Cleaning

I am starting to experiment with "natural" or "traditional" cleaning products. My reasons are:
1. Cost. Baking soda and vinegar are a lot cheaper than what else is going! Over the last year of so I've been increasing my use of eco-friendly products, and they are often more expensive than the mass produced standard version.
2. Environment. I'm increasingly aware of all the strange things that are going down our drains and into the sewerage system, or on our bodies.
3. Chemicals. Don't get me wrong here. I find a lot of the stuff that is written about "harmful chemicals" frustrating, anti-scientific or extremely overblown. However, it seems to make sense to keep it simple wherever possible, especially around young children.

Today's experiment was baking soda as scourer. I tried it in my sink and benchtop. It seemed to do the job really well. An earlier experiment using plain baking soda rather than dishwasher detergent worked a treat too. I can't believe it worked so well - I'm not sure it would get fully greasy dishes clean, but I can always keep some extra product on hand for those occasions. I've also swapped my usual handcream for an "all natural", NZ made product. Only one day into that trial so far though.

Projects for the future will be a vinegar mix for windows, vinegar and tea-tree oil concoction rather than surface spray, and baking soda oven cleaner. Once my hair calms down post-delivery (I find my shampooing needs change rapidly in the pregnant and post-natal periods), I'm going to try baking soda "shampoo" with apple cider vinegar rinse "conditioner". Will report on results in the fullness of time....