CLEAN UP YOUR ACT

It’s time to tackle that annual tidying ritual, the spring clean. Luckily, has sorted the kit, green cleaning solutions and short cuts to make it easy

“Vinegar is cheap, cuts through grease like nothing else, deodorises and some people even swear by its use as a disinfectant,” she points out. “If you don’t like the smell, you can use fruit peelings and whatever herbs you have to hand.”

One of her favourite combinations is Lemon, Lavender & Thyme Concentrate (recipe right) which can be used whenever any cleaning recipe calls for vinegar, or as an all-purpose kitchen-cleaning spray.

Half-fill a spray bottle with the scented vinegar mixture and top up the other half with cooled boiled water (for a 50/50 dilution).

Diluting is important because the concentrated citrus oils, undiluted, could stain lighter surfaces. Warning: Do not use on marble, granite or other natural stone surfaces.

Use approximately 500ml/17floz white vinegar; peel of approximately 8-10 lemons; a generous handful of thyme sprigs; and a generous handful of lavender sprigs. You’ll also need a 1l/35fl oz lidded glass jar.

Add the lemon peel and herbs to your jar. If you’re using frozen lemon peel, there’s no need to defrost. Add the vinegar, covering the lemon peel and herbs. Give contents a stir, then put on the lid and seal tight.

Leave jar in a cool, dark place for about 14 days, or longer if you want a stronger scent. Then strain the liquid through a sieve, pressing down on the lemon peel and herbs to squeeze as much liquid out as possible.

Pour the strained liquid back into the jar, and pop the peel and herbs in your compost bin.

If mixing up your own cleaning potion doesn’t appeal, RE for the home has a Heart Of The Home Eco Cleaner that’s 100% natural, vegan, biodegradable and hypoallergenic.

It’s available in three essential oil fragrances – spearmint rosemary and peppermint; lavender, sage and rose geranium; eucalyptus, lemongrass and marjoram. “I used to use bleach to clean my solid floors (such as linoleum, vinyl and tiles),” says Wendy. “It did a fine-enough job, but the smell! My house ended up smelling like a swimming pool, and made me feel nauseous. The result was that I avoided cleaning the floors as much as possible.

“These days, I’ve opted for a natural solution that leaves my home smelling like a forest instead of a municipal pool.” Use immediately

150ml/5fl oz witch hazel; 1 tbsp borax substitute; 40 drops pine essential oil; 3-4 litres/5-7 pints very warm water

Add the witch hazel, borax substitute and essential oil to the warm water and stir well, ensuring the borax substitute dissolves fully. To use: Dip your mop into the mixture, wring out as much liquid as possible, then wipe over your floor as normal.