I came across this info via some article about something else on a friend's page at facebook earlier, and was reminded by this today when I lost my mind googling for suggestions on how to deal with my bathroom's was-once-white tile floor. (See also: original. See also: 60+ years old. See also: bleach makes me wanna die.)
And so far with the floor? Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda FTW. The in-the-corner-and-behind- the-toilet_ness is just taking forever. Empty houses get dirtier than I ever imagined possible, especially in those hardest to reach but plainly visible spots.
Some informatively helpful links:
And I since have an empty spray bottle Imma mix up some hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate (/soda ash... or washing soda) for something sorta like liquid OxiClean (an alternate recipe using baking soda can be found here). Note: I've yet to try the baking soda/second recipe, so I can't vouch for it. I DO always have a spray bottle on hand with the hydrogen peroxide + washing soda mixture, though and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. A lot.
The least expensive sodium percarbonate online sources I've discovered thus far:
Another note: we're working with pounds of a raw material here, so expect shipping to cost more than the actual product.
I've not yet had a chance to seek it out locally, but it's on my to do list. Also, if anyone finds a great source for this stuff, please gimme a shout!
UPDATE: Not much luck in a local search until discovering Ecover's Non-Chlorine Bleach is 100% sodium percarbonate. In Atlanta, it's available at Whole Foods and many independent natural/health food type places. I have yet to check prices, but I love the option to avoid the big "raw materials" shipping fees!
UPDATE to the UPDATE: I've discovered Green Cleaners USA, who carries sodium percarbonate. While the product price is a bit higher than other online sources, the price per pound decreases the more you buy AND they offer FREE SHIPPING.
YET ANOTHER UPDATE: (JAN 2012) The awesome source above stopped offering consumer sized portions. I'll re-look into the Ecover product as well as the discount store option, Sun Oxygen Cleaner (sodium carbonate peroxide, which is sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate, which is soda ash, which is washing soda).
So... I bought 2 lbs for a trial run and had no problems with the purchase what so ever.
One label on the [inner] (there are 2) bag identifies the product and another contains words of caution and the url for mixing instructions. OMG I can clean anything (well... except silk, wool or redwood).
*Squee*! I'm completely geeking out on this now... even though I should be prepping to go camping this weekend...
YET ANOTHER UPDATE: (JAN 2012) The awesome source above stopped offering consumer sized portions. I'll re-look into the Ecover product as well as the discount store option, Sun Oxygen Cleaner (sodium carbonate peroxide, which is sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate, which is soda ash, which is washing soda).
I'll send an email to a HS friend who's going to school for something related to chemistry in Atlanta. I'll let you know what I find. :)
ReplyDelete~Sara
She says try a janitorial supply place. Since they apparently have the same ideas you have. :)
ReplyDelete~Sara
Yep, janitor and geekery supply places are on the short list.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sara. :)