What I Use to Clean With

Over the last several years I have tried to eliminate as many chemicals from my house as possible.  Some of the items I use are already in your kitchen or bathroom.  I still use dish soap and dishwasher soap but hopefully soon I can afford to buy some that is bio-compatible soap for kitchen & laundry use.  Bio-compatible is different from bio-degradable, it turns into food for plants and trees.  Bio-degradable still contains salts which will build up in the soil.  I want to be able to use our grey water to water trees and more around my house.  Until then I'm sticking with using the following:

Distilled White Vinegar- I use this to clean windows, in the dishwasher and washing machine (which helps to remove soap from clothing),  to clean our coffee pot, for wiping counters and more.

Hydrogen Peroxide- I use this in my dishwasher and washing machines to help disinfect them. A small amount can be added to whites but don't use on colors or dark colored clothes.

Bleach- This is used to disinfect any wipe-able surface, most often used in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry. Be sure to dilute it.  A cap-full bleach to 2 gallons of water.  

Other cleaners used on occasion-

Comet or Ajax- to scrub out yucky sinks.

SOS pads- these have saved me so much time cleaning my stove top.  I hadn't used them in quite some time and after several frustrating attempts to clean my stove I thought there has to be an easier way to do this. Yes SOS pads came to mind and I'm so happy they work so well.

Dish soap- for the obvious use but it can help take a greasy spot off clothes.  Can be used in a garden for pest control but I have never done that.

I try to stay away from acid type cleaners such as some toilet bowl cleaners because they are not good for our septic system.  If you have concerns about your cleaners you can check out the Environmental Working Group they have a wealth of information about all kinds of products. www.ewg.org. Using things that have multiple purposes saves money as well.  I hope this information helps. :)