Cleaning NonWashables if You are Chemically Sensitive

[Jean in Newcastle]

I'm allergic to Febreeze and Lysol.  Is there any way to clean unwashable things like seat cushions, mattresses etc. that don't involve those kinds of chemical products? 

[Lawana]

I have used a solution of Borax, which is actually quite effective. It does need some kind of rinsing. I cleaned the upholstery and headliner of a used car we bought that had been owned by a smoker. Amazing how clean it got. I just followed the Borax with plain water and absorbed what I could with dry towels. It would have been easier with an extraction cleaner, but I made do without.

[MamaBearTeacher]

I make a spray from vinegar and dish soap and add essential oils ie. tea tree oil, ecalyptus, mint, citrus, lavender etc. for killing germs, fresh scent. I have also added grapefruit seed extract for killing germs. I use this as an all purpose cleaner but I have never used it to clean mattresses. I use and mattress cover. I'm not sure if that's what you are looking for.

[prairiewindmomma]

I clean most things like that with baking soda, hydrogen peroxide (blood, urine), rubbing alcohol (ink), and occasionally Dawn. (Dawn is an excellent degreaser!)

 

Borax sets off my asthma, but otherwise I would recommend that as well.

[dirty ethel rackham]

I didn't believe this would work, but I used a well wrung out wet Norwex microfiber cleaning cloth on the upholstery of my then 16 year old van before we sold it. This van was the kid mobile and had never had anything more than a vacuum and cleaning the inside windows. I had a wax stain on a cloth seat from a Babybel cheese wax wrapper that had melted in the hot sun. It came out. When we traded it in, the dealer was surprised at how clean it was and chided me for having it detailed. It really did look like a car that did not have children riding in it (other than wear.)

 

I don't think any microfiber cloth will do. But, if you want to avoid the whole MLM aspects of Norwex, I have read that ecloth is as effective and can be ordered easily online.

 

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

[ElizabethB]

I use a mix of water, baking soda, and fragrance free Ivory dish soap.

[scrapbookbuzz]

Yes! Sending you a PM.

[Jean in Newcastle]

My immediate need is over.  I ended up spraying Nature's Miracle (enzymatic cleaner) over the mattress and hauled it out to the sunshine on deck.  It was really just a spring cleaning thing but also the dog peed on the bedding and even though the mattress felt dry, I didn't want to take any chances!

[Kim in Appalachia]

For future reference: Vodka.  Buy the cheap stuff, don't dilute it. Use it as you would Febreeze.  

[ElizabethB]

If you are sensitive to VOCs and want something powerful for the future, I use Hydrogen Peroxide spray or Oxygen Bleach powder for jobs that need a more powerful cleaning.

[bolt.]

I make a powdery paste of baking soda and dish soap. I sprinkle that on and rub it in with a cloth or nail brush (depending on how sturdy the material is). I brush, wipe or vacuum away as many crumbles will come off. Then I spitz the surface lightly with vinegar, which makes any remaining soap-and-soda foam up so I can wipe it away.

[zoobie]

For future reference: Vodka.  Buy the cheap stuff, don't dilute it. Use it as you would Febreeze.  

 

If there are any essential oils that don't bother you, you can scent the vodka. I put it in a misting bottle.

 

Nature's Miracle or BioKleen works for actual cleaning.

[katilac]

We have an upright carpet cleaner and another more compact one. They can get things amazingly clean with just water! And we use them on curtains, cushions, mattresses, anything that can't be put in the washing machine. We don't always use just water, but we have when we weren't sure about the material, ran out of cleaner, whatever.