Clean Green

Save the planet and your health, with these nature inspired household hacks.

Buy products containing natural ingredients. Method produces plant-based products that do the job, smell great and are pet friendly too. So, no worries, if Rover wants to eat off your sparkling floor.

2Use products that are packaged in recycled plastics or alternatively decant cleaning products into glass bottles and buy refills that use less packaging.

Make your own products using environmentally safe and every day household items, including baking soda, white vinegar, lemon, olive oil, soap and water. See ideas below.

To clean the inside of your oven, apply a thick paste of baking soda and water. Let it sit for a couple of hours or overnight, before rubbing it off with a cloth.

5Refresh your dishwasher by placing two cups of white vinegar in the top rack of an empty dishwasher. Let it run on a hot cycle to get rid of those unwanted smells and bacteria. 6 Brighten your toilet by pouring a cup of baking soda into the bowl. Leave it for an hour or so, before adding a cup of white vinegar. Allow to sit for a little longer, then flush.

7

Grab a traditional rattan beater and start thrashing those rugs. Available to buy from Garden Trading, they’re effective, stylish and great exercise too.

8Make hardwood floors gleam with a homemade cleaner comprising equal parts hot water and vinegar, with a dash of olive or lemon oil for extra shine. Mop as usual.

9Reduce or eliminate paper towels, by switching to reusable towels. Store clean towels in a basket on your kitchen counter so they’re easily accessible, then wash after use.

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For greasy jobs - such as cleaning the oven - keep pieces of old fabric, socks etc. that you’d normally disposed of. Use them to wipe up the grease, then throw out.

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Keep the air inside your home clean, with an air purifier such as Blueair HEPASilent™. It contains polypropylene filters, a synthetic plastic that breaks down into carbon dioxide and water.

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Create your own room mist by mixing ¾ cup of water, 2 tbsps pure vanilla extract, 10 drops of lavender oil and 5 drops of chamomile oil in a spray bottle. Shake and spray.

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Wash pillows with hot water and a mild natural, biodegradable laundry detergent. Hang out to dry or tumble dry on a low setting. Fluff to reshape.

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Reuse dryer sheets. Their soft texture is ideal for wiping dust from delicate surfaces such as TVs and computer monitors, without scratching them.

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If you don't have the time - or inclination - to clean your own home, there are specialist ‘green’ services or ask your cleaner if they’ll use your preferred eco-friendly products.