These new auto sprays one is by “Raid” and I think there is one by “mortine” as well……
They spray about every 18 mins and meant to do the room……
I have a couple of questions……
Would they affect say fish in a fish tank, or the local budgie in the cage??
Is it healthy?? to have them spraying 24/7 every 18 mins or so??
Myself I wouldn’t touch them…but I have been wondering about them.
Lucky1 said:
These new auto sprays one is by “Raid” and I think there is one by “mortine” as well……They spray about every 18 mins and meant to do the room……
I have a couple of questions……
Would they affect say fish in a fish tank, or the local budgie in the cage??
Is it healthy?? to have them spraying 24/7 every 18 mins or so??
Myself I wouldn’t touch them…but I have been wondering about them.
I wouldn’t either, but I don’t have any science to back that up.
I was amazed to see the other day an ad that played on people’s concerns about using sprays – so recommended they use one of those powerpoint plug in jobs instead. How is that any better?
bon008 said:
Lucky1 said:
These new auto sprays one is by “Raid” and I think there is one by “mortine” as well……They spray about every 18 mins and meant to do the room……
I have a couple of questions……
Would they affect say fish in a fish tank, or the local budgie in the cage??
Is it healthy?? to have them spraying 24/7 every 18 mins or so??
Myself I wouldn’t touch them…but I have been wondering about them.
I wouldn’t either, but I don’t have any science to back that up.
I was amazed to see the other day an ad that played on people’s concerns about using sprays – so recommended they use one of those powerpoint plug in jobs instead. How is that any better?
How can something pumped into the air…all the time or every so many minutes be healthy??
Lucky1 said:
Yeah I know what you mean.How can something pumped into the air…all the time or every so many minutes be healthy??
There might be some situations when it’s a good idea – I used some products in Indonesia that I would never dream of using here, because short-term chemical exposure seemed worth it to reduce the risk of malaria. But it really boggles my mind the tv commercials these days that suggest every aussie home should be regularly disinfected with antibacterial stuff, and then have extra stuff pumped into the air to create an odour. What happened to wiping surfaces down with a damp cloth, and bringing in some flowers from the garden when you want a pleasant smell???
The cynical me says “what difference will one more chemical make?” There such a cocktail of chemicals all around us all the time that maybe one more would make any difference.
The allergy ridden, sneezer, on the other hand, says that if I can choose to keep it out of my house I will :-)
I don’t know the science but the chances are that some of the more dangerous chemicals are completely under the radar – new carpet, new wall panels, new furniture. Studies have shown that kids that grow up in new houses get sick more often than kids that grow up in old houses. Less fumes in old houses.
Pesticides generally work on nerve cells; and I can’t think that having the stuff constantly in the air would be any good for you. I try to avoid using it at all; but I do sometime resort to spray poisons when my kitchen countertops are a moving mat of black ants.
they’re pyrethrum based, with a propellant.
i used one to get down the numbers of mites down in my house, as no company and no other product would (apparently) help. these mites got released from old carpet i had taken out, and the mites were driving us insane as they irritate (cause itching) just by mere contact. no amount of vacuuming or washing did the trick. anyhow, this new product should be much cheaper than the one i was forced to fork out for.
pyrethrum does effectively kill most bugs in the house, without being toxic to humans or (most) pets. you’d need to check if aquarium fish could be affected or not.
it’s probably synthetic pyrethrum anyway but, i believe that it is still as non-toxic as the naturally extracted pyrethrum. it’s also the pyrethrum you most likely get when you buy it to spray on garden bugs.
directly spraying pyrethrum from a trigger bottle had no effect on knocking down the mites but the fine timed spray worked their numbers down. i only found these bugs by using loupe and microscope, as they’re tiny…yet so itchy.
so i recommend it for anyone experiencing resistant bug infestations.
The antibacterial thingies are creating huge problems. There will always be some beasties strong enough to survive. These strong little blighters survive, and they breed, passing on their strong little genes. The next generation of beasties is therefore even more likely to be resistant to disinfectants and such like.
That’s the foundation of the problems being experienced today with antibiotics and with major infection outbreaks in hospitals.
We’ve got so hung up on germs that we’re helping the blighters survive.
too right about all the marketing of products we don’t need, or are even harmful. i think though that pyrethrum spray might not be that bad when you need it.
the silly thing is that at the same time we’re told to have a 99.99% bacteria free toilet…they’re making houses/clothes/footwear that are sometimes toxic and (clothes/footwear) help generate fungus/bacteria.
SueBk said:
The antibacterial thingies are creating huge problems. There will always be some beasties strong enough to survive. These strong little blighters survive, and they breed, passing on their strong little genes. The next generation of beasties is therefore even more likely to be resistant to disinfectants and such like.That’s the foundation of the problems being experienced today with antibiotics and with major infection outbreaks in hospitals.
We’ve got so hung up on germs that we’re helping the blighters survive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortein
i just used ammonium bleach on the tile grouting in the shower. all the black gone and nice and clean but heaven knows what i’ve done to the septic system.
very hard being green – especially if you have to clean the house ina hurry.
pepe said:
i just used ammonium bleach on the tile grouting in the shower. all the black gone and nice and clean but heaven knows what i’ve done to the septic system.
very hard being green – especially if you have to clean the house ina hurry.
Yes, it’s a lot harder and sometimes impossible without using stronger products. I’ve been looking into hiring a cleaner occasionally – found a company that uses natural, low toxic products, and I figure they’ll put in a bit more elbow grease than I will, but it turns out OH is uncomfortable with the idea of a cleaner. MEN. Maybe I should put it to him this way: “Either you clean the house, or I get a cleaner” :)
bon008 said:
but it turns out OH is uncomfortable with the idea of a cleaner. MEN. Maybe I should put it to him this way: “Either you clean the house, or I get a cleaner” :)
my other half is that way too. hates me getting tradesmen in. had to leave a key for the plumber the other week to replace the leaking loo and he was horrified. it had to be done though and there was no one available to be there while he did it.
pepe said:
i just used ammonium bleach on the tile grouting in the shower. all the black gone and nice and clean but heaven knows what i’ve done to the septic system.
very hard being green – especially if you have to clean the house ina hurry.
Pepe
Get a spray bottle, mix up one part ordinary dish detergent, 3 parts vinegar. Spray it on your shower once a week. Leave for an hour and then scrub. Works an absolute treat; particularly if you do it every week.
SueBk said:
pepe said:
i just used ammonium bleach on the tile grouting in the shower. all the black gone and nice and clean but heaven knows what i’ve done to the septic system.
very hard being green – especially if you have to clean the house ina hurry.
Pepe
Get a spray bottle, mix up one part ordinary dish detergent, 3 parts vinegar. Spray it on your shower once a week. Leave for an hour and then scrub. Works an absolute treat; particularly if you do it every week.
Will that work in enamel bath, Sue?? It’s got yellowish stains all along the bottom that I can’t scrub off…
bon008 said:
SueBk said:
pepe said:
i just used ammonium bleach on the tile grouting in the shower. all the black gone and nice and clean but heaven knows what i’ve done to the septic system.
very hard being green – especially if you have to clean the house ina hurry.
Pepe
Get a spray bottle, mix up one part ordinary dish detergent, 3 parts vinegar. Spray it on your shower once a week. Leave for an hour and then scrub. Works an absolute treat; particularly if you do it every week.
Will that work in enamel bath, Sue?? It’s got yellowish stains all along the bottom that I can’t scrub off…
I don’t know. Our bath has a board over the top and serves as extra “floor” space :)) The yellow might be water stains. You could try CLR, it deals with most of the common minerals that cause water stains. Vinegar is a prime mould killer, which is why it works in the shower. My assumptoin is that the detergent is simply to hold the vinegar in place while it works. But I also use it on the glass doors and it removes soap scum quite nicely too.
Word of caution. Vinegar spray is pretty potent. Probably not as bad as ammonia, but still not pleasant.
SueBk said:
I don’t know. Our bath has a board over the top and serves as extra “floor” space :)) The yellow might be water stains. You could try CLR, it deals with most of the common minerals that cause water stains. Vinegar is a prime mould killer, which is why it works in the shower. My assumptoin is that the detergent is simply to hold the vinegar in place while it works. But I also use it on the glass doors and it removes soap scum quite nicely too.
Word of caution. Vinegar spray is pretty potent. Probably not as bad as ammonia, but still not pleasant.
Thanks – I’ll try out the vinegar and detergent thing and see how it goes – I normally use bicarb and vinegar but it requires so much elbow grease – maybe the detergent will make it easier. The upside of our bathroom being ATROCIOUSLY hot in summer, is that at least all the mould dies, so in a few weeks I won’t be worrying about it at all :):)
about cleaning enamel or other polished finish surfaces. if you use abrasives or very strong chemicals on them, the surface may come up nice and clean but may become scratched and pitted over time, and will stain more quickly. bi-carb and salt are abrasives, and not recommended for enamel etc. the product documentation and/or vendor information is a good guide as to the kind of cleaning possible.
some parts of the country have water with more minerals etc, which stains more quickly. also slowly dripping taps will surely cause water stains at the bottom of the bath. anyway, whoever started the idea of pristine white bathrooms and toilets (and associated furniture/devices) should be shot. i will not buy white tiles and bathroom ware next time.
aquarium said:
about cleaning enamel or other polished finish surfaces. if you use abrasives or very strong chemicals on them, the surface may come up nice and clean but may become scratched and pitted over time, and will stain more quickly. bi-carb and salt are abrasives, and not recommended for enamel etc. the product documentation and/or vendor information is a good guide as to the kind of cleaning possible.
some parts of the country have water with more minerals etc, which stains more quickly. also slowly dripping taps will surely cause water stains at the bottom of the bath. anyway, whoever started the idea of pristine white bathrooms and toilets (and associated furniture/devices) should be shot. i will not buy white tiles and bathroom ware next time.
Hi aquarium. Yes that makes sense – there are a few spots on the bath that were stained already when we moved in, and these spots have a very rough surface. I must confess I don’t look at product info much – I usually just use bicarb paste but I have an old tube of ‘natural’ toothpaste I have been using to clean the bathroom! Figured if it was OK for teeth it should be OK for bath/basin?? Needs using anyway :D
I COMPLETELY agree with you on the white thing. I’m lucky I don’t have to deal with grout, but white anything is bad enough. I suppose the good thing about having a character cottage is that if things are a bit old and stained looking, it’s just more rustic and genuine :D
i think since someone decided that we need snow white bathrooms, we’re having to do a lot more extra cleaning to keep it looking that sparkling clean…and it’s inevitable that grout etc get scrubbed so much that we’re causing these surfaces to be scratched too fast….which causes a quicker dirt/stain buildup. i also think that we shouldn’t have to clean pure water stains, just to keep things pristine. it’s absolute madness.
btw most current toothpastes contain bi-carb soda, which is abrasive. may cause enamel degradation and tooth sensitivity. so also abrasive to other high polish or enamel surfaces. toothpaste and toothbrush (and 99% other product) manufacturers don’t care if they work properly and without harm…as long as they can differentiate enough to sell their product more than others. i’ve never heard of having to clean the tongue before. so why do toothbrushes all of a sudden have tongue cleaning backs? we’ve long signed over most of our sensibilities and given into marketing. it’s hard to resist.
…..in fact if you ever question the efficacy and safety of any heavily marketed products….you’re likely to be labeled as a weirdo or hippie…which i don’t care about. i really don’t go around hugging trees..but refuse to give in, when i can recognise the lies.
well I have a white bathroom, although it is not pristine by any means. When we renovated it a few years ago it was cheapest to go for white, and I figured when we sell the house it would be less likely to put people off. So far I haven’t had to use any strong chemicals. I keep a micro-fibre cloth (just the type you can get in the supermarket) and give the tiles and glass a wipe down while I am in the shower. I find that this is keeping it pretty clear of soap scum and mildew.
bluegreen said:
well I have a white bathroom, although it is not pristine by any means. When we renovated it a few years ago it was cheapest to go for white, and I figured when we sell the house it would be less likely to put people off. So far I haven’t had to use any strong chemicals. I keep a micro-fibre cloth (just the type you can get in the supermarket) and give the tiles and glass a wipe down while I am in the shower. I find that this is keeping it pretty clear of soap scum and mildew.
I like this idea a lot – but I just don’t have the willpower/commitment/whatever to do that “small cleaning often” thing.
bon008 said:
bluegreen said:
well I have a white bathroom, although it is not pristine by any means. When we renovated it a few years ago it was cheapest to go for white, and I figured when we sell the house it would be less likely to put people off. So far I haven’t had to use any strong chemicals. I keep a micro-fibre cloth (just the type you can get in the supermarket) and give the tiles and glass a wipe down while I am in the shower. I find that this is keeping it pretty clear of soap scum and mildew.
I like this idea a lot – but I just don’t have the willpower/commitment/whatever to do that “small cleaning often” thing.
well the rest of the bathroom doesn’t get much attention, and I don’t do it every shower, but because the cloth is there if I see a spot that needs attention then it only takes half a minute to give it a wipe down.
bluegreen said:
well I have a white bathroom, although it is not pristine by any means. When we renovated it a few years ago it was cheapest to go for white, and I figured when we sell the house it would be less likely to put people off. So far I haven’t had to use any strong chemicals. I keep a micro-fibre cloth (just the type you can get in the supermarket) and give the tiles and glass a wipe down while I am in the shower. I find that this is keeping it pretty clear of soap scum and mildew.
my wife has just said that wiping the tiles each time you have a shower is the best idea.
….altho’ this is a bit like making the bed everytime you sleep or washing the dishes as you cook – doesn’t immediately appeal … but still?
and of course i’ve already had my say about people buying in to clear shower glass. total madness. i think with all the extra products and gizmos, we’re spending more time than ever cleaning.
i also have white tiles, white bath, white sink and furniture (but not floor thank goodness) in the bathroom. i think it was a mistake, and next time it shall not be white. i’ve seen a lot of very good looking bathrooms that are not white. we get white because it’s cheaper, and then spend lots of time and money trying to keep it looking clean, as every single hair etc is an abomination. waste of life (time) i reckon. i’ll have to start a “say no to white” campaign ;)
bluegreen said:
well I have a white bathroom, although it is not pristine by any means. When we renovated it a few years ago it was cheapest to go for white, and I figured when we sell the house it would be less likely to put people off. So far I haven’t had to use any strong chemicals. I keep a micro-fibre cloth (just the type you can get in the supermarket) and give the tiles and glass a wipe down while I am in the shower. I find that this is keeping it pretty clear of soap scum and mildew.
with white surfaces and a clear glass for shower screen, you need regular (almost daily) and thorough cleaning. white bathrooms are only ever truly white before first use following installation. those new (oh so modern looking) glass base sinks are an absolute w**k. i want to spend time in the garden and with my loved ones instead. death to the color challenged (and polished chrome) bathrooms and fixtures. when my (white) fridge finally gives up the ghost one day, i want a retro shape and color fridge. white doesn’t show class or cleanliness, it just shows how much time you spend cleaning.
Lucky1 said:
bluegreen said:
well I have a white bathroom, although it is not pristine by any means. When we renovated it a few years ago it was cheapest to go for white, and I figured when we sell the house it would be less likely to put people off. So far I haven’t had to use any strong chemicals. I keep a micro-fibre cloth (just the type you can get in the supermarket) and give the tiles and glass a wipe down while I am in the shower. I find that this is keeping it pretty clear of soap scum and mildew.
This is what I was saying back in the cleaning thread……. regular cleaning is better than an assault once in a blue moon.
aquarium said:
i’ve seen a lot of very good looking bathrooms that are not white. we get white because it’s cheaper, and then spend lots of time and money trying to keep it looking clean, as every single hair etc is an abomination. waste of life (time) i reckon. i’ll have to start a “say no to white” campaign ;)
aquarium said:
with white surfaces and a clear glass for shower screen, you need regular (almost daily) and thorough cleaning. white bathrooms are only ever truly white before first use following installation. those new (oh so modern looking) glass base sinks are an absolute w**k. i want to spend time in the garden and with my loved ones instead. death to the color challenged (and polished chrome) bathrooms and fixtures. when my (white) fridge finally gives up the ghost one day, i want a retro shape and color fridge. white doesn’t show class or cleanliness, it just shows how much time you spend cleaning.
i just cleaned the front windows.
basically i ran out of avoidance tactics – winter had finished and i have friends coming.
if anyone tells me to clean the windows everytime i look out of them – i will think i’m talking to octopii.
meths in water is all i use – clean with wiper blade and polish with clean rag.
Our windows need cleaning too. My excuse is that with water restrictions I’m not allowed to use a hose. Half the house is ove 12 foot off the ground, so it works for me. And I figure – why bother cleaning the insides if the outsides are still dirty ;-)
SueBk said:
Our windows need cleaning too. My excuse is that with water restrictions I’m not allowed to use a hose. Half the house is ove 12 foot off the ground, so it works for me. And I figure – why bother cleaning the insides if the outsides are still dirty ;-)
i like it LOL
as a matter of interest – (apart from those who hire window cleaners) – does anyone wash windows more than 2-3 times a year?
Was that “two or three times a year” or “every two or three years”? LOL
SueBk said:
Our windows need cleaning too. My excuse is that with water restrictions I’m not allowed to use a hose. Half the house is ove 12 foot off the ground, so it works for me. And I figure – why bother cleaning the insides if the outsides are still dirty ;-)
My excuse is – it would disturb too many of my spiders! :D
bon008 said:
SueBk said:
Our windows need cleaning too. My excuse is that with water restrictions I’m not allowed to use a hose. Half the house is ove 12 foot off the ground, so it works for me. And I figure – why bother cleaning the insides if the outsides are still dirty ;-)
My excuse is – it would disturb too many of my spiders! :D
Lucky1 said:
bon008 said:
SueBk said:
Our windows need cleaning too. My excuse is that with water restrictions I’m not allowed to use a hose. Half the house is ove 12 foot off the ground, so it works for me. And I figure – why bother cleaning the insides if the outsides are still dirty ;-)
My excuse is – it would disturb too many of my spiders! :D
Not only that…. my cats spent hours putting nose prints on the glass…..
Awwww!! Now that is too cute to clean :)
Actually I noticed the other day that the web belonging Big Kitchen Spider has significantly reduced in size lately – I didn’t do it, and I doubt OH did it – maybe the spiders have started cleaning up the house for us! :D
pepe said:
as a matter of interest – (apart from those who hire window cleaners) – does anyone wash windows more than 2-3 times a year?
our house would be lucky if windows were washed every 2 or 3 years….
bluegreen said:
pepe said:
as a matter of interest – (apart from those who hire window cleaners) – does anyone wash windows more than 2-3 times a year?
our house would be lucky if windows were washed every 2 or 3 years….
I think our windows will be replaced before they are washed – that or we will move house :D
bon008 said:
SueBk said:
Our windows need cleaning too. My excuse is that with water restrictions I’m not allowed to use a hose. Half the house is ove 12 foot off the ground, so it works for me. And I figure – why bother cleaning the insides if the outsides are still dirty ;-)
My excuse is – it would disturb too many of my spiders! :D
oh I’m with you there bon :)
SueBk said:
Was that “two or three times a year” or “every two or three years”? LOL
geez – you lot are making me feel meticulous – i had better stop this nonsense.
still the view does look better when the winter dust has been removed from the main windows.
pepe said:
SueBk said:
Was that “two or three times a year” or “every two or three years”? LOL
geez – you lot are making me feel meticulous – i had better stop this nonsense.
still the view does look better when the winter dust has been removed from the main windows.
Aquarium,non-white bathrooms aren’t necessarily a solution to the cleaning dilemma. The place I just moved out of had the most foul mid-toned ‘dusky pink’ (dirty pink) bath and basin, and soap scum showed up just as quickly. It left whitish grey marks on the putrid pink. I am actually delighted to have a white bath and clear shower door, but who knows how I’ll feel in 6 months!
Sue BK, that detergent and vinegar spray sounds good.
Oh Aquarium, I think I have these mites of which you speak! I’m itchy all over as if flea bites and yet my animals are on flea preventatives so it can’t be fleas. I have encountered this before a few years ago and was so frustrated because I never saw anything to account for it.
I obviously don’t watch enough telly, what is this miracle pyrethrum puffer product called? I figure if I plug it in in my bedroom it should be far enough away from the aquarium in the lounge.
Hmmm, actually I have bites so not sure if it is mites or not. The dogs aren’t scratching so whatever they are they’re only bugging me. (pun intended)
So annoying, this seems to always happen just after I move house.