Bulk buying toilet cleaner....

[citizentwiglet]

I have the enviable task of being the volunteer bog cleaner at our community garden (I know, I know, the glamorous life I lead...).

The system we have is a septic tank leading to a reed bed, so I need something that I can buy in fairly large quantities (save me having to order it every five minutes) that is safe to use with this set-up. Ecover have been mentioned, but I find them quite pricey and not really terribly good with their loo cleaner. Does anyone know of any other cost-effective (we are skint!) solutions that work?

I'm intending to clean the floor and sink areas with a tea-tree solution, if anyone can advise on the best concentration of tea-tree oil to water, that would be great. Or, if there is a 'one solution works for all' (i.e. probably stinky toilet, sink AND floor so I'm only buying one product) that would be great. I'd use tea tree oil on the lot, but I fear that would be quite pricey, and I know the smell isn't for everyone.......

Also...what would you recommend people dry their hands on? Paper towels have been mentioned, as they can be recycled / composted, but we're likely to have A LOT of them. Someone else suggested normal hand towels, but I fear that will fall foul of H & S somewhere down the line. We really don't have the money to install a hand-dryer at the moment. Personally, I'm quite happy to wipe my hands on my jeans, but maybe that's just me...........

[Cligereen]

Well Citizen, what I do at home is to make up a big bucket of solution as a general purpose cleaner and store it in old fizzy drink bottles. I have a big preserving pan that I make it up in but a saucepan would do for a smaller quantity. My secret (but not so secret any more) is:

Take 1 bucket of water, add a handful of soapnuts and bring to the boil. Take it off the heat and add 4 cups of washing soda, mix well and let it cool.

When it's cold add essential oils such as Tea Tree, as you mentioned it, lavender is good and ylang ylang is better again (just because it smells nicer to me). Mix it all up and strain into bottles for storage.

I refill a spray bottle for sinks, baths etc, use it neat in toilet with a toilet brush and dilute it for floors. Works well. Only thing is you may need to use vinegar now and again in the toilet for the 'stubborn marks'.

This solution works with our percolation system but not sure if it would disturb the balance in a reed bed or not. I was about to say 'suck it and see' but that's probably not a good phrase to use with this subject!

[growingthings]

If you really are 'buying' rather than making it try http://www.ecotopia.co.uk they do bulk cleaners - this is how I buy it for home.

hth

Lorna x

[Russian Doll]

thinking health and safety wise hun...maybe email one of them who are very helpful...explain that you want to be as eco and cheap as possible but stay in h and safety guidelines and they may be able to advise

[Annpan]

check out summernaturals for good prices on bulk EO and remember you don't need much. Don't know about getting past EH or H+S though

[Green Aura]

You could try asking places that have reed bed systems what they use.

I'm sure there are loads, but the Earth Centre in Doncaster, and of course the Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth might offer some advice.

I'd be less concerned about the budget than risk disrupting the eco-system. Although you're obviously constrained by that it's no use if the loos get closed down because the reed beds have been buggered up by some cleaning product. I'm sure the best methods are probably the cheapest anyway - you know bicarb and vinegar type stuff.