Simple Green

[dogdollar]

I have been using Simple Green for years for just about every type of cleaning, and now that I have chickens I am using it to clean the coop, ladders, etc. and I am having a very good result with a low concentration. This product screams "Non Toxic" and is just as effective, if not moreso, than something like 409 or any other spray cleaner. Has anyone ever had a BAD experience with this stuff?
I mean....obviously, you have to use your head....keep the chickens away from the soap solutions, use only the concentration you need, water in any excess suds or soapy water...but aside from using common sense does anyone know of any reason not to use it?
Thanks,
DD

 

[patandchickens]

I don't see any toxicity reason to avoid it... but to me, COMMON SENSE would suggest not using it, since it's pretty pointless

Just warm water (if you need to use anything at all besides elbow grease, which you usually don't) will clean your coop just as well. And not only will you be saving money but you will not be requiring factories to churn out as much of the stuff

JMHO, good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[dogdollar]

Quote:
Well.
I probably don't technically need soap in the shower, either, by your logic......but I'm going to keep on using it, anyway.
DD

 

[Orchid]

I think (and I could be wrong) that patandchickens' point was that you can usually just scoop shavings and scrape off the poo, without having to actually resort to scrubbing things with cleaners and water.

That being said, Simple Green is a great product and we use it for cleaning lots of different things. I love the fact that it's non toxic.

 

[Anny]

I just use white vinegar if I need to super clean the coop, much cheaper. But normally some nice water and scrubbing gets things nice and clean.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Yup, that was what I meant.

No need to use more cleaning-agent than the task requires. So, just curious, what is it that you think the Simple Green is getting off that just a "normal" cleaning wouldn't?

Pat

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

soaps and detergents help clean.

 

[barredrockgrl]

Quote:
I use it to clean mold out of the waterer. As warm as it's been, I need to fully clean it every week. Water is not enough to clean certain things, and simple green is great stuff. Of course I rinse it several times before refilling for the birds.

 

[saddina]

Does the smell of simple green make anyone else think "rootbeer"?

It will now.

 

[dogdollar]

Folks, as much as I appreciate the lecture on environmental responsibility, I was simply asking for some feedback on a specific product that I find works very well.
In my case, my coop intentionally has a 1/4" hardware cloth floor, and that whole floor section slides out for cleaning. If I clean it each day, which I do, I can eliminate at least half of the droppings that would otherwise accumulate in the shavings on the floor of the coop, and in the run. This keeps flies down, smells down, and makes the shavings (frosted with DE) last that much longer. I think my chickens really, really love coming back to a nice clean coop every night.
Problem is, when they poop on the hardware cloth where it is connected to the structure, it is more difficult to clean.....also, poop that has been there longer is more stubborn. I'm sure you have all seen flies accumulate on a place where no poop is visible to the human eye...it's because it's not really clean.
So, I generally blast the floor section with the hose and get the majority of the stuff off, then come back and scrub with a mild Simple green solution, let it soak for a few minutes, and do a thorough rinse. After that, it is deodorized, sanitized, and ready to go back in. The whole process takes about 10 minutes and uses maybe two or three tablespoons of the Simple Green.
I guess I could try and remove the poop from each individual shaving, but frankly 1.) I don't have the time, and 2.) I'm WAY too lazy (thus I will concede to the admonishment for not wanting to apply sufficient "elbow grease").
Thanks,
DD