Comments on: How to Make Natural Cleaners Work Better http://smallnotebook.org/2008/08/07/how-to-make-natural-cleaners-work-better/ Encouragement for a Simple Home Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:58:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Making the move to eco friendly laundry | Move to Portugal http://smallnotebook.org/2008/08/07/how-to-make-natural-cleaners-work-better/#comment-9823 Making the move to eco friendly laundry | Move to Portugal Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:14:40 +0000 http://smallnotebook.wordpress.com/?p=296#comment-9823 [...] money and buying Eco friendly doesn’t always go and in hand, sometimes it does, like using vinegar and baking soda for cleaning or eliminating fabric conditioner from your laundry cycles, but over the years it would be fair to [...] [...] money and buying Eco friendly doesn’t always go and in hand, sometimes it does, like using vinegar and baking soda for cleaning or eliminating fabric conditioner from your laundry cycles, but over the years it would be fair to [...]

]]> By: Organization 2.0 http://smallnotebook.org/2008/08/07/how-to-make-natural-cleaners-work-better/#comment-5992 Organization 2.0 Sat, 04 Apr 2009 21:50:08 +0000 http://smallnotebook.wordpress.com/?p=296#comment-5992 <strong>Make Your Own Cleaning Products...</strong> Whether you have a sensitivity to chemical fumes or prefer an eco-friendly method, these natural cleaning recipes get the job done. ...... Make Your Own Cleaning Products…

Whether you have a sensitivity to chemical fumes or prefer an eco-friendly method, these natural cleaning recipes get the job done.
……

]]> By: SavvyChristine http://smallnotebook.org/2008/08/07/how-to-make-natural-cleaners-work-better/#comment-5142 SavvyChristine Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:04:50 +0000 http://smallnotebook.wordpress.com/?p=296#comment-5142 I just came across a pamphlet called "1003 Household Hints and Work Savers" from the 1950s, and they recommend creating a gel soap similar to the link Amber posted: "Instead of throwing away small scraps of hand soap, save them until you have a cupful. Add 1 quart of boiling water and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally until every scrap is melted. Pour into a container, cool, and cover. Now you have a soap jelly for which you can find many uses." I love it because I hate trying to use up the scraps of soap, and this way I can find something useful to do with them. Plus, it doesn't generate any waste. What did you end up deciding on? <abbr><em><em>SavvyChristine´s last blog post..<a href="http://simplesavvy.wordpress.com/2009/03/09/the-thrifty-1950s/" rel="nofollow">The Thrifty 1950s</a></em></abbr></em> I just came across a pamphlet called “1003 Household Hints and Work Savers” from the 1950s, and they recommend creating a gel soap similar to the link Amber posted:

“Instead of throwing away small scraps of hand soap, save them until you have a cupful. Add 1 quart of boiling water and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally until every scrap is melted. Pour into a container, cool, and cover. Now you have a soap jelly for which you can find many uses.”

I love it because I hate trying to use up the scraps of soap, and this way I can find something useful to do with them. Plus, it doesn’t generate any waste.

What did you end up deciding on?

SavvyChristine´s last blog post..The Thrifty 1950s

]]> By: Rebekah http://smallnotebook.org/2008/08/07/how-to-make-natural-cleaners-work-better/#comment-4163 Rebekah Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:39:23 +0000 http://smallnotebook.wordpress.com/?p=296#comment-4163 Thank you for the surface cleaner recipe! I am so excited; it is a GREAT cleaner! I've got my Walmart auto section microfiber cloths too. It feels so good to not use chemicals and save money at the same time. You are improving the world one household at a time! Thank you for the surface cleaner recipe! I am so excited; it is a GREAT cleaner! I’ve got my Walmart auto section microfiber cloths too. It feels so good to not use chemicals and save money at the same time. You are improving the world one household at a time!

]]> By: Paula http://smallnotebook.org/2008/08/07/how-to-make-natural-cleaners-work-better/#comment-3359 Paula Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:21:13 +0000 http://smallnotebook.wordpress.com/?p=296#comment-3359 Great blog! I'm not sure if you can get these products down there. http://www.naturecleanliving.com/ If so they are safe and work. They have a great dishwasher soap in powder or gel. I love their un-scented dishwashing liquid for hand washing dishes. http://www.naturecleanliving.com/dish_liquid_%E2%80%93_unscented I have pets and the Nature Clean Pet Stain & Odour Remover is amazing... it works on people stains too. Other than that I too stick with baking soda, vinegar, borax etc. <abbr><em><abbr><em>Paula´s last blog post..<a href="http://tapestry.typepad.com/a_mingling_of_threads/2008/12/robin-had-a-busy-fun-day.html" rel="nofollow">Two candles</a></em></abbr></abbr></em> Great blog! I’m not sure if you can get these products down there. http://www.naturecleanliving.com/
If so they are safe and work. They have a great dishwasher soap in powder or gel. I love their un-scented dishwashing liquid for hand washing dishes. http://www.naturecleanliving.com/dish_liquid_%E2%80%93_unscented
I have pets and the Nature Clean Pet Stain & Odour Remover is amazing… it works on people stains too.
Other than that I too stick with baking soda, vinegar, borax etc.

Paula´s last blog post..Two candles

]]> By: Li-ling http://smallnotebook.org/2008/08/07/how-to-make-natural-cleaners-work-better/#comment-2520 Li-ling Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:06:32 +0000 http://smallnotebook.wordpress.com/?p=296#comment-2520 I know this is a rather belated but old newspapers are excellent for window cleaning whatever solution you are using. Having said that, I do put on an old pair of gloves as hands tend to go all black from the newsprint. Hope this helps. <abbr><em>Li-ling's last blog post..<a href="http://thegeorgous.wordpress.com/2008/11/04/conversations-with-georgia-a-cunning-plan/" rel="nofollow">Conversations with Georgia: A Cunning Plan</a></em></abbr> I know this is a rather belated but old newspapers are excellent for window cleaning whatever solution you are using. Having said that, I do put on an old pair of gloves as hands tend to go all black from the newsprint. Hope this helps.

Li-ling’s last blog post..Conversations with Georgia: A Cunning Plan

]]> By: Juliet http://smallnotebook.org/2008/08/07/how-to-make-natural-cleaners-work-better/#comment-1369 Juliet Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:31:13 +0000 http://smallnotebook.wordpress.com/?p=296#comment-1369 Ecover products are excellent both for hand washing and machine washing dishes as well as laundry and surface cleaning. I hold out for sales and stock up! I also use borax (much cheaper than oxy products) and find that the laundry is much fresher and brighter without being perfumed. I love the hangers vs. drawers idea BTW, genius! Ecover products are excellent both for hand washing and machine washing dishes as well as laundry and surface cleaning. I hold out for sales and stock up! I also use borax (much cheaper than oxy products) and find that the laundry is much fresher and brighter without being perfumed.
I love the hangers vs. drawers idea BTW, genius!

]]> By: Roundup: Cactus flower edition « Funny about Money http://smallnotebook.org/2008/08/07/how-to-make-natural-cleaners-work-better/#comment-715 Roundup: Cactus flower edition « Funny about Money Sun, 10 Aug 2008 19:00:49 +0000 http://smallnotebook.wordpress.com/?p=296#comment-715 [...] has a nice essay on how to zing “natural” housecleaning products to get them to work a little better. At The Simple Dollar, Trent et famille are off to the state fair and planning ways to keep their [...] [...] has a nice essay on how to zing “natural” housecleaning products to get them to work a little better. At The Simple Dollar, Trent et famille are off to the state fair and planning ways to keep their [...]

]]> By: Rachel http://smallnotebook.org/2008/08/07/how-to-make-natural-cleaners-work-better/#comment-714 Rachel Sun, 10 Aug 2008 17:06:25 +0000 http://smallnotebook.wordpress.com/?p=296#comment-714 I definitely recommend 7th generation for dish soap, it's not *too* expensive and it works great. Thanks for the information. I definitely recommend 7th generation for dish soap, it’s not *too* expensive and it works great. Thanks for the information.

]]> By: Katie http://smallnotebook.org/2008/08/07/how-to-make-natural-cleaners-work-better/#comment-713 Katie Sat, 09 Aug 2008 19:21:08 +0000 http://smallnotebook.wordpress.com/?p=296#comment-713 Thanks for the great advice! I also add a bit of borax to my "hand made" household cleaner. Similar to baking soda (i try to avoid arm & hammer as they are owned by non-earth friendly company), it is a good alternative for a non abrasive scrubber. I also add borax to my laundry as a booster in place of oxiclean or baking soda. Anyway, I adore my seventh generation dish soap AND dish washing powder. I've tried so many "alternative" dish soaps. I also like Target's Method, but the Seventh Generation usually runs cheaper. The dish soap last forever, as it is concentrated, and the powder leaves my dishes clean without residue or spots. The powder runs a little more expensive, but for me, it's worth the sulfate free product. Happy cleaning! Thanks for the great advice! I also add a bit of borax to my “hand made” household cleaner. Similar to baking soda (i try to avoid arm & hammer as they are owned by non-earth friendly company), it is a good alternative for a non abrasive scrubber. I also add borax to my laundry as a booster in place of oxiclean or baking soda.

Anyway, I adore my seventh generation dish soap AND dish washing powder. I’ve tried so many “alternative” dish soaps. I also like Target’s Method, but the Seventh Generation usually runs cheaper. The dish soap last forever, as it is concentrated, and the powder leaves my dishes clean without residue or spots. The powder runs a little more expensive, but for me, it’s worth the sulfate free product.

Happy cleaning!

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