Spring cleaning is in full effect around here and we have to keep up on it while the house is on the market. I figured I'd do a little round up of the (green) cleaning products we use to keep the house looking good.
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When cleaning the wood laminate floors, traditional cleaners can break down the finish on the wood. So an easy cheap alternative is using vinegar. Vinegar is naturally antibacterial and just a half cup in a bucket of water does the trick. The vinegar smell might be off putting, but it dissipates quickly, leaving no odor behind.
For washing the floors with vinegar we use a spin mop with bucket (above). Although a bit bulky, the dual bucket allows for dipping the mop on one side and spinning it dry on the other. Making mopping the floor faster and less messy.
All surface cleaning, including glass, is done using a microfiber or cotton rag. It saves money on paper towels and swiffer dusters and just need to be thrown in the wash.
For dusting, I like Method's Wood for Good. I hated the greasy aerosol dusting spray and was stoked to find this in the store. It polishes wood really well, doesn't leave an oily film, smells like almonds and is nontoxic.
The entire kitchen is cleaned with Method's Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner. It works just as well on counters as it does on the stove, sink and small appliances. We keep the bottle under the sink with a cotton towel and spray down the counters and stove after cooking.
In the bathroom we use Method's Lil Bowl Blu and Antibac bathroom cleaner. The toilet cleaner smells good and really sticks to the toilet bowl for a better clean. The antibac spray, although it smells strongly of mouthwash, works well on the counters. I haven't really figured out what works well on the shower yet. We squeegee the walls after showering which maximizes time between deep cleanings. A baking soda water paste works well on the floor, but I have a difficult time keeping the shower doors streak free.
Lastly, we use Fresh Wave's odor neutralizing spray in place of Febreze. It's nontoxic and safe for pets and people. It does smell a bit earthy though, so it might not be for everyone.
P.S. No I'm not a paid spokesperson for method, I just like their environmental philosophy and prices. However, I'm not opposed to becoming a paid spokesperson (wink, wink).
