The Smell of Clean

I always find it a bit amusing when someone smells something along the lines of bleach/lysol/ammonia and comments about how clean it smells. Because, honestly, to me that conjures up memories of school janitors using strong disinfectants to clean up, well, things I’d rather not discuss here. On the contrary, here are some things I think smell clean: My kids hair when they have just finished a bath, fresh cut grass, lemons, cucumbers, vanilla, mint and apples.

Today I mopped the floor, and was noticing how much I enjoyed it because it made everything smell so very good. And because we have these polished concrete floors (like these) in our house, I have alot of moppin’ to do. I do have some bleach in the cabinet. I think since I’ve owned my own home I may have used a gallon total. And I keep disinfecting cleaners around for the bathrooms and disinfecting wipes for doorknobs and toys when the kids are sick. Otherwise, here are the things I love to clean with.

Bathrooms:
Method’s Little Bowl Blue for the toilet
Method’s Le Scrub for the shower/tub/sink – it smells great and comes with a handy sponge holder. Mine came with a sponge, too.

Kitchen:
Arm & Hammer Cleaner & Degreaser – This one’s great for, well, bigger kitchen messes. I use it on my stovetop and work surfaces after I’ve been cooking. It’s cool because you buy the bottle empty and it comes with one “refill” – then when you’re out you just have to buy the little refills.
Method Multi-Surface Cleaner in Cucumber: I use this for the less messy…uh, messes. It smells divine. Also available in grapefruit, lavender, and unscented if cucumber isn’t your thing.
Dish Soap – I haven’t found one I love. Has anyone tried Mrs. Meyers Clean Day? I love their packaging, and keep meaning to pick up a bottle.

Laundry:
Ok, ok, so generally I try to be pretty green with my cleaning products (as evidence above). Then when the kids went to stay with my dad and step-mom one weekend and they returned with freshly-laundered clothes I could not stop sniffing, I had to call and ask what laundry detergent she uses. It’s Tide with a touch of Downy. It is phosphate free, and double-concentrated (why not triple, Tide?) and it produces the best-smelling loads of laundry my nose has ever met. Be sure to pick up the HE version if you have a front-loading machine.

Glass/Windows:
Method Best in Glass Cleaner – It smells like mint. Need I say more? (I should probably add that it actually works. So take that Ammonia-D, whatever you are.)

Furniture:
Method Wood for Good Surface Cleaner – This is THE best smelling cleaning product. Ever. It’s almond scented. It smells so good I am often tempted to take a sip. While Method’s products are non-toxic, I have yet to partake. But that’s not to say I don’t think about it. And it works great.

Floors:
Method Wood for Good Floor Cleaner – See above.
Mr. Clean All Purpose with Febreze in Lavender – Also not the “greenest” cleaner I use, but these concrete floors occasionally need some tough love, and Mr. Clean does the job. And smells 435 times better than Pine Sol. Eww.
Shark Electric Steam Mop – My husband bought this for me as a Christmas gift last year. To some of you that may sound about like him buying me a toaster or a frying pan. But listen – I was thrilled. This thing is just amazing – I love it. You can clean your floors with no chemical cleaners. And it works. The microfiber cleaning pads are, well, disgusting when I’m finished. I’ll never show you mine, and won’t ask to see yours – but trust me, there’s alot of dirt sticking to those pads. I use it between mopping with cleaners or when I need a quick cleanup.
Swiffer Wet Jet – I try not to use my Swiffer too much because it’s disposable pads are not environmentally-friendly, and the cleaner is expensive for as long as it lasts. However, if I need to clean up a quick spot in the kitchen or muddy boot tracks (not that my husband would EVER track mud on the floor), it’s great.

In conclusion, I’m not sure why I felt compelled to share with you my cleaning habits. The smell of that Mr. Clean lavender just overwhelmed me today. And while it may appear I’m getting kickbacks from Method for plugging their products, the truth is, I really love them that much.

Do you have any cleaning products you just love? What am I missing?

Note: The links to Amazon are affiliate links…meaning if you purchase a pack of 12 Arm & Hammer Cleaners, I get a dollar or two. While you and I both know you aren’t going to be purchasing cleaner from Amazon, I’m required to tell you about the links.