This post is sponsored by Bosisto’s.
Those familiar with the Disney Tinkerbell movies will be aware that upon birth each fairy is bestowed a ‘talent.’ Their talent is the equivalent of a gift or career calling. For example, Tinkerbell is a tinker fairy, gifted at problem solving to make tools by re-purposing found items that humans have lost or discarded to make life easier for the fairies. There are also water, animal, light and flower fairies (to name just a few) inhabiting Pixie Hollow.
This concept of talents has led to lots of discussion in our house about what each of us is good at, what our strengths are, what our individual talents would each be. And we just had to laugh one evening when Immy declared that Dad 101’s talent was doing the dishes and cleaning!
In all seriousness I am blessed to have the support of a partner who does so much around the house, especially in the evenings as I use this time to get the majority of my paid work done. Immy also helps out with chores, including unstacking the dishwasher, and we now lovingly bestow upon the person doing any sort of dishwashing the title of ‘Kitty the Kitchen Fairy.’ After all, if we can’t find ourselves a real cleaning fairy, adding a little fairy-ness all of our own at least creates a sense of fun around doing chores 🙂
When it comes to household cleaning we have been fans of using natural cleaning alternatives pretty much ever since the global financial crisis hit Australia. At the time Dad 101 worked in a commission based role within the finance sector and the GFC meant that our belts needed to be seriously tightened for us to continue to make ends meet. I started to explore ways to save on the grocery shopping and it was clear that cleaning products were most often the big ticket items on our weekly shopping list. A short internet browse later and a bottle of white vinegar was promptly added to the shopping list.
We have used white vinegar diluted as a general purpose spray, to clean wooden, tile and vinyl floors, as a window cleaner, a rinse aid in the dishwasher, and in combination with bicarb to clean the oven, shower and drains. In fact, the very last bottle of spray and wipe that I bought all those years ago became the spray bottle I use for our vinegar-based all purpose spray and it is still in use (albeit regularly refilled) almost four years later.
So when Bosisto’s contact me recently to trial their Eucalyptus Oil and Eucalyptus Spray I was interested to see what role Eucalyptus oil could play as a natural household cleaner. A little researched revealed a range of household uses on their website, including everything from cleaning grease and grass stains from carpet to removing chewing gum from clothes and furniture. In fact, Eucalyptus oil can be used as a natural antiseptic, deodoriser, germ killer, degreasing agent and cleaner.
Our stainless steel kitchen appliances were first on my hit list. The fridge door was decorated with sticky fingerprints and smudges and seemed the perfect place to start. A little Eucalyptus spray and a rub with a soft cloth and my test area around the door handle sparkled. So much so that I then needed to remove all of the magnets, photos, lists and school notices to clean the rest of the door as it suddenly looked awful in comparison. With a little soaking and a bit more elbow grease the spray even removed the stickers that Immy had stuck on the door two years ago! Our stove top and kettle followed, each receiving the Eucalyptus stainless steel treatment.
The bathroom was next – bench top, sink and shower screen, and once that was done I was feeling a little excited about my can of Eucalyptus spray (sad, I know!) so I decided to tackle some of those jobs that annoy-me-daily-but-I-never-seem-to-get-to. Like grubby light switches and the fingerprints all over the playroom’s sliding glass door. A few capfuls of the Eucalyptus Oil were put to work in each of the toilets and down the laundry drain (which had been recently featuring an annoyingly unpleasant smell)Â killing germs and bacteria in its wake (or at least, I hope it is!)
Just as I finished Dad 101 came in from the garden, where he had been busy catching up on outside jobs, and commented on how great the house smelled. And I suppose that is the one big advantage Eucalyptus has over vinegar when it comes to household cleaning, that fresh, clean smell that is so uniquely Australian. And that is a win for this little cleaning fairy 🙂
Find out more about Bosisto’s Eucalyptus Oil and Spray and their extensive range of other natural products on their website or Facebook page and read on to…
WIN WITH BOSISTO’S
I have a great prize pack of Bosisto’s natural products to giveaway! It includes one each of the Eucalyptus Oil 200mL, 100mL and 50mL, 1 x Eucalyptus Spray 200g, 1 x Tea Tree Spray 100g, 1 x Lavender Spray 100g, 1 x Antiseptic Spray, 1 x Eucalyptus Rub 35g, 1 x Nasal Inhaler, 1 x Nasal Spray, 1 x EucoFresh Laundry Powder, 1 x Eucalyptus Drops Sugar-Free, 1 x EucoSteam Inhaler Combo, 1 x EucoSteam Inhalant 200mL, the book: “Eucalyptus Oil – Australia’s Natural Wonder,” an enviro bag, a soft toy parrot and a handy hints brochure.
To enter (AUSTRALIAN residents only) leave a comment on this post sharing your favourite alternative household cleaning solution. Entries close 8PM AEST, Tuesday 7th August 2012.
The fine print:
1. The competition begins at 8PM AEST, 24th July 2012 and ends at 8PM AEST, 7th August 2012.
2. There is one prize to be won, with a total value of $160.00.
3. Entry is limited to one comment per household/IP address. Please register a routinely checked email address in the email field of your entry.
4. The winners will be notified via email within 7 days of the competition closing.
5. Should the winner fail to make contact via return email within 72 hours of notification a new winner may be selected.
6. The winner’s contact details will be passed onto FGB Natural Products and the prize organised directly by them.
7. Entries remain the property of Childhood 101 and may be republished.
Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.
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