One of the things that comes with any form of holiday for the kids is MESS and constant cleaning. I mean, we’re talking the playroom looking like someone have let a tornado loose in their, the washing piling up to such epic levels whereby the kids can pretend to be mountaineers… and don’t even get me started on the dishes. Have you ever heard of reusing a beaker for your water guys?
A couple of weeks ago Seventh Generation approached me and asked me to work with them, try out a few of their products and see how I got on. If you aren’t aware, Seventh Generation is an American brand of plant based cleaning products – all natural, all safe for the kids and the animals (something that made me grumble as I only realised this AFTER I bought a tonne of over priced guinea pig pen cleaning solution from Pets at Home. How to make cleaning solution £2 more expensive than it would otherwise be? Bang it in a pet store and put a hamster face on it…) Anyway, I’m digressing.
Seventh Generation sent me a huge hamper – which you can win too, but I’ll come back to that in a minute.
The first thing on my never ending to do list was to tackle the laundry pile. I work on a “if the laundry is in, I can get on with other tasks whilst it does it’s thing’ principal. Do you do that – have a routine? So, laundry. One of the things I really like about the natural free and clear laundry wash is that it can be used for the whole family, and because it doesn’t have a scent itself, I can really smell whatever fancy pants fabric softener I’ve bought when the clothes come out of the wash. The liquid itself has really worked – something I’ll admit I was skeptical about, I mean, it’s natural and made for sensitive skin, how much punch can this baby pack? Yet it did. And everything from the squirt of cherry juice across my new maxi dress to the dirt and grass stains on Reuben’s new shorts were lifted – though I did apply some neat to those before I put them in the normal wash.
Next, on to the spills. Spills, spills everywhere. From Edith’s sudden decision to become a nudist and piddle on the floor 4.2 more times that she will piddle on the potty (the .2 is for the many times she’s tried to go on the potty but been too busy investigating what she’s doing and missed it) to Reuben’s clumsy spills and Toby’s even clumsier spills – of everything! Ive been testing out Seventh Generation all purpose cleaner for those, and it has to be the first product I’ve used that doesn’t leave a funny smell when cleaning up Edith’s accidents – it leaves no real smell at all. One of the things I’ve always hated about potty training is the vague scent of urine in the air (and on me) everywhere. Followed by that overpowering smell of anti-bacterial wash, something that is a bit of a no if you own cats (which we do) as ammonia based products cause them to pee everywhere.
Finally, bringing up the cleaning rear, it was the dishes. I honestly do not understand how they manage to create so many dishes. Just use the same cup? And you only had a sausage roll, you can cope without the new plate. Yet, here we are with the leaning tower of dishes.
I’ve been trying out the natural scent based dish wash and I loved the way it bubbled up, just like any chemical based brand, but without any nasties. My only complaint was that I preferred the scented (lavender and mint) for the dishes as I DO like scented dish wash to make my hands smell nice… I know, my life choices are showing when dish wash is how I scent myself.
Want to win some to try out yourself and become an all natural convert too? You can enter my competition to win a hamper below! If you just can’t wait to try it out, then you can visit Tesco here and use the discount code GRXNZY to get £3 off your order!
Tell me what chore you find the most frustrating/annoying in the comments below.
H 🙂
Washing up!! Argh it is my pet hate!!
Washing up! I hate it. We do have a dishwasher which takes out most of the work but there are still some things which need washing up by hand i.e. anything with a wooden handle.
Ironing I think is the one I dislike the most
I can’t stand dusting!!
I just hate cleaning the bathroom! So much effort!
Cleaning the loo!
has to be the ironing
Mopping the floor
cleaning the kitchen floor! I hate it….
but worse than that: our bathroom is a hair magnet, we have tiles and it seems that hair keeps gathering even when it is cleaned up.
Washing the pots as they are always someone else’s who is too lazy to do them themselves .
cleaning doors down
Putting away ironed clothes! Could iron all day but when it comes to putting the clothes away I find it stressful!
The bathroom after my teenagers have used it
Cleaning the oven
Hoovering because no matter how many times I do it the floor still ends up being dirty not long after
The toilet, the thought is worse than the deed.
windows look worse after i have finished with the light catching every streak x
Cleaning the bathroom especially the toilet! I love with my 7 year old boy and my man child hubby they are equally both disgusting when it comes to peeing!
Cleaning the bathroom, I live with boys so the sinks always got dirty hand prints on it from them rushing hand washing to get back to what they’re doing, the bathroom floor seems to a magnet for hair and toothpaste and let’s not talk about boys and aiming in the toilet.
has to be changing the bedding
ironing hate it
I detest cleaning the oven! Such a mucky job!
I really hate hanging sheets out and bringing them in. Oh and cleaning the toilet as well.
Definitely the ironing. With 4 children and a husband I feel like it never ends.
Cleaning the oven
cleaning out the kitchen cupboards, firstly because I’m really short and secondly having to get everything out to clean them
ironing!
And cleaning the bathroom tiles
Cleaning the bathroom floor .. with three daughters , a toddler boy , a shih tzu and a cat .. the hairrr !!! Omg !!! It’s totally disgusting ! And after a hot shower there seems to be hair and dust stick to every white surface ! (Pure white bathroom!) sob sob
Emptying the dishwasher ?
Cleaning the bathroom
Cleaning windows.
I hate cleaning the oven. I’ll leave it that long it takes ages to clean which makes it worse.
Cleaning the bathroom =/ lol
I’ve always hated cleaning the oven but my most repetitive job is brushing up pet hair which seems never ending!
Hoovering
Cleaning the oven
removing dog hairs—that seem to cover the whole house
I don’t really like any of it!! Hoovering the stairs is a real pain though – I should live in a bungalow
The chore i hate is making the bed. You spend all that tie making it look nice, just to mess it up again
I hate cleaning the bathroom, it seems such hard work
Cleaning the oven, its such hard work at times and hurts my back 🙁
Cleaning the bathroom
Ironing – but I just can’t not do it!
ironing
Cleaning the oven it’s such a tedious job also you have to find the right tools for the job to get it clean
absolutely hate the ironing so tedious xx
I’m not keen on cleaning the oven
Mopping the floors and waiting for them to dry!
hate ironing
i don’t mind housework one thing that annoys me though is wading through the bathroom to clean up the river of water left after my children have showers morning or evening wellies come to mind
Cleaning my kitchen floor. It is black tile and just never looks clean no matter how long I spend on it!
It has to be ironing
Has to be cleaning the windows
Hoovering, my hoover is so big and heavy and it just ends up being a real chore!
Ironing urghhh 🙁
Cleaning the oven
I hate ironing
I detest washing and drying dishes – I need a dishwasher stat as life’s too short to spend so much time at the kitchen sink 🙂
cleaning windows!!! The other is putting clothes away, i dont mine washing, and drying, even ironing i can deal with, but i HATE putting them all away (were a large family, 2 adults 5 children)
cleaning the bathrooms
Cleaning the bin out, especially now the weather is warm!
Cleaning the shower!
Cleaning the Oven
Cleaning the bathroom, hate it.
ironing!
Cleaning the bathroom.
cleaning the bathroom
Really hate the ironing.
Ironing
I don’t like dusting
Dusting I don’t like
Really hate cleaning the oven
Has to be keeping my glass and silverware sparkling but I can’t really say owt cos I now have a carer that helps me with all that. But I really do appreciate and understand how annoying it is to get a smear free surface! Arghh.
Constantly cleaning the guest bathroom in our B&B
In my house there is a lot of glass which can be difficult to keep glistening
The bathroom, especially the loo. I’m sure the males should have gone to spec savers
cleaning the oven
Emptying the bins when its orrible and wet outside
Cleaning the oven
Ironing.
cleaning the oven is my worse job
Cleaning the oven. I am ashamed to say it doesn’t get cleaned as often as it should. I hate it
Ironing – it’s hot, boring, repetitive and yet you can’t daydream, you need to concentrate just enough not to mess things up or burn yourself
cleaning the bathroom
The BIN, LOO OR OVEN!!!
Ironing is my worst chore, I hate it so much that I don’t do it 😉
Cleaning the oven!
Washing up is the only thing i dislike lol
Mine would have to be cleaning the oven, I keep putting it off as long as possible but then the rubber gloves need to come out.
Cleaning the oven … Yukk!
For myself, ironing most definitely. Luckily my partner loves it.
Washing Up!
mine is hoovering as my hoover does not work
I hate hoovering. I get too hot and it never does as good a job as sweeping – argh!
I hate mopping the kitchen floor. Love the results, just not how to get there. I use this washing liquid and agree it’s really good.
My least favourite household chore is cleaning the windows closely followed by cleaning the oven
Cleaning the oven
Washing up! There’s always more. My children think leaving everything to soak counts as helping with the washing up – it doesn’t! Thank you for the competition.
Cleaning the kitchen because it’s awkward and fiddly.
Cleaning the oven without a doubt. Horrible job!
Cleaning the oven
washing snd ironing
Cleaning the oven.
Cleaning the oven.
cleaning my daughters bedroom! its always a mess!
It has to be the ironing, wish I had a maid to do it! 🙂
It has to be the ironing, wish I had a maid to do it! x
I hate taking out the bin x
I have to say Cleaning the Oven – Those roast potatoes we love splatter everywhere
cleaning the bathroom
Cleaning the oven
Ironing
Hate cleaning the oven!
The grill in the oven, yuk.
Washing my curtains
I hate dusting!
I hate cleaning the bathroom, particularly the toilet!
Ironing for sure!
My sons bedroom! I don’t understand how it gets in such a state in such a short space of time!
Cleaning the windows. Especially when it rains an hour later!
Cleaning the toilet
Cleaning the grout in the bathroom tiles is infuriating.
My most annoying chore is definitely cleaning out the kids bedrooms! HATE it!
Cleaning the oven
I hate most household chores but cleaning the oven toilet are the worst!
Oven AND toilet #cringe
I really super hate doing the ironing! Xxx
I absolutely detest ironing. It’s so time consuming and the steam drives me mad then there’s the fact that I iron more creases into the clothes than I take out
Like many, I guess it’s cleaning the oven. I put it off as long as I can but it’s such a bore.
Cleaning the bathroom
cleaning the oven i hate it
I hate ironing
Cleaning the oven
definitely cleaning the bathroom with there being 6 of us it needs doing everyday
Cleaning the oven is just not annoying it is has to be the worst chore ever
cleaning the fridge
Cleaning the oven. Thankyou for the competition x
Cleaning the oven! I really hate it!
Hovering is my least favourite!
DUSTING.
It just MOVES AROUND!
Cleaning the oven
Cleaning the oven
Cleaning the bathroom is definately a job I don’t look forward to at all.
The most annoying housold chore? Definitely cleaning the bathroom :/
The most annoying household chore for me is the washing and ironing
That has to be cleaning the oven, because it’s such a messy job. Thanks for the giveaway.
the ironing, or getting the iron out as once its out it doesnt take long its the thought of it that is offputting
Hhhhmmmm there are so many to choose from but I think the most annoying chore is taking out leaky or ripped bin bags. Uurrgghhhh I hate that!
Got to be the oven clean, all that grease “
OVEN CLEANING
IRONING!!!!!!!! hate it with a passion 🙁
sorting the laundry
I hate hoovering, especially the stairs!
I have developed a distate for ironing and washing, which is unfortunate since my one year old does make a lovely mess on her clothes (despite the bib) :
Cleaning the oven is the chore I like least
I hate to vacuum the most!
Cleaning the oven x
I hate cleaning windows – if I leave it long enough mu husband caves in and does it.
EMPTYING THE VACUUM CLEANER – MESSY AND DUSTY
Ironing. I don’t mind doing it but I just find it so annoying not being able to get all the creases out.
Cleaning out the fish tank. It’s a nightmare trying to do it without everything near it getting wet!
I really don’t like dusting because you have to move everything and then you see more cleaning that needs doing.
Windows are super frustrating, nearly as soon as you clean them a small person leaves a sticky mark on them or a face print 🙂
Cleaning the shower!
cleaning the bathroom
i cant stand cleaning out the fridge!
Making beds!
I hate ironing my clothes!
Giving the oven a wipe down after every meal! Hate this job and it’s certainly annoying …
Cleaning the oven (yuk!)
I hate cleaning the oven.
Mine are definitely the dishes, it’s only me and my husband until baby arrives later this month but somehow it’s like we’re constantly hosting dinner parties that solely consist of water glasses and side plates…why can’t they reuse them?
Cleaning the bathroom as my kids make a huge mess every time they go to the bathroom
I always think cleaning windows is a bit of a chore as you think you have all the marks and smears off then the sun comes out and you see that you have missed some
Dusting! So boring!
I really really dislike doing the washing up ? I’m done with everything else x
Becca @ http://www.mygirlsandme.com
I feel like my life is doninated by washing and ironing!! It’s never ending, and ironing by far is my least favourite chore to do. Would be nice if some cleaning products could make life that little bit easier 🙂
Laundry!!!! With two boys it’s never ending. I seem to empty the basket and turn round and it’s full again ? We’re trying to change to natural products, as the rate at which we get through cleaning products dread to think of the impact on the environment. These look great ? X
I can’t stand doing the dishes. It drives me insane.
Cleaning the loo
cleaning the bathroom i live with the hubby and son
Cleaning windows and mirrors. I’m useless at getting streaks about so it looks just as bad as when I started. A complete waste of time.
I couldn’t think of more perfect giveaway to win! With 4 kiddies my washing machine is on constant!
I hate, hate, hate cleaning the bedrooms – especially my sons with all the dust-magnet lego figures about…which you can guarantee Ill break and cause WW3.
Definitely has to be changing the bed covers…from battling to get up on the mid sleepers to remove dirty sheets, removing half the contents from the bookcase and toybox from each bed in the process, to the anxiety inducing battle with each cover being forced onto the duvets resulting in one sweaty, stressed mama and lumpy covers :'(
My most frustrating/annoying chore has got to be hoovering the sofa ? I think it’s most annoying because I inflicted it upon myself! We bought a new dfs sofa in black knowing full well we own a white Labrador ? What person does that?!
Even without letting the dog on the sofa it still gets covered and the only easy way to get it off is with the hoover ?
LeahJade xoxo
The chore I hate the most has to be the toilets having 2 boys and a husband 3 toilets seems to become a bit of a grind ? xx
The chore I hate the most has to be the toilets ? I have two boys and the husband who all seem to struggle using the toilet in the correct way ??
These look like brilliant products. I hate house work with a passion. A lot of cleaning stuff irritates my my nose and skin. Two of my three children have to have specialised laundry products due to excema. This looks like it could be ok to use for them.
Where can I get some to try ?
Cleaning the inside of my back doors due to my feral 17month old’s love affair with them!! ? seriously, licking, sucking, snorting on and generally snogging a set of bifold doors is just not socially acceptable!!
His second obsession in life is fruit. All fruit…and eating copious amounts of it. I don’t think I need to describe the nappy situation but let’s just say it’s like going into battle…
Xx
I hate cleaning the bathroom – especially the loo and shower plug hole!
Cleaning The bin because it’s just going to get dirty again!
Too many to list but I think my worst chore is mopping floors!