Get your pinafore on and clean up with homespun dirt-busters that really work

If you’ve ever seen the allure of scrubbing, mopping and dusting, you might be tempted to stock up on chemical dirt-busters and hope they’ll do the trick. But, believe it or not, making a few green adjustments to your cleaning routine can make it feel like less of a slog and more like a breath of fresh air. Do as grandma did and dip into your cupboards, where bicarbonate of soda, vinegar and lemons make natural dirt-busters.
Here are a few clean-with-a-conscience tips to mop up any household problem.

OVEN
To de-gunk your oven make a paste of baking soda and water and leave on for three minutes. Rinse with a scouring cloth and hot water. You can sprinkle salt on spills while still warm to ease removal once the oven is cool.

WINDOWS
Vinegar keeps windowpanes and mirrors sparkling and is a great bug zapper, too. Mix a solution of one part water to one part vinegar in a spray bottle, spray on the glass then wipe off with paper. Try using your old newspapers as they give a brilliant, streak-free shine.

WOOD
How can you keep wooden furniture clean without pumping out polluting hydrocarbons from an aerosol! Half-fill a spray bottle with water. Add a teaspoon of olive oil and a drop of your favourite essential oil. Spray over furniture and buff with a dry cloth. The olive oil will nourish the wood.

WORKTOPS AND SURFACES
Lemons are nature’s own cleanser and a fragrant way to deodorise tops, chopping boards and more. Just cut a lemon in half and wipe over the surface. Or add lemon rinds to your bin to kill nasty smells. To clean your microwave, put a slice or two of lemon in 250ml of water and put in the microwave for 30 seconds on high. Use a cloth to clean it dry.

KITCHEN
Banish grime with this all-purpose home-made cleaning recipe for surfaces, sinks, tiles and baths.
All you need is some ordinary vinegar, a bottle of eco-friendly washing-up liquid and some salt. Using a kitchen sponge with a non-scratch scouring pad, pour a capful of vinegar on to the surface, followed by a squirt of washing-up liquid and about half a teaspoon of salt. Rub it on, then wipe off with a clean damp cloth. You won’t believe how sparkly your surfaces will look.

CARPET
Dried green tea leaves have long been used as deodorisers. To make them, after you’ve brewed tea, strain the leaves through a sieve, press out as much water as possible, then scatter them on unprinted paper and leave to dry, turning over several times. Sprinkle the dried tea leaves on to your carpet. Roll a rolling pin over them, leave them for 10 minutes, then vacuum. This will refresh your carpet and deodorise your vacuum cleaner and bag.