A series of eco-friendly articles to encourage more of us to clean our homes in a planet friendly way. Its kind to nature and to your pocket. There are a number of forgotten easily obtained substitutes for effective “green” in your home (they may even be hiding in your cupboards right now!)

A fantastic eco-friendly stain remover, white vinegar is easily available, cheap and harmless to use. White vinegar is a mild acid, it is very effective on certain solid stains, such as limescale and calcium deposits (“soap scum”) from hard water – for example, in the shower and bath.

White vinegar can even unclog the washing machine; once a month pour one cup of white vinegar into the washing machine and run the machine through a normal cycle, without clothes (obviously!).

Other stains it works on include stubborn stains on furniture and upholstery, mildew and mould on bathroom tiles and shower curtains, food stains in pots and pans, stains in toilet bowls, perspiration on clothes, scorch marks and animal urine stains in the carpet.

Vinegar is also a great natural air freshener – placing a small bowl of vinegar in the room or spraying some into the air will deodorise a room filled with smoke or paint fumes.