lynsey eco

My best eco-friendly cleaning products

by Cleaning ProductsProduct Reviews

Cleaning products make up 15% of plastic waste, most of us have cupboards bulging with plastic bottles, me included but what can we do to reduce this wastage. We all want to keep our homes clean and smelling great, but it would also be nice to rethink our produce choices.

Investing in eco cleaning products for your home is one of the simplest ways to move to a more sustainable way of living.

Eco-friendly or green cleaning is seeing a huge rise in interest and instead we are moving back to more traditional methods often using my favourite juicy lemons, bicarb of soda, citric acid and white vinegar using various combinations.

I have spent the last few weeks testing out eco cleaning products and eco cleaning tools from well known brands and super markets and wanted to share some of my top eco finds with you that will have your kitchen gleaming and your bathroom sparkling.

Cleaning tools.

Coconut cleaning scourers and scrubbers, these work so well and are made from coconut husk bristles and natural cotton. The main benefits of having coconut husk, or coir, cleaning bristles is that they are tough, highly durable and sustainable, providing you with long-term cleaning tools.The bristles make easy work of those hard to reach areas. They are naturally biodegradable and free from plastic.

After use pop them in the dishwasher to clean.

Coconut cleaning tool

Bamboo duster

A classic duster for any home, the handle is made out of bamboo which means it’s germ-free and naturally sterile and gives you an alternative to buying a plastic one, don’t forget my range with Addis is made from bamboo too. My bamboo sponges and cloths are naturally anti-bacterial plant source eliminating odours and prolonging sponge life

feather duster
So soft and picks up dust with ease, you can order yours here

Beldray antibac spray and clean mop

A new innovation in cleaning using the power of Salt, water and electricity to create a natural cleaning power. The 400 ml refillable and removable water bottle enables you make your own sanitiser for floors, surfaces and for taking out and about. By simply using the trigger on the mop handle you can conveniently spray the jets of water onto the floor without having to bend over.

Spray Mop
https://amzn.to/3CSG5L9

Cleaning products

Nana’s Secret natural cleaning clay

Cleans, polishes and protects, this incredible cleaning clay is made from all natural ingredients. It can clean the toughest off grime from all hard surfaces plus it will protect your surfaces too. Has a hint of lemon so smells so fresh.

This one is available from Must have ideas.

SMOL

Non biological tablets with plastic free packaging, cruelty free and vegan friendly. You can buy separately or part of a subscription service. They are have other products too such as dishwasher tablets, fabric conditioner and cleaning sprays.

The box does have a safety lock.

Wilton London

Wilton is literally amazing, smells good and cleans to perfection. Packed with essential oils and made right here in the UK. The formula is packed with naturally derived ingredients.

They do a range of cleaning products, including a window spray, multi-purpose spray, washing up liquid and laundry products which are in store in at Lakeland or available online.

Mix Clean Green

Zero waste green cleaning, mix clean cleaning products are so good, I have been using them a few months now and really enjoy them, the added benefit is they take up very little to store and refills fit through your letter box when you order them so no missed deliveries.

Their products are :

Highly concentrated.
Low-carbon footprint.
Single-use plastic FREEEE.
Vegan
Pet friendly.
Family friendly.

The bath mix is one of my favourites and smells super minty. Made from bicarbonate of soda and bio surfactant and can be used on baths, showers, sinks, taps, stainless steel and even white trainers.

Open image in slideshow, Bath cleaning paste amber glass jar and ecoconut scrub brush

Ecozone soap nuts

These are 100% natural and eco friendly alternative to laundry detergents, which are gentle on all fabrics. Simply add them to the woven bag provided and then add to your washing machine.

You can also boil them into a foam that can be used as a hair and body wash which is also great for healing skin conditions. (in mu insta highlights there is a little demo of this process)

Soap nuts come from the Sapindus mukorossi tree—a unique species of trees found in both the eastern and western hemispheres, but native to the tropical conditions of Nepal.

They are sticky to touch and a bit unusual but I really enjoyed testing them.

Hope some of my favourite choices will be of use you in potentially changing some of your cleaning habits.

Thanks so much for reading

This feature does contain some affiliate links

Lynsey

Lynsey_QOC_PR_04

What to look for in hiring a cleaner or a cleaning service

by Cleaning Tips

There is such a huge buzz for cleaning at the moment but as much as some of us try to keep on top of our homes a cleaner is sometimes still needed for those little jobs that we can just forget to do. Getting help with  the cleaning has become more of a necessity for some busy families, not a luxury, and there are plenty of choices, from hiring an individual cleaner to hiring a cleaning company.

Letting a cleaner/cleaning company come into your home touch your belongings and invade on your private space can be hard for some. Once you have got your head around this and you make the decision to employ a cleaner/cleaning company you need to make sure you choose wisely. 

You need complete trust in the cleaner/cleaners you choose and need to feel comfortable that you are leaving your home in safe hands. 

I am asked often about how to choose a company so I felt a guidance was in order.

I strongly suggest you………..

1 – Do your research

2 – Check references, ask for them to give details of people they are currently work for and ask if you can contact them. A good cleaner will off course so yes. 

3 – Check reviews on social media groups and look for testimonials on their website. 

5 – Arrange a pre visit so you can meet with them and ask these questions

  • Do you bring your own cleaning products
  • Do use use Eco cleaning products
  • Have long have you been in business
  • Do you use bleach
  • Do you wear shoe covers or take your shoes off
  • Are you insured
  • Are you DBS checked
  • Do you work in pairs and do the same team come each time
  • How to you set your rates, do you charge by the hour or by the property type.  If it is hourly make sure you cap this as you don’t want to be over charged.
  • Do you have a satisfaction guarantee – Companies should be open to your suggestions and feedback. They should also be able to provide you with a satisfaction guarantee in the event that you are unhappy with a particular service.You should be able to openly communicate with them by email or phone to ensure your cleaning needs are being met.
  • How will you gain access to my home – If you leave your cleaner with a key ensure its is kept in a key safe or grant access through a key pad.
  • If you have a pet ensure the cleaner/cleaners will be OK with it and keep it safe
  • What is included in the service – Ask what cleaning services are included in a regular , does this include windows, reaching high to cobwebs and dusting of skirting boards. 
  • Will I get everything in writing
  • Can I have a trial clean before I commit
  • What is the cancellation process. 
  • How do I pay 

In the UK the average cost of a self employed independent cleaner at todays date 2024 is around £13.50 – £20 per hour and varies dependent on whereabouts in the country you are.

Cleaning for business premises £20 – £25 per hour.

Remember this is your home and a service you are paying for so it needs to be right.  You want to come home from work a to a house that shines.  If you are not happy with your cleaner/cleaning service you need to speak up and provide evidence that the job is not being done correctly.

Take photos of areas that have been missed so you can back up your compliant. 

If all of this just sounds like to much hassle then remember my socials and webiste are here to help you. Use my tips and tricks, follow my daily hashtags and try my 5 Minute Challenge or download my monthly monthly cleaning calendar and do a daily task that ensures all the major jobs are being completed. 

Better still if you love cleaning you can make a good honest living from it and set up your own little business , keep fit and enjoy the benefits of being self employed. 

Hope this helps and thank you for reading
Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxox

Soft,Your,Laundry,By,Droping,Dryer,Sheets,Into,Your,Dryer

Useful ideas on how to use tumble dryer sheets

by Cleaning Tips

I bet most of us have a packet of tumble dryer sheets in their laundry cupboard that aren’t being used. Personally I don’t use them in the tumble dryer. Main reason being our tumble dryer is our in the garage and I just forget to take them through with the laundry plus I am not a huge fan of using the tumble dryer and will always try and air dry our clothes to ensure that my laundry always always smells good.

What actually are Tumble Dryer sheets?

Tumble dryer sheets are meant to go in with your wet washing to help your washing smell good when it comes out. The sheets are coated with stearic acid, which melts when heated. This helps to reduce static, and increase the softness of fabric in the tumble dryer.

Here are a few  very different ways in which you can use them around your home. If you have further suggestions then please feel free to add into the comments below.

TV Screen and electrical items

Electronics are electrically charged, meaning they are basically magnets for dust. You will notice that your TV screen will always have dust even if you wipe it over every day. By using a dryer sheet to wipe your screen clean, the static is counteracted, meaning less dust will be attracted to them in the future.

Dry Spillages

Dry spills such as cereal, flour, sugar and soil can often be harder to clean up than a wet one.Next time this happens grab a dryer sheet and see how quick it is to clear away the spillage. As the dryer sheets are slightly textured on the surface and have tiny fibres which will lift and hold onto dry particles.

Pet Hair

Pet hair one of my biggest bug bearers and I never thought I would have this issue. Hetty isn’t supposed to shed hair but she does. I am constantly tackling her hair.its sends my OCD into overdrive its unsightly and unhygienic.Wipe a dryer sheet over areas littered with pet hair to effortlessly lift it and leave your home looking spotless.

Make your shower door sparkle

A really easy quick way of cleaning of the shower door is to use a damp tumble dryer sheet. You will be surprised as can effortlessness remove hard water and soap scum.

Polish your stainless steel and chrome 

A slightly damp dryer sheet will shine up chrome and stainless steel.

Smelly PE kits and gym bags

Add a dryer sheet to the bottom of your sports bag or even your hand bag to give it a fresh smell and freshen up.

Line your clothes drawers

Very simply place a sheet at the bottom to keep your clean clothes smelling fresh for longer.

Inside you cushions

Pop one inside your sofa cushions and left the wonderful smell drift through.

Suitcases

After your holiday line your suitcase with a few sheets so next time you use it, it smells fab.

Blinds

Wipe the slates on your blinds weekly with them, you will be amazed and what they life off.

I hope these tips have been useful, as always thank you for reading. Please use my hashtag if you try these tips on your social platforms #queenofcleaneffect.

Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxo