Make your own eco-friendly CLEANING PRODUCTS
BE YOUR OWN SUSTAINABLE SUPERHERO WITH THESE EASY DIY PROJECTS
One great way to reduce the carbon and water footprint, and plastic waste associated with cleaning products is to reduce how many products you buy in the first place.
By consolidating your cleaning cupboard, you’ll also save space and money. If you think you’ll only use some specific kitchen cleaning product once or very occasionally, it might be worth finding an alternative.
MAKE YOUR OWN...
ALL-PURPOSE CITRUS CLEANER
White vinegar is a great cleaning aid. It can dissolve rust and dirt. It also destroys many bacterias and fungi, which in turn helps to remove odour. Teaming it with your leftover citrus rinds makes a greatsmelling surface cleaner. Be mindful not to use it on anything you have used bleach on (as it can cause fumes) and always store undiluted vinegar in a glass container.
1 Collect lemon, grapefruit, lime or orange rinds in a 500g jar.
2 When you have filled the jar, submerge them in 500ml (2 cups) white vinegar and store in the fridge to prevent the citrus from moulding. Leave to steep for a week.
3 Strain the liquid through a fine sieve into a 1-litre spray bottle using a funnel, measuring how much goes through. Add the same quantity of water to the mixture and shake well. Your spray is ready to use.
HEAVY-DUTY HOB AND OVEN CLEANER
1 To make your own cleaner, place 4 tblsps bicarbonate of soda in a bowl, then add a little warm water to make a paste.
2 Scrub your hob with the mix to remove stains.
3 For the oven, decant 100ml (scant ½ cup) white vinegar into a small spray bottle.
4 Apply the paste, spray with white vinegar and leave it to sizzle for 15 minutes, then scrub to remove stains.
5 If stains inside the oven are very stubborn, heat a large tray of water inside to produce steam, then scrub with your bicarb paste.
DISINFECTING COUNTERTOP SPRAY
1 While wearing gloves, mix together 150ml
(²/ cup) filtered water and 350ml (1½ cups) 100 per cent ethanol in a HDPE or glass bottle.
2 Store in a cool, dry place out of sunlight. Make sure to store any remaining 100 per cent ethanol in a safely secured cupboard out of direct sunlight.