| Author | |
ALmom
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 18 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3299
|
| Posted: Aug 04 2006 at 8:34pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
I have a bathroom cleaning kit from the Don Aslett Cleaning Center - it comes with instructions, spray bottles, and everything you need to clean bathrooms. I have one for each bathroom. I store the toilet mop in the caddy. One thing I never knew was that you had to plunge the toilet to get rid of the water before you could effectively clean the bowl (I"m a bit dense), but that piece of information was a life saver. Showers-n-stuff does a great job on the baths and showers.
We use vinegar and water for everything else. I give boys a bottle and a rag. I even use it to clean walls of all those 3' and below muddy handprint marks around the light sockets, up the stairs, etc. or dishwashing liquid works too. I know the real solution is to make sure hands stay at the side, are thouroughly cleaned, etc. but that never happens in our house. There is always one child that gets in a hurry and does a half job or slips by - and with enough dc it means there is always something on the walls. Vinegar and baking soda is great for hard baked oven stains.
We always use vinegar on toilet training accidents on the carpet and bed - and also all pet accidents. If you have a pet - don't use ammonia as that is an ingredient in urine and they'll be more inclined to mark the spot.
Hydrogen peroxide gets out blood stains.
For really ingrained stains on counter tops, I use a baking soda and water paste.
My favorite cleaning tool (besides the bathroom caddy) is the professional dustpan with a long handle. It saves on the back and means sweeping and gathering up are easily done by one person - even the smaller dc.
I store all my cleaning supplies in the laundry room as it is near the biggest messes (kitchen and family room and stairs)except for the bathrooms where I have supplies under the sink in each cabinet.
I have not had any dc attempt to use these supplies - I just let everyone help me when I work - giving vinegar water spray bottles to the youngest. For some reason the boys love doing the toilet plunging - there must be some sort of science in there, right? The littles love cleaning mirrors and windows and as long as there is a spray bottle for all, we are in good shape. I guess because they are everyday objects involved in cleaning, dc have shown no interest in misusing them or eating, etc. I suppose I should have used child proof latches on these - but then I couldn't get in. When dc were younger, we simply kept bathroom doors closed at all time - saved on having toilet paper drug from room to room and playing in the toilet.  . It helps that we are on the short size and somehow they may have gotten into everything else - but not this. I never store any cleaning fluids in the pantry as my dc associate that with food and climb shelves to get at the sugar and raisens.
Now, finally, I know I am not the only one with the what to do about boys and the bathroom question. I've often wondered how stuff can get everywhere - we've even had it on the ceiling!. Make sure you keep the bottom of the toilets well caulked so the smell doesn't seep under the floor (then the only solution is to rip out the whole floor). I hate wall paper in the bathroom for the same reason. It never occured to me to take care of the problem with a simple order that everyone sit! How absolutely brilliant - I'm talking to dh first thing. One mom did teach me how to use old diaper wipe containers, a roll of paper towels and the solution to make home-made wipes for the bathroom (vinegar and water). I've been trying to teach everyone to do a quick wipe down with these after every bathroom trip. It does help keep the toothpaste spills wiped up. Still bathrooms are the death of me!!!
What do you do about wood floors. We have one in the foyer and that isn't too hard as it is rarely used and only needs sweeping. But what about the wood floor in the bathroom. How would you clean up those little potty training puddles. I don't think I could use vinegar here. (I never would have put wood in a bathroom, especially not the powder room on the main floor that everyone uses when they are running in from outside at the last possible second but its here so we are stuck for a while.)
Janet
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Katie
Forum Pro
Joined: March 11 2005
Location: Suriname
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 271
|
| Posted: Aug 04 2006 at 10:41pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Sarah wrote:
How do you clean a toilet bowl? I have Russian cleaning ladies who come once a week and do not speak English. Anyway, one of them does the toilets and she insisted (in her Russian way) on toilet bowl cleaner, which I never buy. I gave in and bought it, but I think she's using it on more than the toilets, plus the "harmful or fatal if swallowed" thing has me a little freaked out, although the lid is supposedly childproof. (This is the downfall of hired help, but I love them anyway).
What could I give her as a toilet bowl cleaner instead? She is used to the "cling gel" which is thick and you squirt it around in inside of the bowl, scrub and let it sit.
|
|
|
Sarah,
I was laughing at this, as I live in the former Soviet Union, and it's true that people here like to do things a certain way and it can be a bit of an uphill battle instilling change. 
I have a lovely lady who helps me around the house, and by some wonderful luck she is horribly allergic to all those awful heavy duty cleaners, and came armed with masks and heavy duty rubber gloves and things. She was so relieved when I told her NO bleach, NO caustic scrub cleaners etc. It can be done without.
A nice substitute for those clinging gel like cleaners, is to mix baking soda with Dr. Bronners peppermint soap (smells so good!), and some water. I think a tsp of vinegar goes in there, too. Anyway, it is the nice squirting, clinging consistency of Jif (do you have that in the States?) and works great for toilet bowls, stove tops, sinks etc. You might want to spray with a vinegar/tea tree oil solution for bacteria afterwards.
For those red iron stains (man, did we have awful rusty water in Alaska), the only thing I found that worked that wasn't some horrible carcinogenic industrial cleaner was... a pumice stone! It took a bit of elbow grease the first time but after that the upkeep was fine, and the pumice is so soft it doesn't damamge the enamel. You can buy special cleaning ones in the cleaning section of the supermarket, I think.
__________________
Mother of 5 in South America. No 6 due in April.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Sarah
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1624
|
| Posted: Aug 05 2006 at 7:23am | IP Logged
|
|
|
hylabrook1 wrote:
Since we moved to a house on well and septic, I've noticed that the toilet bowl gets really yucky much faster than when we were on city water. |
|
|
We just moved off city water and have a septic, too. Sometimes our water is an amber color. All our light and white clothes are turning amber  .
Anyway, I hope I can figure out this toilet thing. Katie, thanks for your input. It is so true about her assertive Russian way! I love her though, and she adores my kids. . .something I never got from American cleaning help! But she loves and insists on her BOWL CLEANER!
The toilet bowl cleaner says it won't harm septics. I wonder if they're right.
__________________
Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
KellyJ
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 29 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 598
|
| Posted: Aug 05 2006 at 10:35am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Sarah wrote:
| We have water with dark red iron stains. What do you all use? |
|
|
We have used a pumice stone (takes a lot of work though) and Zud. We've also used Bon Ami, but it doesn't work as well on the rust as Zud. We have also, at times, been able to keep the rust stains at bay with a toilet tab drop-in (goes in the tank).
Another "alternative" (if you will) is to install a new toilet or replace the parts inside the tank. It is those rusting metal parts that are leaving the stains.
__________________
KellyJ
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Kim F
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 03 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 326
|
| Posted: Aug 05 2006 at 10:51pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Dawn I tried to pm you but your box is full looks like. Short on time on my end which is why it took me so long to respond. Just wanted to quick say yes, I am working on a hefty binder project for myself and a few gift binders. I hope to finish soon and upload the whole shootin' match. It will be easier to explain with pictures. Everything is for me! : )
Kim
__________________
Starry sky ranch
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Donna Marie
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2530
|
| Posted: Aug 05 2006 at 11:12pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Kim F wrote:
Dawn I tried to pm you but your box is full looks like. Short on time on my end which is why it took me so long to respond. Just wanted to quick say yes, I am working on a hefty binder project for myself and a few gift binders. I hope to finish soon and upload the whole shootin' match. It will be easier to explain with pictures. Everything is for me! : )
Kim |
|
|
Kim,
I would looove to see this too! I am born un-organized and it has been such an uphill struggle. I am very visual and I sure wish I had someone to mentor me!! Have you ever felt like this? I do know that struggling to do this kind of thing has taught me so very much...but that is the SLOW way  I am trying to put together my own binder too, complete with what I need for the kids to work better. Wish me luck!
God Bless!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 7dc 
__________________
God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 9dc!!
Finding Elegant Simplicity
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
BrendaPeter
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 28 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 981
|
| Posted: Aug 06 2006 at 7:25am | IP Logged
|
|
|
My favorite cleaning supply is the Miracle Cloth. I use them for everything! I clean windows/mirrors with a wet (yes, just water) cloth & then wipe it with a dry one. No streaking! I started using these when we got a gas/glass cooktop. Nothing else cleaned it without streaking. You would not believe what the miracle cloth cleans - even stains on clothes & carpets. Plus, they're super absorbent. When someone spills a cup of milk or whatever, all of use go running for a miracle cloth.
Now that I use the Miracle cloth, I'm down to 2 cleaning products - toilet cleaner (yes, with the nasty brush) & Simple Green.
I also love the Microfiber mop from the same company. We have a pad to use for dry floors - picking up hair, crumbs, etc. and one for wet cleaning. They velcro onto the pad so it's easy to remove them & throw them into the washing machine when they're dirty. I use the wet one with just water, no cleaner.
__________________
Blessings,
Brenda (mom to 6)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Dawn
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 12 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3191
|
| Posted: Aug 06 2006 at 11:27am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Kim F wrote:
Dawn I tried to pm you but your box is full looks like. Short on time on my end which is why it took me so long to respond. Just wanted to quick say yes, I am working on a hefty binder project for myself and a few gift binders. I hope to finish soon and upload the whole shootin' match. It will be easier to explain with pictures. Everything is for me! : )
Kim |
|
|
Ack, Kim I'm so sorry! I'll be looking forward to seeing your binders! 
__________________
Dawn, mum to 3 boys 
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
momtomany
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 17 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 505
|
| Posted: Aug 07 2006 at 7:59am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Sarah wrote:
We just moved off city water and have a septic, too. Sometimes our water is an amber color. All our light and white clothes are turning amber .
|
|
|
I had this problem too when we moved here with a well. I now use liquid Calgon water softener in the wash and the whites look fine. I only use it with the whites and lights loads since it's a bit pricey.
__________________
Mary Ann in PA
wife to MIchael, mom to Elizabeth, Becca, Tim, Peter, Andrew, Sarah, Matthew, John, Leah and Joseph
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
BrendaPeter
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 28 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 981
|
| Posted: Aug 07 2006 at 5:47pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Just wanted to let anyone who's interested know that miracle cloths are on sale at Williams Sonoma
__________________
Blessings,
Brenda (mom to 6)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Maddie
Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 27 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1804
|
| Posted: Aug 10 2006 at 5:39pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Magnificat wrote:
I also use Vinegar-I know the smell is...YUK...but I put it in a spray bottle, add about 1/3 of water and a few drops of essential oil. Last month it was Lavender, currently the oil used is eucalyptus. Citrus is also good. I use that on our floors, windows and countertops. I have read that bugs hate the smell and its great for the kids to use too!
|
|
|
Where do you find essential oils? I would love to try this cleaning mixture!
__________________
~Maddie~
Wife to my dh and Momma of 9 dear ones
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
chicken lady
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 27 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2315
|
| Posted: Aug 10 2006 at 8:51pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Dawn I will take the bate about cleaning the toilet brush........although it is not PC! Once a month I go to IKEA and buy a new one for 99cents. Otherwise they just freak me out!!
I do try to use all natural cleaning supplies, I usually buy them from Natural food stores.
Does anyone know of a good recipe for homemade laundry soap?
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Helen
Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 03 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2826
|
| Posted: Aug 10 2006 at 9:10pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Sarah wrote:
hylabrook1 wrote:
Since we moved to a house on well and septic, I've noticed that the toilet bowl gets really yucky much faster than when we were on city water. |
|
|
We just moved off city water and have a septic, too. Sometimes our water is an amber color. All our light and white clothes are turning amber .
|
|
|
We used to have a well..Tang (Yes, the orange breakfast drink) was great in the dishwasher to get rid of the brown stains. (My kids hated it when I mixed tang and vinegar to clean the dishwasher. What's that horrible smell? ) I don't think it worked in the toilet. I don't remember now. I think I would have remembered if it worked.
__________________
Ave Maria!
Mom to 5 girls and 3 boys
Mary Vitamin & Castle of the Immaculate
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Dawn
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 12 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3191
|
| Posted: Aug 11 2006 at 4:58am | IP Logged
|
|
|
molly wrote:
| Dawn I will take the bate about cleaning the toilet brush........although it is not PC! Once a month I go to IKEA and buy a new one for 99cents. Otherwise they just freak me out!! |
|
|
Molly, mine freaks me out too! Actually my toilet does too. It's the only place I use a conventional cleaner (Lysol Cling stuff, with bleach and scent and all).
I have a kind of fear of toilets.  When I'm really stressed I dream about having to use a dirty public restroom - I guess as nightmares go, that's not so bad, but it just illustrates my true fear of dirty bathrooms! (And here I am blessed with 3 BOYS! )
__________________
Dawn, mum to 3 boys
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
hylabrook1
Forum Moderator
Joined: July 09 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5980
|
| Posted: Aug 11 2006 at 6:16am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hi Maddie -
Essential oils are sold at health food stores, natural food stores, etc. They are ususally with "medicinals", shampoo, lotion, etc., since they are largely used for aromatherapy.
HTH.
Nancy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Wendi DeGrandpr
Forum Pro
Joined: March 02 2005
Location: New Hampshire
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 246
|
| Posted: Aug 11 2006 at 6:42am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I found a recipe for laundry soap at www.thefamilyhomestead.com (sorry I don't know how to make that a link).
I haven't made it yet as I am using up my purchased detergent but I have everything ready to go. I am excited to try it. It seems pretty easy to make, not too time consuming, and VERY cost effective.
__________________
God Bless,
Wendi
Mom to four blessings
"We can do no great things - only small things with great love." Blessed Mother Teresa
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Louise
Forum Pro
Joined: March 29 2005
Location: North Carolina
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 326
|
| Posted: Aug 14 2006 at 4:17pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Kim F wrote:
| Just wanted to quick say yes, I am working on a hefty binder project for myself and a few gift binders. I hope to finish soon and upload the whole shootin' match. It will be easier to explain with pictures. Kim |
|
|
I can't wait to see it! In the meantime I have made a delightful discovery today. Isn't this perfect for those binder projects?
__________________
Louise, mom of 11
http://timetokeep.blogspot.com/
http://ecolebuissonniere.blogspirit.com/
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
hylabrook1
Forum Moderator
Joined: July 09 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5980
|
| Posted: Aug 14 2006 at 6:56pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I just wanted to make another comment about laundry. I mentioned in an earlier post that my towels were smelling funky/sour not very long after being laundered. My latest experiment in dealing with this has been to add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the bleach dispenser when running the wash. The towels have never smelled sweeter! Maybe it has something to do with changing the pH (the vinegar being acidic). I don't really know, but I am very happy to have more pleasant towels!
Nancy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Dawn
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 12 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3191
|
| Posted: Aug 15 2006 at 9:13am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Dawn wrote:
Thanks, Elizabeth (and Kim )! What a great site! I *love* her Home Management Binder. I have one just like that only not *nearly* as complete or nice-looking! 
|
|
|
I don't mean to be inflammatory, but I wanted to amend my post. I was offended by this person's post today and do not plan to continue to read or refer to her blog. Just FYI.
__________________
Dawn, mum to 3 boys
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
deleted user
Forum Newbie
Joined: Aug 01 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: -5
|
| Posted: Aug 15 2006 at 9:20am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Don't apologize Dawn! Of course, this type of thing was a huge impetus for starting the Lives of Loveliness fairs. I, for one, enjoy many of the Christian homemaking blogs but truth is, Catholics are not welcome to participate or are openly offended in some of their other posts. That is why I hope to have the binder pages uploaded shortly for women to use.
We have enough talent and vision between us all that we can meet the needs of our community. Of that I am certain! We just need to put our heads together. By next year this time I suspect our blog network will rival theirs!
Kim
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Cleaning 101
