Cleaning up the planet

So I'm sure you all remember the Econoclean Challenge. I mean, who could forget such investigative journalism, right? After doing more research I discovered that Borax is chlorine free. I've decided to try it out, hopefully without need of a hazmat suit and ventilator. I went to a couple places close to home to find it and couldn't. I asked the sales people and they didn't even know what it was. Granted they were the age where if it wasn't advertised on MTV it didn't exsist but geez! I did find it and was shocked that a 4lb box cost $5. Heck, I used to pay that much for one little spray bottle of the premixed, diluted stuff. If it works this box will last quite a long time. Well, maybe not that long since I do have a lot of cleaning coming up with moving and all. Of course, I will post the results as I am sure you are all teatering on the edge of your seats in anticipation. Wow, I think I woke up on the sarchastic side of bed today, think?
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The Ecoclean Challenge

I've seen a lot and heard a lot about all these home made cleaners. I think I'm going to put them to the test. Normally I use Mr. Clean concentrate diluted with water in a spray bottle. I use this everywhere. Now I think I'm going to try 1 part white vinegar with 1 part water. I will probably add just a pinch of lemon juice concentrate for that fresh smell. Then again, who wants their toilet smelling like lemons? Granted its better than what toilets usually smell like. I would love to use just diluteted bleach but I'm allergic to it and it's fumes.
A long, long time ago in the land of filth (aka my muther's house) I got sick of living upstairs with the mess so I decided to clean out a room in the basement and move there. Easier said than done. Once I did get the boxes of crap moved out I still had to contend with a cement floor covered in kitty mess. She had a cat that was always sick, maybe that was because she never cleaned up after him? Anyway, I tried one cleaner after another and being the dumb teenager I was thought, "Well, if this one sort of works and that one sort of works if I combine them then they will really work." The result: a clean cement floor and chemical burns on skin and lungs. But at least I had a place to live that was clean and out of the way. Until I realized that winter in basements with no heat are COLD. Luckily I can leave all the stupidness behind because I am now older; therefore, wiser. Ok, you can quit laughing hysterically, maybe that was a bit of an overstatement but at least now I know enough to never mix commercial cleaning products.
The criteria for the tests will be:
1. Does it work as well, better or worse than the commercial stuff.
2. Does it take more, less or about the same elbow grease.
3. Is it really that much cheaper.
4. Is it worth switching permanantly.
I will post the results of the 'Ecoclean Challenge' once they are finished.
Sidenote to Catherine- I think we watched the same episode. I can even understand what they are saying now!
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The fruit salad of chemistry.

So one of my favorite shows now is on BBC, How Clean Is Your House? It makes me feel like Martha freaking Stewart compared to these blokes. They just showed how to clean with a grapefruit, salt and a Dobie. They took a tub and sink that hadn't been cleaned in nearly 15 years and made it shine like Telly Savalas head. If grapefruit weren't so expensive around here I would definately use that on a regular basis. Now my Mom & Dad, they have a grapefruit tree in their backyard. Of course, they did say that any citrus will work but grapefruit have a larger surface area. They also showed how to unclog a drain with baking soda and vinegar. I knew I should have payed attention in chemistry.

High-tech hippies of the future.

Morning came long before I was ready for it. That just means that I will make another cup of coffee and pry my eyelids open with duct tape. Isn't the shiny eye look back in style?
Anyway, I was glad to learn that my friend Catherine over at http://www.angelfoodcakeisntacandle.blogspot.com/ isn't a sock & Birkenstock hippy. Just an enviornmently conscience mom. Not that I don't think you would look bad in hippy dresses, Catherine. Afterall, I'm sitting here in one of my old Greatful Dead t-shirts wondering where I put that old Simon & Garfunkle album. I may have to try that dishwasher detergent recipe. I haven't found one yet that can get the gunk scraped off without scratching up my glasses. And I refuse to rinse dishes first, if I do that I might as well just wash them by hand. (check out her site for the recipe)
Mike was reading the brochure for my new ears when he looked up and asked, "Did you know that these were Bluetooth compatible?". Me being the highly intelligent and technologically advanced person that I am said, "Yes... what is Bluetooth?". While he explained it to me all I could think is that I don't want anything that will make my teeth blue. I don't know if I will ever use that feature but I sure am excited about being able to hear what people are saying behind my back. Hee hee hee.
Allright, butts growing roots and the coffee is not empty but too cold soooooo... to quote my fave movie- "I'm off like a prom dress!"
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Rain, rain go away and don't come back next Saturday

The sky outside is almost as murky as the Mississippi river. There is a drizzle coming down and its cold. Hmm, sounds like a day to stay inside and take a nap. I need to do a little laundry, ok- a lot of laundry and finish unpacking. Other than that my house is in good shape thanks to my mother-in-law. She has a heart of gold. The day after we got back from Arizona she surprised me at 9 am by showing up at my door ready to clean. She knows how the condition of my home directly effects my mood and that I would be too exhausted from the trip to do much to improve it. She was right. She stayed until about 1 pm and took time out to play with Gryffin, get him to eat his lunch and put him down for a nap. The whole time she was here, I went through the mail and cleaned up the kitchen. Thinking about it, the house wasn't in that bad of condition since it had been inhabited by a batchelor and four dogs for a week. But thanks to Mom, my floors were scrubbed for the first time in a long time.
Having a relatively clean house is going to be of great help considering I have 1 week to plan for, shop for and decorate for Gryffin's 2nd Birthday party. We have to keep it smaller than last year due to the short time frame (and lack of space). I did get the invitations out already. Since they had a dinosaur theme, I will stick with that for the party. I hate to admit this but I am buying a cake this year. Out of neccessity, not want. I've got the plates, forks and napkins but still need cups, decorations and beverages. I guess I'm not in as bad a shape as I thought!
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Cheap Labor

He does windows, dusting and floors. I'm working on getting him to use the Magic Eraser on the tub but the little guy just doesn't have the elbow grease yet. After getting him a new spray bottle yesterday he went to town today. After watching me do a couple he was all about doing it himself. The only downfall is that anything over three foot still has to be done by me. Thats ok, its fun helping him clean the house! hee hee hee

At least I know that once a month my house gets scrubbed down. Good thing #1. This usually coincides with a certain someones visit. It wasn't too bad, Mike and I barely got a 'hi' and Gryffin kept her occupied. She did show up 20 minutes early, but still only stayed an hour. I can handle that.
Today's forcast upper 60's to lower 70's and rainy. Good thing #2. I don't mind the rain. I'm hoping it will make our yellow yard green again. Otherwise instead of losing Mike to football or basketball, I lose him to yard work. He takes pride in the yard and it gives him exercise. Me? Heck, if the weeds are green, isn't higher than my ankles and doesn't have a car up on blocks in it- I'm cool.
I have massive amounts of laundry to fold today. Yaaaaay- clean clothes! Good thing #3. And if the rain does let up I am taking Gryffin to the hardware store to get him another spray bottle. The kid loves to help me clean. Good thing #4. He was really ticked yesterday when I only gave him a cloth to clean with. He used to have this little spray bottle that I put water in but it broke. He kept reaching for my spray bottle but I just don't think he's ready for real Lysol yet.