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[lolakimono]

As many of you know, I am a teacher and this year I taught virtually due to health issues.  One of the challenges going forward is that the school district invested in an eco cleaner that has ingredients to which I am allergic. This cleaner is airborne and in the form of wipes, so I can't really escape it in the building.  I am hoping for my own room this year, as for the past three years I have had to float.

This should not be part of my job requirement, but if you have worked in a school you know how things are.  Our custodians are lovely, but they do not have the manpower to "clean" at night, so most of what they do is empty the trash and (sometimes) vacuum.

I like "green" cleaners for my purposes, and my favorite is Shaklee, with my second favorite as one that I make.

If you don't know Shaklee, there is a concentrated base cleaner called "Basic H" which allows you to make different formulas according to their "recipes."  I have used this cleaner since childhood with zero issues.  I like that I can refill without contributing more plastic to the environment.

These are the three cleaners that basic H can make: windows, degreaser and all-purpose.

I still have a bit more than $30 on my gift card to spend at Marshall's, so I started there and brought in one of my bottles to see if there was a caddy that I could use.  I did get a two pack of these bamboo brushes last time, when I made my DIY project.

I didn't really find what I was looking for, so I went to Michael's and found this for $3.99 (before my teacher discount).

On the way home, I stopped at Goodwill with my cup holder and my bottle, but I didn't find anything that would work.  I was hoping for a basket that was tall enough to accommodate the nozzles or perhaps a tote bag that was deep enough and wide enough to hold the bottles upright.  

I stopped at one more thrift store, and I found this, from Lilly Pulitzer for $4.99.  It was in a bin but was not priced (technically it was not on the floor yet, but they have so many donations that they had nowhere left to sort).

I added my cupholder from Michael's and voila!  I used my label maker to distinguish between the Shaklee products, made up a batch of the Dawn/hydrogen peroxide/vinegar solution and used a water bottle that I already owned that happens to be PINK!  The bamboo brush also fits inside one of the cups.  I used three microfiber towels, but sometimes I use the school's paper towels if there is something that I don't want to bring home to wash.  

The only thing left is to get a few more pairs of my non-latex cleaning gloves, as I never want to touch anything that I find at school.  Usually it's mouse droppings, dead bugs, spiderwebs, and assorted hairballs.  

[Jk9]

Kudos to you @lolakimono !   Love your thinking skills.  Also love the Lilly P tote and that it matches your color scheme.   Yep serendipity at work.  Hope the assigned room happens for you.  Seems like a reasonable accommodation to me.

[Catiele]

We will all benefit from your ideas. Read it once and know I will go back to it for more ideas. Thanks 

[Love my grandkids]

@lolakimono Kudos to you and every teacher in every school. And I admire your creativity and ingenuity! And want to add I always always enjoy all of your posts! 

[Hilery]

@lolakimono Will you give measurements for Dawn/hydrogen peroxide/vinegar mixture? Where do you use this cleaning solution? I too enjoy your posts.

[godi]

I love Basic H. What a fantastic idea. Hope your school year goes well. 

[lolakimono]

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@Hilery wrote:

@lolakimono Will you give measurements for Dawn/hydrogen peroxide/vinegar mixture? Where do you use this cleaning solution? I too enjoy your posts.

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@Hilery 

I use equal parts of the three, but I'm not a scientist so I just eyeball things. (This is why I cook and don't bake ).  I like to spray it in my shower and let it do its thing.  I also like it for desks, to clear off any writing or sticky surfaces but I usually will have to go back over desks with a wet rag.

[SouthernBee]

@lolakimono : Thanks for sharing this great information. I wanted to purchase several of the cup caddy for gifts but all sold out . Praying for you and all the teachers and students to have a safe work environment.🤗❤️🙏

[SouthernBee]

@lolakimono : I went back on line a few minutes later and Michaels had more of the cup caddy in stock and more colors. I purchased the teal and used shopping code for 20% off. I want to fill the tote bag with cup caddy, bamboo brush and cleaning solution for birthday gifts in August and Christmas gifts. Still looking for the bamboo scrubber. Can't find the tote bag. If not to much trouble- could you please provide measurements for the tote bag because it is perfect fit for the caddy? The gifts will be for my SIL and two best friends that cleans houses for extra income. I always try to give gifts that people can use or be helpful. Thanks for the great suggestions. I always enjoy reading your posts.

[lolakimono]

@SouthernBee 

My "helpers" were around so I had to take quick shots.

I measured from the outside of the pocket to the next side pocket, to allow for additional room.

I spent about five hours on eBay and Etsy before I went out into the stores looking for something that I could use for this, but I really didn't see what I was looking for and I didn't want to pay for shipping for something that might not be usable. 

I bet the most useful item would be a purse organizer that has the extra pockets (and is usually made of poly, to wipe clean).  

Those types of bamboo brushes are everywhere- the picture that I found was from Amazon since the ones I had were in store at Marshall's.  I might also add a toothbrush for those "crevice" like things that need to be cleaned.  I'll see if I can find a purse organizer for you, but if not I bet that the L.L. Bean canvas totes or Land's End ones would work.  I have also seen five gallon bucket organizers (which I considered) but to me a bucket handle is not that comfortable in my hand.