Cooee wood oil and cleaner
I found an Australian certified organic paint that doesn't cost the earth. The straw bale walls will be rendered up to the pitching beams (far left). So Roger suggested I oil/paint them now as it would be easier than later. So at the Green Paint shop in West End, I found Cooee wood stains. Since the new window (couldn't find a second hand one that size) in the lounge is made of cedar, I decided to go cedar all the way. Really easy to apply with a sponge and all washes up in soapy water. I'll need to re-apply it ever 1 -2 years depending on how much sun it gets, but no sanding involved. Just clean off the dust and reapply - easy.
Sustainable Cleaning Products
I just joined www.1millionwomen.com.au for action on climate change. In the "stories" section was a women promoting Enjo. I've seen this product (attended 2 parties) and I'm not saying they don't work (large cleaning surface area is the principle), it's just that they are made from petrochemicals, do not biodegrade, made in Austria (Europe) (think of the fuel miles, folks) and they cost a fortune! Last time I attended they wanted \$40 AU for a washing mitt, \$40 for a jar of chalk and \$28.50 for a bottle of diluted citric acid. Hey, I understand people want to make a profit but wow talk about being taken to the cleaners! And of course they had a mitt for every room in the house. It's sold by party plan so the pressure is on to buy something cause you friend who invited you wants the \$150 mop! Fortunately I have resisted and have come up with my own solution that costs very little, works splendidly and you can do it yourself:
I recycle old towels for dish/cleaning cloths. I cut out double hand size squares/rectangles and sew up two sides and bingo a cleaning mitten! I get around 10 out of a towel - you know around the edge where the towel gets worn the least. Also because of the pile they have a greater surface area and are better cleaners than cloths with no pile. You can throw them in the wash to clean them and when they end their productive life they'll biodegrade in the worm farm or as a small weed matt around seedlings. Brown vinegar in the toilet cleans all stains and if left overnight even gets rid of the nastiest stains. Citric acid derived from citrus (around \$1.50 at the supermarket) sprinkled lightly around taps gets rid of soap build up and makes them shiny. Also good on mould. I have found a tissue (sticks better than a rag) soaked in lemon juice on those difficult corners in the shower, left overnight will lift mould and bleach the grout white again. Ground chalk (calcium carbonate) mixed with a bit of soap does as good a job as those creme cleaners and safe to use on stainless steel. I made a dusting mitten from leftover fake fur I had used to make toys when the kids were little - works a treat. Mirrors - squirt bottle with vinegar and water, wipe with a shamie followed by crumpled up newspaper or handtowel - shiny!
So you can see the cleaning aisle in the supermarket is somewhere I just don't go.
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