6.19.2009

*Keepin' it clean...




I get asked a lot about what cleaning products I prefer. Let me preface this with how much of a cleaning fanatic I am.

3:00 am this morning found me: Up, awake, and cleaning my wood floors. By hand.

Enough said.

It's a sickness. My Grandma Gross had the same sickness. My Mother however, does not. Apparently it skips a generation. I know this for a fact, because our youngest daughter Annie is a slob. And I say that in the nicest "Bless her little heart" kind of way.

I get excited at the prospect of cleaning something. I like the challenge. The build-up (getting the supplies out, running the warm water, sudsy cleaning bubbles foaming...) as well as the ultimate feeling of satisfaction when I sit back and see how sparkly the house looks. When the house is clean I feel in control, like somehow I have my life in order just because all of my baseboards are squeaky clean. Delusion? Probably, but hey, whatever works- right?

So, as to what products I prefer....

Surfaces: I am big on Method cleaners, but only some of them. My one favorite is their Good for Wood. It smells like Almond Biscotti, and quite frankly, why would you NOT want to clean with something that smells so delicious?? I also use the Spray way products. The stainless cleaner is the best I have used so far, as well as their glass and granite cleaners. Plus the cute 1950's picture of a woman cleaning and smiling on the bottle helps me to channel my inner June Cleaver.
I also use the Mrs.Meyer's cleaning products. I haven't tried the shower cleaner yet, still using soft scrub for that, but I love the counter top, hand soap, air freshener, and everyday cleaners. All of these come in choices of fragrance, lemon lime verbena is my favorite with Basil in the kitchen. These products are easy on the hands and green. Plus, it's my maiden name. Kismet, no?

Floors: I'm half German, maybe that explains the love of clean, but to me floors should be cleaned by hand. Don't get me wrong, I do use a micro-fiber sweep to go over my floors every other day, but to do any real cleaning- well, I believe in getting down and dirty. I use Murphy's Wood Soap for this.

Cleaning Rags: I use surgical rags. You know, the kind to sop up blood and gore during surgery? Turns out that they are wonderful for cleaning too. I get my supply from a friend of mine who is a nurse. I haven't been able to find them in the medical supplies stores around here...but if you hear of any available elsewhere let me know!

So there you have it. How I am *keepin' it clean!

*play on the phrase: Keepin' it real. Because for me keepin' it clean is keepin' it real!

11 comments:

  1. I love Mrs. Meyer's too! I like the geranium scent, but lemon verbena is delicious as well.

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  2. Lindy- I am a HUGE fan of the stuff! I'm wondering if they have a t-shirt...

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  3. They make a pill for this, ya know. :)

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  4. Murphy's Oil soap gives me a headache and makes me nauseous. Must be why my house isn't clean. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

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  5. Kristin- But then my house wouldn't sparkle : (

    Nanner- LOL! You crack me up!

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  6. The thing about good cleaners with fun scents is that it makes the whole cleaning "chore" much less of a chore and something to have fun with. :)

    I laughed at both Nanner & Kristin. hehe

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  7. Jammie J- Exactly! Nanner and Kristin are just lost...I could so make converts out of them : )

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  8. i am having a problem w/my natural "green" cleaners and my 3 1/2 year old boy who can't seem to make it in the toilet everytime. what is a great disenfecting bathroom cleaner you can recomend?
    also...
    i noticed you have white couches and children.. are the slipcovers bleachable? i am sure i am redoing the club chair in white but i want to make sure that it can be bleached. thank you!!
    my new favorite blog, i love it!

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  9. Danielle- I love Fabulouso, it works wonders and smells good too. Not green, but potent : )
    The sofa is from IKEA with washable slip-covers...the only way to go if you have kids. We looked at more expensive sofas from PB, but they were dry clean only which would not have worked in this house. Thanks for the compliments- you rock!

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Thanks so much for popping in. I appreciate all of your lovely comments...Tricia