Do any of you ladies have any home remedies for cleaning? For the last couple of months I have noticed that I have a headache after I clean. Last night I dusted (with Pledge) and I got the worst headache. I wonder if it is the chemicals. Someone told me to use lemon juice, vinegar and baking soda, but what kills the germs? Please help!! My head hurts.. wwaaahhhh......

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 11:48 am:

Well, Pledge, of course, doesn't klll germs. Simply dusting/wiping your surfaces does a pretty good job of getting the germs off. If you are talking about food preparation areas and bathrooms, then, of course, you need a germ killing or discouraging type of cleaner. Actually almost any soap product will get rid of germs temporarily - if you are not having reactions from your dishwashing detergent, that should work just fine.

I try very hard to get products without scent added (especially lemon and strong floral scents) because I find them overpowering. But it gets harder and harder every month to find stuff without added "fragrance".

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 11:49 am:

Uh - I'm probably behind the times. When I think of Pledge, I think of wooden surfaces, coffee tables, etc. Is there a Pledge for porcelain surfaces & kitchen surfaces?

By Colette on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 11:59 am:

I use either white vinegar or these products http://www.sunandearth.com/

By Kaseys on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 12:11 pm:

Ginny- It did sound like I was using Pledge to kill germs didn't it. LOL I meant that I simply dusted last night and got a headache. I'm worried about how to kill the germs in the bathroom and kitchen. I use scrubbing bubbles and pine sol in the bathroom and Lyscol (sp) kitchen cleaner in the kitchen. And I use Clorox wipes like crazy.

By Kaseys on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 12:15 pm:

Colette - I am going to order their catalog.. Thanks!!

By Bea on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 12:16 pm:

I use white vinegar and water in a spray bottle to clean my furniture. I don't like to use products like Pledge on antiques.

By Shellyg on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 12:19 pm:

Target carries a great product called Method. All natural, works great. I use their products for everything. Bonus is that they smell AMAZING!

By Shellyg on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 12:21 pm:

Ooooh, also Trader Joes has a all natural product line. Does not work nearly as well as the Method products.

By Karen~moderator on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 07:12 pm:

You might be reacting to the dust, not the products. I use those ear-loop masks.

By Frasersmama on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 07:15 pm:

I clean with a white vinegar/water solution in a spray bottle, its a great disinfectant and baby friendly too.

By Jann on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 07:25 pm:

What are the proportions for the vinegar/water mix? What all does it clean?

By Dawnk777 on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 10:58 pm:

I cannot use Fantastik. It always makes me cough. DH finally doesn't buy it, anymore. Other spray stuff doesn't bother. Fantastik always did.