Natural Cleaners

• Clean windows, mirrors and tiles with a mixture made up of equal quantities of white distilled vinegar and water. Decant into a spray bottle, spray on and shine with a lint-free cloth.

• Replace air fresheners with aromatherapy oil burners.

• Remove limescale on enamel baths by rubbing a fresh-cut lemon and salt over the affected area.

• Disinfect toilets and sinks with a tea tree essential oil.

• Look out for eco-friendly products in health stores and supermarkets.

• Use lemon juice (which contains citric acid), either neat or diluted in water, to clean tarnished metal.

• Remove stains on dishes and chopping boards by scrubbing them with salt. Add lemon juice for even better results.

• Lift dirt from carpets by applying salt and lemon juice, then brush up together.

• Use diluted vinegar to remove grease from tiles, windows, furniture and carpets. For general purposes add 1 teaspoon white vinegar to 10fl oz/280ml tepid water. For stubborn stains use a 50:50 solution of vinegar and water.

• To remove limescale from kettles, cover the element with equal parts of warm vinegar and water. Bring to the boil. Switch off and leave overnight. Empty and rinse well. Fill with water, boil and empty again before using.

• Place raw potato slices over muddy marks on carpets to help remove them.

• Save the water after cooking potatoes to clean silver.