OT: Eco friendly cleaning

I have one of the smaller steam cleaning units. Got it at Target. It is WONDERFUL! You can clean anything that is washable and it uses regular tap water only. I guess if I have a complaint it is that when you are finished cleaning with it, there is no 'clean' smell. (In your case, that would be a plus.) I guess I'm accustomed to clean smelling like bleach or ammonia or some or some other cleaner.

One word of caution, when you use the steamer around the base of a toilet, you will be absolutely horrified at what you see on the cleaning cloth! Yuck!

joan

Hi Charlotte,

a page with lots of mcs info to help you better understand thecondition. I have been one of the victims since 1991 and living ondisability pension since 1992. I have learned what is possible anddefinitely what is not over the years. Some days are much better thanothers - it all depends on many factors. First step in detoxing your house is to use only nonperfumed products and forget the idea that something has to smell of something to be clean. The dryer balls that are now for sale are the perfect solution to dryer sheets and softeners in the laundry, there are a growing number of "free" detergents available now as well as ones for 'sensitive skin'. Personally, I can still use various regular cleaners,etc - no pine scents though - the original orange based products have good results as do the name-branded orange products.

I have a shark steam cleaner which I do use periodically and it does have excellent results from the kitchen/bathroom to spot cleaning the carpet pet stains. My only restriction with its use is having the area ventilated - not because of any toxicity but the increased humidity is a problem for me and my breathing. Asthma is a reaction to higher humidity and being the way that I am - I am allergic to any asthma meds/inhalers.

A few ideas to help your Mum: if you drive her anytime - don't fill up with gas the same day because the fumes do linger, don't use the car wash or detail the interior, plan to drive in traffic when it is not rush hour, use another route if possible to reach a destination which bypasses heavy traffic areas. Don't give your house a 'good cleaning' just before she is due to visit with you - open the windows and use fans to air the rooms, especially her bedroom if she is staying over. Run the dishwasher overnight and don't use any fancy products - the Dawn additive one is particularly toxic. Personal care products also linger in the air so be aware of perfumes and other unnecessary additives to anything that your family uses.

In the summertime, open windows and depending on the outside environment, no bar-b-ques, chlorine pools, grass cutting, candles and the list goes on. The biggest problem in the wintertime or cold weather times is the smoke from chimneys.

If you want to email me off-group with more questions and to chat about your Mum - use jennellh at gmail.com - I have some other links that might help.

I also reserve any meds for the times when they are needed rather than as a preventative - over the years, I have become allergic to more than one of them - it happens. I also carry a filter mask with me whenever I go out - it has helped countless number of times and for a while, I also took a portable oxygen tank with me if I were going to a place where the environment was unknown - it was there if I needed it. My doctor makes home visits to me when necessary since I cannot tolerate his office space.

Hope some of this helps, jennellh

Thanks for the review Joan. Glad to hear you like yours. Personally I don't care for the 'clean' smell so that would be a nice feature for me, and perfect for DMIL!! I'll have to check Target out when DH gets his next paycheck.

Thanks for the reply jennellh and all the advise/info. DMIL has suffered with this since the late 70's some time. I've know her since the fall '94 and have watched very carefully what I use for soap, deodorant, hairspray, etc ever since. She has always been fine when visiting my home, which because of the distance isn't often, but I just don't want to take chances anymore, especially when she is no longer on her medication. Because she's off her meds, she is having a harder and harder time doing things so she may not be able to make the trip to our house anymore (we live in the mid-west and the crop chemicals and condiment operations are really bad for her as you probably know). However, using more eco friendly methods/products would also be better for my immediate family, the pets and our mother earth as well.

Hey, I'm horrified ANY time I clean around the toilet.

I really, really got to get myself a cleaning lady again.

Cindy

Charlotte I have one of the hand-held steam cleaners, and I just love it. It gets into the tiniest of places, and I've used it on everything from my bbq grill, to the metal sliders on my sliding glass door, to my shower door and even cleaned some terra cotta pots with it once. I think it was a great investment. Since I bought a house, and acquired a couple of dogs, I've been trying REALLY hard to become a "green" household and use eco-friendly products. One of the BEST cleaners I have found is a product called "Basic H" from Shaklee. Please go to the Shaklee website and read about their stuff - it's amazing, works like a dream, isn't scented, is cost effective and eco-friendly. Once you get past the fact that "clean doesn't have a scent", you'll be fine. Can't remember the price of the Basic H, but you only use 1/4 of a teaspoon in 16 ounces of water. I've used it to clean everything, and their laundry products, dishwasher products and dryer sheets are all great. You can order stuff straight from their website, or look in your phone book for some Shaklee reps in your neighborhood. NAYY. Good luck!

Patti in Seattle

Some people swear by using more old fashioned methods of cleaning, some links that may be interesting are:

(go past the list of nasties for alternatives) Hope these help!

Sarah

Better yet, next time the opportunity comes around, install a wall-hung toilet. Then you can just clean a bare floor! Roberta in D

"teleflora" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:ZBuui.77135$ snipped-for-privacy@newsfe13.lga...

I am the only female in the house with DH, DS1(9y) & DS2(7y) and even the new QI is male! I hate cleaning around the loo but it is an absolute necessity.

Lizzy

FYI Formula 409 made by Clorox is effective for cleaning ice cream off ceilings and Yorkies, report not final as to how the split-leaf philodendron is going to react. Do not attempt to whip ice cream in the small mixer bowl. Polly

Charlotte,

I have had a steam cleaner for years. I have to be careful with cleaners also. I love this steamer, as I call it. I clean the bathrooms / kitchen, stove, around the baseboards and even the floors in those rooms. I have used to even get spots on the rugs up. I couldn't imagine not having one of these. I also use a lot of vinegar for cleaning. For quick cleanings I do use the Clorox wipes. They do not bother me. If yoiu have a chance to buy a steamer, get it. You'll be glad you did.

Deanna

You did it again. Thanks for the tip....and the giggle!

While I was up on the ladder, I heard the Hurricane Weather Center report that some of this year's storms are going to be in tents. Wonder how they're going to do that? Polly

Oh stop!!! You're killing me!!!! ;-)

Oh, Polly!

(I even got that - first time!!!) . In message , Polly Esther writes

Oh my. What have I done? I've even corrupted a Brit's sense of humor. Patti, it may be that you won't be welcome in polite society much longer. Polly

Thanks for the help Patti. I am going to get one, well just see if I get it right away or if I put part of the cost away and get it with the following pay check. I'll also check into your Basic H you mentioned. Thanks.

Thanks for the links. I've taken a peek at them. Losts of info for me. I'll read them over after the kids are in bed. Thanks for the help.

That'll be a huge relief >g< . In message , Polly Esther writes