You know those "products we love" lists in magazines? I always pretty much assume they're not really trying to tell me what the best things out there are, because they are getting paid off by the manufacturers of the products or something. But I LOVE those lists! Sign.
I can assure you there has been no persuasion by anyone or anything other than me and my weird obsession with cleaning products. I can seriously have as much, if not more fun, shopping the cleaning aisles of Target as shopping for clothes.
So, for today... the kitchen.
1. Munchkin bottle brushes: Obviously I use these for cleaning baby bottles, but I find tons of other uses for them, too. I prefer these to other brands because the handle is bendy and the bristles are soft. This makes them super pliable and very easy to use. After they get a bit worn out for cleaning baby stuff I repurpose and use them to scrub the inside of skinny or oddly-shaped vases or even to stick down and clean inside of a drain.
2. Pop-up sponges: These are sold at both Trader Joe's and Williams Sonoma, although they're WAY cheaper at Trader Joe's. Sold in packs of 6 - 12 these babies are super economical. They're pretty tough the fist few times you use them (and I really don't like using a nasty sponge for too long) so I have zero guilt when I toss one away for a new one. Also, for someone with limited kitchen cabinet space they are super awesome storage-wise; each one before use is about a 1/4 inch thick.
3. Method lemon verbena antibacterial kitchen spray: Ok, I'll be the first one to admit I'm a packaging whore. Like a shiny object to a raccoon, I squeal with joy when I see an everyday product that has been made to look pretty. Because, why not?! Why do we need these ugly, clinical-looking products all over the place? Method not only makes attractive bottles, they smell awesome and, wait for it.... work REALLY well. There's nothing worse than buying something pretty only to find out it was a sham and the product sucked. (I guess that's how manufacturers trick people lime ME!) This spray is my favorite for all those reasons, plus it is safer to use around my daughter and pets and doesn't make me cringe when it sits out on my kitchen counter. It comes in lots of other scents, but for some reason this one just smells SO clean to me.
4. Method sea minerals dish soap: Ditto to everything above. This one also comes in clementine, cucumber, basil and ginger yuzu, but right now this scent is my obsession.
5. Baking soda: This product is the runner-up to duct tape for the "how many ways can you use me around the house" prize. Toss it in the fridge or freezer for freshness, use as a less noxious alternative to scrubbing your grout (Comet, barf!), sprinkle on the floor and attack with your Shark, put it in your garbage can, let it sit on burnt-on food in a pan overnight with water, put out a fire (and please don't accidentally mistake this tip for flour - I made that mistake and believe me, flour does not put out a stovetop fire!).
6. Dapple baby bottle soap: This one's for the mamas, too. This all natural soap is nice and safe to use on bottles and has the additional benefit of doing a really good job of getting the milk gunk out of the bottom of a bottle. Use it with your Munchkin brush and you're gold, GOLD! Also, the bottle is pretty cute...
