Cleaning Supplies!

I found that a great way to clean things is to buy a large, bulk gallon of dish soap, then put a solution of the soap and water into a small spray bottle (like an eyeglass solution squirter). It makes the dish soap dispense the perfect amount for washing hands, going directly onto a sponge or dish, and it makes the soap last forever!
 

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I see a lot of money here being spent on the many different household cleaning products. You don't need to buy so many different products. Mr. Clean or Spic N Span type cleaners will work on most house cleaning chores and the cost is drastically less than all the "Specialty" cleaners. I buy some spray bottles and fill them with typically one tablespoon of the cleaners to a quart of water and it lasts forever. For grease type cleaning there are those cleaners like Greased Lightning or 409, Fantastik, etc. The same holds true with laundry detergents. Unless the items are heavily scooted or greased you don't need to add the amount of detergent recommended and you don't need all the BS cleaning additives and you don't need to wash in anything other than cold water.
 

Keesha said:
Does anyone know how to get oil stains out of t shirts, I assume are cotton. Also, can i get these stains out if the clothes have already been washed meaning old stains. It’s seems I’m forever ruining nice t shirts and I want to learn how to clean them better.

Do you spray them before washing them?
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Most important is to get at it ASAP. Use a spot cleaner on it before you wash. If (or when) I drip on a shirt I stop right then and apply the spot cleaner or soap on the stain then apply water and scrub. If you wait then eventually wash it will not come out in most cases.
 
I make my own cleaning products and try to use them as much as I can. Some of my solutions are:
1. vinegar and water. (yes everyone uses this). Really it's one of the cheapest and best working solutions out there. I use nothing else for windows.

2. borax, water and some type of essential oil - lemon, orange, tea tree, etc. Good for the counters and sinks in my bathroom, top and outside of my toilets. If you use tea tree it is an antiseptic. Put it in a spray bottle and shake it up.

3. I sprinkle borax in my toilet bowl, let it sit a while and scrub. Works just as well as the toilet cleaners.

4. jojoba oil to polish wooden furniture. I use Murphy's oil soap to clean and jojoba to polish up. I can't use the spray furniture polish as it get into my lungs and I just keep coughing.

5. This isn't a cleaning product, but I love the way it works. It's a deodorant. Mix cornstarch, baking soda and a drop or 3 of essential oil, mix it up and put it in a spice jar with a shaker top. Pat it on underarms. One of the best I've ever used.
 
I use Bar Keepers Friend instead of Comet, not as harsh
I make my own window cleaning with water and white vinegar (equal water, equal vinegar, 1 tsp Dawn dishwash)
Dawn dishwash
I never clean my shower, right after shower I dry myself and then use the towel to wipe the walls and floor of my shower, done that for 14 years
I use Canada Dry club soda for any pet accidents
Liquid Tide for laundry
 
Dawn
Cascade
Cheap laundry detergent. I'm not outside in the garden anymore; clothes aren't that dirty.
Store brand window cleaner works for me.
Liquid kitchen and bath cleaners only, no Comet or any abrasives.

Resolve for occasional bad stains.

Edit to add, altho'- mildly abrasive, Cameo polishing cleanser is the best for stainless steel sinks.
 
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fmdog44 said:
Most important is to get at it ASAP. Use a spot cleaner on it before you wash. If (or when) I drip on a shirt I stop right then and apply the spot cleaner or soap on the stain then apply water and scrub. If you wait then eventually wash it will not come out in most cases.
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Thanks fmdog. I think my main problem is that I’m too lazy when it comes to laundry and need to step it up some.

I’ve watched talk shows that showed how to get out old stains and I took notes but lost them but the smartest thing to do is not to let them get that dirty to begin with.
 
I use Resolve Max for oil stains on clothes. Spray and leave a few minutes and wash in cold water with ECO washing soap. Most of the time it comes out and do asap. I will try a second time and if spot not out then I chuck the clothes.

I have used Method dish soap (clementine) and it is great by my hubby does the dishes sometimes and he hates the bottle type.

Keesha: Tub: Pour two cups of vinegar or lemon juice into the tub, and run the washing machine through a complete cycle on the longest, hottest setting to remove odors, stains, and detergent build-up. If you have hard water, the acid in the vinegar or lemon juice will also help to remove mineral deposits.

Good luck
 
Thanks Iris. I will try both of your suggestions.
I do use vinegar in the machine as well as special packages made to clean washing machines but I’ve never added lemon juice. I’m up for trying anything though.
 
We have solid wood floors and I use one of those cleaners where I can add my own cleaner and wash the pads in the machine. I really like this method since it doesn’t use to much liquid on the wood yet cleans it.
 
Looking into Jubilee, it’s discontinued and they won’t share the ingredients but the reviews sound good.

Thanks. It’s not something I’m familiar with.
 
For floors, I use some ammonia in a bucket of water. The ammonia evaporates and leaves no residue. For sinks, I use CLR in a spray bottle. It dissolves hard water deposits and rinses away easily. For the shower I spray a 50/50 mix of dawn and vinegar, let it sit about 30 minutes and go over it with a 3M abrasive pad. For grease on the stove, nothing beats 409. We use All or Tide for the wash.

Don
 
Aunt Bea said:
Hard to believe that people actually used it to wax the appliances.

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My mother in law had what they call a "Youngstown Kitchen", which was painted stainless steel, I think. It was really popular in the Ohio area in the 50's. I use Jubilee on my appliances, and Corian countertop -it works great and doesn't leave a waxy buildup but sure gets rid of the pesky hard to remove greases.
 
Aunt Bea said:
My grandmother had just the sink unit in her kitchen and I remember that we had to leave the cabinet doors open to keep the pipes from freezing on bitterly cold nights.
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Wow, that's wild. Guess they were a very popular kitchen design style. Bet a lot of them were in the old Mid century homes.

We had installed a gigantic center island long before they became popular on HGTV. Its a very good design concept. Seems like something that could have been incorporated with those flashy old white kitchen designs.
 
Green Works all purpose cleaner. Ants hate it if that's a problem.
Isopropyl alcohol for glass. Our Dollar General has 50% spray bottles.
Warm water, vinegar and essential oils for mopping
Dawn dish detergent (can mix with water, vinegar and baking soda for a pretty powerful cleaner)
Walmart equivalent scrubbing bubbles spray for toilet
Swiffer duster
Generic brand beach after handling raw chicken etc
ECOS lavender laundry soap
 

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