Tuesday Tip | Wipe surfaces down with water
Readers often email me asking for money-saving household cleaner tips. And one of the most common tips I have is: Don't use so many cleaning products!
I do keep some cleaning products at my house, of course.
But, I don't use a cleaning spray every time I need to wipe a surface.
Rather, I find that plain old water and a washcloth work just fine for a lot of minor cleaning jobs, especially in the kitchen.
As long as I'm not dealing with grease (definitely need soap for that!) or a raw meat mess (again, soap wins), I just rinse my washcloth in hot water and then wipe away.
I wipe my counters ALL THE TIME and if I used a spray every time, I'd go through an awful lot of cleaner.
I do this with my kitchen floors too, actually. A damp washcloth followed by a towel does a pretty great job of cleaning up non-greasy floor messes.
I think sometimes, at least here in America, we have an overactive "it's unsanitary!" sense. In the average household, not every surface in the house needs to be sterilized at all times. That's a pretty impossible standard to maintain anyway.
Plus, a lot of antibacterial products aren't actually that effective in killing germs (often they require you to completely soak the surface in the cleaner and then leave it for 10 minutes, which hardly anyone seems to do!) Using these products with a quick spray and wipe often just makes us feel like we've knocked out all the bacteria.
I do think cleaners have their place, mind you. I just happen to think that there are some places where water and a washcloth have their place too.
I've recently started using the boiling water left when I make my tea to clean counters. I just pour the water where the crusty/sticky/stained spot is and wipe it up with a clean dishrag that I fold over and extra time or two. Do you have to be a little extra careful? Clearly, but even though I tend toward the accident prone end of the spectrum I haven't yet burned myself. Also, I have a glass-top stove and laminate countertops, which means this is safe for my surfaces.
Boiling water from the kettle is also great for killing weeds - just pour over and leave.
Oh, interesting! I've never thought of that.
I also use soap and a wash cloth for cleaning the floor, the kitchen, the stove and pretty much everything else at our house.
The only place I use disinfectant spray is toilets. I don't think regular soap is very effective at those places.
Yep, I rarely use spray on muni kitchen counters! Every day I wipe down with a warm, wet, washcloth. And when I do use spray I empty the counters and let it sit! Otherwise it’d be an expensive waste of time!
I remember attending a selling party where the demonstrator remarked that the average household spent $4o.oo a month for cleaning products. I couldn't see how that could be true. I think she had research to back up the claim, though. I doubt that I spend that much in a year. Sometimes, I buy partially used cleaning products at garage sales, just to try them out, for little money.
We have the original to the house white laminate countertops in our kitchen and I don't see us changing those out anytime soon. A cheap alternative to pricey cleaning sprays is a 10% bleach solution. I use it every time I see food stains and every time I prepare raw meat. I mixed it up in a $1 spray bottle and keep it under the sink. I also make my own cleaning rags instead of a sponge - I made them out of old worn out bath towels. When I wash them I add a bit of bleach to the wash water and do a full load of bath towels, which are also white. I haven't bought wash cloths in years. I read somewhere that microfiber towels without any cleaning product still clean. But I like having the potties and kitchen disinfected as I work in a hospital and see the benefit to that.
That picture of the trees reflected in your countertop is so pretty!
I agree! We're such a country of germophobes! Unless you're dealing with an actual mess of raw meat or something else similarly gross, all the "germ killers" aren't necessary. In my opinion, the disinfectants are more of a health hazard than common household germs anyway. I've personally found mild inhibitors ineffective in my home. Things stay mold free with cheaper healthier things like vinegar anyway, so why bother?
Vinegar surprisingly enough works better at killing mold than bleach does! Bleach still has its uses but mold killing isn't one of them.
I use 1 Litre spray bottles, I keep the dregs of the dawn dish soap in the bottles, I tuck them away for later use, when I need to make a mix I fill the dawn bottle with hot water to dilute the remaining soap, then dump it in my spray bottle with about 2 tbs bleach and aprox 2 x 3ml pipettes of peppermint essential oil then fill the bottle with water. I buy peppermint in 4 oz bottles as I diffuse it daily. I use it for everything, floors, counter tops, the sink, in the bathroom, not in the loo though, and I use a dawn/vinegar mix for the shower but otherwise that spray concoction everywhere, for me it is very economical, I use it constantly and maybe make it up every 3-4 weeks.
We as Americans do seem to have this weird obsession with sterile environments. I know people who won't even use bar soap because they swear that the bar itself is dirty. Study after study shows that so long as you wash your hands with the soap, the germs won't be on your hands.
Yes! I also find that bar soap seems to last a lot longer and is less expensive as well!
My kid could use a whole bottle of bodywash if you let her. Instead we use bar soap (even for her shampoo) and it lasts a lot longer. She also seems to get a kick out of how Ivory soap floats.
I have a small stack of clean microfiber cloths under the sink that I can grab and wipe with, and yes, I use just water or soap and water (I got Meliora soap and a glass spray bottle from Mighty Nest). I have a small tote for the dirtied cloths in the laundry room, and I wash them in hot water. If I use a sponge, which is rare, I buy a cellulose sponge that can be boiled or microwaved to kill germs, because sponges can sure grow mold and germs.
When something needs to be cleaner, I mist it with Thieves' Blend spray that I make at home (and it smells so good!), or a spray can be made using vodka or grain alcohol. My Thieves' Blend has grain alcohol in it.
I keep reading that all those hand sanitizers and disinfectants are helping to create superbugs. I only use disinfectant spray on the toilets and in used shoes, things like that. I buy 7th Generation disinfectant spray for that.
I agree, I think we are obsessing over germs, but only in certain places. I mean, how many people handled and tried on those new clothes (not counting the people who cut, sewed, packed, and unpacked them) that some folks blithely buy and wear without washing first?
Even when I had a working dishwasher, I still hand-washed a lot of things so before I get to the dishes, I use the soapy water to wipe down the stove and countertops after meals. The rest of the time, I usually just use a wet rag.
I keep plain old household vinegar in a spray bottle and mainly use that for everything. I'm never sick and my kids (grown) were rarely ill either. I don't even care for hand sanitizers- soap and water is best.
Yup. I'll go you one more. Americans tend to bathe too much. My mom was a nurse and said our modern cleanliness standards were developed by the soap companies. During my state's extended drought, I took to full showers every other day with what mom called "birdbaths" in between. Shockingly, it works just fine. Saves on water, soap usage, towel wear, etc. I discovered that I need a lot less lotion, because my skin doesn't get as dry. All wins, in my Book of Frugal.
Agreed! Daily showers don't make sense to me personally, unless you're a sweaty mess or work in a hospital or something. I've been a lifelong every-other-day bather, and even my husband's super-sensitive nose can't notice a difference in how I smell on my off days.
Hey! My Grandmama called them "birdbaths" too! I remember the pediatrician fussing at my stepmother for bathing my baby brother two and three times a day. The poor baby had a terrible rash and the doctor said it was from washing away his skins natural oils so frequently. She was flabbergasted when he recommended bathing him only every two to three days! He also told her to clean his little fanny with plain water and a washcloth unless it was a horrific bowel movement, lol!
The hubs and I bathe every other day and take a birdbath inbetween unless we've gotten horribly dirty and sweaty. We use a plain Castille soap for him and a plain, unscented lye soap for me. A plain shampoo, no conditioner. Lightly scented, organic deodorants.....no antiperspirant. For lotion during the winter months, I'll mix some coconut oil and jojoba oil and perhaps add a few drops of essential oils (all organic). Oddly enough, I often receive random compliments about how good I smell and questions about what scent I'm wearing, lol! Normally, I'm wearing nothing at all.
As to household cleaning, I use plain water, original blue Dawn and vinegar for almost everything. No need for commercial products. $25 worth of homemade clothes detergent has lasted me ten months and works as well as anything commercially made without the cloying scents. A half cup of vinegar in the since cycle softens fabrics just fine and, according to my appliance guy (who's a friend of ours) will keep your washing machine innards clean and won't gunk up your washer and dryer the way dryer sheets and fabric softener do. Who doesn't want to extend the lifespan of their appliances?
I laughed so hard. Normally, I'm wearing nothing at all.
Yeah, Emperor's new clothes.
Lol
I know you meant no scent, but when read quickly, that gets missed!
Lol
Hope I made you laugh too
I have to shower daily, otherwise I stink.
Me too! I also have insanely oily hair! I have had people tell me if I stop washing my hair/using shampoo it will all even out.. but I can get noticeably oily in 18 hours... by 36 hours I am not suitable for public! lol
Same here. I tried the whole going without shampoo thing for months, and still no luck with a reduction in greasiness. I think I am just doomed to having quickly greasy hair.
I think it depends on the person. If my hubby didn't shower every day he would be super stinky! I would be fine every other day except I like to exercise and then after that no way anyone could be near me haha!
I think bathing really depends on your climate. When I have lived in colder climates with mild summers, every other day is absolutely fine. When I have lived in hotter, humid climates I NEED that shower everyday, although I still only wash my hair every other day.
This is a good tip! After having a baby, I've realized that it's more important to wash your hands all the time than to wipe down surfaces.
Good Morning! I mostly use water for cleanup of my kitchen as well. I mop the kitchen and dining area with warm water too. I love your new countertops! We purchased our house in July this past summer. My laminate countertops are in great shape but they are emerald green. I looked throughout your blog trying to locate the story of how you updated your kitchen. Did you blog about it? It is very beautiful.
I've got a post in the works about my kitchen!
Yup yup. And our love of cleaning products is also contributing to antibiotic resistance. There's usually no need to use antibacterial cleaning products in a home. Vinegar, bleach, or soap cleans grimy stuff up just fine!
I wipe down our tables and counters at least once a week, using just a wet rag. I do like to mop with diluted Dr. Bronner's soap, but mostly because I love the smell (I have the rose scent).
The majority of storebought cleaners can be diluted to save even more money when it does make sense to use them.
Yes indeed! Those Lysol commercials just about put me over the edge. You're a very bad mother if you don't sterilize the whole house... ! Ba humbug! You're a very bad mother if you don't expose your kids to some real dirt... ! 😉
I really like the microfibre cloths for cleaning. And I used to just love my Vim, the yellow variety, until one day the fumes kind of got to me while I was cleaning the shower. So I found a tub of Pink Solution I had for a lot of years and it is now one of my favourite cleaners. I even put a little chunk of it in the dishwasher to soften the crud (no pre-rinsing of dishes here). It's great for cleaning tea cups and coffee carafes, too.
Yes, the old folks knew stuff... and we think we know better, but it's not always the case.
What is Pink Solution?
See pinksolution.ca or, if you want to see a fast-talking man tell you about it for 12 minutes or so, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVYxQ5GNwxI
🙂
We do the same!! Kitchen counters get wiped down several times a day with just warm water/kitchen sponge, unless it is a gross mess. Sponge gets changed out or washed in the dishwasher frequently. So easy!
I wipe out my kitchen sink with a homemade (crocheted) dishcloth every time I use it, then use it to wipe down the counters and/or stove top. I change the dishcloth every day. I use cellulose sponges, too, for certain things, and put them in the dishwasher every time I run it. I put out a dish towel, too, every day, but it's really more for drying my hands. I hardly use any disinfectants in the kitchen.
Using a microfiber cloth instead of a regular dish cloth also helps clean. I've been surprised at what an effect making that switch has made. We also use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the shower after each use so it is always clean as well.
I'm so glad to read this post because I have gotten flak from my daughter in law and son for not bleaching things to kingdom come! They're always flooding their counters, etc. with masses of bacterial killing products. I rarely use sprays - only when meat bloodiness gets on the counter which is rare ...he! he! no pun intended::) Otherwise, it's hot water only. If I have a stain on the counter or stove I use baking soda which always works wonders. I have real sensitivities to odors so using a lot of commercial projects just doesn't make sense (he! he! - again, no pun intended) Finally, I use cut up old towels for my dishcloths. They seem to work just as well as anything else and it keeps them from the landfill for at least another year....Hmm....wonder if they could be composted? Any idea?
Check with the local animal shelter or vet. I know mine has gladly accepted old towels in the past.
Great idea!
I have used vinegar and water in a spray bottle for years.I disinfect only the toilets. I use cut up tee shirts and old towels for wipe ups, no paper towels in my house! We don’t get bloody meat on counters because we eat mostly vegan! It’s impossible to have a “sterile” home and why would you want to?Exposure to some germs and dirt is what helps childrens’ immune systems develop!!
I use a little spray bottle with water and a few tablespoons of vinegar as a multi-purpose cleaner. It cuts grease on counters but you can also use it to clean mirrors, windows, and porcelain. The vinegar scent totally disipates as the surface dries, so no worries about your house smelling like a pickle! You can also add essential oils for fragrance if you want, but I never do.
I really appreciate this pointer, and it bears out something my father always maintained: hot water is one of the best cleaners there is.
I use Meyers as well and find it’s also a waste to use spray each time. I pour half the cleaner into a mason jar and stash for later. Then fill the bottle up with water. It’s half as strong and works just as well. Also saves me $$. Sometimes I keep a bowl with warm water and dish soap in the sink. If there’s a mess then I simply get the sponge and clean it up.
We use mainly microfibre cloths (MFC) & water, I use vinegar for wiping down the bench after preparing raw chicken & cleaning the toilet. I do use shower power for the bottom 1/3 of the shower & MFC the rest because it really is an old shower that is hard to clean - the floor is tiny tiles with a ton of old grout & bathroom the rest of the bathroom is MFC's & water. Many hospitals in Australia have moved to using only MFC & water as research has shown it is more effective than chemicals. Bleach is quite toxic so I rarely use it, real vinegar is anti-fungal/antibacterial/antiviral & in most cases will be much more effective & completely safe. We wash our chopping boards in hot soapy water, & as the sun is extremely disinfecting try to line dry towels & cloths on the line in the sun.
I use lots of baking soda for stains and scouring. Vinegar is one of my favorite disinfectants. I keep some cleaners on hand but like the more natural ones for everyday use. I also use plain water for my counters and my husband thinks it's crazy that I don't use cleaner. Water is the universal solvent and does a better job of dissolving the sticky jelly messes than his fancy cleaner ;). Has anyone ever used Kool Aid powder for cleaning toilet bowls? I've heard it works but haven't tried it for fear that the due will stain.
I recently started using a mixture of vinegar and dawn dish detergent for cleaning the tubs and sinks. For floors, I still have an abnormal obsession with Pine-Sol. Working on it!!
A cleaning cloth and a bucket full of warm water with a squirt of dish soap is surprisingly effective for cleaning most things! I do this a lot and my kids like to get their own cleaning cloth and "help" me, since it's just a little dish soap and water, I don't hesitate to let them help.
I’m not a salesperson for them but I splurged on Norwex Enviro cloths and the window polish cloth. Amazing. They clean and scrub so well. I don’t use window cleaner anymore. They scrub grease off and you can rinse and keep cleaning and it doesn’t leave grease or sticky behind. Less paper towel use and cleaner use. They don’t get weird and stinky either!