Mean, Green, Spring Clean

I’m not going to lie to you, my house is not generally impeccably clean.  I’m someone who always finds that dirt and grime sneak up on me.  When I see a dust bunny, I think – but I vacuumed last week!  That being said, I don’t like things to be messy and I find my environment to be much more soothing when clean. 

I also, like many people, have been making efforts to make my house cleaning more green.  Of particular importance to me is that I not use anything that could potentially be harmful to my pets, who - God love them - do gross things like lick the floor.  I am also prone to headaches and am very, very sensitive to smells.  Even many “green” products are heavily laden with fragrance and bother me.  So, below find a list of my FAVORITE things to clean with.  Please feel free to share your favorite in the comments section!

1.    Basic H Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate by Shaklee:  This stuff is one of the main reasons I got involved with Shaklee.  This stuff is incredible. You buy a bottle of the concentrate and it makes 48 gallons of all-purpose cleaner!   This also makes this product incredibly cost-effective. It can also be mixed at different concentrations for degreasing and cleaning windows (not to mention just about everything else.  It has no noxious odor.  Love this stuff!  http://www.shaklee.com/products.php?sku=00015

2.    Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop Kit:  I absolutely hate mopping with the whole bucket thing, so I used to use the Swiffer Wet Jet until I heard that the chemicals in that stuff can be harmful to pets (or people, for that matter) if something is eaten off the floor.  What I love about this mop is it allows you to use whatever cleaning solution you want (I use Basic H!) and it sprays out just like the wet jet.  The microfiber cloth attaches with Velcro and I just throw it in the washing machine.  No bucket, no nasty chemicals!  Rubbermaid Reveal Mop on Amazon

3.    Scour Off Heavy Duty Paste by Shaklee:  Sometimes you come across some sort of gunky situation, like the stovetop or the oven and this stuff absolutely does the trick.  The paste has a very subtle cherry smell because the grit in the paste is actually made from cherry pits!  I have also used this stuff on spots on my hardwood floors and the paste is gentle enough that it doesn’t leave scratch marks. http://www.shaklee.com/products.php?sku=00430

4.    Dish Wash Automatic Concentrate by Shaklee:  I know this is going to sound weird, but I have had the hardest time finding a product to use in my dish washer that works, doesn’t leave weird marks on my glasses and doesn’t smell terrible.  At one point, I tried a Phosphate-free “eco” formulation by Palmolive and my fiancé and I ended up throwing it out because the smell was so noxious that our apartment smelled like a hospital bathroom.  This dishwash powder has no smell, leaves my dishes gorgeously clean and lasts forever.  (I only need about a tablespoon for a big load of dishes).  http://www.shaklee.com/products.php?sku=00295

Happy spring cleaning to all of you!  I think you will love these products as much as I do.  If you want any information about how to get any of these products, let me know and I’d be happy help!