I am always looking for better alternatives than the harsh chemicals that companies tell you that you need to clean your home with. The truth is that we don’t. We also don’t need to pollute our house, our drains that will eventually flush out to sea affecting all marine life. It is really hard to ensure that we are always cleaning with the best products especially when you have young children, and I am aware that we cannot eliminate it always but we can, as parents try. Also, if you have staff at home it is worth educating them because they feel uneasy cleaning the house with ‘homemade stuff’ because we have all been conditioned that chemicals bought in a shop must be better.

#Cleaning using water and vinegar for all purposes – 9 units to water and 1 unit of vinegar.

#Window cleaner – ¼ cup of vinegar, ½ teaspoon of natural liquid soap and 2 cups of water. Shake and spray.

#Sink cleaner – First, pour a pot of boiling water down your drain. ½ cup of baking soda. Leave it to rest for a few minutes, then pour 1 cup of vinegar followed by 1 cup of hot water, and leave it for 5 – 10 minutes. Flush one more time with a pot of boiling hot water.

#Dog wash and shampoo – I had been using harsh dog shampoos for my dog at the start, that left him with itchy skin until someone involved in the dog business told me that Johnsons & Johnsons baby shampoo was a great alternative. I don’t use this product for my children as I prefer organic products but for my dog it was perfect. The months of expensive vet fees disappeared by just changing his shampoo.

#Natural air fresheners – sprinkle from baking soda into a smelly thrash can to absorb bad odours or use a ground coffee and place it near areas of bad smells.

After the house has been cleaned or whilst it is being cleaned it is good to leave all windows and doors opened to vent the house and let the winds take away any lingering chemicals in the air.

Click here to find out about some unwelcomed hidden chemicals in your home products.