Cleaning Products

Can anybody suggest a good house cleaning product I can use that doesn't have horrible toxic fumes? I always clean with Bleach, 409, windex multi purpose. I get so sick afterwards I'm not sure what to do? I like my bathrooms to sparkle and I'm afraid most enviromentally friendly stuff will not do that.

Hi Lymerunner!

I can't use bleach either, my throat swells up for 2 days, my eyes turn red, and I get a splitting headache. I understand you

Vinegar has many many applications, like Traveler said.
I also use soda cristals in very hot water (but wear gloves to protect your hands) with some ecological dish washing detergent. It is the best degreaser, it does what all other products make you believe they do.
And for general cleaning I use natural soap with linseed oil or black soap. Marseille soap is also very good, and it smells great.

For doing the dishes, I use ecological detergent, it is really gentle on the skin, I do the dishes without gloves, so that's a good sign.

I was always sensitive to chemicals, but since starting treatment, it has become much worse.

MarieLS

Steam cleaners are another option. If you get a good one, it can eliminate the need for several products.

I use biokleen products for dish washing and a few other things. There are several brands of cleaners that don't use the toxic chemicals. If you have a natural foods store, that would be the place to look. I also get most things unscented since my daughter can get instant headaches from some scents.

Like others said, vinegar is a good, inexpensive cleaner.

Thanks everyone! I will research these products! I also have plenty of vinegar and a couple of spray bottles!

You can make basically all housecleaners yourself, except for soap. My all-purpose kitchen, bath, and window cleaner is vinegar and alcohol. For awhile I used cheap Vodka! For dusting, I use olive oil spray (just a tiny bit). If you need a very strong disinfectant, you can use Betadine.

I even make my own laundry detergent: Borax, Baking Soda, Oxygen Bleach, and 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. of Charlie's Soap per load. I made a bucketful, and it lasted me a year.

Ok, I do use Bona to clean my hardwood floors.

To clean the toilet, I use a Dr. Bronner's substitute (just liquid castile soap, but less excpensive), and to clean the bathtub, I dump a little old shampoo into it right after the tub, get in, and scrub.

Margaret

Opugirl - I also LOVE Meyer's Lemon Verberna. Im staring at a big bottle of it right now as I do my Sunday house cleaning! You are right though, its somewhat expensive, but it dilutes well.

Ill try Mumma's Vinegar + oregano oil trick next though. I use essential oils (like pine, lavender and mint for my cologne already) and could easily add them to my vinegar cleaning concoctions as well.

And the homemade cleaners make good Christmas presents too. Check out the website Wellness Mama; she features some recipes as well, though they might be more for personal products.

Margaret