Time-Saving Cleaning Techniques

[shannyk]

Time and money saving, there are only a few select ingredients I use to clean EVERYTHING in the house including laundry.

Dr. Bronner’s Castille soap liquid
Murphy’s Oil Soap
Baking Soda
Washing Soda (sodium carbonate)
Borax
Vinegar
Tea tree oil (disinfect)
Lavender oil (extra for added fragrance)

There is nothing that this list won’t clean in the right combination.

I’m also one of those people who scrubs the shower whist I’m in it but just with baking soda, then I rinse and spritz with tea tree and water solution.

My number 1 solution for keeping my house clean though is ‘never leave a room empty handed’.

 

[Mommyof02green]

Time and money saving, there are only a few select ingredients I use to clean EVERYTHING in the house including laundry.

Dr. Bronner’s Castille soap liquid
Murphy’s Oil Soap
Baking Soda
Washing Soda (sodium carbonate)
Borax
Vinegar
Tea tree oil (disinfect)
Lavender oil (extra for added fragrance)

There is nothing that this list won’t clean in the right combination.

I’m also one of those people who scrubs the shower whist I’m in it but just with baking soda, then I rinse and spritz with tea tree and water solution.

My number 1 solution for keeping my house clean though is ‘never leave a room empty handed’.

Just one question where do you get the tea tree oil and Lavender oil… I’ve seen them used a lot on cleaning shows such as How clean is your house? but I’m clueless on where I would find that.

One poster asked about black rings or something to that effect in the bathtub and how to remove it?

Well on the show mention above I seen them take a piece of ripe grapefruit cut it in half poor some salt on it and rub it on the area of the bathtub that needs to be clean. After doing that they took a nylon scrubbing pad and scrub the area that they just rubbed with the grapefruit and salt… All the black yucky stuff came up off this tub that had not been clean for like 10 years.

In other words they got 10 years worth of dirt, soap scum and Lord knows what else off the tub with a cut piece of grapefruit, salt and a nylon scrubbing pad. I’m also sure once they got all the grime off they put some kind of disinfectant on it and rinsed the tub good…seeing the juice from the grapefruit would have made the tub sticky if left on…

Thanks!

 

[shannyk]

Just one question where do you get the tea tree oil and Lavender oil… I’ve seen them used a lot on cleaning shows such as How clean is your house? but I’m clueless on where I would find that.

I order both from Amazon.com along with the Dr. Bronner’s soap.

Amazon has a lot of thing that are hard to find at you ‘regular’ grocery/drugstore. Amazon grocery in particular is helpful tome since I have kids with special food/allergy needs.

 

[TridentineFan]

My number 1 solution for keeping my house clean though is ‘never leave a room empty handed’.

I use this rule for going up and down the stairs. There is always something to bring down stairs or something to take up stairs, so never walk up or down without something!

One trick I recently began: My shower is all glass doors and tile walls, so the mineral build-up of the drying water results in spots all over that are very hard to remove. I bought a squeegee and hung it in the shower. The 2-minute chore of wiping down all the glass and tile before stepping out of the shower makes the shower remain looking great and cuts down on my cleaning time, so it’s worth it.

I am trying to switch to all natural, simple ingredients for cleaning, but I did just discover and fall in love with Finazzle. Great in the bathroom.

 

[juno24]

Any tips for cleaning Pyrex? Mine seem to have a perpetual brownish coating but, I figure its surface is clean, I scrubed the best I could, so, I just use it again hoping it will come cleaner next time. But, it never does, it just gets worse.

I use that non-stick spray every time too. Nothing works. Any ideas?

I second the suggestion to use SOS (steel wool and soap) pads on Pyrex. They require so little scrubbing, and get everything so clean! Part of the reason you are getting that brown film is from using the non-stick spray. It keeps food from sticking, but it leaves that ugly brown residue on Pyrex and Corning Ware.

 

[Convert_in_99]

I second the suggestion to use SOS (steel wool and soap) pads on Pyrex. They require so little scrubbing, and get everything so clean! Part of the reason you are getting that brown film is from using the non-stick spray. It keeps food from sticking, but it leaves that ugly brown residue on Pyrex and Corning Ware.

REALLY! I was always taught how much non-stick spray helps. Oh well…

Thanks for the great tips. Thanks everyone who offered tips on Pyrex cleaning.

 

[johannahw]

Hey Everyone, I have a question. The first year after we moved to Reno I developed Stage 4 breast cancer. I underwent 6 months of weekly chemo and 6 weeks of daily radiation treatments. Needless to say not much in the way of housework got done. I was too weak and in a lot of pain much of the time and most of my days were spent lying in bed. As a result my bathroom got pretty bad. It took a good 4 or 5 months after the chemo stopped for me start feeling good again. By the time I got up the courage to clean the bathroom, it took me something like 3 hours to get it done (and it’s a small bathroom). We have one of those plastic tubs (is it call formica?) and I still can’t get it to its original off white color again. There is an underlying shade of grayness I just can’t get rid of no matter what I use or how hard I scrub. There’s some purple stuff on the market called KaBoom and I’ve even tried that to no avail. Anyone got any suggestions on how I can get that gray tinge out of my tub?
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Hey Anyone,
Got any suggestions for my “plastic” tub?

 

[Convert_in_99]

I do the little bit at a time method too. I have asthma so every bit counts, and every step matters.

One of my favorite “tips” is to use a slightly damp used washrag from someone’s shower to wipe off bathroom counter, dust off the mirror, and shine the sink. I also use the used dishrag after dishes (I hand wash them) to wipe down the counters and table, and shine the sink and stove top. I then follow both processes with my handy dandy bleach water bottle. Spray all the wiped down surfaces. Pour a little bleach water in the toilet. Carefully close the shower curtain (cause we wouldn’t want that mess to ruin the new clean look ) Then, sweep the floors with a broom. And I have two fairly clean rooms in about a half an hour or so.

Any tips for oven cleaning. I cannot use oven cleaner or harsh chemicals due to asthma. So my oven is SCARY. We usually clean it only once or twice a year. My husband has to do it and with two jobs his main focus is the tub every two weeks or so (I can’t do the tub either.) Naturally, he could care less about the stove, and frankly, so could I. It just seems bad.

 

[Convert_in_99]

Hey Everyone, I have a question. The first year after we moved to Reno I developed Stage 4 breast cancer. I underwent 6 months of weekly chemo and 6 weeks of daily radiation treatments. Needless to say not much in the way of housework got done. I was too weak and in a lot of pain much of the time and most of my days were spent lying in bed. As a result my bathroom got pretty bad. It took a good 4 or 5 months after the chemo stopped for me start feeling good again. By the time I got up the courage to clean the bathroom, it took me something like 3 hours to get it done (and it’s a small bathroom). We have one of those plastic tubs (is it call formica?) and I still can’t get it to its original off white color again. There is an underlying shade of grayness I just can’t get rid of no matter what I use or how hard I scrub. There’s some purple stuff on the market called KaBoom and I’ve even tried that to no avail. Anyone got any suggestions on how I can get that gray tinge out of my tub?
Reply With Quote

Hey Anyone,
Got any suggestions for my “plastic” tub?

Hi Johannah!

My husband is the tub cleaner. My asthma can’t take it. He uses Scrubbing Bubbles. He will not use generic, nor any other brand. He swears by this product. That and a hard bristle scrub brush. Our tub isn’t perfect either. Some tubs just can’t come perfectly clean. Even nice hotels often have “imperfect” tubs. I think they just wear with age.

As long as it is as clean as you can get it, I wouldn’t worry about it. I am sure its fine. Some tubs (and sinks and stoves and ovens for that matter) just don’t get perfectly clean unfortunately.

 

[Convert_in_99]

Hey Everyone, I have a question. The first year after we moved to Reno I developed Stage 4 breast cancer. I underwent 6 months of weekly chemo and 6 weeks of daily radiation treatments. Needless to say not much in the way of housework got done. I was too weak and in a lot of pain much of the time and most of my days were spent lying in bed. As a result my bathroom got pretty bad. It took a good 4 or 5 months after the chemo stopped for me start feeling good again. By the time I got up the courage to clean the bathroom, it took me something like 3 hours to get it done (and it’s a small bathroom). We have one of those plastic tubs (is it call formica?) and I still can’t get it to its original off white color again. There is an underlying shade of grayness I just can’t get rid of no matter what I use or how hard I scrub. There’s some purple stuff on the market called KaBoom and I’ve even tried that to no avail. Anyone got any suggestions on how I can get that gray tinge out of my tub?
Reply With Quote

Hey Anyone,
Got any suggestions for my “plastic” tub?

Also, we use a strong bleach water mixture to soak the tub. First plug the tub. Then pour bleach in tub (the bottle will tell you how much), then fill the tub completely with the hottest water possible. Let it sit for several hours. At least 2. When hot water is cool then stick your hand in and pull the plug. (Careful of clothes…they will get bleached if they touch it. This has happened to me or I wouldn’t mention it.) Let it drain and then run the shower for a few minutes to rinse tub. We do this about once a month. It does help whiten a bit. It’s no miracle though.

CAUTION!: Be extremely careful not to do this after having cleaned tub or bathroom with chemicals. A deadly mixture of fumes can occur.

 

[johannahw]

Thanks Convert! SIGH! I just hate those “plastic” tub/showers. I do get mine “clean” meaning if I can’t feel any soap scum on sides or walls then I just accept it as clean. Still, it looks dingy. Oh well. It would be nice if we had one of those old cast iron tubs with tiled walls.
Thanks again.

 

[johannahw]

Oh and I’ve tried scrubbing bubbles and it has never worked well for me but then I’ve not tried a scrub brush yet either.

 

[Convert_in_99]

No problem at all. You’ve helped me a lot in getting motivated to clean my apartment.

 

[housewife]

Hey Everyone, I have a question. The first year after we moved to Reno I developed Stage 4 breast cancer. I underwent 6 months of weekly chemo and 6 weeks of daily radiation treatments. Needless to say not much in the way of housework got done. I was too weak and in a lot of pain much of the time and most of my days were spent lying in bed. As a result my bathroom got pretty bad. It took a good 4 or 5 months after the chemo stopped for me start feeling good again. By the time I got up the courage to clean the bathroom, it took me something like 3 hours to get it done (and it’s a small bathroom). We have one of those plastic tubs (is it call formica?) and I still can’t get it to its original off white color again. There is an underlying shade of grayness I just can’t get rid of no matter what I use or how hard I scrub. There’s some purple stuff on the market called KaBoom and I’ve even tried that to no avail. Anyone got any suggestions on how I can get that gray tinge out of my tub?

Use a pumice bar. They sell those at your local retail store in the cleaning products aisle. That works wonderfully! If it is really bad, let the tuff stains soak with Soft Scrub then scrub with the pumice bar.

Another really really great cleaning solution is called Barkeeper’s Friend. The container looks like the Ajax except that the color of the container is gold.

Good Luck and congratulations on your recovery!

 

[mamacita]

Hey Everyone, I have a question. The first year after we moved to Reno I developed Stage 4 breast cancer. I underwent 6 months of weekly chemo and 6 weeks of daily radiation treatments. Needless to say not much in the way of housework got done. I was too weak and in a lot of pain much of the time and most of my days were spent lying in bed. As a result my bathroom got pretty bad. It took a good 4 or 5 months after the chemo stopped for me start feeling good again. By the time I got up the courage to clean the bathroom, it took me something like 3 hours to get it done (and it’s a small bathroom). We have one of those plastic tubs (is it call formica?) and I still can’t get it to its original off white color again. There is an underlying shade of grayness I just can’t get rid of no matter what I use or how hard I scrub. There’s some purple stuff on the market called KaBoom and I’ve even tried that to no avail. Anyone got any suggestions on how I can get that gray tinge out of my tub?
Reply With Quote

Hey Anyone,
Got any suggestions for my “plastic” tub?

**

I was using some stuff called CLR before I got pregnant. The fumes are harsh but that stuff can remove anything!!! We have hard water where we live, so hard water spots on shower doors, vanity, etc. It is a pain to get rid of those spots and the soap scum combined. But CLR did it for us.

Another one worth trying that my cousin told me about is Laundry soap liquid. She said “think about it. the scum on your shower/tub is body scum and soap scum. Laundry soap takes the body scum out of your clothes so my dad thought ‘why not try it on the shower and tub?’ and it worked!” She puts a little bit of laundry soap and water in a bucket and then takes a sponge or scrubbie (no scratch scrubbie ) and cleans away! I haven’t tried it yet, but let me know if you do and if it works!!!

by the way, Johannah, we miss you over on longest conversation thread **

 

[rayne89]

As far as the plastic (I think their resin) tubs I don’t think you’re supposed to use any abrasives on them. I second trying the bleach soaking for several hours.

 

[Mommyof02green]

As far as the plastic (I think their resin) tubs I don’t think you’re supposed to use any abrasives on them. I second trying the bleach soaking for several hours.

I believe a mild abrasive like soft scrub is okay…