I was rambling on in another post and decided this was a question better served in another thread. Since we’re all trying to incorporate more ways of living green into everyday life, AND since we’re chatting away on a eco-friendly cat litter site, I was wondering if anyone has had any successes with alternatives to traditional cleaning/sanitizing methods. I always use pet-friendly products, but I’d really like to cut down on the amount of chemicals we seem to need around the house to keep everything clean for our pets and us humans.

I’ve been most interested in information on steam-cleaning, both as an easily renewable resource as well as for cutting out the vast majority of chemical products. I know there are several different home steam cleaning systems out there, but I can’t seem to find a decent source of unbiased information on them, and can’t tell which ones are the real deal and which are just out there trying to take you for a ride. I don’t mind the investment, but I’m not up for throwing $$ down the drain. Too much of that going on with the price of gasoline right now. *grrr!*

Anyone have any suggestions/experiences they’d like to share?

I’ve used the “Anti-Icky-Poo” Spray (a MisterMax Quality Product) for about a year. It’s a live bacteria and enzyme solution. I’m not sure if that strays enough away from the idea of “chemical” for you. It claims to be natural in that it “eats” away urine and therefore eradicates smell.

I use it basically for spot treatments on a basement floor. I spray it on spots of poop that hadn’t quite come off of my cat before she sat down on the floor. I let it sit while cleaning/changing the litter box. It allows me to pick up stuck on messes. I have not tried this on carpets, though.

I ordered it online from Cat Faeries based in San Francisco: http://www.catfaeries.com I haven’t checked to see if it’s sold in stores.

Good luck!

I have long used a natural cleaning/sanitizing product that I have come to trust.  It’s called Grapefruit Seed Extract by Nutribiotics.  You mix a few drops in water and it does an outstanding cleaning job. I have a cat rescue group and have used this mixture for years.  It’s safe for the cats and they can eat it without any problems.  Putting it in their water seems to control tapeworms as well.  Most pet owners who raw feed use it to disinfect the raw meat products they use.

I’ll have to look into the icky-poo and the grapefruit seed extract. I just googled GSE and wow! There’s a lot of stuff there! I’m always a bit wary of the “miracle ingredient” thing, but it sounds like it needs a trial run at least. If only for the *ahem* intestinal help! That would be good for kitties and for us! Thanks for the heads-up!

Try white vinegar mixed with water or strait white vinegar on a tough spot.  It’s cheap, natural and effective.

I scrub my area rugs with it, all my wood floors with it, cat pans etc.  It is natural and breaks down animal residue.  It’s also a disinfectant.  Just don’t use it on metal, it will corode or rust it.
marie

I’ve heard of using vinegar before.  You can also add lemon juice to make it smell better.

*sigh* I never remember to have white vinegar around the house, I much prefer apple cider vinegar when cooking. But it has a wee to much colouring in it to use for cleaning purposes. I really have to remember to go down that aisle and pick some up the next time I go food shopping.

I was still hoping to hear from anyone who’s used any of those steam cleaners before I made the splurge. I want a clothes steamer for getting rid of wrinkles and freshening drapes, etc anyway… I was just hoping I’d find something that could pull double or triple duty. I like things that are multi-functional!

I’ve used the scunci steamer for a while, and i’ve been quite pleased with it. you’ll be amazed at all the little nooks and crannies it cleans out! its kinda scary actually. i cleaned my bathroom with it the other day, and cleaned UNDER the shower door tracks....ew!! i’ve also used it to spot clean my carpet, which is really old and not in the best of shape, but the steamer does a really good job of getting up spots. i’ve never tried using it on my clothes though, so i can’t comment on it as far as that goes, but for cleaning purposes, i like it!! anything else you wanna know about it, lemme know!:P

aHA!!! You’re the person I was looking for!

I just wanted to hear some actual feedback from someone who had one of these gizmos. You like it, so that’s one checked off the list! How long have you had yours? Does it do a pretty thorough job compared to conventional cleaners? Does it come with all the attachments you’ll actually need, or do they try to sell you all the extra stuff. What about the wiping-up part? Do you have special cleaning cloths or can you use the old towel of your choice? Does it freak you out going to clean up the kitchen after you’ve used it to clean out the bathrooms or litterbox? Anything else I should know before I take the plunge?

i’ve had mine for a couple of years now, my ex-boyfriends mom got two for christmas one year, so she gave one to me. w i think it does a pretty thorough job cleaning. it gets in little tiny crevices waaay to small for me to be able to get in to. you don’t need any kind of special towel for wiping up, although if i remember correctly it does come with some, but i didn’t find them very absorbent so i just use my own. it comes with several attachments that have been able to handle any cleaning job i’ve wanted to tackle. be warned that some of the larger attachments can be a bit difficult to change out (like the hose and the other long stick part), but the little brushes that go on the tip pop on and off with no problem. i know a floor attachment can be bought for it, but i never bought it so i have no idea if its useful or not, and ive been able to spot clean just fine with the brushes that come with it.  as far as cleaning the kitchen after you clean the litter box, well what you might want to do is put one of the little brushes in a zip lock baggie labeled “litter box brush” and use it just for that since it come with several.  you can also buy replacement brushes online, but they’re getting to be harder to find since the model of the scunci steamer i have is not made anymore. also, it does take a little while to warm up, and it “spits” for maybe the first 10 or 15 seconds, but then goes fine and actually cleans for quite a while before it needs to be refilled.  overall i’m really pleased with it. anything else, let me know! :D

I too have been looking for non-toxic cleaners and just came across something I had never heard about. It is essentially an extract of oils from citrus and other products (peppermint, eucalyptus etc.) and can be used undiluted for some purposes and diluted for more general cleaning. Here is their website: http://www.greenterpene.com/whisd.html If you click on the Samples link on the left, you can see small container options - or you can actually buy it by the tanker load (call for a price). Another place I found that has “recipes” for natural cleaning solutions can be found at http://www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm. If you are looking for store-bought products to use, I really like the Method product line. I especially like their Green Tea hand soap that comes in a teardrop-shape container. They make a full line of products including laundry detergent and even a cleaner for granite countertops. Target carries a pretty full complement of their products. I use the Method hand soap at all my sinks and refill them from a huge bottle I buy at Costco.

Thanks for all the info! I’m going to get one of the steam cleaners now, I’m just doing a little research first. The only ones I’m familiar with are the scunci ones, and since it’s getting glowing reviews up there, that’s my front runner. But I want to take a peek at the other ones available, then I have to check $. And since I haven’t had much time for shopping lately, I guess I’ll be using up my current stock of cleaning products before I get one. Which is for the best anyway, since then I won’t have wasted product!

I’ll let you know when I get it! In the meanwhile, keep posting more info on steamers and other good stuff!

I don’t use any steam cleaners or anything like that, and I also don’t use any harsh chemicals. I use Seventh Generation products. They are Biodegradable, Earth friendly and they don’t have harsh smells added. I just thought i would add my 2 cents.

Just out of curiousity, where could be buy Seventh Generation if we were interested?

I have seen Seventh Generation in our Sears/KMart stores; but I have not tried it.

I did not know that white vinegar is considered a disinfectant.  I do use it diluted to clean because it breaks down calcium residue from our hard water but I was not aware of its other properties.  That is cool and useful information.

I too have stopped buying a bunch of different products for each cleaning issue.  I mainly use a bleach and water solution (1-10) for disinfecting and cleaning.

Places to by Seventh Generation Products.
*New Seasons Market.
*Thriftway.
*Albertsons.
*Fred Meyers.

And I am sure tons of other stores.
I hope You can find it!
It’s Great and I love it!

Rachel