When I had my first child, I would wash his clothes using Dreft only and all other clothing in the household using Tide. Now, with our second child on the way, I decided that instead of getting two separate detergents, I would look for one that would meet all my requirements and I’m able to do both the kids’ laundry and our laundry at the same time. I wanted a detergent that was natural, environmentally-friendly and safe. It was then that I decided to try out Seventh Generation’s Laundry Detergent.

Most detergents are made from petroleum-based cleaners, which use oil. But the Seventh Generation Laundry Detergents are plant-derived. Therefore, we are not depleting one of nature’s most valuable resources. They are non-toxic, biodegradable, contains no phosphates, artificial fragrances or dyes. They are also free from any animal testing.

I tried the liquid version but they also come in powder form. The one I got is their new and improved formula which is effective for use in cold water and specially formulated for both High Efficiency and standard washing machines. Just look for the blue and white HE symbol on the packaging.

For my first test load, I washed some of my clothes, my son’s clothes, some towels and some kitchen cloths. Everything came out clean and smelling really nice. Some grass and food stains that were on my son’s clothing were completely gone. What I also like about it is that the fragrance in this detergent is made out of natural essential oils and does not smell strong and synthetic like in some detergents. The Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent is ultra-concentrated, so you only have to use half of what you would normally use for other detergents and it works just as well, if not better. I think it’s a great product for those with allergies or sensitive skin. Highly recommended.

If there is one household chore that I hate most, it has to be cleaning bathrooms. I will find all kinds of excuses to avoid completing this chore…that is, until I discovered the Mr. Clean MagicReach. I started with the Starter Kit which included one cleaning head, three pole sections, two Mopping Floor/Multipurpose pads, two Scrubbing Tub/Shower pads and instructions.  

The flexible cleaning head can be used as a hand tool by itself or it can be attached to the pole. The cleaning head has pointed ends to easily scrub corners and it is flexible enough to go around angles in your bathtub and around your toilet. For tougher stains, I would suggest using the flexible head as a hand tool by itself. 

The detachable pole is easy to assemble and extends up to 4 feet. By attaching the cleaning head to the pole you can clean up high in your shower stall, around the bottom of your tub and behind your toilet without having to get on your hands and knees to scrub hard to reach areas.  

The Mopping Floor/Multipurpose pads are pre-moistened for you to clean floors, sinks, countertops, etc. The Scrubbing Tub/Shower pads foams up when wet and is used to clean your bathtub. These disposable pads do have a strong citrus scent but they are not bad. When finished, simply remove the pad from the cleaning head and dispose of it in the trash. There are some surfaces you are not supposed to used these pads on, so be sure to read the instructions carefully prior to use.  

There is also a hook at the end of the pole if you wish to hang the Mr. Clean MagicReach when not in use. This product has definitely made cleaning bathrooms a lot easier for me. I would recommend this product for light and regular cleaning. But for tougher dirt and stains, you would probably need more than just the Mr. Clean MagicReach. But overall, I’m satisfied with its performance. Thank you, Mr. Clean.

If your home has a lot of hardwood floors, tile or linoleum, you might like to consider getting an iRobot Scooba. These things are SO much fun. I don’t have one but my mother-in-law does. She has both the Roomba and the Scooba. But I am truly impressed with the Scooba. This little guy sure does its job well.  

The iRobot Scooba Hard Floot Cleaning Robot uses cutting-edge iRobot AWARE intelligence to calculate the optimal cleaning path and cleaning behaviors best suited for the job. Just fill the water tank with cleaning solution and water, switch it on and watch it work. The idea is for Scooba to prep, wash, scrub and dry your hardwood, tile or linoleum floors while you just sit and relax or get on with your other chores. But I’m so fascinated by this little gadget that I’ve spent quite a bit of time just staring at it. My 2.5 year old loves watching it in action and has even nicknamed it “Scooby”.  

The iRobot Scooba comes with a rechargeable battery that is easy to charge and can clean up to 500 sq feet per cleaning cycle. It comes with cliff-sensing technology to help the Scooba avoid stairs, ledges, etc. You can also use a virtual wall to create an infrared beam to mark off-limit areas.  If you hate sweeping and mopping, then this little guy is for you. It’s true, it may not clean as fast or as thoroughly compared to you manually sweeping and mopping your floors, overall, I still think it does a pretty good job and a real time-saver. I’d give it a 4 out of 5 star rating.