The Household Care Thread

[Bowwowmeow]

Here is a good line of laundry and household cleaners to try. Seventh Generation (http://www.seventhgeneration.com) is the nation's leading brand of non-toxic and environmentally safe household products. With distribution in thousands of natural product and grocery stores nationwide, we've become the authority when it comes to products that protect your health and the planet. We've also won over 15 major awards that recognize our efforts to preserve the environment.

We derive our name from the Iroquois belief that "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." Every time you use a Seventh Generation product you are making a difference by saving natural resources, reducing pollution, keeping toxic chemicals out of the environment and making the world a safer place for this and the next seven generations.

Educating This and Future Generations
Seventh Generation is committed to helping consumers make informed choices.

We provide information in several formats: on our packaging, and web site, in our e-newsletter, and in booklets and presentations by Jeffrey Hollender, our founder and CEO, as well as other members of our community. Our web site in particular focuses on answering the questions that consumers most frequently ask about household products and their impact on our health and the health of the environment. Topics include: the effects of chlorine (http://www.seventhgeneration.com/site/lookup.asp?c=coIHKTMHF&b=84419), petroleum (http://www.seventhgeneration.com/site/lookup.asp?c=coIHKTMHF&b=84420), traditional household cleaner (http://www.seventhgeneration.com/site/lookup.asp?c=coIHKTMHF&b=83942), and non-toxic cleaning (http://www.seventhgeneration.com/site/lookup.asp?c=coIHKTMHF&b=83251).

Check out our complete line of non-toxic household products
Seventh Generation brand-name products include: non-chlorine bleached, 100% recycled paper towels, bathroom and facial tissues, napkins and paper plates; non-toxic, phosphate free, biodegradable cleaning, dish and laundry products; plastic trash bags made from 65-100% recycled plastic; natural spectrum light bulbs; and baby wipes.

[Tigerlily]

When I get my own place, I'm going to get this stuff. I'm also going to use vinegar too.

Currently my mom does the cleaning (she uses chemical crap) but I'm in no hurry to offer to do them myself. :D

[Fauxmage]

Somewhere I've got a little book full of recipes for homemade cleaning stuff. I'll have to find it and post them.

[Rainbow]

For UK readers Naturewatch's Compassionate Shopping Guide gives a good insight into what's a definate no-no. It lists companies, products and charities which do and don't fund/test on animals. Here's a link to Naturewatch (http://www.naturewatch.org/shoppingguide/index.asp) :cats: :bunny2: :doggy:

[thevegantwins]

I'm a big believer in baking soda and vinegar for lots of cleaning. Baking soda is great for scrubbing tubs, sinks, pots, pans, stove tops etc. Vinegar is great on windows and glass. I also use Dr. Bronner's liquid soap for mopping floors and other cleaning. I use Trader Joe's laundry detergent for my husband and I and Seventh Generation baby laundry detergent for the kids. I hate chemicals, hate the smells and how icky the ingredients are.

[terra]

I use vinegar for my cleaning too!

For washing the floors, I use

1 bucket of warm water
a few tablespoons of vinegar
a couple drops of essential oil such as grapefruit

I wouldn't consider using anything harsh, due to my precious little girl walking on the floors with her bare pads all day and then licking herself clean...

I often just use plain ol' water to do most cleaning :)

[thevegantwins]

I wouldn't consider using anything harsh, due to my precious little girl walking on the floors with her bare pads all day and then licking herself clean...

That's exactly the reason why I started using non-toxic cleaners years ago (before I went vegan), I saw Felíne licking her paws and realized she was licking whatever I cleaned with (no duh!). That's when I immediately stopped using bleach and other nasties and started going more natural. An added bonus was that my husband's asthma got better (and disappeared completely once he went vegan) and less shopping needed as non-toxic cleaners last much, much longer than the toxic crap.

[Rainbow]

If you are concerned about were you shop and what impact your purchase might have check out GOOSHING (http://www.gooshing.co.uk/brands/) :friends:

[Gliondrach]

Not all of the following are suitable for vegans, but many are:

http://www.essortment.com/in/home.cleaning/index.htm

http://eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm

http://earthnotes.tripod.com/clnrecipes.htm#basics

[mothwing]

I'm a big believer in baking soda

Do you mean baking powder or bicarbonate of soda?

[thevegantwins]

Do you mean baking powder or bicarbonate of soda?
Sorry, I was speaking American. I mean bicarbonate of soda, made into a paste with a bit of water, it cleans anything. Just leaves a residue unless you rinse the area really well.

[Oracl]

I mean bicarbonate of soda, made into a paste with a bit of water, it cleans anything.
It sure does! :agree:

[Gliondrach]

My vacuum cleaner started giving off black smoke a few moths ago. I haven't used it since. I use a carpet sweeper. You push and pull it and the rotating rollers pick up dust. I had to empty it twice yesterday when I cleaned the carpet. It really does pick up the dust and small objects from carpets. It can be set for use on smooth floors, too. No electricity use or costs. A bit of healthy exercise. No noise to annoy the neighbours. It does kick up a bit of dust but so do vacuum cleaners.

Martin is becoming greener every day.

[veggiesosage]

Not quite household care but Leicester City Council in the UK has banned the puchase of animal tested cleaning and office products. I used to work there.

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=132943&command=displayContent&sourceNode=132546&contentPK=14490670&folderPk=77456

[thevegantwins]

That's very progressive, wish more towns and cities were willing to be that way.

[Tigerlily]

Lemon juice works just as good as vinegar it seems and smells better. :) I use lemon juice when my lemons start getting old and mushy.

[Gliondrach]

Lemon juice works just as good as vinegar it seems and smells better. :) I use lemon juice when my lemons start getting old and mushy.


But it's not as nice on chips.

[Tiggerwoos]

Any alternatives to Ecover that anyone has found in the UK, as my bf seems to have strangely developed an allergy to it which has got worse and worse and as his diet hasn't changed, think it could well be that?

[veggiesosage]

He's become allergic to the entire range? Thats odd.

Bio D is actually much better from an ethical point of view, all vegan and not owned by the bloke who owns Group 4 security. I've never seen it stocked in supermarkets but it tends to be stocked in 'health'/veggie shops.

[Tiggerwoos]

Thanks Veggie...... Used their toilet cleaner once, as they had it in Fresh and Wild, and that was brilliant.

Haven't seen the washing liquid anywhere but will order some from their site.

Found the link if anyone is interested:

http://www.spiritofnature.co.uk/acatalog/sect2110.html

[Soynut]

Lemon juice works just as good as vinegar it seems and smells better. :) I use lemon juice when my lemons start getting old and mushy.

If you don't like the vinegar smell, you can add a few drops of peppermint essential oil. I promise, it'll smell so nice and fresh!:) Lemon juice is great too.

[Soynut]

Anyone knows if Bon-Ami (scouring powder) is tested on animals. It's as powerful as Ajax and Comet, but it doesn't stink and it's biodegradable.

[Bowwowmeow]

Bon Ami has been around for a long time, and it is a very simple mineral formula which certainly does not need animal testing, so I hope they don't, but you never know. I have used it for years and never thought about it before. Though now I am using Mrs Meyers scouring powder, which isn't tested and has no animal ingredients.

[Soynut]

Yeah, Bon-Ami is so cheap and accessible (found in many supermarkets in U.S). It doesn't say anywhere on the package that is not tested on animals, so until I know for certain I guess I just have to assume that it is.:crossfingers:

[Bowwowmeow]

According to the PDF file I downloaded from this site (http://www.caringconsumer.com/resources_companies.asp), Bon Ami does not do animal testing. :yea:

[Soynut]

Yay, Bon-Ami rocks!

[Gliondrach]

The Co-op sells Soleil soya milk. At least three types of vegan tinned soup - the leek and potato one is the nicest. Pure margarine.

[thevegantwins]

We're pretty simple with our cleaning. We use Dr Bronner's liquid castille soap for floors, tubs, toilet, sinks-diluted with water. I use straight baking soda with a touch of natural dishwashing detergent for stained dishes and pots. I use a natural orange spray cleaner for surfaces and mirrors. That's about it.

[Gliondrach]

Good ideas.

[Fauxmage]

We also picked up a little portable steam-cleaner not too long ago; you carry it around by a shoulder strap and it has a long hose and attachments...it's meant for cleaning any hard surface, even with an attachment for floors. Nothing lifts grime like steam and it disinfects without any chemicals!:thumbsup:

I've got one of these!

I also am not supposed to use anything but vinegar in the toilet, on account of the pump and gaskets and things.

[Gliondrach]

Thank you, Martin; aren't you glad to know you won't have to use harsh, toxic chemical solutions, when you come to mop our floors?;) And just think; it will still only cost you the low fee of £4.99 for the privilege!:whistle:



You'll be able to get some ex-city bankers who'll be glad to do the work for the extra money.

[Gliondrach]

Damn and blast!

I have a few towels that need washing. But, when I wash them by hand, they have a strange, musty, smell when they eventually dry. I couldn't be bothered to go to the laundrette so I bought a couple of new towels.

I washed one towel yesterday. I hadn't used it, I just wanted to get rid of that 'new' feeling they have. It is still not dry - hanging on the line in my bathroom. It has now developed that sickly-sweet musty smell.

I used to hang clothes out to dry on the fire escape but haven't been able to do so since a certain pigeon took up residence there. I will rig up a line on the front balcony but will have to hang it as close as I can to the underside of the balcony canopy to prevent pigeons sitting on it.

I wonder if adding vinegar to the final rinse will get rid of the smell? Or a bicarbonate of soda mixture?

[nagev]

I use vinegar in the wash and I hang dry. Sometimes some towels get an off smell, so I boil them in a pot on the stove with added vinegar. I bring the pot to boil, then I turn it off and let it cool down. Then I add it to the wash like I normally would wash it.

It seems to help me, the boiling that is, if the vinegar in the rinse water doesn't.

[Gliondrach]

Good. I'll give vinegar a try.

[Gliondrach]

All Purpose Surface Cleaner

Utensils:
1 x large saucepan
1 x fine mesh sieve
1 x bottle with a lid or stopper

Ingredients:
Either
1 x handful of fresh sage OR
2 x handfuls of fresh thyme OR
1 x handful of fresh rosemary

1/2 pint water
2 tblspns baking soda
1 tspn lemon juice

Method:
Put the herb into the pan with the water
Bring to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes
Remove from the heat and leave to cool
When cool, strain the liquid through the mesh
Pour into the bottle and add the baking soda and lemon juice
Put the top on the bottle and shake well
Label the bottle and store in the fridge for up to a week

h--ttp://wartimehousewife.wordpress.com/2010/06/01/as-clean-as-nature-intended/

[mole]

^^^^ cool G, that looks like a nice spin on what I've been doing. I didn't think to use herbs. I know some essential oils can be toxic to animals so I tend to not use them for cleaning.

My solution so far has been rubbing alcohol, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. I have added food extracts for the scent which works good, vanilla, pumpkin, whatever. I tried lemon juice but the alcohol and the juice together get to be too much sometimes.

If I am cleaning something that needs a little abrasion, I'll add baking soda and then spray some of my solution on it from the spray bottle, let it reacts and wipe and rinse. Seems to work good.

I'm going to try rosemary, I used to grow that in the garden so I have a ton of it dried.

[Gliondrach]

Pumpkin!? I can't imagine how that smells. Is it sweet or spicy?

[Gliondrach]

This is from the same site as the above recipe:

A luxurious home-made hand scrub

This hand scrub is so easy to make, very cheap and makes your hands feel like silk. You will also be startled by how much dirt comes off your hands. I used lavender oil to make it smell lovely, but you could use whatever you like: rose, bergamot, peppermint, ginger etc., and blended it with sea salt and olive oil.

Of course you could also use it on your feet, and peppermint oil is wonderfully cooling and refreshing for tired feets.

SEA SALT HAND SCRUB

Utensils:
1 small bowl
1 x sealable jar to keep the remainder in

Ingredients:
2 heaped tablespoons of coarse sea salt
2-3 tablespoons of olive oil (wheatgerm or sweet almond oil could also be used)
1-2 drops essential oil of your choice

Method:
Put the ingredients into a bowl and stir well
Scoop some onto your hands – a few teaspoonfuls should do it
Rub it all over your hands, in between the fingers, rub it into your cuticles etc
Keep going until the salt has all but dissolved
Wash the excess oil off with a little gentle soap
Dry your hands – they will feel like silk
Apply your favourite hand cream

As an extra treat for your hands, buy a pair of cotton gloves from the chemist. Put your hand cream on, a little more thickly than usual, then pop on the gloves and go to bed or put your feet up for an hour. The heat from your hands helps the cream to be deeply absorbed and more effective.

ht--tp://wartimehousewife.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/a-luxurious-home-made-hand-scrub/

[mole]

Pumpkin!? I can't imagine how that smells. Is it sweet or spicy?

it just smells like pumpkin after the alcohol wears off. I use it to clean my floors. I use the swiffer handles, a terry cloth washcloth and this solution out of a spray bottle and in the sink while cleaning my floors. Very effective and the alcohol evaporates and helps manage streaks when cleaning. I use it in the spray bottle for touch ups and just for general cleaning.

I have more people tell me my house smells good right when they walk in. I am typically not all that concerned with my house smelling like pumpkin or vanilla or whatever but I do have 3 cats (currently 4 with a foster) and I want to make sure my house doesn't smell like cats or the litter box.

[Gliondrach]

My house smells of toast.