Simple Green, a great non-toxic cleaning product

[imenja]

and very economical, because you dilute it and one bottle lasts for quite a while. It works extremely well, better than Lysol and other toxic cleaners. If it can handle my messes, it will have no trouble with yours. Available in your local supermarket.

Inspired by the housekeeping poll.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Been using it for years. First found it in an RSStrauss auto store.

Use it for everything.

[imenja]

6. my local supermarket carries it

It's handy when you don't have to go to specialty stores to find what you need.

[tjdee]

2. Solumel is good too.

I'm kind of unaware of the Melaleuca MLM thing (is there one?), but anyway, Solumel has the magic of tea tree oil, which can kill all mold (which I'm totally afeared of).

Of course, tea tree has a pretty strong smell.

[shesemsmom]

3. I use it every day

we found it when we got our birds. Most other claners are toxic to birds. Only other things we can use are bleach, vinager and Grape fruit seed extract. But simple green is the BEST!!!!!!!

[LeftyMom]

4. It gets the shit smell out of diapers when noting else will

Well, bleach probably would, but I don't use bleach.

I buy the gallon bottle at the hardware store for less than $10, it lasts me about a year, but would last much longer for a household without small children.

That and oxiclean, another thing I buy in industrial quantities and won't do without. :)

[imenja]

5. it works on any biological / food related mess

kitchen grease, diaper mess, etc.... I tried oxiclean and it didn't do anything for me. I use the evil Tide. It's high in phosphates, which I know is bad for the environment. Do you use Oxiclean instead of detergent or as an accompaniment?

[LeftyMom]

10. I use oxiclean as an addetive with my whites, towels, and sheets

I used it with diapers but LK is mostly potty trained now (Yay!) FOr a detergent I've been using BioKleen, it's about $10/half-gallon, but a large load only uses two tablespoons and I'm really happy with how well it works.

Oxiclean needs really hot water to work it's best, unfortunately my water doesn't get hot so mostly I use it to deodorize my general laundry. For bad stains I put a scoop of it in a stock pot with a splash of simple green and some water, bring the whole thing to a boil (it foams up a lot) turn the heat off and add the soiled item. I can't think of anything that hasn't gleamed by the time the water cooled, I've saved a lot of thigs from the rag bin that way.

[imenja]

13. that explains my problem

I usually wash in cold water. I'll try what I have left of the Oxiclean with hot water.

I bought a front loading washer a year ago. It cleans so much better than the top loaders. It also uses less water and is easier on clothes, since there is no agitator.

[LeftyMom]

16. I'd love to have a front loader

Unfortunately I'm not plumbed for a washer so I had to pay front loader prices for a top loader than hooks up to a sink. I'm nopt complaining though, it's saved me a ton over coin-op laundry and paid for itself. :)

[politicat]

12. Method (Target carries) laundry products are phosphate free.

And ethically, Target is a good, progressive company. Method is highly concentrated, so a small bottle lasts as long as a big bottle of something else.

We used to use Arm & Hammer, since they're pretty neutral politically, but I've developed an allergy to their soap. So Method it is.

[imenja]

14. I'll look for it, thanks

[MrScorpio]

7. The military swears by it

I know first hand

[imenja]

8. interesting

I haven't been able to convince my sister to try it. Maybe that will do it.

[sendero]

9. Yep.

.... been using it for years.

[KG]

11. been using it for years, mostly on my vehicles.

cleans up around the crib, too.

[DS1]

15. The Marines use it to clean tanks, I'd know, the stuff works

but if you don't dilute it enough, it'll take the paint right off your walls. Plus you can drink it in a pinch ;-)