Cleaning Products

[DianaB]

We may have had something like this a long time ago but I can't remember. I was just curious about what cleaning products that you use and what on.

I always use Dawn detergent for my dishes. I think that it cuts the grease better than anything that I've used. I use Barkeeper's Friend on my stainless steel pans. It works great! Then I use Cerama Bryte on my stove top. I got a small bottle with my stove and I love it. I use Comet or bleach to clean my kitchen sink. It's a white sink and it gets marks on it from my pans and gets stained very easily but bleach gets it out very quickly.

I used to use the tabs for my dishwasher but I found out (when it wasn't cleaning very good) that I had stuff building up in my sprayer arms. My husband cleaned a lot out of them and the dishwasher worked much, much better so I'm staying with the liquid dishwashing detergents. Right now I'm using Electrasol.

I used to use Amonia on my floors but the smell really bothers Jaci enough that I changed to Mr. Clean with Febreeze and I think that it's Mountain Rain fragrance (smells really good!). I use The Works for my toilet cleaner and another Works product for my shower. They're really cheap and you can get them at Dollar General. Sometimes I use Kaboom on my shower but it's hard on the metal parts. For my bathtub I use Scrubbing Bubbles.

I'm using a new laundry detergent from Sears that's made for front-load machines and is really concentrated but I use to use Purex laundry detergent because it worked pretty good and wasn't as expensive as some others. I use the store brand fabric softner sheets because they're cheaper and I think that they work fine.

So.....how about you? What do you use and why?

[2tiredmom]

I use Comet on my kitchen sink and counters because it really cleans and whitens,
my sink is stainless steel. My Counters are white with gray flecks. I use The Works also on my toilets. I also use Scrubbing Bubbles and Lysol Foaming Cleanser on my tubs and showers and toilets. I use Mr Clean Magic Eraser on my walls and showers and shower curtains and my stove top and my refrigerator.
I use Palmolive for washing dishes because nothing else suds up and stays as well. I use Amonia on my floors and then go back over them with Murphy's oil soap. I use swiffer duster to dust my woodwork and furniture. I use windex on my windows and on my door on my microwave and stove and mirrors in the bathrooms. I use ERA detergent for laundry and Vanilla & Lavender scented
Downey Liquid fabic softener.

[Janet]

Wow...you two clean a lot better than me....LOLOL

Let's see, I use Dawn Dish Detergent, because it really cuts the grease better than anything else I've tried. I use BarKeepers Friend for my stainless steel kitchen sinks and stove top and an a polisher for the stove top that I just can't remember the name and I don't have any at the moment.

I use bleach water on my countertops and Windex on oven, dishwasher, microwave and refridgerator and windows of course.

In the bathrooms I use Lysol toilet cleaner, the Works for my shower and sinks.

I'm not real big on using a lot of products so if I can get aways with using bleach water I do. Oh and for my floors, I just use the Swiffer Mop, but I also spray Windex on the floor.

[Marilyn]

Lets see..... I use Dawn dishwashing liquid. I agree with others here, cuts grease the best. Cascade powder dishwasher detergent. Use Black Diamond Counter Cleaner for granite counter tops. Magic Stainless Steel Cleaner for appliances, but will look for Barkeeper's Friend since most on here think it's great. I'm not completely happy with the Magic SS Cleaner.

For floors, I use the Swifter only for quick cleanups. We've discovered that the Swifter causes Chase (older yorkie) to have asthma like attacks. So for mopping, we use lemon scent Pinesol or Murphy's Oil Soap or just vinegar and water.

For the shower, since it's porous tumbled marble and we have high humidity here, Tilex Mildew Root Penetrator is the best stuff!!!!! Spray it on, let is set for a bit, scrub and rinse, and it helps reduce the return of the mildew. Your not supposed to use products with heavy chemicals on marble, but I've been doing it for 5 years and can't see that it has hurt anything. I was using Kaboom for the floor of the shower(small ceramic tile), but it was a paste in a bottle with some abrasive in it, and I can't find it anymore. For toilet, I like the Clorox toilet bowl cleaner. Flush, squirt it around and let it set a few minutes before brushing and even the dried up toilets in bathrooms seldom used are bright and clean. I use Great Value Glass Cleaner (Walmart store brand). I think it works better than Windex.

For laundry, All Free liquid HE for front loaders, and Downy Lavender and Vanilla liquid fabric softener. I don't use the dryer sheets because the waxes from the sheets build up in your exhaust hose and can be a fire hazard. The buildup of waxy lint almost plugged my drier vent hose off. My clothes weren't getting as dry so I went looking for the cause and discovered that the end of the hose where it blows outside was almost blocked. Cleaned it out, and it works fine now, but no more dryer sheets for me.

[DianaB]

I tried using the Swiffer mop but I have too much area to mop and it dried out pretty quickly so I quickly tossed it. My floors get too dirty to use it anyway.

I know that after I started using The Works for toilets that the deposits under the rim disolved away. I was really pleased with it.

Marilyn, I don't know about the others but I find BarKeeper's Friend at Wal-mart. It's kinda' like Comet but it's made for stainless steel. I've used it for years.

I have had a build up on the outside of my dryer vent but I didn't realize that it was from the dryer sheets. Hmmmm.......I may try the fabric softner and see if I can keep it from coming back.

This has been really interesting. Is there anything that you wouldn't ever buy again?

[Janet]

What about those of you that live in the country and have to deal with iron/rust in your water? We do have a water softener that does get most of it, but I have a heck of a time with it in one of my showers. You can see it on the walls. I've tried BarKeepers Friend..it works, but you really have to scrub and that's hard leaning across the tub. I've also used CLR, IRON OUT and a few others, but not satified with any of it really. Most work real good if you can let it soak for a bit, but it's hard to let it soak on the wall of the shower. Any other ideas to help remove the rust stains?

[2tiredmom]

Janet,

I'm like you can't find anything that really works on the walls. We have a softener too. I have used Lime Away but it just leaves run marks and makes it look worse
and the smell is terrible. Even with ventilation.

[Marilyn]

Does anyone use that Mr. Clean scrubber thing. It looks like a white sponge on TV. I bought one, but have no idea what happened to it between the shopping cart and home. I remembered I'd bought it, but cannot find it anywhere. It may have stayed in the bagging area at the store.

I'd like to know if they work before I buy another.

I was thinking if they work like on TV, maybe that would work on your rusty showers. We've never had iron in our water like that here, even when we lived in the country. We usually have to add iron to our soil and such around here.

[2tiredmom]

Marilyn,

Yes it does work. I love it. It gets down into the groves on my fridge door handles and gets the dirt out. It also works on scuff marks on the walls.
And it works on countertops it lifts the stains right up. It works on shower walls,
shower curtains, I really to like it.

[DianaB]

I don't think that I've seen the Mr. Clean scrubber thing. I'll have to keep my eyes open for it.

I don't know what to tell you, Janet, about the rust on your shower walls. I know that Kaboom or The Works tub and tile would probably work for you but you'd still have trouble with it running down your walls. What if you soaked a rag in it then laid it on there for awhile?

[Janet]

Janet,

I'm like you can't find anything that really works on the walls. We have a softener too. I have used Lime Away but it just leaves run marks and makes it look worse
and the smell is terrible. Even with ventilation.

Marilyn,

Yes it does work. I love it. It gets down into the groves on my fridge door handles and gets the dirt out. It also works on scuff marks on the walls.
And it works on countertops it lifts the stains right up. It works on shower walls,
shower curtains, I really to like it.



Okay girlfriend...you have me totally confused. I that thing is called Mr Clean Magic Eraser right? So does it work or not....LOLOL If it works without killing my back and arms leaning over the tub then I want it and I want it now...LOLOL.:D

[DianaB]

Oh, if you're talking about the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser then I love it!!! I thought that maybe they had a new product out. Janet, I don't know if it works on the shower or not but I use it all the time on other things. It gets marks off of the walls very easily. You just wet it barely wet and start wiping with it. Very easy!!! With all of my grandchildren it's one of the things that I always keep on hand and I've used it on other things but at the moment my mind has gone blank on what I've used it on. LOL I did read an article about not letting children play with it because it is abrasive and can cause skin injury if rubbed on a child's face or body. (The child had done it to himself.)

[2tiredmom]

Okay girlfriend...you have me totally confused. I that thing is called Mr Clean Magic Eraser right? So does it work or not....LOLOL If it works without killing my back and arms leaning over the tub then I want it and I want it now...LOLOL.:D

If you had read my post you would have seen that yes it is the Mr Clean Magic Eraser! And yes it does work on shower walls. Pay Attention GF.......LOL

[Janet]

Okay...I will pay attention from now on.

[Marilyn]

I have a cleaning tool that you ladies should consider for cleaning your showers. I can't find the exact product online. I think I bought it at Target, but I'm not sure. It is a Clorox product, but is not one of the kind you get in a box with changeable pads. It's actually a scrubber that would be more on the order or a houseware type item. From my online research, it looks like it's made for Clorox by the Melody company. Here's a link to a display of their products, though I don't see the one I have on here.
http://www.esseplast.com/servlet/SrvInvoker?template=14&id=2&lang=en

What I have is a scrubber with a metal extendable handle about 4 feet long. It has a heavy duty triangular pivoting scrubber on the end that works great for cleaning my shower. I was thinking of you with shower and tub enclosure walls that you are having trouble scrubbing without hurting your backs.

The product works well for me, but again, I've searched pretty extensively, even the Clorox website, which is where I eventually got to the Melody products. I'm not good at posting pics, but if anyone is interested, I'll try to post one. The materials look like the ones in the picture on the link above. Only instead of a mop head, it has pivoting this triangular scrubber pad. I might have gotten it at the Container Store, but I can't find these products on their website either. Frustrating....

[judy]

I use whatever dish detergent is one sale, although the original, blue Dawn will take out all kinds of stains on clothing, even coffee! Good stuff. Just rub it on the stain, let it sit and wash the garment. Cascade is for the dishwasher, laundry detergent is also whatever is on sale. The laminate floors are really annoying. They get swept or gone over with a dry microfiber mop. Then they're washed with vinegar and alcohol (not the Jack Daniels kind either) and dried right away with one of those super shammy TV things rubber banded to another mop. I can't wait until the cleaning woman comes back and she does them! I use the same thing as Diana on my stove, and will look for the Bartender's stuff for the stainless sink. My Comet stuff smells awful. Dusting is just with a very lightly damp cloth, Swiffer for the kitchen and bathroom floors, Windex for most other things, or vinegar and water.

[judy]

Do you think my computer is losing it? I did not set that post up that way!!!

[Nina]

I use Dawn on the dishes, as I agree it cuts grease the best. I use Lysol toilet bowl cleaner on the toilet, and then I spray some windex to give it a really nice shine. I use Comet w/bleach on the sinks and bathtub. I use Scrubbing Bubbles on the shower. I use a Swiffer Wet Jet on the floors just for in-between cleanings, but I mop the bathroom with bleach and water, and the kitchen with Mr. Clean w/Febreze. I use Tide in the laundry, and add baking soda if needed. I also clean alot with vinegar and water.

If you have well water, try The Works Toilet Bowl Cleaner. My daughter has well water, and her toilets get an orange stain. That stuff cleans it up on contact!

I use the Magic Eraser on my stove, fridge and walls. That thing is amazing! I use Clorox spray on my counters. I put some baking soda, followed by vinegar in all my drains about every 2-3 weeks. I let it sit a few min. then run some water. It keeps them smelling fresh, and also keeps them flowing faster.

[DianaB]

Do you think my computer is losing it? I did not set that post up that way!!!

That WAS a very interesting way to post, Judy!!!! I couldn't say what happened!!!!

[Marilyn]

Do you think my computer is losing it? I did not set that post up that way!!!

Off topic, but, that is really weird. Reminds me of one I did that had half of the post in really large letters. It didn't look that way when I typed it and submitted it, but I couldn't edit it when it was done for some reason. Weird.

[Janet]

Do you think my computer is losing it? I did not set that post up that way!!!


That does look strange, but Christmasy!!

[judy]

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh
what
fun
it
is
to
ride
in
a
one
horse
open
sleigh...

I did this one on purpose. I think that happened because I didn't hit the stop spell check. Or, not.

[Gina]

I also use Dawn for dishes, but I buy whatever is on sale to. I am going to try Barkeeper and the Works since most recommend.

I use my Shark wet mop for floor it steams away the dirt, no soaps just plain water, I use whatever laundry detergent is on sale.


Windex for mirrors and glass countertops , Pledge for furniture, Comet for stainless steel sink. For my granite countertop I was told just plain dish detergent . My tumble marble back splash the same.

I use Clorex Bowl Cleaner, Kaboom or Srubbing Bubbles for Bathroom.. I use soft scrub a lot for sink. I buy whatever is on sale, I try different products.

I have the Mr Clean Magic Eraser that I haven't used as of yet.

[HALEY]

i use

dawn dishwashing liquid
blech and water on the floors
pledge for dusting,
lysol for kichen and bathroom
lysol spray for all the germs in my house...

[Tiramisu]

Dawn Dish Detergent
Cascade Liquid in dishwasher
Barkeeper's Friend and/or Comet on stainless steel pots, pans, sink and stove top
Clorox Cleanup on white cabinet tops to sanitize and whiten
Ammonia and/or Mr. Clean for heavier cleanup on ceramic tile floors
Swiffer Mop and Spray for lighter cleanup on ceramic tile floors
Swiffer Mop and Windex for laminate floors
Clorox Toilet Cleaner
Tilex on bathroom grout and caulk
Scrub Free on bathtub and walls
Tide (different kinds for different clothes)
SOS pads for heavy scrubbing
Dobie pads for scrubbing dishes
Charmin Mega Roll toilet tissue
Crest Multicare Toothpaste
Listerine Whitening Prebrush
Non-electric toothbrush
Mary Kay and CoverGirl makeup
Fruitish or Garnier Shampoo/Conditioner

Things I'd probably never buy: Febreeze (don't like the wetness), Lysol (don't care for the smell)

I rarely use fabric softener or extra bleach in the laundry.

[celstu1]

Lysol all purpose spray, its yellow. It works for EVERYTHING! It gets stains off countertops, cleans glass top stoves, is antibacterial so it works for the bathroom. I LOVE IT! Its almost the only cleaning fluid I use! Works great on the tile floors also. Just let it sit on anything for about 10 mins and wipe.... it all comes off!

[DianaB]

..........SOS pads for heavy scrubbing
Dobie pads for scrubbing dishes............

I keep SOS pads on hand. They are definitely necessary sometimes. And the Dobie pads.....I'm never without them. I use them ALL the time for cleaning my pans with the Barkeeper's Friend. They are so handy!!

[DianaB]

Lysol all purpose spray, its yellow. It works for EVERYTHING! It gets stains off countertops, cleans glass top stoves, is antibacterial so it works for the bathroom. I LOVE IT! Its almost the only cleaning fluid I use! Works great on the tile floors also. Just let it sit on anything for about 10 mins and wipe.... it all comes off!

You've done really good because you only use one product for everything!! I'm impressed!!!!

[Tiramisu]

I keep SOS pads on hand. They are definitely necessary sometimes. And the Dobie pads.....I'm never without them. I use them ALL the time for cleaning my pans with the Barkeeper's Friend. They are so handy!!

Have you ever seen Dobie pads in other colors? I can only remember them in yellow!

[DianaB]

Have you ever seen Dobie pads in other colors? I can only remember them in yellow!

In all of my years of using Dobie pads yellow is the only color that I've seen. It would be nice if there were other colors too.

[celstu1]

You've done really good because you only use one product for everything!! I'm impressed!!!!

haha when I read everyone else's posts I realized I forgot some stuff.

I use the swiffer wet jet for quick floor cleaning, but the lysol spray for more heavy duty floor cleaning.

I use windox on windows and glass and pledge on wood furniture.

I use Joy dishwashing liquid and (ALWAYS) cascade dishwasher powder (works the best).

I use the Magic eraser by Mr Clean for the shower/tub.

I do seriously think thats it though. I am a clean person but I dont want to spend a gazillion dollars on cleaning supplies, so I find ones that are all purpose. Fly through the house with 4 bottles in my caddy and get it done! :)

[Marilyn]

I use my Shark wet mop for floor it steams away the dirt, no soaps just plain water, I use whatever laundry detergent is on sale.

For my granite countertop I was told just plain dish detergent . My tumble marble back splash the same.

Gina, just a question and a comment. I have a steamer, but it's a boiler with a hose and a special floor attachment, but it has a leak on the cap for the steamer, so haven't used it for a while. I saw the Shark wet mops at Bed Bath and Beyond, but was afraid that they did not hold enough water and I'd be refilling it constantly. I had a Dirt Devil floor cleaner and that was the problem with it. Had to fill it a dozen times to do my floors. Can you do quite a bit of area with the Shark?? I'm really interested in it.

Also, I use just plain dish detergent frequently for my everyday cleaning of granite because it's handy, but often and especially for my weekly cleaning I do use the Black Diamond Counter Cleaner for granite and stone. You may want to consider trying it. It makes the granite counter tops really shine, and has such a nice clean scent. I love the stuff. For my tumbled marble back splash, the dish detergent is fine because it's dull anyway, but just wanted to let you know about the Black Diamond. It's a bit pricy, but a gallon lasts quite a long time. You can google it and they do sell small bottles. FYI.

[judy]

My new dresser has a marble top. How should I clean it?

[Gina]

Marilyn, the reservoir holder is kind of small, but to be honest I do my kitchen floor , my foyer which is a pretty big area. I also brought it in Bed and Bath, make sure you have your 20 percent coupon lol. It cleans pretty nicely but I have grooves in my ceramic tiles where dirt gets embedded and the shark does not lift it out, I get down on my hands and knees to do that. But in between its pretty good, works great on the wooden floors to. You would be surprised how much dirt accumulates on the mop. The only thing Shark does not do is rugs there are other brands that clean rugs. I have a area rug in my living room and some scattered around the house. I mostly have ceramic and wooden floors throughout. It is lightweight and I find I wash my floors more often now being there is no hassle lugging the mop , and bucket. lol


Marilyn, buy it and don't throw the box or receipt away, if you don't care for it bed and bath takes everything back.

I will buy the Black Diamond for my countertops do you have to buy it online only or do supermarkets carry it?

[Janet]

Gina....just curious about your floors. You live where there are cold winters too, so do your floors feel cold? Do you have to raise your thermostat to keep the house warmer? I sooo want to get rid of my carpets, except for my bedroom.

[Gina]

Gina....just curious about your floors. You live where there are cold winters too, so do your floors feel cold? Do you have to raise your thermostat to keep the house warmer? I sooo want to get rid of my carpets, except for my bedroom.

Janet the floors are always cold, I just wear slippers all the time. I have forced hot air system and I hate it , my house always feels cold . I have to put the thermostat higher. When I lived in Bklyn I had old fashion radiators and oil heat and it was a pleasure.

I have shown houses that have radiant heat underneath the tiles, at the time some builders put that in it was a smart idea...

[Nina]

My new dresser has a marble top. How should I clean it?

Judy, here's a link that may help you.

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Clean-Marble&id=144983

[Janet]

Janet the floors are always cold, I just wear slippers all the time. I have forced hot air system and I hate it , my house always feels cold . I have to put the thermostat higher. When I lived in Bklyn I had old fashion radiators and oil heat and it was a pleasure.

I have shown houses that have radiant heat underneath the tiles, at the time some builders put that in it was a smart idea...


I usually have some kind of slipper on anyway. I have been wanting hardwood floors for sooo long. I know I shouldn't even be thinking about it right now with Rick out of work, but I'm seriously looking at them now.

I have my friends little 2 lb 14 oz Yorkie and even though she is suppose to be pad trained, she has gone a few times on my carpet. I'm not going to have that. I know it's a very small spot, but I don't like pee in my carpet....does anyone????...LOLOL

I'm not sure what you call our heat, but it is electric and has a heat pump. If you put your hands over the registers, it feels cool. My Mom is always cold when she comes out so she always has a sweater. I'm wanting Rick to check out the wood furnaces that you keep outside and hook up to the blower unit (I think) so the heat will come through all the registers. Right now, with our fireplace insert, the family room gets really warm and the back half (on the other side of the thermostat) stays cooler.

We need to figure out something, but getting his butt motivated is hard. I always have to do everything! Guess I'd better quit this post or it will turn into a vent...LOL

[Gina]

Janet I am sorry I think I misunderstood you.. Hardwood floors are not cold, I was referring to my ceramic tiles.. Like I mentioned before I always wear a slipper . The hardwood floors are really nice and easy to upkeep. I was lucky when I brought my home there were all hardwood floors all we had to do is hire someone to scrape them and varnish . When you get a few dollars on the side do it.

[Marilyn]

Marilyn, the reservoir holder is kind of small, but to be honest I do my kitchen floor , my foyer which is a pretty big area. I also brought it in Bed and Bath, make sure you have your 20 percent coupon lol. It cleans pretty nicely but I have grooves in my ceramic tiles where dirt gets embedded and the shark does not lift it out, I get down on my hands and knees to do that. But in between its pretty good, works great on the wooden floors to. You would be surprised how much dirt accumulates on the mop. The only thing Shark does not do is rugs there are other brands that clean rugs. I have a area rug in my living room and some scattered around the house. I mostly have ceramic and wooden floors throughout. It is lightweight and I find I wash my floors more often now being there is no hassle lugging the mop , and bucket. lol


Marilyn, buy it and don't throw the box or receipt away, if you don't care for it bed and bath takes everything back.

I will buy the Black Diamond for my countertops do you have to buy it online only or do supermarkets carry it?

Gina, thank you so much for the information. I may do as you suggest and try it. My steamer does floors and carpets, but it's a boiler with hoses you have to drag around and I need to order a new cap for it since the one I have is leaking and blowing steam. Not sure what to do. Will think about it. I do have a coupon and gift card to BB&B.

I haven't found Black Diamond in any stores. Some stone countertop suppliers probably carry it, but haven't found any around here. I just buy it online from here: http://www.bdstoneworks.com/specs.htm

I just googled it, and here are the results: http://www.google.com/search?q=Black+Diamond+Counter+Cleaner&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GGIC

Looks like lots more people are carrying it now. It mentions Ace True Value Hardware stores. There's one in the town where I work, I may have to see of they are carrying it. Years ago, when we had our first granite and marble counters, I did lots of research and decided that the Black Diamond was what I wanted to try, and like it so much I stayed with it. I even use it to clean up messes on my ceramic tile floors. I buy it by the gallon and refill my spray bottle.

[judy]

I find the hard floors don't keep the house as warm as the carpet, but I also do not like pee on my rugs.

I really want a pellet stove. Maybe next winter. Right now I'm using the kerosene Monitor, and it does a very good job. The electric heat didn't warm the house up as well.

I got a roomba for the laminate floors. It does a good job of vacuuming. I let it loose in the great room and it does it's thing and then I put it away. I still have to wash the floors, and I must dry them or they streak. I think it will be much easier when they finish working on the house. I'll give the floors a really thorough cleaning and then I don't think I'll have to wash them more them once or twice a week.

I don't recommend dark, glossy laminate though. They're too much work because they streak.