When it comes to cleaning my house I like to just get the job done as quickly as possible. So I tend to pick out products that I know will be effective and efficient, and more often than not this means I end up buying chemical-based all purpose cleaners and cleaning wipes.
I’ve been aware lately though that maybe I should look for more eco-friendly alternatives, that are more natural and less harmful to the environment.
So I was really happy to be asked to try some natural cleaning products from Forest Hog. I’ve been testing them for a few weeks now and have to say I’ve been really impressed with the results.
Forest Hog have a great range of cleaning products to tackle pretty much any mess you can think of.
I was sent some home cleaning spray, laundry cream, dirt buster and dish washing liquid to try out so I could get a really good feel for the whole range.
I normally use standard cleaning products that I can pick up at the supermarket along with my weekly shop, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I opened the box that arrived from Forest Hog.
When I picked out the first bottle my initial reaction was that it didn’t feel as substantial as the products I’m used to, it had a strange bit of ‘give’ to it when I held it.
After a bit of investigating though I was happy to find that this is because Forest Hog use the most ‘natural’ plastic available to make it best for recycling after use. This combined with the fact that the contents can change structure a bit in different environments means that the bottles don’t hold their shape as firmly as others do.
I think this actually adds to the product’s charm, and is a nice little reminder that everything in there is as natural as possible.
So, time for a closer look at the different products I’ve been trying out.
Squeaky dishes – natural dishwashing liquid
This dish washing liquid is nice and thick, so you only need to use a little bit at a time.
Honestly, you really don’t need to use much of this at all. It’s triple concentrated so a few drops in a sink of hot water goes a long way.
I’ve used this washing up liquid for all sorts of dishes, pans and utensils and everything has come out lovely and clean.
The liquid has a nice mild orange scent, thanks to the orange oil that is one of its very few ingredients. It’s quite a subtle scent which I really like, and the liquid still foams nicely which, as silly as it may sound, makes using it a nice experience.
You can use the liquid in a dishwasher too, just put a little bit in the dispenser tray. Forest Hog do make a point on their website that every machine is different, so you might need to experiment with exactly how much liquid you put in. Their advice is to try about half a tablespoon at first – less really is more with this product.
Laundry cream – natural laundry cleaner
The second product I’ve been trying out is the natural laundry cream.
Like the dish washing liquid, this cream is lovely and thick and you only need to use a small amount to get great results.
You can use the laundry cream for handwashing or in your washing machine so it’s really versatile.
It’s hypoallergenic so is great for those with sensitive skin, and can be used for all fabrics including delicates, cashmere, silk and wool.
I first tried it on its own on a load of washing that included my son’s PE kit and everything came out perfectly clean. I wasn’t sure how soft the clothes with be as I normally use a fabric conditioner but was pleasantly surprised to find everything came out feeling lovely.
If your clothes don’t feel as soft as you’d like after a wash though, Forest Hog recommend that you gently rub the items once they’re dry to soften the fibres a bit.
We’ve not had any major stains to deal with since I’ve had this laundry cream, but if you do have some to deal with then you can rub some of the cream directly into the stain, leave it for a few minutes and then pop it in the wash.
Home spray – natural all-surface cleaner
All-surface cleaner is one of the staples of my cleaning cupboard, because it’s so quick and easy to use to get various rooms in the house clean.
This home spray looks like it goes one better than my usual products though.
You can use the home spray on:
- Dirty marks on walls
- Windows
- Window frames
- Ovens
- Microwaves
- Fridges and freezers
- Kitchen worktops
- Baths and showers
- Toilets
- Sinks
- Tiled surfaces
You can use the spray as it comes, or you can dilute it 50/50 with water to make it stretch even further. Either way, like with all the Forest Hog products, you don’t need to use much at all to get great results.
I’ve been using it around my kitchen and bathroom and have been really happy with how clean everything is looking.
Dirt buster gel – natural cleaning gel
The last product I’ve been testing is the dirt buster gel. This is a super concentrated cleaning gel that can tackle so many different jobs around the house, and is also brilliant for using while camping or caravanning.
It’s basically a beautifully natural stain remover that you can use on anything you can imagine.
I’ve used it to clean up my kitchen sink and hobs and it worked like a charm.
You can use it to clean the oven by rubbing a small amount on the grime with a sponge, then wiping off with the scrubby side after about ten minutes.
It’s also great for stains on carpets, clothes, tents and canvas.
I really wasn’t sure what to expect before I tried the Forest Hog products, and I’ve been so pleasantly surprised by how effective they’ve all been.
I’m enjoying using the dish washing liquid for quick bits of washing up by hand, and the home spray has been great for giving the kitchen worktops a wipe down each day. I have high hopes that all the products will last much longer than my usual buys too, making them more economical as well as so much better for the environment.
Do you use natural cleaning products at home? How do you find them compared to other products you’ve used in the past?
Disclaimer: I was sent some products from Forest Hog for the purpose of this review, but all words and opinions are my own.