dish liquid and water for general cleaning like wiping down sinks and counters. For glass I use vinegar and water. For the bathroom I use bleach and water. I use the baking soda when there's something needing scrubbing, like the bathtub. I do use a commercial floor cleaner on my hardwoods. For dusting, I use a microfiber cloth - it eliminates the need for dusting spray. With the exception of the hardwood cleaner, I get all this stuff at the dollar store.

Also, vinegar is just as effective as bleach and much less toxic.

Yeah I know. I'm trying to phase out bleach, or at least switch over the the oxygenated kind (except I don't like the higher price tag!). In my bottle I do 1 part bleach to 3 parts water. My DH works in the swimming pool industry and so to him, bleach is the way to go when it comes to cleaning and sanitizing. I haven't been able to convince him that cleaning with vinegar works just as well.....yet.

luckygirl0818 · September 2010

We like to buy the big bottle of Mrs Meyers http://www.mrsmeyers.com/Products/Household_Cleaners/Basil_All_Purpose_Cleaner and mix it with water for an all-purpose cleaner.

We use vinegar and water for floors, glass and mirrors

microfiber for dust

alcohol with water and a squirt of Dr. Bronners for disinfecting (toilets, counters that have come in contact with raw meat, etc.)

peroxide to whiten (laundry stains, grout on tile, and rug stains--but we have really light carpet)--we put it in a spray bottle and use it as a pre-treater.

oxi-clean with laundry and to shampoo carpets

Want fewest amount of cleaning supplies

Re: Want fewest amount of cleaning supplies

Choose Another Board

Search Boards