Hey ladies,

Any suggestions on cleaning products I can use? I've tried to make a few and not liking them too much...maybe some tried and tested recipes? Also washing powder...we've tried the ecover and i couldn't get some of the clothes as clean as i would like.

I've made quite a few significant changes and I'm recycling more. It's just this area I'm struggling with!!!

Ali x

Hi Ali,

I've not used it myself but a lot of ladies swear by BioD. Personally I prefer to make my own. I keep white vinegar, washing soda crystals and bicarbonate of soda for general cleaning and I can do most jobs. I know some people use borax in addition to these three "staples".

Here are a few sites with cleaning ideas:

http://www.ooffoo.com/listing/How-to-use-white-vinegar-for-green-cleaning---five-tips.aspx
white vinegar

I mix 50/50 with water and use in a spray bottle for cleaning glass. I sometimes put a splosh in the drawer of my washing machine as a fabric softener.

Soda crystals
http://www.thegreenstoreonline.co.uk/default.aspx/Page/178

I use soda crystals a lot. I make a kitchen/bathroom spray by dissolving Soda crystals in hot water and adding lemon juice for the kitchen and tea tree oil for the bathroom.

bicarbonate of soda
http://www.thegreenstoreonline.co.uk/default.aspx/Page/118

I use bicarbonate of soda to scour my pale coloured kitchen worktops. It's great for removing stains like tea and coffee.

Borax

http://homeparents.about.com/od/miraclecleaners/tp/borax.htm

Have you tried boosting your Ecover powder by adding washing soda crystals to the powder drawer of your machine?

HTH.

Rachel

Hi,

I like Green Force products for laundry, I buy mine from... what's it called... Wilkinsons. I used Ecover for many years and this is better than that and the price is good too. If you're in a reasonably soft water area then you halve the recommended amount and it's still great -

http://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Green-Force-Laundry-Liquid/43652011?parentContainer=|21163|21221|19996

For cleaning the kitchen bathroom etc I like Bio D multi surface cleaner, a little goes a long way. I used to do the vinegar, soda crystals and bicarb thing but I press the easy button with the Bio D these days. I do still use bicarb for carpets and as a fabric smell removing spray thingamy and it's great.