Oh yeah. I have the masks, everything has plastic sheeting underneath. I really have to wait for days that aren't too breezy, because of the paint coming off, plus the heat gun loses effectiveness when getting pummeled with wind. Unfortunately, calm days make for a pretty hot job for my end. The things we endure to make things right... haha After everything gets primed, then I need to work on a paint scheme. Might take another season to really get it all done.

Ok, so I decided to clean the outside of the kitchen windows. They look great. Not so great, (in fact vomit material as I have been dry retching trying to deal with the situation) is that some water got into the inside track of one of the windows (the one that doesn't open). I didn't think anything of it figuring the water will evaporate. What I hadn't taken into account was the smell. There has been a faint smell and I couldn't work out what it was - until I discovered the water in the track. OMG does it stink. I have been trying to mop it up with kitchen towelling and nearly vomiting in the process. I have tried blow drying it - just spreads smell even worse. Any ideas as I am gagging? The smell is now spreading......

This is an interesting thread - whilst I agree that the distinction between "chemical" and "non - chemical" may not be the most useful one (for the reason pointed out above) - maybe a more useful discussion is about harmful and less harmful cleaning substances, whether to the environment or people. I suffer from something called MCS ( multiple chemical sensitivities, it's a diagnosis) and have come to realise that in my case at least it's not chemicals per se that make me sick, but rather certain smells. For example I cannot have the "Earth choice" (a natural") brand floor cleaner used in my house without suffering a few days of sore eyes, nasal congestion, fatigue, foggy brain and sinus headaches - it is truly debilitating, and the cause is the fragrance. If I use the same brand of "Naked" ( no scent) dish cleaner diluted on the floor instead, I am fine. I think everyone with MCS is different but this is working for me.

It's not a simple debate between what you want/need more or less....understand that this a regulatory thing.........if you are dealing with a building permit then it's pretty cut & dry - as the BCA reads, a separate trough is technically required to consitute a laundry....happy to be corrected in my interpretation in this regard but we have had to deal with this exact issue on a few occasions....... But if you are doing just an under the radar laundry reno/refit (no permit) then potentially you can get away with none, but you'll of course need to practically connect the washer into the drainage somehow, which still requires an isolated trap set-up, that technically will be illegal. No you can't just connect straight into a sewer waste as if the connection fails and their is no water trap it would be hazardous (not to mention unpleasant) to have exposed sewer gas. If it's in a kitchen an can connect a washer to a sink waste (similar) to the dishwasher) then arguably that could be passed. The easiest way is to fit a small trough next to the washer that even if you develop a cover for so you can use the area as bench space. It then keeps flexibility and everything above board/compliant for future resale.....