The Home Cleaning Thread

[ComicChick]

Also what do people here use to clean up countertops? Paper towels, dish towel, wipes, or sponge?

ive used them all

 

[Lily Adler]

ive used them all

I'm trying really hard to greenify my kitchen. I use dish towels for drying dishes, hands, wiping countertops. I've used paper towels and disinfectant wipes for spills, so I wanted to see if there was a better alternative and see if they worked out.

 

[ComicChick]

I'm trying really hard to greenify my kitchen. I use dish towels for drying dishes, hands, wiping countertops. I've used paper towels and disinfectant wipes for spills, so I wanted to see if there was a better alternative and see if they worked out.

that's a great idea. i've been using healthier cleaning alternatives, i've even bought a few plant based ones to try. i really like Method and Mrs. Meyer's stuff but it's been hard to find of late.
i will say, i absolutely hate cleaning my kitchen lol

 

[Lily Adler]

that's a great idea. i've been using healthier cleaning alternatives, i've even bought a few plant based ones to try. i really like Method and Mrs. Meyer's stuff but it's been hard to find of late.
i will say, i absolutely hate cleaning my kitchen lol

I'm going to make the leap to Seventh Generation dish soap and I already use vinegar cleaner and will simply trade the Dawn in it with Seventh Generation.

 

[Lily Adler]

I use these gloves for scrubbing, on a daily basis. They remove the dead skin and leave it super smooth! I'm used to it by now, but at first you may feel as if they were sandpaper.

After a few uses you will just get used to it and they do really get "softer":
View attachment 42269

After each shower, I make sure they are clean, there's no soap left in them and put them to dry. Every now and then, I get them into bleach and some hawt water for a few minutes to get rid of any unwanted bacteria/fungi/whatever.

And as for the countertop, I just use a sponge... Nothing too abrasive! I make sure to rinse the product I use, though! You don't want to spoil any food you put over the countertop, with any residual perfume/scents.

My friend suggested a sea sponge as it has enzymes that prevent bacteria or mold growth.

 

[MissMarvelous]

My friend suggested a sea sponge as it has enzymes that prevent bacteria or mold growth.

I had no idea about it! Good to know, will def check them out. I'm quite used to the "abrasive" gloves by now, I've been using that product for years now.

 

[Lily Adler]

Good news @ComicChick Walmart and Target are now making generic brand of Method and other plant-based cleaners. I like the lemon one Walmart has. I also want to try 9 Elements.

 

[Lily Adler]

I had no idea about it! Good to know, will def check them out. I'm quite used to the "abrasive" gloves by now, I've been using that product for years now.

Bad news about the sea sponges. They love water too much. I tried to wring em dry but those suckers love water too much and then they developed a funk.

 

[MissMarvelous]

Bad news about the sea sponges. They love water too much. I tried to wring em dry but those suckers love water too much and then they developed a funk.

Oh, that sucks.

I still recommend these and since they are made of plastic: they dry easily! Never saw anything funny on them (a big plus!).

Another option, less aggressive (but still: they keep too much water too):

 

[InCali]

Bad news about the sea sponges. They love water too much. I tried to wring em dry but those suckers love water too much and then they developed a funk.

Can you microwave them? That kills any bacteria in there. I occasionally to that with sponges just on general principle. Get them nice and wet and then zap for a minute.

 

[Lily Adler]

Can you microwave them? That kills any bacteria in there. I occasionally to that with sponges just on general principle. Get them nice and wet and then zap for a minute.

I use them in the bath and I don't think that sounds too terribly sanitary.

 

[MissMarvelous]

Boiling water and some bleach (?) I do that with mine every now and then.

 

[InCali]

I use them in the bath and I don't think that sounds too terribly sanitary.

It is very sanitary. Microwaves kill everything.

 

[ComicChick]

i just got back from a 2-week work trip and i want to clean everything!
honestly, everything isn't dirty, but i feel like i should go with it while i'm in the mood. already changed all the bed linens. going to vacuum later and go from there. still trying to get over the jet lag

 

[InCali]

i just got back from a 2-week work trip and i want to clean everything!
honestly, everything isn't dirty, but i feel like i should go with it while i'm in the mood. already changed all the bed linens. going to vacuum later and go from there. still trying to get over the jet lag

Yeah......that's like a 9 hour time difference for you. Do you have a couple of days to relax and adjust? Did you get some time to yourself on the island?

 

[InCali]

Yeah......that's like a 9 hour time difference for you. Do you have a couple of days to relax and adjust? Did you get some time to yourself on the island?

EDIT 6 hours.....but still alot

 

[ComicChick]

Yeah......that's like a 9 hour time difference for you. Do you have a couple of days to relax and adjust? Did you get some time to yourself on the island?

today? i slept like 11 hours haha
i'm off this weekend so i'm going back to work for 2 days, then off thursday to monday. and i did! i'll post over in the lounge about it eventually, don't wanna bog this one up over here haha

 

[Lily Adler]

So I tried using a sponge to clean my bathroom... I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[InCali]

So I tried using a sponge to clean my bathroom... I wouldn't recommend it.

Yeah. I don't use a sponge for much of anything other than wiping down rinsed dishes. I usually use hand towels and wash them regularly.

 

[Lily Adler]

Yeah. I don't use a sponge for much of anything other than wiping down rinsed dishes. I usually use hand towels and wash them regularly.

I do use a sponge to clean my counters in the kitchen with an all purpose spray with vinegar and change it once a week. I feel it's less wasteful than paper towels. I do use kitchen towels for drying dishes and another for hands.

I tried to see if I could do it in the bathroom, but definitely couldn't use the same sponge after the toilet. I did sink, counter, shower, and then toilet. It was a cellulose sponge instead of a scrubbing one so maybe that would make it easier.

 

[InCali]

I do use a sponge to clean my counters in the kitchen with an all purpose spray with vinegar and change it once a week. I feel it's less wasteful than paper towels. I do use kitchen towels for drying dishes and another for hands.

I tried to see if I could do it in the bathroom, but definitely couldn't use the same sponge after the toilet. I did sink, counter, shower, and then toilet. It was a cellulose sponge instead of a scrubbing one so maybe that would make it easier.

Yuck. I have a dedicated brush for the toilet. I also use a jell that sticks to the porcelain inside the bowl. It's like a goo inside an applicator/syringe type of thing. You just push the plunger and it comes out in a cute little star shaped thing that stays for about a week. I don't know how much it helps keep things clean, but it smells better and probably helps keep the water in the bowl somewhat disinfected.

 

[Lily Adler]

Yuck. I have a dedicated brush for the toilet. I also use a jell that sticks to the porcelain inside the bowl. It's like a goo inside an applicator/syringe type of thing. You just push the plunger and it comes out in a cute little star shaped thing that stays for about a week. I don't know how much it helps keep things clean, but it smells better and probably helps keep the water in the bowl somewhat disinfected.

Oh hell no. I don't use the sponge in the toilet. I use it on the tank, seat, and base. I use a toilet brush and Ajax for the toilet bowl.

 

[MissMarvelous]

I don't know how much it helps keep things clean,

Not much.

You seriously do not scrub it with bleach?

 

[Lily Adler]

Yuck. I have a dedicated brush for the toilet. I also use a jell that sticks to the porcelain inside the bowl. It's like a goo inside an applicator/syringe type of thing. You just push the plunger and it comes out in a cute little star shaped thing that stays for about a week. I don't know how much it helps keep things clean, but it smells better and probably helps keep the water in the bowl somewhat disinfected.

Not much.

You seriously do not scrub it with bleach?

Yeah you should probably scrub it with bleach based toilet cleaner when those gels dissolve.

 

[MissMarvelous]

Since I dispose my cat and dog's smelly "gifts", I'm constantly cleaning the toilet. They are super healthy, I make sure to clean my cat's little once a day (and change the whole thing every 5 days, no more than that), but still, I'd rather be sure that everything is squeaky clean and disinfected.