olldbobbi I use the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser everywhere I can. It's the best for cleaning bathtubs and shower basins, it has no odor at all and does a very effective job. And it's inexpensive. Can someone tell me why garbage cans are so expensive??? $99?? Not in my budget !

munchkin615 Bought a set of 3 circular wastebaskets that you use your foot to open, at Lowe's for $29.99 2 weeks ago. They come as a set in graduated sizes. Love them!

homefluffyhome hmmm, I'm tempted by the sea salt soap. It's very pretty and I bet it's kind to your hands.

How about a whisky-styled-soap dispenser? I think these look great. This is my own one (scroll down to second picture) - http://homefluffyhome.blog.com/2012/11/02/im-on-the-lamb/

Also, this isn't the prettiest cleaning tool ever, but it's small enough to tuck away discreetly and is my top cleaning tip - http://homefluffyhome.blog.com/2012/11/01/easy-clean-y-quick-cleaning-tip-1/

caper57 Love that people are becoming more aware of the toxins in everyday cleaning supplies. Even in our body soaps! I am going for the dryer balls. Great idea. Dryer sheets put a chemical on your clothes that transfers to your skin.

platypus I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Dyson. I have 3 rottweilers and 4 cats, and I don't think I could live without it.

I also have a simplehuman garbage can in the kitchen because this design (stainless steel, flat lid, opens by stepping on it) is pretty much the only design that keeps my dogs out of the garbage. :)

bethcrawford9 I'm so curious about the Dyson. It is so bulky it can't get under any of my furniture that sits on open legs--coffee tables, sofa, four poster bed, etc. I always thought I wanted an upright until I used my mom's. It couldnt get under ANYTHING! I had to keep moving everything. What a pain! My canister vac gets under even the lowest profiles. What's the attraction? I've always wondered.

sclawson Hope the bamboo ironing board is lightweight. We found a circa 1940s wood ironing board when cleaning out my mother-in-law's condo, and it was too heavy to put away and set up. It LOOKED cool, but didn't have the room to leave it set up.

angelica1388 This article must have been created to promote for the website's sponsors. Who wants to pay $100 for a trash can? And $129 for a broome and dust pan set? Why are candles considered cleaning supply?

stargazer51 I saw the bamboo ironing board this week on West Elm! I've had my ex-mother-in-law's ironing board since 1976, harvest gold, one rubber cap missing from the leg. I hope to treat myself to this one after our remodel.

caper57 The dyson is wonderful. It's the first time I haven't spent my time vacuuming, swearing a lot! It's powerful and best of all no bags. The only down side for me is the extendable wand is stiff and awkward. For getting under furniture I use a swifter dry mop. Not the wet one. That's got too many chemicals in it but the dry gets dirt and dust

caper57 One other comment when talking about cleaning supplies, we overwhelm ourselves with chemicals in our homes and we don't need to. It makes our homes toxic. Educate yourselves on the cleaning and even personal products that you use. Companies make it sound like their products are safe and even "green". Read the labels

Appreciate you help.

Dennis you us

olldbobbi caper57, I totally agree with you regarding the chemicals, AND odors! Some of those cleaning products smell so bad they're enough to give me a migraine. And just try to find an unscented one! BTW, vinegar never worked for me. Ever.

bethcrawford9 Caper57: I have wall to wall carpet. Can't use a swiffer there! That's why I've shied away from the Dyson. That big ball is humongous!

jane brody The best cleaner I have ever had is Biogreen Clean. It is amazing and can be used everywhere. It is totally organic, plant based, odor free. If someone drinks it, or sprays it, or keeps their hands in it for a long time, nothing adverse will occur. I bought it at their website,
biogreenclean.com

olldbobbi The best window cleaner I've ever used is Glass Wax. Anyone as old as me remember this stuff? Creating holiday stencils on your front windows without getting yelled at? It disappeared for a while but now it's back. If you love it you can order it on Amazon.

xymenah Most plastic dryer balls can leave behind chemicals when heated such as PVC and stuff. Wool dryer balls actually reduce drying time because they absorb some of the moisture and they do not give off toxins at all. Might want to consider those instead. I love mine. You can make your own or buy them on several websites try searching wool dryer balls on google or etsy.

dianemichele03 I am a big Norwex fan, all their products are chemical free. My most loved is the window cloth, just spray water on the windows and mirrors and no streaks.

nellesworth I really love Method products for cleaning - they're so non-toxic that you could drink them, although they probably don't taste very good. They also have a "Free & Clear" [scent- and dye-free] variety that's just wonderful. They work well, are made in the USA, and they don't cost an arm and a leg like some of the products listed here.

As far as vacuum cleaners go, I'd rather use my Meile than a Dyson any day; Meile uses a bag system with HEPA filtration, so all of that dust and dirt doesn't create a plume when I empty the canister. It can reach under just about anything and it's durably constructed. Dysons, I've learned, don't pick up sand, salt, or cat litter very well.

@caper57: EVERYTHING is composed of chemical(s), including naturally occurring substances (like water). I think you meant to use the term "toxin" in your third comment.

PamDesigns 3D In order to save a little cash, I've started making my own liquid laundry detergent. A component of the recipe is washing soda that I couldn't find in any of the local supermarkets. I ordered it from Amazon where I discovered Nellie's products. I chose their washing soda over Arm & Hammer's just because I liked the tin container and am sure I'll find away to use it. It's really cute! I also discovered their scented sticks in lavender scent. I don't have the ball they go it for the dryer. I just stick one in an old sock and tie the end of it -then toss it into the dryer.

stinka Miele vacuum cleaners are the very, very best! I've had my HEPA vac since '95 and it's still going strong.

thegreenbee Mrs. Meyers in geranium has been a favorite of mine for years!
The day I got my Dyson, I was in awe. It is amazing how much stuff that thing sucks out of your carpet, no matter how frequently you vacuum. It brought my carpet back to life after the wear it endured from previous home owners. So worth every penny!

Adeline Denniston I use the Celadon Road Organic cleaning products. The entire line of products is completely organic and 82% made in the USA, the remaining 18% are Fair-Trade. Their best-selling cleaning item is their organic laundry detergent comes in 8 delicious scents and are made with only 6 ingredients. www.myceladonroad.com/adeline

caper57 I like that it is made in the US. Mostly. I read that to keep scents in our soaps, detergents etc that that takes other chemicals? On the Dyson again, I love it because it does pick up so much, I don't have to buy heap filters at $35 a piece every couple of months and expensive bags. And the Bosch that I had was forever flipping over.

caper57 I keep forgetting to post that my favorite cleaner is baking soda. For glass top stove, shower/tub sinks whether stainless or ceramic and baked on pans. Cheap, simple and not a 'product'

Adeline Denniston caper57: Celadon Road uses an array of essential oils for scent as well as anti-microbial/anti-bacterial properties. You won't find the ingredient "fragrance" since that is an unregulated term.

mrsben I have a little hand-held gadget that I've had for years and years that sweeps 'n cleans up crumbs. It powered by four AA batteries (which last forever BTW). Not sure if they even make them anymore. Works really well and reason why I haven't parted with it.

Favourite eco-friendly cleaning products of mine are; lemon, baking soda plus white vinegar. Studies have proven, the latter mixed with a solution of water-downed diluted bleach is one of the most effective cleaning disinfectants you can get. IMO, with many of the products on the market today, one should also ask themselves is the packaging biodegradable or recycable? IF not, then how large is the packaging container and on an average how many will you use lets say in a course of a year?

kdorman I had a Dyson vac and hated it. I traded it in on a Miele canister and thinks it's a much better vacuum and since it uses disposable bags, the dust, hair etc. doesn't get back out when it's emptied. With 2 cats and a dog, it also gets a real pet hair workout.

bethcrawford9 I'm with ya kdorman, on the bags vs. the Dyson. I hate emptying my little rechargeable Red Devil because the dust flies all over the place when I'm dumping it in the trash. Plus dust and hair clings to the plastic. I hate dealing with it. A bag is sooo much neater. Big deal you have to buy bags! Does the Meile have a low enough profile to get under furniture?

kdorman It has a long flexible hose, and different attachments that make it good for cleaning everything. If you want to vacuum hard surface floors, you can't beat that Meile canister. I have a Sebo upright vac that I use on the carpet and it folds completely in half but still doesn't fit under the beds. The Miele canister has a carpet attachment but I don't think it picks up as well as an upright on carpet. I'm a big fan of steamers for hard floors - no chemicals required. We have lots of tile and the steamer works really well.

bethcrawford9 Oh that's good to know about the steamer. We will be moving soon to a home that is 90% tile and the rest wood. Hadn't thought about a steamer. Got a recommendation?

kdorman I have a "vapor clean 2" - its an old model - that I got from a company that used to have a distributor nearby. That's how I first saw the nice machines and I was sold. Now they sell exclusively online at myvaporclean.com - check it out and let me know what you think. Mine does a great job on my white (ugh how I hate grout) tile.

kdorman I'm getting ready to renovate - I'm getting rid of all my carpet and my old cracked white tile (with it's humongous grout lines) and installing wood in the bedrooms and new tile in all the main living areas. If you're moving to a house in the land of tile which is where i am, I really recommend the combo of a Miele canister vac with a serious steamer - or a really great house cleaner haha. The smaller, cheaper steamers are fine if you don't have much tile but they need constant refilling and don't push out the amount of steam that the heavier duty ones do.

bethcrawford9 Thanks for all the helpful comments, kdorman. I'm going to bookmark this discussion for when I'm ready to buy!