Cleaning the House

[ladybug]

Hi...

So, what do other CFers do when it comes to cleaning (dusting, cleaning bathrooms, etc.)? I find that I can barely handle the fumes from cleaning sprays, yet want to use them since they're antibacterial. I also feel like crap when I dust or sweep cause all the dust and "stuff" gets stirred up. I'm wondering what everyone else does? I rarely clean (I know, bad), cause I know how tight it will make my chest. I just dread it.

And, I have wore a mask, but I find it is even tougher to breath in that cause it gets so warm when I'm scrubbing, etc....

Any ideas aside from neglecting my household chores???

Thanks-

 

[JazzysMom]

I wish I had a solution for you. I neglected my house terrible & with a cat dog, 2 bird of ours & bird sitting 2 birds its not a wise thing to neglect. Hubby helped out when he could, but its a lot. My sister finally starting coming to keep it at bay so I had minimal spraying etc

 

[anonymous]

I am no help but am seconding Sonia on this one. I am looking around my apartment in disgust knowing that I can't clean it but what to do. I can't afford a cleaning lady. so suggestions are needed<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Sue 24w/CF

 

[spicyone18]

I am the same way specially with Pine Sol. I don't really have any suggestions. My mom comes over to my apartment to help me out. Most of the time I just pick up and she does the scrubbing <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> WHat I would do with out her, I have no clue.

 

[thelizardqueen]

I don't think I'll be of any help. I don't work, so therefore cleaning the apartment falls on my shoulders when it comes to the bf and I. I'll do the dusting, vacuuming, etc. My bf does clean the bathroom for me and washes the floors, as the chemicals are too harsh on my lungs for me though. All I can say is that when I clean, I keep my purifier on and keep the windows open too, and I try to clean every day to every second day to keep the dust activity down.

 

[Debi]

I know what you mean about the fumes and the dust. Over the years, I have found there are actually quite a few things you can do. They now make microfiber cloths that help keep the dust right in the rag instead of spreading it around in the air. Also, I use the Swiffer floor cloths for dusting rags - they trap the dust also. Maybe Swiffer makes regular dusting cloths by now. I just had a bunch of the floor ones around and use those. Instead of using cleaning solutions with chemicals in them, I use vinegar and water for cleaning countertops. The vinegar cuts through the grime. A number of years ago we pulled up all the carpet throughout our house and installed tile, even in the bedrooms. What an amazing difference that made in the amount of dirt and dust! Tile is great in the southwest, but you could use laminate or wood flooring instead. I realize that won't help those in apartments, and we did have to save awhile because it was a costly solution. To clean sinks, I use mostly hot water and vinegar or a water/bleach solution. I also use Clorox wipes (or whatever generic brand I find in the grocery store) for daily cleanup in the kitchen. Anyway, hope some of this helps. The best help I have are my husband and kids, who do the vacuuming and mopping, tubs, showers and toilets.

Debi
54 w/cf

 

[Rokiss12]

those air filters? u no them? i have one in my room, and it helps SOOO much! the air just feels so clean <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Allisa35]

I hate cleaning myself. I especially hate dusting, but it doesn't bother my breathing. That is my least favorite job (lol). I do most of the cleaning in the house. My husband does help with the vacuuming and we rotate nights on doing dishes. But he won't do the dusting. It gets bad because I let it go too long. And having 2 dogs and 5 cats doesn't help anything. I usually use Endust or Plege wipes to do the dusing. For the kitchen I mostly use Lysol disinfectant kitchen cleaner or 409. For the bathroom floor, I also use Swiffers. I use Kaboom tub cleaner. That is the one that gets to me the most, but most of the other cleaners don't seem to bother me. I also use the Clorox or Lysol wipes in the bathroom. The vacuuming seems to get to me the most (I get out of breath). I know if we could afford a "maid", I would hire one.

Maybe you can try opening the windows and let fresh air in while you are cleaning. I don't know where you live, so that might not work. We live in Illinois so there are only certain times out of the year that we have the windows open.

Good luck!!

 

[anonymous]

hi guys, I use an electric steamer, no chemicals needed and the grimes just wipes away. It feels & looks so clean. I like the orange glo range of cleaning products as they are natural products & they smell nice.

Happy cleaning girls........

 

[anonymous]

have you ever seen uk's "how clean is your house" they use natural things like lemon juice and vinegar. hope that helps. janet uk<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[NoExcuses]

cleaning is tough - it's tiring and the fumes get to me too. Instead of going out and paying for movies or going out to dinner, I save every month to have someone come to clean.

it's worth it to have the extra energy and less stress!

 

[anonymous]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>amy</b></i>

cleaning is tough - it's tiring and the fumes get to me too. Instead of going out and paying for movies or going out to dinner, I save every month to have someone come to clean.



it's worth it to have the extra energy and less stress!</end quote></div>

Amen!

 

[lovingBenandCambree]

I have this problem as well, it isn't necessarily the fumes and everything, but just having the energy to do it all. I get so embarrassed when people come over and my family isn't very nice about it. I almost get insulted when people come and want to clean my house for me, I know I shoudl be grateful, but it would be better for me to ask for help than for them to just come and think my house if awful when I have just spent quite a bit of time on it and they are wanting to help me clean. I just odn't feel that anyone understands my situation and how hard it is for me to clean. It can be pretty upsetting at times

 

[candiebar76]

My 2 older children didn't understand the change in chores when are Dr. gave us a list of things our 3rd child shouldn't do. He is only 6 yo so we had him vacuuming and stuff like that. He hasn't been dx yet but because of all the sinus issues the dr. said this is something he should probably follow. He would also have sneezing fits and coughing when ever he used cleaners like a rag with pinesol or even windex. When ever our son is here we use Personal Touch while cleaning. You can use it on everything that you clean and it is organic. However, it is expensive for a family of 6 because we go thru it quickly. To help save on cost we have a friend (w/ a son our sons age) that lives on the next block that we usually send our son to when we are doing the heavy duty cleaning (about once a month). For that we use the pinesol and stuff. If you are interested in learning more about Personal Touch call (228) 769-8501. It is also great on carpet and spot cleaning. I was amazed I even got a red paint mess that had been there for months to come off my white carpet.
Candace (sorry I sound like an advertisement, but I swear by this stuff)

 

[65rosessamurai]

I grew up with four other siblings, and we all had to chip in to help with the cleaning.
Even now, I do most of the cleaning, and have a hard time breathing with chlorine based cleansers, etc. The best thing to do is have as much ventillation as possible. Also, more natural cleansers would be easier on the body, as well as the environment.
As for vacuuming, trying to keep the exhaust filter clean would help as well. I can't breath when a vacuum cleaner has too much of a musty smell to it. I'm allergic to dust and mites (as well as cat fur).
wiping dust with a damp cloth, or using the vacuum cleaner would seem to be an idea to keep the dust from stirring up.
Just some tips that i use when cleaning.

 

[Diane]

I do housekeeping for a living and have some ways around things . One product i found to work well and not bother me with its fumes is " Murphy's oil Soap". It smells great and works well also. One thing i hate to use is bleach, i only use it if i am forced to and i usually leave the room promptly after i do. Also as everyone else said good ventilation is a definite necessity. I like the "Clorox Antibacterial Wipes" also. They do a great job and arent over powering with their smell. For dusting i read somewhere it is best to always use a damp cloth to dust so it catches and holds the dust instead of spreading it around. This works way better than spraying with a dusting spray and wiping with a dry cloth. They have dusting wipes you can buy that dont smell too over powering and since they are already damp , all you have to do is wipe. I have a room full of lizards and you can not spray any kind of chemical in their room, it can kill them so i always clean in there with a damp cloth , and never need to spray. If i clean the mirror or windows in there i pour some windex on a paper towel or rag, and just wipe them down without ever needing to spray. It works well.

 

[Tess]

It seems we all have the cleaning problem......
I don't like cleaning but when I'm in the "" Mood "" if there is such a thing
for cleaning ..... That's when I clean up everything .... Mr Clean doesn't bother me nor does dish soap .... which is what I use on the floors most of the time .... wiping up with just hot water works some..... the Lysol toilet stuff for just that the toilet (I find it stinks pretty)..... when I clean out the tub I usually spray and walk away ..... come back in like Ten minutes and wipe it up/out .......... Other than that I do the rest very slowly... some time's it can take days .. other times it's only hours...... packing and or unpacking takes weeks to months...... But hey that another topic......

 

[EnergyGal]

I like Seventh Generation products at Whole Foods. I have a kitchen spray, bathroom spray and a Bedroom spray (just kidding about the bedroom)

I have a steam cleaner that is great for the bathrooms. Great on floors bought them on QVC

I have those duster cloths that my husband loves and we sometimes get a maid.

I like to wash the sheets and bathroom towels every week and use paper towels often.

That is all I can think of
Risa