Household Cleaners

Read labels carefully when disposing of household cleaners as some should not be poured down sinks. Try to avoid using harsh chemical cleaners.

Alternative Cleaners

1. All purpose cleaners

Dissolve baking soda in hot water or mix 2 pints of hot water with 1 tsp of vegetable oil soap, 1 tsp of baking soda and 2 tbls of vinegar or mix half a cup of vinegar in 2 pints of warm water with salt

2. Air fresheners

Burn scented candles or simmer cinnamon and cloves over a low heat or put out open dishes of pot pourri or put baking soda or vinegar in open dishes in fridges, cupboards, bathrooms as they absorb bad smells or simmer sprigs of mint or any fresh herb or spice in a pan of water over a low heat.

3. Bleaches

Use lemon juice instead or boil and spin white cottons etc

4. Bathroom cleaners

Bicarbonate of soda is a good scouring powder for sinks and baths, so is salt, baking soda is also good, tiles can be cleaned using vinegar and warm water

5. Carpet cleaners

For stains, put 2 tbls of liquid soap and half a cup of water into a blender to make a foam.  Put the foam on the stain and rub.  Splash vinegar on the stain to finish.  To absorb big spills, spread cornmeal or salt on the liquid, wait 15-20 minutes then vacuum.

6. Dishwasher products

Sprinkle a handful of baking soda over the dishes instead of using detergent.

7. Drain unblockers

Pour bicarbonate of soda or salt down the drain together with a kettle full of boiling water or dissolve half a cup of baking soda with a cup of vinegar in boiling water to produce a fizzing action.  Rinse the drain out with a mixture of boiling water and salt.  Repeat process if necessary.

8. Furniture polish

Use a little linseed oil to revitalise old wooden furniture, remove marks from wood with toothpaste, use vegetable soap to clean and polish varnished wood, polish unvarnished wood with almond/walnut/olive oil.

9. Descalers

Use distilled white vinegar for limescale in kettles, toilets and for teapot stains, alternatively lemon juice can be used.  Hard lime deposits around taps can be softened by covering them with vinegar soaked paper towels for an hour.  This leaves chrome clean and shiny.

10. Metal polishes

Brass and bronze - mix half a tsp of salt and half a cup of white vinegar, then use flour to make into a paste.  Apply thickly and leave for 30 mins - rinse thoroughly with water, chrome - wipe with vinegar, rinse with water, copper - polish with a paste of lemon juice and salt, silver - boil for 3 mins two pints of water containing 1 tsp of baking soda, 1 tsp of salt and a piece of aluminium foil, or rub with a baking soda and water paste, or rub with toothpaste, aluminium cookware - fill cookware with 2 pints of hot water and add 2 tbls of cream of tartar, bring to the boil and simmer for ten minutes.  Wash as usual.

11. Oven cleaners

Spread a paste of baking soda, salt and water, leave for 3 minutes then wash off with a scouring cloth and hot water and regularly clean your oven with vinegar and water.

12. Toilet cleaners

Use either baking soda and water or sprinkle baking soda around the rim and sprinkle baking soda together with one cup of vinegar to create a foaming action.

13. Window cleaners

Mix 2 tbls of white vinegar in 2 cups of water and a few drops of liquid soap into a spray bottle. Remove smearing with surgical spirit, washing soda or undiluted vinegar.  Wipe mirrors with newspaper for a streak-free shine.