Since it’s officially Spring (hooray!) and officially April, I thought now would be a great time to share some of my favorite cleaning supplies (and give them to one lucky reader!). First, let me admit, being a graphic designer I’m a huge sucker for nice packaging, which sadly (or lucky for the companies!) was originally a big part of me initially buying these products. But luckily, they did me no wrong and they actually work really well and not to mention are extremely well priced, often times less expensive than the huge brands. The best news is, I buy all of these products at Target… another reason why it’s the best store ever.
The first time I used Mrs. Meyer’s Countertop Spray I honestly whispered to myself several times “Geesh, I love this stuff!” I literally walked around my apartment and sprayed it on multiple surfaces just to continue using it. Although it’s called Counter Spray, you can use it on all non-porous surfaces such as finished wood, tiled floors, countertops, walls, porcelain, and bathroom fixtures. Pretty sure I’ve tried it on all. I love the way it makes my kitchen counters and bathroom shine! And the lemon verbena scent is unbelievable! It leaves my apartment smelling so so clean and fresh. This is also a really gentle product, so for me and my allergies, I can appreciate that. For additional bonus points, all of Mrs. Meyer’s products are cruelty free and not tested on animals.
So if you’re ever in a rush and don’t have enough time to really scrub some surfaces, I recommend J.R. Watkins’ All Purpose Wipes. These wipes are perfect for fixtures in the kitchen. I like using them on the hardware on my kitchen cabinets and the faucet in my kitchen since they’re all stainless steel and the wipes won’t scratch like a sponge might. This is another great smelling product and very light, Aloe & Green Tea, and it contains natural coconut oil… yum! I’m not big into really strong scents or products that literally smell like harsh chemicals. Cleaning is a chore enough, no need to get a headache while doing it!
Eucalyptus Mint Le Scrub is a great abrasive cleaner for showers, tubs, and sinks. This is also another non-toxic, environmentally friendly product (as are all of methods products, yet another reason to love them). The bottle of Le Scrub reads “…le scrub, powered by finely milled marble, gently yet effectively wipes out tough stains, soap scum and grime, to reveal the tub you love.” Yup yup… can’t argue with that, smells lovely too!
Daily Shower Spray (natural no-scrub spray cleaner) works best on a clean shower, so use this only after you give your shower a good scrubbin’. After you’re done showering, just spray a light mist of the daily shower spray in the tub (you can use it on shower doors and curtains too) and it will keep your shower nice and clean since it protects your precious shower against soap scum. Don’t get me wrong now, good scrubbins of the shower are of course still in order, but this spray will get you through those busy work weeks when you don’t have tons of time on your hands.
Wood for Good (non toxic squeaky greenTM wood surface wipes) are one of my all time favorites. Almond scented and lovely, these wipes leave my black bedroom furniture looking brand new. They fit perfectly in your hand so you can get in between all the little grooves that your furniture has. These wipes are made from bamboo and other renewable natural fibers so not only are they easy on your possessions, they’re better for the environment than similar products.
Another great thing about method is all of their perfectly designed packaging is easily recyclable which makes recycling that much easier. To learn more about method and the two buddies behind the environmentally friendly home cleaning products, here’s a great article that was featured on grist.org last year.
Since all of the products I love, love, love are non-toxic and environmentally friendly, now would be a good time to mention that Down:2:Earth an Exploration into Sustainable Living is being held in Boston this weekend, April 3, 4 and, 5, at the Hynes Convention Center. Be sure to check out the wide range of exhibitors ranging from home products, to fashion and beauty, to food and wine. All of the companies attending are hoping to get consumers to be a little more conscious of their purchases! Good stuff, of course.
Now for the GIVEAWAY! I’ve put together a basket of all of my favorite cleaning products, this months issue of Real Simple (which has a great section on the basics of cleaning), and a pair of my favorite o-cel-o sponges, which fit perfectly in the palm of your hand. Leave a comment by Sunday, April 5th at 11:59pm EST telling me what your favorite cleaning products are. I’ll randomly select a winner for the basket and announce it next week! Good Luck!
[Chels]
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Nice! I love all of these products, I hope I win!
I use products that have a really strong smell! i could use something like this, it looks so nice, I love the basket also, It would look nice in my dinning room
I love cleaning with Meyers, they are the BEST! It actually makes cleaning fun:)
My mom LOVES the Meyers, I've been anxious to try it! Love the method shower spray.
One of my favorite cleaning products is Veggie Wash – all natural cleaner for fruits & veggies!
Charlie’s Soap is probably my favorite green cleaner. My favorite of the line is the laundry detergent. The stuff is amazing, it gets clothes clean and it doesn’t leave any sort of residue on clothes. It also contains all biodegradable products, which means that all of the water run off from the load doesn’t hurt the environment. I’m also really big on finding green products local to the area that I’m in, which cuts down the damage to the environment in transportation
All of those products sound great – I love cleaners that don’t smell like chemicals! And I’m with you, the packaging looks great, which is a plus.
So sad I’m going to be away this weekend, because the convention sounds really interesting!
It’s a detergent and not a surface cleaner, but I can’t live without Zout – it removes any stain.
I know it’s old school, but I love pledge.
I LOVE Murphy’s oil cleaners for cleaning all my wood products but I’m intrigued by the wipes you posted.
I try really hard to use green-ish products in cleaning (white vinegar cleans pretty much anything) but I am definitely guilty of whipping out the bleach to scrub my tub.
I need Method products, STAT!
All I need is water and a magic eraser. Those things really ARE magic! There must be tiny little elves or something inside each one!
I don’t know what it is, but I really like Orange scented 409. Not uber earth friendly, but I like the smell. I clean my kitchen when I’m stressed so this means relaxation to me.
ive never ventured outside of windex. i dont do much cleaning, but i might start if i win:)
-madalina
duhlicious.com
There is something truly amazing about Mrs. Meyer’s products. That lemon verbana smell is amazing. I find myself washing my hands with the liquid soap like a crazy woman. this might have something to do with the clorox wipes I use like a nut. I’ll have to try the all natural wipes though!
I don’t make it far beyond Windex, Clorox and Pinesol. Win or not, I’m going to have to give some of these a try. Thanks!
I love those method wood wipes too – the smell is really great for a cleaning product. Where do you buy the JR Watkins wipes?
Chels, how did you know I was planning on Spring Cleaning this weekend?! As a fellow sucker-for-great-packaging, I’m all over that Mrs. Meyers counter spray and Le Scrub stuff! Contest or not, I’m hittin’ up Target tomorrow to stock up for my cleaning blitz!
My favorite cleaning item is the Swiffer Sweeper, although I don’t know as that counts as a product! The amount of dust a swiffer sweeps up is unheard of!
wow, i had no idea you could get them at target–score! when i use up what i currently have I’ll definitely make the switch. I don’t really have any favorites, as my bottles were inherited from mom when i first moved out… :-/
Chelsea, as a mother of two toddlers, always looking out for cleaning products safe for the babes, the animals & the environment…kudos to you!
A few cleaning & eco-friendly tips:
use baking soda to clean fruits & vegetables, use vinegar in place of fabric softener – your clothes won't smell afterwards; use those dryer balls, I love them mostly because it keeps the clothes moving in the dryer saving drying time; use vinegar & baking soda to unclog pipes…I've got more but afraid this will take too much of your time and void my winning the fabulous basket of freebies!
Teresa Alden
oh..one more tip:
drugstore.com..it is awesome. Not only do I shop there because it has a great variety of green products but I do so via my credit card website. I get points for my card & extra points from drugstore (I cash the points for starbucks cards)..anyway…yes, so I'm getting lots of points, get extra dollars from drugstore, free shipping & the best, ready…they give away lots of products!!!!! now..that is a good thing.
Teresa Alden (AKA TSA for the future)
Oh this is great! I always wanted to try Green alternatives, and this is a great selection! Thanks for the giveaway! I love your site, the recipes are delicious!
Ooo those wood wipes look interesting. I’d love to try them on my new entertainment center.
The smell of Murphy’s oil soap makes me swoon and wish for more wood floors
Hah! If I am anonymous how can I win haha. They really would be great for my entertainment center and my daughters bedroom set.
Kelly c
I like Magic Eraser. I have a porcelain sink in my kitchen and the Magic Eraser gets through all the dirt, grime, and stains that I can’t get off by scrubbing. Plus, I can get off pen ink, pencil, marker, etc. when my little ones decide to leave paper and get creative on other items, like uphosltered funiture or walls. All with just water, no cleaning solution needed!
WOW! These products sound great, especially the smell. I usually use vinegar mixed with water to clean everything, sometimes I add baking soda . . .definitely doesn’t have that good clean smell.
I’m a huge fan of the Method All purpose cleaner in lavendar. It’s fresh, clean and doesn’t leave that chemical smell.
I love the Magic Eraser! I tend to just try the easiest and most affordable products that I recognize but I’d certainly love to try these.
Definitely Mrs. Meyers. I have a rhubarb cleaning set right now, previously I bought a gingerbread cleaning set. They are my favorites.
such an awesome giveaway! i love anything method lavender scented really and i’ve been DYING to try mrs. meyers!
I love new cleaning products. Saturday is my b-day; pick me
Favorite cleaning products: The good old standbys of windex, pledge and clorox wipes.
However I just moved into my boyfriends place this weekend due to being laid off and would love love love some new organic cleaning supplies. The only thing I’ve got to work with here is some comet and nasty sponges. You know how guys are! I need to spruce this place up. To make you smile I’ve already started a seperate recycling bin for the trash. Time to teach him a lesson or 2 on caring for the enviroment as well as “our” place!
I basically like anything that comes in a wipe form. And for tough stains and grease, Magic Eraser is the way to go.
Great giveaway, Chels! Martha would be proud.
My favorite cleaning product at the moment is my Pledge for our gorgeous new, espresso wood living room tables and plasma stand but I am headed straight out for the wood for good wipes. Other than that, I try to keep it organic…vinegar and baking soda. The magic eraser is genius…but I’m still not sure what is in there!
I love good old arm and hammer – it works on everything!
Not Earth-friendly (and I’m not going to buy any more when I run out, but I will cry. A lot.), but Clorox Wipes. I love them so, and would love to find some newer and greener products to take the edge off my loss.
Great selection of products – I use the method and have been slowing changing to Melaleuca products. Also baking soda and water works great without all the chemicals
Hi! I just found your blog yesterday and added it to my reader. This is a great post! So many products for me to try. I haven’t started switching over to eco friendly products yet because I was waiting for someone to point me in the right direction. Thanks!
My favorite would have to be my trusty Magic Eraser. I do try to use it sparingly (I mean, what IS in those things?) but they’re great for getting grime off the walls and for cleaning the tub. For everything else it’s my trusty Method all surface cleaner and a cloth.
Wow…I use soft scrub or scrubbing bubbles, and typically have a MASSIVE headache after scrubbing the shower and sinks..the Le Scrub looks more user friendly..and not so toxic!! Cute basket:)
I love Murphy’s Oil Soap. I even use it on my laundry to get oil/grease stains out of my husband’s work clothes!
I have a dog and am always looking for good, non-toxic cleaning products! Thanks for the reviews! Great giveaway!
I’m currently on a Clorox Wipe kick – can’t help myself!! I would love to try these products – and will if I don’t win!! I’ve been a lurker on your site for a long time – this is the first comment I’ve made!! I really enjoy your website!!
Thanks much!
Robin W.
Hello there,
My favorite is also Mrs. Meyer’s but I am OBSESSED with the Baby Blossom line (who says you have to have a baby to use it?). Also, I don’t know if this counts as a cleaning product, but I love the new Victoria’s Secret laundry soap and dryer sheets. They smell heavenly!
I love your blog! I love cleaning products too
Seventh Generation products, made in Burlington, Vermont. Particularly surface cleaner and dish detergent.
I love love LOVE Pine Sol. Really. Love the smell and the way it makes my hardwood floors so clean and sparkly!
As someone who lives in close quarters with a cat, I love Mrs. Meyer’s Pet Litter Freshener in Clary Sage and Chamomile. It makes litter last a little longer and smells great!
Oh wow, I love this stuff! And I could use it – I just moved into a new apartment and it’s a crap hole.
My favorite cleaning ingredient? VINEGAR. That’s right. Vinegar. Works like a charm. That, and Murphy’s Oil Soap. Just the smell of that stuff and I’m happy all over.
I love Green Works line of Natural products by Clorox. I recently discovered Mrs. Meyer’s products, especially the Lemon Verbena scented products. Love, love, love..
Meyers dishsoap in basil scent. The smell “feels” right for a kitchen. It’s fresh but not flowery. Delightful!
My favorite is the Trader Joe’s All Purpose Cleaning Spray, it smells fresh like mint and cedar and does a good job cleaning too… though that Mrs. Meyer’s stuff sounds awesome- I’d never heard of it before! Thanks for this contest- time to get my spring cleaning booty in gear :-
I love cleaning products. And I love trying new products and there look great.
Mircofiber mitts for dusting! While not necessarily a product (more of an accessory, really…) they make dusting a SNAP!
What a fab give-a-way! My favorite cleaner for the toilet is those chlorex toilte wand. Love it! I also like Mr. Clean lavender scent for the floors. For laundry you can’t beat Tide and Downey
What a fantastic basket of goodies! My go-to cleaning product is Green Works natural all-purpose cleaner, from Clorox. It’s exactly what it sounds like; it works well and it’s much less harmful to me and the environment!
lemon joy is one of my favorite products . . . the scent reminds me of my kitchen from college for some reason! I can’t believe how excited I am about all these new products I must try
I've just now got into Method & would love to try Le Scrub, looks great.
I use the same product line my Mom used when I was living at home – 409! I see so many great products out there, but afraid to branch out. I am very excited about this set and after reading your reviews, I hope to win and try each out!!
I doubt they’re good for the environment, but I recently discovered those magic eraser sponge things, and they take care of the stovetop like nothing else! I’d love to try those eco-friendly products!
I love Method products! I am obsessed with antibacterial wipes in general (so easy to use!) and Method makes ones that smell like pink grapefruit…yum!
im broke as a joke and need to cleann!!!
hope i get picked, i’ve always wanted to try this stuff!!
All of this looks amazing to try – I am also a fan of the Method Shower cleaner and I also love the Method Granite Wipes! I didn’t know you could get Mrs. Meyers at Target – that is very exciting!
I like the 7th generation kitchen cleaner…
Billy Mays and infomercials in general sort of weird me out, but MY GOD if KABOOM hasn’t saved my face. Or at least my shower doors. Bye-bye, hard water stains. Bye-bye forever!
My all time favorite is simple green. I swear I could huff it, it smells so good to me.
I like Simple Green as well. I also really like the Kirkland brand household surface wipes from Costco, especially the orange-scented ones.
I really enjoy, Method All Purpose Cleaner, cucumber scent. It just smells so fresh! I also really like Pledge’s new multi surface spray and Clorox’s anywhere hard surface and anywhere anti-allergen fabric sprays!
The other day I got old english and wasn’t paying attention to the scent. Turns out it was almond and I love it.
p.s. it was great seeing you guys last night!
You picked all my favorites. I found that if I use any of these products I don’t mind cleaning as much.
I am such a cleaning junkie, but one of my favorites is Pledge’s multi-service cleaning spray. I love the smell, first of all, because it’s citrus-y without being too lemon-y. In fact it’s a little bit more orange than anything else. Plus, as the name implies, I can use it on everything! Counter surfaces, puppy accidents, etc. I can even mop the floor with their squirt bottle version.
Seriously, ever since I discovered it, it’s my go to product. I would recommend it for anyone who is like me… we may cook well, but we make messes in the process… as do our puppies… and our fiances, heh.
Multi-surface, even!
Hi, I like using wipes. Also, Mr. Clean is great. But I want to go more green. We’ll see..
Thanks!
Yay for cleaning products. I’m generally a fan of anything made by Method and also love my plain old Windex made with vinegar. I use it for all kinds of surfaces and it works perfectly.
And while it’s not a cleaning product I also adore my vaccuum. I couldn’t live without it.
I’ve been wanting to try those Meyer’s ones. I like any kind of wipes, but I want to find some that are more eco-friendly! Great giveaway!
All these products look great! I would love to win them. I also adore the Method products, especially the surface cleaning wipes in grapefruit (yes I bought them for the scent and the pretty packaging). I am really happy they work well and are environmentally friendly.
I tried to do the right thing by using “green” products years ago but they just didn’t cut it so I went back to the toxic (yet effective) stuff. Sorry, but this soccer mom needs cleaners that work. I’m sure they have improved since then, so if you pick me, perhaps you will bring me back from the dark side. C’mon Chels!!!
I love Method dishwashing liquid!
I love Method products, but have been meaning to also try Meyers…
my favorite product is soft scrub…it just makes my sinks and tubs look so clean!
i would LOVE to try some of these green items…what a fabulous giveaway!
pariskae (at) gmail (dot) com
I love love the JR Watkins wipes and hand soap. They smell lovely and really work. Plus I don’t have to worry about the chemicals harming my kittens. I am new to your site and am really enjoying it! thanks!
my latest fave is Clorox green cleaner. Mild scent and does a good job!
I LOVE Mrs. Meyer’s, but I also make a bit of my own concoction with some water, a bit of tea tree essential oil (it’s naturally antibacterial) and some lemon verbena essential oil for some yummy smell. It makes the entire house smell delicious!
i like the method and greenworks cleaning lines.
great giveaway!
I would love to try these products.
Celeste
I would love to try these products!
Right now, my fave cleaning product is Lysol all-purpose spray… it doesn’t smell too strong and it kills germs.
Hello~ The usual elbow grease a Mr. Muscle pad & apple cider vinegar. Haha! I wish I were that environmentally friendly, so I have to confess: Kaboom & anything that comes with the Orange scented cleaners
That is why I need to try these products asap. Thanks!
I’m a sucker for all-in-one cleaning products (I’m pretty much too lazy to keep switching out different tools/products depending on what I’m cleaning) so I’m a huuuge buyer of Lysol 4-in-1 Disinfecting Wipes. However, I’ve come into a desperate grime situation on my kitchen floor, so I definitely need to try out Wood for Good. I assume you can use it on wood floors?
I love Method products! I’ve been wanting to try Mrs. Meyers. Great giveaway!
Nichole L
marinablue72(at)aol(dot)com
sorry i missed the contest. but i love these products too – especially the counterspray!
These products are fantastic. Thanks.