OT - Cleaning the Natural Way - You, Your Mask, Your Home

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 4:16 pm

STEAMFAST STEAM CLEANER REVIEW

Okay, I bought the SteamFast steam cleaner from Costco that SleepingBeauty raved about. First, let me just acknowledge that SB is a SUPERIOR WOMAN to me, and my results are not her results.

Gasp is right - you shoot steam at it, and then you have a hot steaming mass of.... mess. It doesn't GO anywhere. You then have to bend over and... wipe it up? Seemed pretty stupid to me. If I'm going to wipe stuff, why not just use a sponge and scrub it with elbow grease?

BTW - I decided on wiping up with paper towels as the best option for me. I didn't want to wash cloths filled with mildew with my clothes, and couldn't see just doing a load of cloths alone.

Okay, so it's SANITIZING. Hmmmm. I might believe that more AFTER I get it CLEAN.

The mildew stains are still there, even after steaming and wiping.

I pooped out after doing the shower and sink, and went and had a sit-down. Then I came back and shot all the mildew with a spray bottle filled with white vinegar and a good bit of salt. I let that soak/dry overnight.

This AM - no change in the mildew. That grout is just beyond it. I'm planning on trying straight Hydrogen Peroxide in a spray bottle overnight tonight. If still not pleasing, I will Tilex it all day tomorrow while I'm out with my friend antiquing.

So.... I dunno. I think I'll test drive it on the kitchen floor and see if it makes me happy. I personally think elbow grease might be a better solution for me than the steamer.

If you want one of your own, you can buy it on www DOT Costco DOT com for free shipping and no sales tax. Ordered on Sunday AM, came Thursday PM.

SleepingBeauty, if you have any suggestions, send them my way. Yes, I contemplated hiring a 19 year old shirtless Mexican boy to clean my house... 'Course in my neck of the woods, they are usually Guatemalan. But that's okay - I like short men.

LOL,
Babs

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 7:18 pm

jennmary wrote:OMG! I have been looking at houses across the country. I am finding houses for like 10 thousand in indiana....they are forclosures, same in ohio. You can get a forcloser here for about 150 thousand.

Jen might end up with a new neighbor. If I could get a house with my tax return I would have 0 left to pay on it. I could stop working and go back to school, live off the 1500 in child support for a few years. I am seriously considering it.

Please, please, please do go visit before you decide to move to the midwest. I am a west coast girl. I grew up in Oregon, and I think San Diego is as good as it gets for climate and activities. I lived in San Diego before meeting my husband and moving to Arizona. I miss it terribly, but I cannot afford a house there. That's why we are moving back to the Northwest (Portland, Oregon, or Vancouver, Washington).

I lived in Ohio for 5 years. The heat and humidity in the summer is THE WORST! And the cold in the winter will kill you. My last winter in Ohio consisted of below zero weather for 2 weeks during Christmas. You have to shovel snow, and that is not fun. They lay salt on the roads, and cars rust like crazy there. Oh, and I can't forget to mention that there are mostly deciduous trees in Ohio and Indiana, so it looks dead in the winter. No green anything.

I'm not trying to pop your $10,000 house dream party, but please do check it out before you go. It's different if you grew up there. It is really hard to acclimate if you grew up on the Left Coast, which is God's County IMHO.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 7:25 pm

ROFLMAO!!! My first winter in Wichita, I was greatly distressed by all the brown lawns. I asked if there was a blight. People looked at my funny. I had no idea that in some parts of the country, lawns die in the winter.

I was so sick of the heat and wind and snow in Wichita, I couldn't wait to get back here. But it's so damn expensive here, I often feel regret that I didn't just suck it up and stay. I've been back 20 years now, and feel torn. If I'd stayed, my career would probably be a REAL CAREER, instead of a job that pays the rent. I'd probably own a house. I'd probably have gotten married and popped out a few kids. Oh dear, that's certainly NOT a regret!

But I had to come back to the Great Drippy Woods. So, I guess it's moot. I can't leave now. I'm shackled to a disabled parent for the rest of his life. Unless my lame siblings care to take over, which they WON'T. They are all in favor of me sacrificing my life on this alter...

I can't imagine how Arizona can be more expensive than Portland. Now Vancouver, maybe. A friend of mine moved all the way to Ridgefield to find a decent place to live, and now they are moaning about all the development there.

Definitely take at least a 2 week vacation before investing in the $10,000 house.

I've been thinking for years I want to move to Alabama to be with my other parent, but after 10 days there, I'm SO READY TO COME HOME!

LOL,
B.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 7:30 pm

Okay, I've fully gone BACK TO THE DARK SIDE. I cleaned the mildewed shower with Tilex, it's clean, and I DON'T CARE! Maybe if I cleaned it more often, elbow grease would be enough.

But that steamer is going back to Costco. Doesn't CLEAN anything. Just squirts hot water on it, and nothing moves.

On the upside, Mom gave me a pile of great little microfiber sponges she got off QVC and the blue and silver one works great to scrub down the microwave. Just water and elbow grease and it's clean and I'm happy! She thinks that one is great for scrubbing pots and pans. I'll have to do more experiments with it. I can't seem to find the exact one she bought when I go to their website. I'll have to get her to send me the item number.

Got a tip on a great Feng Shui Manual today:

"Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life" by Karen Rauch Carter

I've got it on hold at the library. I'm working on Feng Shui-ing my place to hopefully banish some of the icky stuff I've had over the summer. Figured you Granola Heads would appreciate that. Me, I'm a Pumpkin Pie head.

LOL,
Babs

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 7:36 pm

Treesap wrote:I lived in Ohio for 5 years. The heat and humidity in the summer is THE WORST! And the cold in the winter will kill you. My last winter in Ohio consisted of below zero weather for 2 weeks during Christmas. You have to shovel snow, and that is not fun. They lay salt on the roads, and cars rust like crazy there. Oh, and I can't forget to mention that there are mostly deciduous trees in Ohio and Indiana, so it looks dead in the winter. No green anything.

I'm not trying to pop your $10,000 house dream party, but please do check it out before you go. It's different if you grew up there. It is really hard to acclimate if you grew up on the Left Coast, which is God's County IMHO.

I'm a midwesterner (live in SE Michigan near Ohio). What you mention seems like normal life to me. I'll have to admit that when I visit California in winter, I wonder what in the world I'm doing living in Michigan. But, if you have a job you like and people you like, these things don't matter as much.

Plus, it's quite nice in northern Ohio and SE Michigan during some of the year.

. Just had to defend the Midwest/Great Lakes states. There are beautiful parts to them all.

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:09 pm

RosemaryB wrote: . Just had to defend the Midwest/Great Lakes states. There are beautiful parts to them all.

I agree. I've seen some georgous pictures of Northern Michigan. I was very impressed with the beauty in the summer. I just warn people because the climate is so extremely in those parts. Get close to the great lakes and you will most likely freeze to death.

I went to Portland, Oregon, last Christmas. I haven't been there for 10 years, and I had forgotten that the grass stays green in the winter. Sure the skies are gray, but I will take that any day over freezing your arse off. The year-round green and milder climate really tickles my fancy.

Arizona is too dry. Babs, you are right about the price of housing here. It had been creeping up, but it is nowhere near the cost of houses in California.

Plus you will die paying property taxes in California because all of the new peeps pay the higher taxes. The old peeps who bought their houses way back when houses were barely even $150,000 are the ones who are protected by Prop 13 and pay much lower taxes. I don't understand the fairness in that.

I guess when I win the lottery and buy my mansion on the beaches of La Jolla, I won't care about property taxes.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:11 am

I like the change in seasons and the extremes. There is always a new season around the corner and I find that refreshing. I fall in love with each new season as it comes around.

Spring, for gardening and watching the world rebirth itself, summer for the vegetable garden, hiking, fairs, and all other outdoor activities like swimming (you can't imagine how refreshing swimming can be until you have done it on a 99 degree day!), fall for its crisp weather, visiting apple orchards, making apple butter and pumpkin pie, seeing the leaves change colors, playing in piles of leaves, halloween, winter, for bundling up in cozy sweaters and parkas, sipping hot drinks, playing in the snow.

WHAT IS NOT TO LIKE?

You guys are all pansy-asses! LOL!

I even like severe winter weather. It is probably a Pavlovian response--from all those mornings as kids when we used to sit by the radio begging them to say our school was closed so we could go play in the snow.

Ironically we live farther north now than I did as a child (grew up in S. Illinois) and we get less snow here than my Mom does back home because of the way the weather travels. It dumps it on her and hardly ever gets to us which makes me sad because I love snow. Not ice so much, but its better than nothing. We still have pretty, clear days. Sure the leaves are off the deciduous trees but they can be pretty too with some snow or ice on them.

However, that said, I really doubt a $10,000 NICE house exists here, even in foreclosure. A coworker of Mitch's just bought a foreclosed house. It was valued at $250,000 (luxury by midwestern standards!) and sold for about $160K.

It is hard to find a house for less than $100K that isn't a dump in these parts. Our house is clearly a starter home. Tract housing, 30 years old. We bought if for $82K. Not the nicest neighborhood, but we had to make a choice--either I worked and we bought our dream home, or we sacrificed and bought one we could afford and I stayed home with the kids.

That said, we are considering building a new place in the next year or two. I want to build green and get off the grid, but we will see if that happens! I think I'll have to compromise. Around here the trend is to build big. You have these huge houses that just echo on the inside. But they have no charm. No crown molding, no classic elements, no personality at all. And then people go into more debt filling them with useless furniture they never use because they only use the kitchen, family room and bedrooms.

My plan is to build a house based on the book, "The Not So Big House" by Susan Susanka. The idea is to work with your architect to figure out how you really live. Are you really a "dining room" person or would an "eat-in" kitchen really suffice. Do you really need the redundancy of family room, living room, media room etc etc. Or will one space fit the bill. She also builds 30% more storage into her homes than is usual. Ah, it is a dream. Solar panels, wind turbans, passive solar heating, a greenhouse, and a cozy house that functions well for our lifestyle. That is my midwestern dream!

Jen

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:32 am

I have a cyber pal who decided to go off the grid. I haven't heard from her much lately.

Their house sold before they were ready, so they had to move into a cheap RV (Small Trailer, not Motorhome), and have parked that in various places, including their church parking lot. Last winter they bummed around - moving all over the country from family to friend, while hubby picked up the odd construction job here and there. Wife is home with a two year old, and attempting to augment their income with sewing and selling the odd thing on Ebay.

They finally went back to Maine and are living up in the woods building the cabin. I haven't heard from her in a couple of months. They don't have any cell or WiFi service up there, so she has to drive to town to find a WiFi spot to email. Last I heard, she was trying to do that once a week.

I say plan very well for this. Have alot of savings, and an RV ready. Her RV does NOT have A/C, and they were sweltering this summer. Make sure you've got WiFi set up for your laptops, and check out the cell service where you want to build and be SURE you have service.

There is an entire magazine industry devoted to this lifestyle. Go subscribed to a few.

Cheers,
B.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 11:46 am

Oh, goodness. I have no plans to go that extreme! I like my creature comforts! No, I prob won't even try to sell this one until the other one is ready or nearly so--and we will be hiring a contractor and my husband won't quit his job! Yikes!

Jen

goose · Post by **goose** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 12:28 pm

socknitster wrote:
You guys are all pansy-asses! LOL!

HEY.....I resemble that remark!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm a California boy through and through.....surf, snowboard, like dude - surf's up........
Born in East LA before it was East LA, and been living in NorCal most all of my life except for service time (Spent 3 years on Arizona in the mid/late 50's).

It's all a matter of perspective!!! What's this Midwest stuff??? You mean Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield???
To me Nevada is the East!!!!

As insane as this place is -- Taxes, housing costs etc......I can't imagine living anywhere else (but I've lived all over the world, so......). I'll leave when it's time for retirement so I can hopefully escape the state tax's on the retirement fund (what of it there is).
San Felipe Mexico -- here I come!!!!

Seasonal changes??? Flood, Mud, Fire, and Heat........
What can I say????

cheers
goose

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:06 pm

socknitster wrote: My plan is to build a house based on the book, "The Not So Big House" by Susan Susanka. The idea is to work with your architect to figure out how you really live. Are you really a "dining room" person or would an "eat-in" kitchen really suffice. Do you really need the redundancy of family room, living room, media room etc etc. Or will one space fit the bill. She also builds 30% more storage into her homes than is usual. Ah, it is a dream. Solar panels, wind turbans, passive solar heating, a greenhouse, and a cozy house that functions well for our lifestyle. That is my midwestern dream!

Jen

This is my midwestern dream, too! I like her book, too and the idea of living off the grid appeals to me, but not away from civilization, just having a house that doesn't depend on outside energy to function. Except for my wireless hookup, of course . Not easy to do this in SE Michigan. SE Michigan has the same number of cloudy days as Portland, OR , believe it or not.

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:18 am

I can thrive wonderfully in Portland, Oregon. There is humidity in the air, but it's not the kind that makes you uncomfortable. It's just right. Your skin, hair, lungs, and everything feel wonderful.

I've seen the sun more days than I care to here in Arizona. The novelty just isn't there for me. Even when I lived in San Diego, it wasn't that sunny all the time. I REALLY liked it there. Torrey Pines is an awesome place to hike. They are hills and cliffs over the ocean between La Jolla and Del Mar.

Oh, and don't get me started on the Oregon Coast. A rain day at the coast in Oregon is better than any sunny day in Arizona. Call me crazy. I'm a webfoot.

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 10:04 am

socknitster wrote:I like the change in seasons and the extremes. There is always a new season around the corner and I find that refreshing. I fall in love with each new season as it comes around.

I totally agree! I have lived where every day was sunny and many days I thought "give me a little weather here!" Rare clouds, no fresh smell after a good rain, no lush plants . . . not for me. I'm so happy there are others that think these places are perfect for them. I have a hope that everyone could live out their life in a place that inspires them.

One week we recognize fall is here as the weather turns cold and leaves turn spectacular colors from light gold to deep red. Leaves gently float through the air and then the storm comes as it usually does and the next morning we find our land covered with a blanket of golden leaves and the trees mostly bare. It's like redecorating only outdoors!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 10:08 am

Will ya'll quit extoling the virtues of the Great North Woods???? We'll never clear up the I-5 corridor if people keep moving here!!!!

IT RAINS CONSTANTLY! MILDEW AND MOLD LIVE ON EVERYTHING! YOUR ASTHMA WILL GET WORSE!

LOL,
Babs

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 10:55 am

Anonymous wrote:Will ya'll quit extoling the virtues of the Great North Woods???? We'll never clear up the I-5 corridor if people keep moving here!!!!

IT RAINS CONSTANTLY! MILDEW AND MOLD LIVE ON EVERYTHING! YOUR ASTHMA WILL GET WORSE!

LOL,
Babs

Oh! That's right. Thanks!!

So, I already talked about the good. The bad and ugly are many! We run a dehumidifier 24/7 just to keep up with the moisture in the house. I dump the 2 gallon holding tank daily!!! We keep thinking about attaching a hose but since it's me that does the dumping he hasn't got around to hooking up the hose (sorry no whining). Even with the dehumidifier, the window sills have to be constantly wiped dry or they get damaged.

Keeping moss out of the lawn is almost impossible as the thick trees keep out sunlight (what little there is) and soggy ground, moss, and WEEDS, lots of weeds grow in the abundant moisture. Think Amazon rain forest.

My car is NEVER clean as it gets splashed with dirty water on the roads. Driving in the almost constant blinding rain is NO FUN. We drive on the freeways here having faith that the person in front of you is going to actually stay moving and the taillights aren't brake lights - or are they? You think talking on cells phones is dangerious, try driving when you go through monstrous puddles at freeway speeds or a truck splashes you with one of them - wipers on the fastest setting can't clear the windshield. I got so tired of setting my windshield wipers on, off, on, off here that I bought a car with Rain Sense technology. The water is just ridiculous!

I don't carry an umbrella because it molds in the car. I let the rain fall on my unstyled hair because it's futile keeping any style when my hair gets rained on most days. I look like I was raised by wolves.

Do you have a dog? We all know what wet dogs smell like. We'd have to put a dog wash/dry in at the door to keep their nasty wet smelling coats from invading indoors. Wet, dirty paws and coats - well you get the idea.

I could go on and on and on but I have to go dry my shoes on the dryer rack before they mold.

Mask	Humidifier

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