I’ve noticed that there something of a natural progression when you start canning, even if it’s on a very small scale. Suddenly you start looking around your home and looking for ways that you can streamline, simplify and make from scratch. Several years ago, I started replacing counter top cleaners with vinegar solutions and powdered bleach scrubs with baking soda. And they were pretty darn good for a variety of basic cleaning.
Thing is, there were a couple things that those more natural cleansers didn’t do particularly well. For instance, the enamel in my bathroom sink is chipped near the drain and it bleeds rust on a daily basis (we haven’t replaced the sink because the whole bathroom must eventually be gutted, but it is still serviceable so we soldier on). It needs aggressive scrubbing with something more potent than baking soda. But after all the energy that went into ridding my home of chemical cleaners that made me light-headed, I didn’t want to invite them back for this one job.
A couple of weeks ago, the answer arrived* in the form of a box of Bon Ami products. Made from feldspar and a gentle soap, it’s an incredibly easy to use and made quick work of my rust stains (it also worked on rust-stained jars). You just rub a web cloth or sponge over the Bon Ami bar and scrub. It’s a fantastic complement to my arsenal of vinegar spray and baking soda (I must say, their spray cleaner is also terrific and has the added bonus of not smelling like pickles).
Now, I realize that I sound a little like an ad here. But truly, I’m a bit smitten with the Bon Ami bar (and the powder too). I’ve always had a weakness for old fashioned ways of doing things (which is probably why I started canning in the first place) and so I get an unnatural amount of satisfaction from using something that my great-grandmother may well have applied to her own sinks and tubs.
You’ll be excited to learn that Bon Ami has given me two more of these cleaning kits to giveaway here. To enter for a chance to win, leave a comment on this post and share a story about cleaning unguents, solutions, powders or soaps (do you make your own cleansers? Did you grow up with Bon Ami? What’s your take on hand soap – bar or liquid?). Comments will close at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. The winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States (my apologies to all you reading from Canada and beyond).
One last thing. Because we’re in the social media age and all, I thought I’d mention that Bon Ami is on Facebook and they’re currently running a contest for a chance to win a green house cleaning. If you feel so moved, you can toss your hat in that ring too.
*I was sent this box of cleaning products at no cost to me. However, my elbow grease and opinions are all my own.
I used to visit a friend when I was a kid who lived in an old farmhouse. the bathroom had the most elusive,haunting,flowery smell from soap that i occasionally get a whiff of but have never been able to figure out what smell it is.
I’ve used Bon Ami powder for years! My dad introduced me to it when he swapped the Ajax for Bon Ami to clean the kitchen sink. Later, when I lived in an older, neglected house in college, I used Bon Ami to scrub the rust out of our porcelain kitchen sink after my roommates left pans to soak to long. Then I bought it into the bathroom, and wow! My hard water stains vanished. I love the classic looking label too. I didn’t even know they made a bar or a spray. I can’t wait to try them.
I’ve never really tried bon ami, but I am a big fan of cleaning with vinegar and baking soda, so I would love to give it a shot.
I recently rendered tallow, from organic beef, to make my own organic soap. I use Fels Naptha and Borax as my laundry stain removers. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’ve used the cleansing powder before and like very much how it works. I haven’t seen the liquid or cake before but would love to try!
What timing! I was just introduced to these products at the Mother Earth News Fair in Puyallup, WA over the weekend. Can’t wait to try them all out!
I’m slowly weaning my husband off of traditional cleansers and trying to get him to use more natural products, or at the very least, using the greener versions of the “regular” stuff.
Otherwise, I love scrubbing our sinks with baking soda and white vinegar — it’s a great scrubber and science experiment! Also, to get triple-duty out of lemon rinds leftover from cooking or juicing, I boil them on the sink for their air freshening qualities, then throwing them down the garbage disposal for more lemon-scented goodness.
Just want to say that I think your choice of ‘pithy words’ is hysterical… but as far as the cleaner is concerned – I would so love to try this. My body has been revolting against me and the environment. I’ve had to spend so much on different products that have not worked for me. I would love to try this product from your recommendation and if it works, I will cry with joy. 😉 LOL! (But really, the crying with joy is partially true.) 🙂
I often use a squeezed out lemon half and salt or baking soda as a scrub. It works awesome and recycles the lemon after being used in a recipe.
Im always looking for new products that aren’t full of chemicals!
That sounds amazingly perfect. I also usually get by with vinegar and baking soda (and a dash of bleach every once in awhile), but you’re right, that’s sometimes just not enough! I never thought of feldspar as a cleansing agent, but I imagine its abrasive qualities are useful.
Recently started making my own cleaning products: dish soap and shampoo so far, and it’s horrifyingly easy. Getting back to the simple basics, with stuff like Bon Ami, is so rewarding, both financially and psychologically.
My friend Courtney’s Laundry Detergent Recipe That Changed My Life:
Grind up some Fels Neptha laundry bar soap.
Add equal parts Borax and Washing Powder.
Add a little natural oxygen bleach (we like biokleen).
Shake and mix.
Use A TABLESPOON per load! Smells great, cleans wonderfully, good for the environment and your pocket!
Seltzer for spot removal and baby powder on grease stains (my grandfather’s trick)
I have a son with special needs, so anytime I can eliminate a harmful substance in my home, I’m all for it! Thanks for the chance to win!
Wow! Do you ever get a lot of comments! I used to make my own laundry soap, but eventually I conceded that it just didn’t work very well and switched to a natural store bought detergent that . Other than that, I clean most surfaces (including floors and bathrooms) with vinegar or vinegar diluted with water. I like that it doesn’t make my sinuses raw and dissipates quickly. If I’m feeling really in need of a fresh scent I add some essential oils. For tougher jobs, I’m still using Soft Scrub for tougher jobs so I’m eager to find out if the Bon Ami powder works as well and smells better!
I use both liquid (kitchen) and bar (bathroom) soaps. I also use Bon Ami powder to clean the sinks and bathtubs, it works great! BTW Marisa, have you considered using a porcelain touch-up product to repair your sink? It’s easy to do and would tide you over until the remodel.
I love vinegar! It seems to clean and deodorize everything! I haven’t delved in to the realm of soap-making yet, however it’s on my list for things I would be better off making my own.
Liquid soap for hands, bar soap for everything else. I love Bon Ami and never knew they made a bar version!
I love Bon Ami for cleaning my newly purchased and beloved stainless steel pots and pans. That and a little elbow grease erases any discoloration or stain. I’ve never seen the bar.
I am always trying to green up our living. Natural cleaners are a must for me. I would love to give this a try!
I’ve always been curious about Bon Ami–nice to get a review!
I use dr bronner’s and baking soda for most cleaning. I could probably use more vinegar if I tried, but I’m not a fan. Bon Ami I have used before…… but I don’t know where they sell it here in south carolina
I’ve not tried Bon Ami, but you had me at “the enamel in my bathroom sink is chipped near the drain and it bleeds rust on a daily basis”. Amen, sister. Amen.
I have a friend that will only use Bon Ami on sinks, tubs, etc. The realtor who sold her house said her fixtures looked brand new when they were 20 years old. She credited that to Bon Ami. I have never seen the bar. How cool!
Vinegar also works in a cat-centric household. Recently our kitty was accidently closed in a bedroom for the night, away from her litterbox. The poor thing just had to go so she chose….wait for it….my husband’s open suitcase, all packed and ready for his trip the next morning. Upon discovery the clothing could all be laundered, of course, but what to do about the suitcase itself which, of necessity, had to be repacked for the trip? I sprayed it liberally with a vinegar and water solution and hoped for the best. Other than my husband smelling faintly of pickles throughout his trip there was no eau de feline to contend with.
I love the reto look of products I see… And this bar is so cute!! I haven’t used Bon Ami in awhile, but I love it. I just returned from vacation, where I bought some homemade soaps. Made me want to make my own! Need to finish the house first! Then time for “play!” And speaking of soap, I like variety – bar and liquid! When my hands are really dirty, I go for the liquid. Otherwise, it depends on my mood!
i’ve never heard of bon ami, but as i am becoming increasingly allergic to things with lots of chemicals, anything simple catches my eye. i love the tried-and-true products!
I’ve never made my own cleaner to clean my house, but I did make homemade cleaners to wash my horse when I was growing up. They were more gentle on his skin, and they smelled delicious and natural!
I’ve never heard of Bon Ami but would love to try it! We’ve been trying to integrate greener cleaning into the home but it’s a struggle.
Oh, I love Bon Ami powder (the only product I can find locally) and use it for all sorts of things, including cleaning lighting fixtures (who knew)? I do make my own general purpose cleaner for countertops, tabletops, windows, bathroom tile, etc—by using vinegar, water, and a few drops of dish soap. It works like a charm!
I love using the powder version of Bon Ami and would love to try the bar version!
I’ve been using Bon Ami for years. I was grateful I didn’t have to replace it when I did my chemical purge. I also love the new/old look.
I have 4 kids and wanted to clean more naturally so I switched to Method cleaning products a couple years ago. Always used baking soda for cleaning sinks and marks off the walls though. Just started using vinegar too. Would love to try the Bon Ami cleaning products too!
I use vinegar for most cleaning and disinfecting tasks. Thanks for the chance to win!
I had a short flirtation with washing my hair with baking soda and vinegar, which I actually loved except that my hair smelled like vinegar until it dried which wasn’t good for me and my always-running-lateness.
I use Bon Ami in my kitchen all the time – it’s the only thing that can get my poor, stained white porcelain sink to look remotely clean. We just finished up gutting and remodeling our bathroom and I think I’ll be using it there, too! I like the scents of Method and Mrs. Meyers cleaning products as well, but they don’t have the oomph that I need to be able to really scrub clean a gross surface.
We’ve been a cleaned by vinegar household since last summer, Bon Ami since this past fall and Dr. Bronner’s for YEARS- ain’t no turnin’ back now!
Sounds like a wonderful product and I would love to try it! I have just recently began to focus on making things from scratch and have not tackled household cleaning supplies just yet! I have began to use baking soda to clean with and to make toothpaste with.
Love Bon Ami! We’ve always had the powder around my parents’ house and mine. It was such a fixture that it was only recently I realized that “hasn’t scratched yet” referred to the chick, fresh from the egg. Too cute!
I’ve been using vinegar and baking soda for a long time to clean and freshen drains, and Bon Ami for toilets and porcelain sinks. But I’ve never tried their bar or spray and would LOVE to!
I love the powder version of Bon Ami and didn’t know they had a bar. I’d love to add it to my arsenal of natural products of which vinegar and baking soda feature.
I didn’t realize they were still in business. Wow. we used to use the powder when growing up. it came in a gold paper shaky can. It was the best ever for cleaning the sink in the bathroom.
You have to scrub, tho.
I grew up with Bon Ami in the green can, and haven’t seen the bar version before; I’d like to try it!
I’d love to try that – I hope I win!
Yes, I make virtually all of my house hold cleaners with good old vinegar, baking soda, borax, Dr. Bronner’s soap and essential oils.
I love Bon Ami – I’ve only ever used the powder but it works great!
I make my own laundry detergent, use vinegar water and baking soda on just about everything, and castille soap for myself. I haven’t found a solution for the old tub and sink yet, though. I also switched from sponges to dish cloths a long time ago, and likewise I use rags instead of paper towels. It’s handy cause instead of buying new, I just throw them in the laundry.
oh my gosh, i LOVE bon ami! i just started making my own detergent, which has been awesome. a group of girlfriends and i got together and made 5 gallons of soap for each of us over brunch on a sunday afternoon. 🙂 now, on to window cleaners!
I LOVE Bon Ami! I use it to polish all my stainless steel cookware. I love it because it’s chemical free, and seriously easy to use. I had no idea they had a bar and liquid cleanser, too. I will definitely look out for that at the store next time I shop.
My favorite cleaning story is that I have an awesome husband who cleans the bathroom for me. I do most of the rest and the cooking and such, but I’d happily trade that for not having to do the bathroom!!!
Heather