Getting Clean

I didn't really clean when I was growing up - I kept my room tidy, helped with the washing and the dishwasher etc., and spent many hours with saddle soap in hand, polishing horse tack.  But the proper household cleaning - the bathrooms, the floors, kitchen and windows - was never part of my job set.  As a result, when I moved out of home (aged 20, in with The Daddy), I really had no clue how to clean.  The Daddy (then The Boyfriend) was amused and incredulous in equal parts.  He'd lived on his own for a while, and took very good care of himself (albeit while eating way too much takeaway food).

Fast forward a few months, and find me lying prone in the bathroom, having literally fainted unconscious after mixing bleach with other chemical cleaners in a tiny, unventilated bathroom.  Awesome.

As you can imagine, I became a little wary of chemical cleaning products after this disaster.  But also, I am actually quite allergic to most chemical cleaning products - Windex used in the house can trigger a major asthma attack, and most chemical sprays cause major eczema - which is a pretty major incentive to avoid them.

I also hate the idea of using chemicals in the house where we live, having Tabitha breathing in chemical fumes, and eating food off floors and surfaces coated with chemical residues (yep, off the floor.  Often.  Floor food is a major toddler food group, don't you know?).

Okay - from here, the post might get a bit gushy.  I'm into Enjo.  But I have no affiliation with Enjo - I don't sell it, and I don't know anyone who does.  But I found it hard to find reviews or info from consumers when I looked for it a while back, so thought my opinion and experience with the products (and Method products, at end of post) might be useful for anyone considering switching away from chemical cleaners.

A few years ago - before Tabitha came along, but during the pregnancy - I became an Enjo convert.  I'd been muddling along with vinegar, lemon juice and bicarb soda - all of which I still use - but after going to an Enjo party, I found the fibre products to be much simpler to use, less messy, and I felt like everything was actually cleaner than ever before - cleaner than when I used to use chemicals, and cleaner than using bicarb etc. alone.

The Daddy was a bit skeptical to begin with, but after he had a lesson on the correct use, and gave the bathroom a clean, he was quite shocked at how well it all worked.  I've tried cheaper brands of microfibre cloths (supermarket, and from an eco store) and for me, they haven't worked as well.  Also, some people I know who haven't had great results with Enjo have actually not been using them properly, or haven't cared for the fibres properly (e.g. using the wrong detergents, letting them dry when dirty, or even putting them through the dryer, a massive no-no!).  But for us, using them as intended, we have been really pleased with the range, and a few months ago I replaced my 'most used' cloths (the kitchen and bathroom ones).  Yep, they do need to be replaced every few years, depending on use, but I believe it still works out cheaper than buying loads of chemical cleaners.

The basic deal with Enjo products is that you use a glove (such as the Kitchen Glove) damp or wet, and then dry with a highly absorbent cloth called a 'miracle' (such as the Kitchen Miracle).  Beyond this, there are a number of other products, such as wet and dry dusting cloths and gloves, kitchen scrubby bits, and floor fibres.  Beyond this further, there are also things like car cloths, body cloths and the like, but I personally just stick to the basic household cleaning ranges.

I can't recall enough about all the technical elements to give you a proper low-down, but I remember being quite convinced when I first learned all about the range - that is, I am completely confident and satisfied that my house is clean and that there are no bacteria colonies lurking on my benchtops.  Furthermore, my understanding is that chemical cleaners actually tend to leave a slight film behind, which a) is gross and scary but also b) actually encourages more dirt and grime to come back and re-settle on the surface you have cleaned.  This is certainly my experience - for example, mirrors and shower screens remain much cleaner for far longer than when using chemicals.

I always think that my stack of Enjo fibres look like someone hunted and skinned a bunch of Muppets...

The products that get used on a weekly basis in my house are:

Kitchen

Kitchen Glove - Probably my favourite and most-used Enjo item.  It cleans even the most revoltingly filthy kitchen surfaces (picture my kitchen looking like those annoying 'Spray and Wipe Works Faster' ads, with grotty baked on sauces, after a full day of batch cooking) without any excess elbow grease, works on all surfaces (stone benchtops, matte stainless steel appliances, my beloved reclaimed timber dining table) and is generally just a breeze to use.  Any stubborn patches just need a spray of water, and a few minutes to sit before going over them.  The glove has one side for general cleaning, and the other side for greasy spots - perfect for the glass splashback after deep-frying!

Kitchen Mini Plus - this is like the kitchen glove, but smaller, and has a sort of 'super scrubby' side.  Fantastic on really baked-on bits (I clean the oven with this and some Marble Paste) and for cleaning baking dishes after lasagne, roasts etc.

Kitchen Miracle - basically this is used to get everything dry and sparkling after the Glove or the Mini.  Works beautifully polishing up my dining chairs after going over them with the Glove - they are made of transparent polycarbonate (Phillippe Starck's Ghost Chairs) and this gets them really sparkly.

Allpurpose Cloth - this replaces those manky old stinky dish cloths.  The ones that people (The Daddy) love to use to wipe down spills over and over again, thereby creating a spectacularly nasty bacteria breeding ground for every bit of chicken juice, floor milk spill and the like.  Shudder.  Instead, a couple of Allpurpose Cloths get rotated and washed every day or two.  Also works out cheaper in the long run than constantly buying disposable sponges.

Bamboo T-Towels - I actually only tried these because I got two included as part of a kitchen package I bought.  I didn't expect anything special from them.  Wow, was I wrong!  These are just the greatest tea towels - large, so thick and strong, incredibly absorbent.  I now have about half a dozen of them, and rarely use other tea towels.  Plus they seem to wash and wear really well, so they always look nice hanging in the kitchen.  I have grey ones.

Bathroom

Bathroom Glove - Gets all the bathroom surfaces spotless.  You start on the cleanest parts (mirrors, benchtops) and work through to the harder spots (shower screens, tiles, sinks) then finish with the external parts of the toilet.  You can use it with Marble Paste for any stubborn grime, though if you clean the bathroom regularly, it shouldn't get to that point.

Bathroom Mini - Essentially the same as the glove, but smaller.  I use this for touch-ups during the week, generally just the mirror and taps.

Bathroom Miracle - Like the kitchen version, this gets everything beautifully dry and sparkly after cleaning.

Other

Dust Gove - Used dry, this just picks up all the bits of dust in the house.  Tops of picture frames, bookshelves, timber shutters etc.  Stops it from all flying around while you clean - it all sticks to the glove, which you just shake off as needed.

Indoor Miracle - Used damp, this polishes up any general household surfaces, like television screens, glass tables, door handles etc.

Floorcleaner Pole - This is basically a fancy mop head and handle - you attach the fibres onto the bottom part.  Actually, it recently won the Australian Women's Weekly Product of the Year, and it certainly is easy to use.  You adjust the height to the correct height for your body (top of the handle should be the height of your nose) and the fibres can click on and off easily, without having to bend down.  The pole swivels around when you twist it, getting into all corners and along the edges without having to twist your whole body around.  Once you get the hang of this action (allow a few goes!) it is incredibly fast and easy to use, and kind on the back.  Also, it can click into a locked position and stand upright on its own, in the middle of the room, which is handy if you have to run for the phone or something.  All of the adjustments, swivel lock/unlock and fibre changing can be done without bending over at all.  You dampen the fibre head (not for the dusting one) and then just use your Enjo water squirt bottle on 'jet' setting to re-wet the floor as you go, as needed.  You don't need much water at all, so the floors dry nice and quickly (handy with a toddler around).  Also, no lugging of a heavy, soapy, slippery bucket.  Lots to like here.

Oh - and because the handle height is adjustable, Tabitha likes to use it on the lowest height, and will happily mop or dust the floor on her own for quite a while!  Of course, she's not particularly effective at the job yet, but it keeps her happy, and I figure that good habits start young.

Dust Floor Fibre - This is basically a broom substitute - although better, because it completely hugs the floor, picking up even the tiniest specks of dust and hair, and actually clings to all the dust, instead of sending it flying.  It only takes a few minutes to go over all the hard floors downstairs, which is much easier (and quieter) than pulling out the vacuum cleaner every day.  This one doesn't need to be washed every time it's used.

Matt Floor Fibre - This is the mopping head.  Used with much less water than a traditional mop, it's fast, safe (less slippery floors) and incredibly simple to use, thanks to the awesome swiveling Floorcleaner Pole it's attached to.

Out of the entire Enjo range I've tried (probably around 50 per cent of the range I'd say, including most of the main / popular products), the only thing I'm not completely happy with is the Matt Floor Fibre.  I get some streaks on the floor every time it is mopped - I've tried using it wetter, drier, twice in a row.  Nothing seems to fix the problem.  Hmm.  It's still better than using a massive bucket of soapy water and a traditional mop, but I would really love to have a better solution.  Perhaps I need to try the Fussy Floor Fibre - but the Matt fibre was recommended by my consultant while he was at my house, and I am reluctant to spend another $70 or more on a fibre which may or may not work better.

I use the kitchen cloths (cleaning and drying) almost every day, on the benches and dining table.  So I have two sets of these on rotation.  Fortunately, they dry easily overnight, so I could probably get away with just one set, but it's handy having two, especially for those weekends where you do a lot of cooking and entertaining.  I love the fact I can clean the kitchen and table even while Tabitha sits and plays or eats right beside me - all I'm doing is spraying water and wiping.  No chemicals, nothing nasty or stinky.

The floor fibres - the dusting/sweeping sort of one, and the mopping one - get used a couple of times a week.  I constantly curse our floors - they are dark, matte wood, and show up every streak, dusty footprint and cat-fur-tumbleweed.  It would take a daily mopping to keep them looking really good, which just isn't going to happen.  Anyway, I like the sweeping fibre on the clever Enjo floor swivel stick, because it is quicker and easier than pulling out the vacuum.  A quick swivel around the floor in the main living / dining / kitchen area each day keeps things pretty clean.

I don't use the bathroom fibres much at all - The Daddy is the main bathroom cleaner in our house, and our weekly cleaning lady does a thorough job on all of the bathrooms - but I find them incredibly easy and effective to use.  They polish up stainless steel beautifully, and I love the fact that I can clean out the bath, have it really sparkling, and then not worry about sitting in a tub full of chemical residue!

I use the marble paste, as instructed by Scott my 'Enjo Man', only when something is really tough and baked on, such as the inside of the oven, or to get rid of any accumulated grime in the bathrooms.  The marble paste also gets my stainless steel kettle so, so clean and shiny.  Works well on filthy stainless steel pots, too.

If you are interested in Enjo, it really is best to get a consultant to come visit - either to have a party, or just for a one-on-one session.  This way, you can learn how to use everything properly (the few people I know who haven't loved their Enjo bits were actually using them incorrectly, I discovered), and you can work out exactly which products are best for your house.  Also, you then have someone to call if you forget how to use a particular cloth!  My Enjo man is always very helpful over the phone, and even came back one evening to give me a refresher when we moved house.

This aside, though, I am really pleased that Enjo is now available online!  Great news!  It means I can replace single cloths quickly and easily, and can snap up special offers as they arrive in my email newsletters.  Having the online shop also means that potential customers can get an idea of the prices etc. before committing to hosting a demo or calling a consultant, which I think is good - a lot of people are put off trying out items if they feel like they are going to be ambushed by a pushy consultant into spending more than they can afford.  

I initially purchased the Domestic Starter kit, which seemed incredibly expensive at the time (for a bunch of cleaning cloths) but now that I am a total Enjo fan, seems like such good value.  Since then, I've bought the floor cleaner and fibres separately, and have replaced the kitchen and bathroom cloths in 'special offer' packages at various times.

The Domestic Starter package or the Domestic Detox package would be awesome presents, I reckon.  In our house, there was some Enjo under the Christmas tree - I bought this Mummy's Lil Angel special Christmas package for Tabitha late last year.  It includes four mini gloves (actually, the size is just fine for even adults with small hands, like myself) and an Indoor Miracle.  All in a cute bucket.  Tabitha is a bit obsessed with Enjo cloths - she has thrown more than one tantrum over not being allowed to keep cleaning after we've finished!  If it were up to her, she'd happily spend an hour or more spraying and scrubbing - the problem is, this means water everywhere!  So I bought her a small 'misting' bottle from the chemist, as opposed to a spray bottle, and it seems to contains the water a little better.  I am a firm believer in kids helping out with all household tasks from the earliest years (despite the fact I wasn't expected to, myself, growing up) and Tabitha already helps with the dishwasher, wiping up spills, feeding the pets, packing away toys etc.  Now, she has her own cloths to clean up after her meals and wipe down the bathroom bench after she brushes her teeth.

For myself, I am keen to try out the 2 in 1 Window Cleaner package (we have approximately a zillion times more glass windows and doors in the new house as the old) and the Fussy Floor Fibre.  Hopefully soon!  I will report back if I ever try these out.

Oh - and I wanted to share, briefly, our experience of using Enjo products with a cleaning person.  We put off getting a cleaner for months, despite us both agreeing that we should as soon as we moved into the new (larger) house.  But I kept searching online, and asking around, without managing to find a cleaning company or agency that used Enjo products.  Because of my allergies, and having little ones in the house, I was completely unwilling to have anyone use chemical products to clean the house.  I found a great-looking 'eco' cleaning business which uses bicarb, vinegar, microfibre cloths etc., however I couldn't get them to return any calls or emails - I suspect that they are simply flat-out.  I know there is great demand for eco-friendly house cleaning (because many of my friends are looking for it too!) but there seems to be a serious lack of supply.  Seems crazy to me - if I were working full time as a cleaner, I would much prefer to be using natural products and water, than touching and inhaling chemicals all day.

Anyway, in the end, I just called one of the major cleaning agencies (Absolute Domestics), and chatted to them.  As it turns out, they have plenty of cleaners who are either familiar with Enjo products or were happy to learn.  They connected us with our current woman, and she came half an hour early to the first appointment, ready to learn about how to use the Enjo range.  She admitted that it was all a bit much to take in, that first day, and the next week she brought along print outs from the website!  After the first couple of weeks taking a little longer than expected, while she got the hang of the new tools (of course, we paid for her extra time!), she is now an absolute pro, and gets the house looking incredible.  She tells me that she loves using the Enjo range, too, because it gives her a break from working in chemical-filled spaces all day.

The only thing that I miss, using Enjo products, is some of the beautiful fragrances that the (nicer, natural) products leave in the house after use.  So now, I make an effort to light a scented candle for an hour or so each day (current favourites are the Glasshouse Coney Island candle, for downstairs, and the Glasshouse Monet's Garden tuberose candle for the upstairs bathroom).  I also use beautifully scented natural beeswax and lavender furniture wax polishes on the large wooden dining table downstairs, as well as on Tabitha's wooden chairs, table, highchair and cot.  This gives all the wood a beautiful natural glow, keeps it oiled and healthy, and leaves the most dreamy, comforting smell of honey beeswax and lavender in the house.  Polishing furniture with natural beeswax is also a great arm workout!

Finally, I do have a small collection of Method products.  I have been a Method fan for a long time, and can't bring myself to completely give up their gorgeous range.  While the Enjo cloths get the house fabulously clean, other people (family and friends who are visiting, for example) generally feel more comfortable cleaning with traditional products, and I am NOT one to turn down an offer of help cleaning the kitchen etc after having people over!

There are also occasions when I want to use something with a bit more 'oomph', such as cleaning up bodily fluids (this happens with relative regularity, with a toddler in the house!), mopping the floor when it's looking particularly grotty, or if I've been cooking all day with lots of raw meat etc. in the kitchen.  Also, sometimes all the Enjo is in the wash and I need to clean up - so I am more than happy to pull out my fabulous Method sprays.

My all-time favourite products are:

Daily Kitchen Clementine spray - gorgeous fresh fragrance, perfect for a quick kitchen clean-up.  This is the product most likely to be used by visitors in the house!

Floor and Surface French Lavender concentrate - I mix this up with water in a spray bottle and use to mop if the floor is particularly filthy, and it leaves everything smelling divine.

All-Purpose surface cleaners (Lavender and Pink Grapefruit) - for any spills or messes, I also use it to clean around the cats' food and litter area.

Daily Shower spray - you just mist this over the glass and tiles after your shower, and it prevents scum from building up.  This is the ultimate product for the lazy or time poor person!

Wood for Good Squirt and Mop - this can be used with the Enjo floor fibre.  I really like it, but it has a strong almond smell that some people (including The Daddy) dislike.  It basically smells like marzipan.  I can't see this on the Aussie Method page, but you can get it through Enjo.

Bowl Patrol - gets the toilets really clean without flushing nasty chemicals into the waterways.  When you have killer pregnancy sickness, having a sparkling clean toilet is a priority!  Can't see this online - I bought a few of them ages ago, possibly they aren't around anymore.  But Method now makes other toilet cleaners which I imagine are just as good.

As with Enjo, I am thrilled that Method is now available online - I did a big order a week or so ago, stocking up on my favourite products, and taking advantage of a handwash sale to try out 6 new handwashes.  Such gorgeous colours and scents to have around the house, livening up the bathrooms and kitchen.

Is there anything else I use for cleaning?  Some white vinegar (I go through a lot of this actually, I add half a cup to the washing liquid in the washing machine, and another half a cup instead of fabric softener.  I also use it, with bicarb soda, to soak any filthy pots and pans, or anything burnt on.  Vinegar is also what I use to clean the windows, inside and out, mixed with water and wiped clean with newspaper); lemon juice (for removing stains on our pale stone benches); bicarb soda (with vinegar, or water, in a paste for stubborn stains or grime around the house); lots of fresh air.  Yes, actually, the one 'cleaning' task I absolutely must do each week is thoroughly air out all the rooms in the house, particularly bedrooms and the kitchen.  This means locking the cats up somewhere safe for the day  (the spare bedroom with lots of glorious sunshine, normally), and opening all windows as far as they will go.  I try and do this even in cold weather, for a few hours.

What cleaning products do you use?  Are you into the natural cleaners or are you a massive bleach fan?