Natural cleaning remedies you need to try

If you were to look at your current cleaning products and read what’s actually in them, you’ll find an incredibly long list of chemicals. Some of which can be pretty toxic. More and more people are turning towards natural remedies; they’re cheaper, better for you and are a great eco-friendly alternative. You’ll be happy to know that your kitchen cupboard already contains more natural cleaning remedies than you think.

Baking soda

You may already be aware of using baking soda for cleaning. After all, you can use it in pretty much any room of your house. From scrubbing your bathroom and unclogging drains, to loads of laundry and carpet cleaning. Baking soda is such a versatile ingredient and it’s great at getting rid of odours and stains.

White vinegar

White vinegar is another great, multi-purpose product. You can use it to get rid of mildew, mould and stains. If you’re worried about the smell, you’ll be happy to know the smell fades pretty quickly or you can add a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil. You can also use white vinegar to create your very own all-purpose cleaner. Use equal parts vinegar and water, then add a few drops of essential oils to offset the smell. Or you could use citrus rinds for a lovely, fresh, scent. As with all cleaning, make sure you wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.

Lemon juice

Citrus is not just for scent. Lemon juice is an incredible cleaning product. There are so many different ways you can clean your home with lemon juice. You can add sparkle to your stainless steel, get rid of grease from your microwave and even clean your entire oven. Thanks to the natural acidity of lemon juice, it lends itself to being used for cleaning. Plus, its versatility means it can be mixed in with other natural cleaning remedies.

Salt

Salt is such an everyday kitchen ingredient – it’s mainly used for cooking and seasoning food. However, you can also use salt to help you clean your home. Salt is a mineral that does a fantastic job at helping you scrub off dirt. You can use it to clean grimy pans and get rid of rust. Also, when you combine salt with baking soda or vinegar, it boosts the cleaning effects.

Castile soap

You possibly won’t find this last product in your kitchen cupboard, but when it comes to sorting out natural cleaning remedies there’s no other product quite like Castile soap. It’s a plant-based soap. You can use it to clean your home, as well as yourself.

Changing up your cleaning cupboard and embracing natural products not only saves you some cash, but it’s also much better for the environment. Do you use any natural cleaning products that you’d recommend?

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Price Points: Plastic-free toilet brushes

We’ve got a sexy subject for you as this week’s Price Points… plastic-free toilet brushes!

Considering they’re, admittedly, quite dull items, I’ve spent a fair amount of time researching them on the internet this week. Little by little, we’re trying to cut down on the amount of plastic – both single use and multiple use – that we use. At the moment, we need a new toilet brush, so this is an opportunity on our plastic reduction journey.

I found ‘eco’ examples where the handle was made of wood – so far, so good – but the bristles on the brush were plastic. Or else, the brush was entirely natural, but the holder was plastic. These three, above, are all entirely plastic-free.

#1 is great value, however, it’s the only one that doesn’t come with a holder and I don’t fancy hanging it up by the handle to leave it to drip-dry.

#2 is no-nonsense and unobtrusive – my favourite, in fact. When not in use, the business end is hidden from view, but is quick to put into action.

#3 is probably the most ‘designed’ with a dual-action brush for cleaning the bowl and under the rim. It slots into a hanging bracket, so excess water drips into the pottery saucer below. My favourite model would have been this one if the brush had been concealed in its stand.

Natural coconut fibre toilet brush: £4.49, Amazon
Utility enamel toilet brush holder with natural fibre brush: £28.49, eBay
‘High quality enamelled steel (holder); brush has wooden handle with natural stiff plant fibres.’
Redecker untreated beechwood loo brush and stand with edge cleaner: £34.95, Trouva
‘Redecker brushes are manufactured, as they have been for decades, primarily from native woods, bristles, hair or vegetable fibres. Different natural materials are used to suit various purposes. Synthetic fibres or plastics are rarely used, only for special requirements.’

shop plastic-free toilet brushes

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