Cleaning Products/ Garbage Disposal

WearyTraveller

We've been searching without success for a scouring-type cleanser - something like Jif (or Cif) cream, or even Vim or Ajax powder. Does anyone know if this type of thing is available in India?

Also, we've been offered the services of a person who will come and collect our household garbage each day for 500INR a month. Lacking the language to ask so far, we're wondering if/how we should sort the garbage before collection. Should we separate it out into paper, plastics, glass etc, as we do in the UK? And, if we should eventually cook with any meat products, would this type of waste need special handling/wrapping before disposal?

vandy

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

vandy

capt_mahajan

Vim is available very easily, and so are other scouring cleansers.. maybe not Ajax. See at a decent supermarket or neighbourhood store.

Segregating garbage in India is a waste of time. Though there are certain areas in Chennai I have seen some basic segregation being practiced.. where garbage collection has been privatised. Sceptical about where it all lands up, though, facilities in India for treating segregated garbage don't really exist on a large scale. (though have heard of some smaller cities in the South who are doing this well)

500 rupees a month just for collecting household garbage is too much in any city in India. Certain areas of South Delhi, it is 150.

WearyTraveller

Thanks for the info re. Vim.

Yes, we're in Delhi now - just about to move from hotel to house. The quote of 500 rupees was given by a person who purports to collect the garbage from the majority of houses in the complex we're moving to. If he has a monopoly, I guess we have to pay what he asks or we'll be stuck with the garbage.

PeakXV

I remember our NRI partner calling me to bring a good cleansing product ..... because he couldn't find anything decent in the shops in India. I ended up bringing some 'Old Dutch' .... but Vim
should do the trick - at least for the tub & porcelain throne!

__________________
We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time.
T.S. Eliot

Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

vandy

Hey Captain,

Maybe the garbage in Delhi smells nicer, hence the
Discount.

I once had a meal with a couple of Garbage collectors, the 300rps it cost me was worth every
cent or should I say naiapaise.

I definetly won't be applying for any jobs in Delhi.

vandy

capt_mahajan

Delhi-ites would perhaps agree, but nah, the OP is in Delhi, too.

I think its an overcharging expats issue.

nayan

products for cleaning utensils : vim,pril....
procducts for cleaning loos : harpic, sanifresh

all of this should be available in any supermarket or decent sized kirana store.

brownboy66

we use vim, and another brand call nu-kleen or something like that? Funnily enough we've found the selection for cleaners at the supermarket we go to is not that great - but the appliance shop next door has an awesome range of cleaners. Where are you shopping?

500 rupees is too much. Even if its a monopoly - maybe time to introduce competition (if that's possible). We pay more than the going rate on our street - and expect to since we're foreigners - but nowhere near 500 rupees.

good luck with the move!

WearyTraveller

We've mostly shopped at Le Marche in Basant Lok. and at a hardware store (? Emporium) a couple of doors down. Both of them seem to have only liquid type cleaners - no scouring powders or creams. We tried a couple of other "local" type shops yesterday. They both stocked Vim products, but only dishwasher powder and liquid. Our kitchen sink is definitely going to need something with a bit more oomph.

Another thing we've been unable to source are replacement plugs for the sinks and washbasins - there's only one plug in the whole house.

We're thinking of going to Gurgaon tomorrow to see if any of the malls have more comprehensive household/hardware shops.

capt_mahajan

You need to shop at more downmarket stores for some of the stuff you are looking for. Or, next time you are in Besant Lok, walk further to the fountain and go to "Modern Bazaar". Its another expat favourite.

Otherwise, in the same area, I suggest,

-Vasant Vihar C market. A couple of general store kind of shops
-Munirka C market, when you hit the Outer Ring Road from Nelson Mandela Marg, turn right, make a U turn a kilometer or so away and park at the C market, a covered market. Parking can be painful. Definately get most of your stuff here, except hardware.
-Drive into the JNU (University) opposite Munirka Vihar, about a kilometer from Besant Lok .. they will give stop you at the gate, tell them you are going to the Market, and they will give you a token to be returned when you leave. At the market, a few shops will sell you what you want. Plenty of parking, and a peaceful place to buy daily stuff too.
-for minor plumbing and hardware items, get hold of an electrician or plumber. He will either buy them for you (and overcharge you) or you can get him to tell you where to buy.
-A trip to Sarojini Nagar may also prove useful, for hardware shops. Maybe 5/6 km away from Besant Lok.
-Finally, Munirka village. It is a narrow congested place about two kilometers from Besant Lok, and adjoins the C Market I spoke of earlier. Short of an elephant, you will get everything there, including scouring stuff and hardware. Crowded, messy and dirty, though. Park at the C market and walk. It will be an experience anyway.

Suggest check the route, or if you have a driver, make sure he knows the way. There is an alternate and easier route to the Munirka C Market through Munirka DDA flats, narrow lanes though.

PS I would try the Vasant Vihar C market first.. thats the one with ICICI and State Banks on the main road. Certain to get normal scouring stuff there (shops to the right of the banks at the corner as you face the banks), and maybe even some small hardware shops just inside. Ask anybody.

And while you are there, pick up a bottle of Chantilly red from the wine shop at the back. Not bad, for an Indian wine. The white is tolerable, too


PPS: The scouring cream and your sink comment, am a little confused. We have a stainless steel kitchen sink, use the normal powder (Vim or similar) for cleaning it with steel wool (readily available).. and the sink is shining after 15 years.

and, no, for other old timers, I am not going to make any comment on sinks in this serious thread

PeakXV

The first time I went to INA market - was absolutely sure that I would get mugged - it is/was a real Indian experience but believe it or not actually survived the ordeal and ended up finding things that you couldn't find anywhere else in Delhi - and lots of imports including Heineken. I wasn't looking for any scouring/cleaner agents at the time but they seemed to have everything for kitchens (including those hard to find french coffee presses) - wouldn't be surprised if a few stalls sold some cleansers(possibly imports) ... or least had a brother that did.

WearyTraveller

Thanks for all the info

When you talk about the normal Vim powder, do you mean the stuff with bleach that comes in a cylindrical container with "sprinkle" holes in the top? This is the type of thing I'm looking for - but I've only been able to find Vim Drops or Vim Dishwasher powder.

I'll try Vasant Vihar C Market this morning - perhaps I'll get lucky!

capt_mahajan

This should work, else search google images for "vim powder"

http://images.google.co.uk/images?so...=1&sa=N&tab=wi

All the products in the first two rows are available in India, and more.

Most of the Vim cylinderical things there would meet your requirements.

Aishah

Just chipping in here - I too have never found scouring powder - instead get the Vim in a block like a cake of soap and it works a treat. There is also here a 'new' product (probably been in the Metros for years) called Bang - will get grease off anything, it's fabulous! So Delhiites are you saying there actually is a round shaking tin of Vim???
Peak XV - I lived for a short while in Laxmi Bai Nagar right opposite INA market and in 5 mins. walk from Dilli Haat - I thought I was made! Could get everything I needed in short walking distance. I really liked INA market - no outrageous prices there.

__________________
"Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."