Cleaning Tips

Washing Detergents – Liquid or Powder?

 

When we decide what brand of laundry detergent to use we are often swayed by what our Mum used because it evokes memories through its smell. If like me, knowing that whether I buy this brand or that, all have the same active ingredients; my choice depends on the cost at the checkout. But deciding on the type, liquid or powder, is a bit harder so here is a list of pros and cons for each type which might help make your choice easier:

Pros for Liquid

  • As it is in liquid form, it won’t leave soap scum inside your machine/soap drawer.
  • It dissolves quickly in cold water, so saves on energy.
  • You can use it to treat stains before washing using the lid/pot that comes as part of the packaging.
  • It is easier to measure when doing a half load.

Cons for Liquid

  • They tend to be more expensive… so shop around!
  • In their capsule form, you cannot use in half loads – so not very economical.

(I would have said they were not eco-friendly but producers now use recyclable materials in their packaging).

Pros for Powder

  • The ingredient (Surfactants) which actually does the cleaning is more stable in powders so the shelf life is longer making them more economical.
  • They tend to be cheaper than liquids.
  • The packaging is recyclable.

Cons for Powder

  • Use too much and you may find residue on your clothes that requires re-washing.
  • They dissolve better in warm water, so costs you more in energy.
  • Pre-treating stains requires you to dissolve the powder first in warm water.
  • Packaging is much larger, so not always cupboard space friendly.
  • Machine maintenance is a higher priority because of the residue it leaves.

It’s all a matter of personal choice – whether you use liquid or powder, to keep your machine working at its optimum level, put it through its hottest wash once a month (without the washing!) and this will help remove any detergent residue and so save you money.

Know Your Product pH Levels

 

Most of us will have nearly all of the following products available in our cupboards to help clean our homes. But do you know what will do what job without damaging the surface?

All cleaning products have a level on the pH scale from 0-14 with pH7 being thought to be neutral. Anything below 7 is considered acidic – these products are better at removing calcium, rust and other mineral non-organic items. Those products above 7 are considered alkaline – great for cleaning dirt, grease, oils and other organic items.

So which ones do you use?

_ Chlorine Bleach (pH 11-13): One of the top alkaline level products, so very corrosive and to be used carefully as not all surfaces will fare well when you use this neat.

_ Oven Cleaner (pH 11-13): The same level as bleach so you will need to protect floors and surfaces when allowing this product to cut through baked on grease and food deposits.

_ Baking Soda (pH 8-9): Not as corrosive as the first two but it’s alkaline enough to tackle grease and dirt around the home and less damaging to surfaces.

_ Washing up Liquid (pH 7-8): Being relatively neutral, this product is ideal for all your daily cleaning jobs. Most surfaces will not be damaged so it can be used almost anywhere around the home, not just in the sink.

_ Vinegar (pH 3): You would think this is safe to use anywhere in the home, but not so! Vinegar is quite acidic so can damage delicate surfaces like wood and limestone. What it is great for is lime scale deposits and cleaning your windows (1 part water to 1 part white vinegar).

_ Lemon (pH 3): Like vinegar, lemons are very acidic and will damage delicate surfaces. You can use it to scrub up drains and if you pop half of one in your microwave for 3 minutes on full power, not only will it smell lovely but cleaning the inside will be easier too.

_ Toilet bowl cleaner (pH 1-3): This very acidic product is ideal for removing lime scale and other non-organic substances. As it’s at the lowest end of the pH scale you will need to be careful when using it.

It is always advisable to read labels carefully and wear rubber gloves when using these products as your skin is a surface too.

Tackle those nets!

 

Your windows are clean but your nets look grey and tired, so rather than replacing them how about trying some old favourites.

If you have a bath, soak your nets overnight in cold water with the strained juice of 2 lemons. Wash as normal the next day and don’t forget to add a white towel or tablecloth to help bulk out the load (this helps to agitate the nets in the machine and release the dust), then drip dry on the line or re-hang at the window.

Alternatively you could use dissolved denture tablets or bicarbonate of soda instead of the lemon juice in your overnight soak. Then wash as above.

Don’t have a bath – use the kitchen sink! Adjust the amount of juice, tablet or bicarb and repeat the process as above.

Of course you can buy perfectly good products from the Supermarket that performs the jobs just as well for both your windows and nets.

Let the sunshine in

 

There is no need to waste money on expensive cleaning products when you can save money by using simple solutions we all have in our cupboards at home.

Now we’ve all heard the one about vinegar and newspaper to clean the windows… well it works. Make up a bowl of cleaning solution, using one part white (distilled) vinegar to one part water and apply with a chamois leather to each window. Now screw up the newspaper and buff till they shine.

And don’t forget the frames and sills! If you have mildew on either then one part bleach to one part water and a little elbow grease will bring them up clean. No mildew… just use warm soapy water and buff dry with a clean cloth.