This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
According to a recent article in the Daily Mail we spend approximately £1 billion a year in the UK on cleaning products alone. Many of us are now finding alternative ways to carry out our cleaning without breaking the bank.
1. Rubber gloves
Before you start cleaning with strong chemicals it is a good idea to invest in some latex, rubber or nitrile gloves from Brosch Direct. These not only protect your hands from the harsh cleaning sprays, they are also handy if you need to remove animal hairs from furniture and rugs.
2. Freshening your carpets
There are many carpet fresheners on the market, but the Good Housekeeping website suggests that you sprinkle baking soda over your rugs or carpets, leave for approximately 15 minutes and then vacuum. This removes any odours and saves you money as well.
3. Cleaning a microwave
The microwave has become an integral part of the modern kitchen, but it is often overlooked when it comes to cleaning. One simple method is to place a cup of boiling water and half a cup of lemon juice into the oven and heat on full power for 30 seconds, remove and wipe the inside clean.
4. Steam cleaning
Removing grease and sticky messes from floors, work surfaces or cookers can be made much easier and chemical free if you invest in a steam cleaner. They only need tap water and can be used on virtually any surface.
5. Green cleaning
Lots of people are using old methods of cleaning that have been used for years. Adding vinegar to hot water to mop the floor or to clean your windows are two of the many uses for this condiment that most people have in their cupboards.
6. Make your home smell fresh
Keeping the air in your home clean and fresh can be achieved by making your own natural air fresheners using either strong scented herbs or flowers. Having plenty of plants around your house will also help to purify the air.
7. Natural wood cleaners
Cleaning wooden furniture with shop brought sprays is not always a good way to treat wood, the more you use these cleaners the more the chemicals build up and dull the finish. A simple way to keep furniture bright is to mix equal parts of lemon juice and olive oil and simply wipe the surface in even long strokes.
8. Refreshing dishwashers
There’s nothing worse than opening the dishwasher to find that it’s lined with grease and smells. You can pour a quarter of a cup of bleach into the usual dish cycle of the machine to clear away any unwanted bacteria.
9. Vacuum away allergies
If you suffer from asthma or allergies it is well worth investing in a vacuum cleaner that has special filters attached which will collect any microscopic particles that would normally be released into the air and collect on your chest.
10. Spring clean the shed
As soon as the weather starts to get warmer you’ll know it’s time to start preparing for the spring workout in the garden. Clearing out the shed or garage and checking the lawnmower and other tools will make the job a little bit easier when the time arrives.
Check out the Daily Mail’s zany housekeeping tips here if you’re intrigued as to how you can clean your loo with cola or descale your kettle with lemon. And Good Housekeeping’s 10 Smart Ways to Clean Fast is also worth a peek.