I am nearly germaphobic...

[dianeschlicht]

The Seventh Gen counter cleaner is hydrogen peroxide - plus citris oil and a enzyme that breaks down protein. But mostly hydrogen peroxide.

Clarabelle - I put vinegar (straight) into a dollar store spray bottle and spray it straight. It works pretty well in the bathroom on soap scum and hard water.

Just don't use it on your granite, slate or marble!!!

 

[Tiger926]

Tiger926 - if you're happy with your natural cleaners, that's fine. Most of the things in them are added as surfactants - they release dirt and germs and allow them to be rinsed away. This is much less toxic than standard cleaners, and this is good. The problem is that many of these natural items can also be allergenic. Between 10 and 20% of the population is allergic to tea tree oil. Even if you aren't, if you use it long enough, you may become allergic to it.

I tend to like what Seventh Gen and (most) similar companies are doing with their products - aiming them away from the current infusion of toxic, poly-syllabic chemical compounds into almost everything we use on a daily basis (diapers, laundry soap, toothpaste, hand soap, deodorant, etc).

You might also consider using hydrogen peroxide as a cleaner for many things. It's not as allergenic as many of the "natural" cleaners and it's dirt cheap. It also kills a variety of germs. Vinegar is also fairly effective in some cases (not all). It's about a 5% acid (kills some germs) and is also a moderately good surfactant.

But keep in mind that plain old dish soap (the kind without all the added stuff) is an EXCELLANT surfactant. As is plain hand soap like Ivory for hand and skin cleansing. And they smell better than vinegar.

And I think this is all I have to say on the subject. I like a clean room as much as the next guest. If the state of the room was really, REALLY horrible (hasn't happened yet), I'd call housekeeping or ask for a cleaner room. I wouldn't waste vacation time by attempting to remedy the problem(s) myself.


DisFlan

Thanks for this info. I am already doing these things, so coming from a scientist, that works for me! We haven't started using Tea Tree Oil as I have a lot of allergies - thanks for that info. I am just starting to research it, and am finding conflicting info. We use vinegar most, but we may start using hydrogen peroxide - again, not sure about the allergenic properties of it, so haven't used it full strength yet.

We like the smell of vinegar, so it works for us and we use it on lightswitches, phones & remotes in hotels, as well as all around our home. Does anyone know what the deal is with vinegar on marble or granite? I can't find any of these warnings in my vinegar cleaning book.

Thanks for the discussion, Tiger

 

[Deb & Bill]

... Does anyone know what the deal is with vinegar on marble or granite? I can't find any of these warnings in my vinegar cleaning book.

Thanks for the discussion, Tiger

Just a guess here. Vinegar is acid. Those are all natural minerals. Acid will disolve minerals.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I clean the phone, remote, etc. when I check in, but I don't do the rest of it, as our environment is filled with bacteria, and as soon as you clean anything, it's always collecting new bacteria. Now, having said that, I still would use my Lysol wipes in a bathroom in a gas station, or wherever things don't get cleaned often. It's just a difference between being prudent, and being obsessive.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Just a guess here. Vinegar is acid. Those are all natural minerals. Acid will disolve minerals.

Absoluely correct.

 

[DisFlan]

I clean the phone, remote, etc. when I check in, but I don't do the rest of it, as our environment is filled with bacteria, and as soon as you clean anything, it's always collecting new bacteria. Now, having said that, I still would use my Lysol wipes in a bathroom in a gas station, or wherever things don't get cleaned often. It's just a difference between being prudent, and being obsessive.

I'll add one quick thing here. In public bathrooms, I'm assuming you're mainly talking about the toilet seat. Even in really scrungy bathrooms, the top of the toilet seat is the cleanest thing in a room. (Yup, after tons of testing, the top of the seat is cleaner than you would ever believe - very few harmful bugs. No one is sure why.) After all the attempts to install or use seat coverings and using sprays and wipes - they aren't really necessary. This is why many public restroom no longer supply seat covers. The handle on a shopping cart is much dirtier.

The floor around the base of the toilet - where many ladies put purses and parcels (and pulled-down pants) is the dirtiest area. But if wiping the seat makes you feel better (or "prudent"), go ahead. I simply keep my parcels and clothes up off the floor.

If the sink is a worry, use a paper towel to turn the faucet on and off, and wash hands as usual. No wipes are needed. If towels aren't available, squirt a bit of hand sanitizer on the faucet handle. It works better than a wipe. A good hand washing is better than just using the sanitizer.

I don't worry about this stuff in a villa - or about the remotes and switches, etc. And I've never had a problem, nor has my family. I spend my worry time on more important matters - like if Jiko lost my ADR or if Fantasmic is going to be rained out.

DisFlan

 

[keys2kingdom]

We are new to DVC and have had one stay at SSR. When we arrived, the room was not well cleaned, including lipstick and crust on the coffee mugs and food stuck in the microwave, and toothpaste "dots" on the mirrors.
ALso, the room was in need to rehab, so the carpet appeared dirty. We alerted management and they took care of it immediately and I was ok with it. Ok, because I moved on as it was my vacation. It did make me feel uncomfortable and yucky.

We are staying at OKW in a few days, and I am wondering if I should alert them to my feelings ahead of time; that I can't tolerate a dirty room and that a really worn room makes me feel like it is dirty. I am not expecting perfection, but do not want to stay in a room in need of rehab. I can remedy the housekeeping situation by cleaning it myself.

Any thoughts? Call or fax? Wait till check in?

Are you serious?? I think we all want a clean and newly refurbished room but specifically requesting it might as well be standing in the lobby shouting "I'm special!!" You are no more entitled to a newly refurbished unit than anyone else, it's the luck of the draw get over it.

 

[Alexander]

...snip...
I don't worry about this stuff in a villa - or about the remotes and switches, etc. And I've never had a problem, nor has my family. I spend my worry time on more important matters - like if Jiko lost my ADR or if Fantasmic is going to be rained out.

DisFlan

I'm right there with ya!

 

[OlderMan]

As an aside, my DD11 did a science fair project for school on: "What is the Effect on Plants of 'Environmentally Friendly' Cleaning Products."

She used a 10% solution of Seventh Generation brand laundry detergent, dish detergent and fabric softener mixed with 90% water.

Imagine our surprise when, after 3 days, ALL the plants receiving the laundry detergent and dish detergent solutions were wilted. After 6 days, those plants were all DEAD. (The plants receiving the fabric softener solution survived.)

A phone call to Seventh Generation and one of their chemists revealed that an ingredient in their detergents is SODIUM. So much for non-toxic and environmentally friendly!

FWIW.......

 

[Deb & Bill]

As an aside, my DD11 did a science fair project for school on: "What is the Effect on Plants of 'Environmentally Friendly' Cleaning Products."

She used a 10% solution of Seventh Generation brand laundry detergent, dish detergent and fabric softener mixed with 90% water.

Imagine our surprise when, after 3 days, ALL the plants receiving the laundry detergent and dish detergent solutions were wilted. After 6 days, those plants were all DEAD. (The plants receiving the fabric softener solution survived.)

A phone call to Seventh Generation and one of their chemists revealed that an ingredient in their detergents is SODIUM. So much for non-toxic and environmentally friendly!

FWIW.......

You have one great little scientist there, Olderman. You should be proud of her.

 

[OlderMan]

Thanks, Deb & Bill! We're VERY proud of her and her sister, too!

FWIW, for last year's science fair project she used "regular" laundry detergent, dish detergent and fabric softener solutions. ALL the plants receiving these solutions died.