Channel 4 green cleaning tips

Modern day cleaning can be a bit of a chore. But there is an alternative! You don't have to spend piles of cash on an armful of super-tough chemicals. You don't even need to find extra storage for all those dozens of bottles. In fact you can muster up your own natural house cleaners from ingredients already in your store cupboard.

By Alana Blincoe

Essential Ingredients

White vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, lemons and olive oil are all you need to keep your wood floors sleek, stainless steel germ-free and shiny, and bathroom tiles squeaky clean. And the added bonus is there's not a harmful chemical in sight.

Scientists have found house dust contains a heady mix of toxins from a variety of sources. Traffic pollution blown through open windows, shoes treading in soil, lead and pesticides, and insect sprays with other synthetic products all build up the chemicals in our home. Even TVs and computers contribute when they heat up. So with the following tips you can detox your home and get it super-clean too.

White Vinegar

A natural disinfectant and stain remover plus it reduces mineral and lime deposits. It's a diluted ascetic acid and a substitute for ammonia-based cleaners. You can use white wine vinegar, but white distilled vinegar is cheaper. Don't use malt vinegar - your home will end up smelling like a chippie.

Bicarbonate of Soda (aka baking soda/sodium bicarbonate)

A miracle cleaner. When mixed with water it forms a slightly alkaline liquid, which cuts through grease and dirt on almost any surface. Used neat it's slightly abrasive and can be used to scrub problem stains. Often vinegar and soda are mixed together for maximum cleaning strength. Baking powder works just as well - it's a mix of bicarbonate of soda and cream of tartar.

Olive Oil

A great alternative furniture polish. Don't worry about using the extra-virgin type, the most basic will do.

Lemons

The citric acid in lemon juice makes it perfect for bleaching, disinfecting, deodorising and cutting grease.

Water

Damp dusting is great for general cleaning and ensures dust is not scattered around. For best results, soak your duster in two parts water, two parts vinegar and two drops of lemon oil. Then wring out and store in a covered glass jar until you need it.

Glass

Wash windows with two to three tbsps of vinegar to three litres of warm water. Dry with crumpled newspaper for sparkling results.
Scummy vases? Put in one tbsp of vinegar and fill with warm water. Leave to soak for 10 minutes. Rub with a soft cloth then rinse.

Wood

Mix one part olive oil with one part lemon juice. Rub on furniture or apply with a spray bottle, then polish with a dry cloth. Use this mix to make wood floors gleam.

Floors

Mop vinyl, laminate or ceramic tiled floors with eight tbsp of vinegar diluted in three litres of hot water.
For pet odours and stains in carpets, mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Apply to affected areas. Blot with kitchen roll (recycled is preferable), until moisture is absorbed. You may need to repeat the process.

Stainless Steel

Clean and shine any stainless steel surface with a paste of soda and water. Apply liberally with a damp cloth. Leave for about five minutes, then wipe.

Microwaves and Ovens

Clean with a cloth dampened in equal parts of vinegar and water. To remove microwave odours, place some lemon slices in a bowl of water. Put on high for a few minutes.

Baths, Shower Doors, Tiles and Grout

Tackle body oils and soap scum with two parts soda to one part vinegar or lemon juice. The thick paste should be applied with a damp cloth. Leave for 10 minutes then rub with a brush or sponge. As you rinse it off, drains will be kept fresh too. Use this mix on shower doors, sinks, tiles and grout. If cleaning grout, rub with a toothbrush.

Mildew and Mould

Banish black spots with one part vinegar or lemon juice to one part baking powder. Apply and leave for one or two hours. Rinse off. It may need to be reapplied or left longer, depending on how severe your mould or mildew is.

Air Freshener

Baking soda eliminates odours. Mix eight tbsp with three drops of your favourite essential oil. Place in a decorative bowl or vase. Soda in the bottom of ashtrays absorbs smoke smells. It's also like sand for stubbing out cigarettes.
Dab some essential oil on a light bulb. When on, the heat will diffuse the fragrance.

Toilet

Keep loos clean and fresh - put eight tbsp of soda in the bowl. Leave overnight. Sprinkle soda onto a damp cloth to clean toilet seat and cistern, then wipe with a wet cloth.

Drain Cleaner

Put down one part soda, followed by four parts hot vinegar. Leave overnight if possible.

Useful Links

For information about chemicals in the home:
www.wwf.org.uk/chemicals
To buy natural cleaning products:
www.greenshop.co.uk
www.thesoapkitchen.co.uk