Slipper Genies GeniusJanuary 4, 2010

I think I may have just used these in the wrong way, but I loved it:

Those are my Slipper Genies that I got for Christmas. Lala was was a little nervous when I opened them, lest I bop her over the head for getting me the equivalent of a vacuum cleaner, but she knows me well -- I love them. 

I was just over at Amazon looking at them, and now I realize that you're supposed to dust mop with them. Are they crazy? We have a lot of animals and a lot of hardwood/tile. That kind of fur-real estate requires a huge dust mop and a Dyson and a Roomba (when it's running). Two little slippers wouldn't do the trick in our house, even if I wore them all the time, and if I did, then I certainly wouldn't want to fold my legs up under myself because EW.

But check this out: I have a cleaning solution that I use for just about everything. It's one part white vinegar, two parts water, (plus a healthy squirt of your favorite kind of Dr. Bronner's soap -- I like lavender). I put it in a spray bottle and it works on hardwood floors, tile, kitchen counter tops, tables, all surfaces, the bathroom, even glass and mirrors. The only thing I don't use it on is the tub and the toilet (the toilet gets a half-vinegar-half-water mixture and the tub gets.... whatever. I hate our tub. Someday we will have a nice tub. Until then, I've given up. Lala handles it). I love my cleaner because it's totally non-toxic, TOTALLY cheap, and if you accidentally spritz the apples with it, who cares?

So today, I got out the spray bottle, put on the slippers, and danced around the house, spraying and mopping with my feet. It was AWESOME. (I am a cleaning nerd.) Then I ripped off the velcro bottoms and threw them in the washer with the towels, and they are scrub-a-dubbing right now. 

That's the kind of thing that lights my fire. It makes me want to get three more pairs, which is ridiculous. I will stick with this one pair. That, my homemade cleaning solution, and knitted dishcloths, and I'm a happy girl.

Comments

[Mel]

I may just have to try that cleaning solution. And for the record, I hate our tub, too. Someday we will have a nice pedestal tub, but until we can afford The Remodel Which Must Be Done, I just suck it up and use what we've got. *sigh*

[Kate]

Your cleaning solution sounds remarkably like mine!

I agree with ya on the tub thing. Ours (we rent) is plastic, and it's perma-dingy. It's the only thing that I use storebought cleaner on - whatever that green can stuff is that you can get at Target, that's relatively chemical-free (it's not the 7th Generation - it's the other stuff). It does the job, but I've gotta admit that there are times I miss the days of ignorance and Comet.

[Becky]

a) I love your slippers, as I too am a cleaning nerd

b) I have a question about cleaning with vinegar that, since you clean with vinegar, you could probably help me with. So when you're done your vinegar cleaning, does everything smell like vinegar? Do you go over everything again with water? Or do you just have the right balance of everything so it doesn't smell? I really like the idea of cleaning with vinegar but my past attempts have just made everything smell bad....

[Rachael Herron]

The vinegar smell really does go away completely after it dries. I
promise. Our house never smells like vinegar except for the 10 minutes
after we clean. It does take some getting used to, though...

:)

[rho]

you are evil - just EBIL -- I had to order a pair of those -- I admit I had looked at them a few months ago and was strong - but I read this and I was weak, weak as water ;)

they should be here tomorrow ..........

[Emy]

You know what would be awesome? Get three more pairs and invite 3 friends over for a cleaning session DANCE PARTY! ;)

[Juliette]

All you need is a Sham Wow with your Slanket and your Dreamie...You may NEVER leave home...

[Rainy Daisy]

I love this. Dancing and cleaning? You only needed a bluebird on your shoulder singing along, eh? :) Sounds like when my brother didn't have a vacuum cleaner, so he wrapped duct tape the wrong way around his feet and "sticked" all the dirt up.

Totally going to try this solution. thanks!

[Joan in Reno]

Cute "slippers", even without the fringe on the bottom. Did you see Yarn Harlot's mention of your book? She loved it and I can hardly wait to read it.

[toni in florida]

Think what a good workout you're getting, too!

[Jeanne B.]

My tub was really nasty. Dare I admit in public how long it had been since it was cleaned? Ergh. It was so dirty Scrubbing Bubbles were ineffective. So I filled the tub with hot water and added a heapload of vinegar and let it sit for awhile.

Amazing. The stuff lifted right off, and it smells fresh now. It also works for stainless pans when you accidentally boil away the water while cooking corn on the cob (resulting in burnt pan).

And it'll set dye in sock yarn. :-D

[grace]

I'm a vinegar and baking soda cleaner too. Though not together; that would be fun though. I use lemon juice in the bathroom. It cuts the soap scummy stuff and smells so good.

[Julene Jones]

Ooh! I'm a vinegar-will-clean-anything believer too! (; What fun slippers!

[Harpa J]

Genious!

Dr. Bronner's soap is not available in Iceland - do you have any ideas for a substitute? (Ordering it is not an option with the current state of the króna and all that)

[Gwen]

Vinegar! Got to love the stuff!

I use a pile of baking soda with a couple drops lemon oil and a squirt of dish soap and water to bring it all together for the tub and sinks. Good scrubbing.

Those are very silly slippers! Fun!

[Kristina]

I love your cleaning solution! I might have to get a pair of those...Get ready for an avalanche - your book is really talked up over at the Yarn Harlot's blog! I am so excited for you! I can't wait to read the book myself. I am not a fan of the romance genre, but since I am a fan of yours, it will bring me over to the dark side!

[Diane]

What a lovely way to clean up those little kitty surprises you find first thing in the morning. I've been sliding on the wood floors with a towel, but little fru fru slippers are way better.

[Jody Mellenthin]

can you please come over for a dance? BRING. YOUR. SLIPPERS!!!! lol

[Rose Sell]

I love the slippers! Do they come in child sizes??

[Jennifer]

I'm also a devoted vinegar/baking soda etc. person. I make a wonderful paste for my tub--works well.
Using a few drops of essential oils helps mask the vinegar smell (but it really does dissipate quickly). Try this one: club soda for mirrors and windows. Trust me, it works. (got all my recipes from the book Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan).

[martian77]

What type of vinegar? White, presumably? Interesting. Although I have to admit, I am not the cleaner in our house!

[M-H]

Is it possible that you are just the teeniest, tiniest bit insane? Hmmm? Housework is not supposed to be fun, dammit!