There is no easier way to start making your home more environmentally friendly than by considering the substances that you use to maintain it.

Basic green ingredients

Bicarbonate of soda

Also known as sodium bicarbonate and baking soda, this gentle, moderately alkaline, non-toxic abrasive cuts through grease and oil because it reacts with the fatty acids to form mild detergents. Use it to clean, deodorise and buff. You can even use it to clean your teeth!

Lemon juice

This natural bleach can be used for many purposes, such as removing stains, deodorizing and inhibiting mould.

Salt

A natural gentle abrasive and disinfectant, salt is useful for clearing drains and scouring kitchen utensils.

White vinegar

This type of vinegar has a key role in alternative home cleaning because of its acidic properties, although it is not a general cleaner. This moderately strong acid can remove bathroom scum and hard water deposits as well as discolouration from metals such as aluminium, brass and copper. It can also remove rust stains and rust on iron. White vinegar makes an ideal cleaner for the bathroom.

HOME-BREWED CLEANERS

ALL PURPOSE CLEANER

2 heaped tablespoons bicarbonate of soda
1 tablespoon white vinegar

Mix the bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar together and store the cleaner in an airtight container. To use, wipe surfaces with a soft cloth dipped in the solution. Rinse with clean water.

MILD ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER

4 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda
1140 ml (2 pints) warm water

Mix the ingredients together. To use, wipe on surfaces with a soft cloth and rinse with clean water.

STRONG ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER

Do not use on fibreglass or aluminium

110g washing soda crystals
4.5 litres (9.5 pints) warm water

Mix the ingredients together. To use, wipe on surfaces with a soft cloth and rinse with clean water.

MILD ABRASIVE CLEANER

Use this cleaner on plastic and on painted walls.

A few drops of water
Bicarbonate of soda

Add a few drops of water to bicarbonate of soda to form a paste. To use, apply it with a stiff-bristled brush on hard surfaces, and with an old toothbrush between tiles.