Simplifying Life - part one

Hello!

Now that I am not working outside the home I feel the need to simplify my life.  I want to streamline - to only have things I use or love.  I thought over the next few weeks I would write a series of posts about my quest for a Simpler Life.

Since I retired last year I have got into quite a nice routine of getting up, having breakfast and whizzing around the house with the vacuum, cleaning and tidying in general as I go. I like the house to look reasonably neat and clean, as that means I can relax and enjoy my day.  I'm not one of these people that is overly fastidious, but I do just find I am oddly happier when the house is organised, but 'lived in', so I try to keep on top of things without feeling I'm spending too long on this.  

Over the past few years though I have found that cleaning products cause problems with my asthma, plus I am always looking for more natural ways to clean, whilst reducing my impact on the environment, and I've tried everything from white vinegar to lemon skins, and everything in between, with mixed results.  I became more and more intrigued by the ads that kept popping up on Facebook for an environmentally friendly cleaning product called Koh*.  I decided a couple of weeks ago to give it a go, and I am absolutely delighted that I did!  

I received the very next day after my order was placed, a courier delivery which contained a large wine box style container of cleaning fluid, an assortment of good quality microfibre cloths, a mop with assorted cloth pads, some diamond cleaning sponges, and an atomiser. I did swither about using microfibre cloths but they do seem to be essential with the product and will last ages, so I decided I could live with that.  I am pleased to read the product itself is environmentally friendly, pet friendly, allergy friendly and cruelty free.  

The idea is you use the product with a DRY microfibre cloth, and it can be used on just about anything (the directions give you the very small list of exclusions), no rinsing required!  I had only mopped the floor that morning, using a concentrated floor cleaner, but I wiped it over using the Koh mop and the amount of dirt that came up was rather shocking. You literally pull the trigger on the handle spray some cleaner and then wipe over the area.  Easy!  Plus it dried really fast.

I then cleaned the kitchen windows with the atomiser and the special glass cloth that was included.  Wow!  They came up sparkling clean and streak free! So I did all the mirrors too, and had the same amazing results.  I tried it next on the glass shower doors, which I find very hard to keep sparkling clean, and they came up like new!

Very encouraged, I sprayed the stainless steel appliances, and I can honestly say it works better, and easier, than the expensive stainless steel cleaners I have been buying.  I wiped over my mirror finish kitchen counters with another dry cloth and some spray and they came up super smooth and shiny.  The best bit is no rinsing is required, so cleaning is a breeze.

Using another clean and dry cloth with the atomiser I wiped over all the furniture that doesn't have an oiled finish, and that all came up beautifully, plus it seems to stay cleaner for longer, as there is no residue left behind to attract the dust.  

A few days later I tackled the range, which is a problematic event normally, as the standard oven cleaners really don't agree with the asthma.  I used one of the diamond sponges, sprayed the cleaner on and left it for a couple of minutes.  It took a bit more elbow grease, but I am really pleased with the results, especially the glass door, which is the cleanest it's looked for years!  I am going to give the ovens another go this week as they were pretty bad and I didn't quite get it all off.

The biggest thing for me to get used to is the concept of 'spray and wipe'.  The drier the surface to be cleaned is the better it works too.  Once the cloths are too dirty or damp I move onto to a clean one.  It really is a simple way of doing things and I truly feel my house has never felt so clean!

Once the cloths are dirty they can be rinsed out by hand or tossed in the washing machine, as long as you don't put any fabric softener in.  

Apart from toilet cleaner and washing up liquid/dishwasher tablets, I am really not going to buy any cleaning products now apart from the Koh, as it is so good, leaves no icky scent behind, doesn't make me gasp or cough, and will simplify this part of my day.  I have three sinks in the kitchen and laundry room and the cupboard under each is stuffed full of bottles and cans of different cleaners.  Trying to fish one out means they all fall over and tumble out and I get very cross.  This new cleaning regime will mean I can have just one small cupboard for cleaning, containing just the Koh, a neat pile of cloths and the diamond sponges.  That leaves me two cupboards spare to help organise the messy laundry room!  I'm looking forward to that!

There is loads of information, lots of FAQs, plus some helpful videos, on their website. The company offers a 30 day money back guarantee, so if a customer isn't happy with it they can always get their money back.  I certainly won't be asking for my money back as it most definitely makes my life easier and will free up more time for creative pursuits.  After all, my name is Creative Mummy Bear, not Cleaning Mummy Bear!!! :D

*This is an affiliate link so if you would like to try it for yourself you can click through the highlighted link if you wish and get £5 off your order, plus £5 is put into my account.

Donna x