I’ve just changed over to Ecotricity for my electricity supply. They supply electricity from renewable energy, mainly wind farms. They promise to match the standard price for each regional supplier, so it needn’t cost much more. I’ve only just switched, so I’ll keep you informed when I get my bills! It’s a great idea though, and such a simple thing. The traditional way of creating electricity from fossil fuels is the UK’s biggest cause of climate change. If you choose to switch to Ecotricity you are taking the single biggest step you can take to reduce your impact on the environment. www.ecotricity.co.uk

A 15 year study in Oregon, USA comparing women who didn’t work outside the home with women who did, found a 54% higher death rate from cancer in the women who stayed home. The study suggested that chronic exposure to cleaning products played a role.

Accidental poisoning from household chemicals is one of the most common forms of poisoning in toddlers and young children today.

We all put medication and pain killers out of reach of children, but we tend to keep household cleaning products in the cupboard under the sink!

According to the World Health Organisation, a pollutant released indoors is 1000 times more likely to reach a person’s lungs than a pollutant released outdoors.

• Domestic pollution causes more environmental damage than industrial pollution
• It takes about 800 years for a standard shower gel to degrade
• “Chemicals from products that we use in our homes every day are contaminating Arctic wildlife.” - Colin Butfield, a campaign leader for the Worldwide Fund for Nature

Anti-bacterial products tend to contain the chemical Triclosan, which can pose far more of a risk than the bacteria it kills. After all, we need some exposure to bacteria to help build up our body’s immunity system

Research is beginning to bear out that if we keep our children too over-sanitised, they will not build up strength and resistance to even ordinary colds and bugs

E-Cloths are microfibre cloths. But they are not just any microfibre cloth.. they are the best on the market, in my opinion! I know there are cheaper versions out there, but they really don’t perform to the same high standard as the E-Cloth range.

I use the standard E-Cloths, the glass cleaning cloth and the mop (I just think of the glass cleaning one as a buffer-upper as it shines more than just glass up to a streak-free shine).

The standard cloths used dry pick up any dust and bits from the surface, and traps it on the cloth (must be what the microfibres are for!). The same with a dry mop head, the floor dust and dirt sticks to the little fibres. Dampen the cloth or mop and use a bit of elbow grease and they remove dirt and grime and grease.

E’Cloths absorb excess water too, so I dry off surfaces and sinks and shower screens and tiles with an E-Cloth. Buff up with a dry standard E-Cloth, then finish off with the glass cloth for the best sparkling finish.

My taps, sink, tiles, mirrors, windows, hob, kitchen cupboards, windows no longer have streaks or water marks on them.

You really need at least 2 standard cloths, so that you can use 1 damp and 1 dry. But, they’re not cheap so perhaps just try one to start with what you think, I assure you you’ll be impressed and come back for more so that you have kitchen ones, bathroom ones, one in your car for the misted up windows, one in your shower to stop the water marks building up, glass buffing cloths, mops…

And, of course, you’ll cut down on the use of chemical cleaners as they only need water, which is a bonus. They say they last for up to 300 washes (mine have only been washed about 9 times), so they are actually good value for money if you wash them once a week they’ll last you for, um.. yonks! (Sums aren’t my strong point!)

P.S. Even my mum loves them, and she is a cleaning addict!

1. Clean the nasties off your fruit and veg by sprinkling bicarbonate soda in water and rinsing.
2. Wash out your bins with a bit of bicarb
3. Fridges and freezer clean up beautifully with a bit of bicarbonate soda sprinkled on a damp cloth
4. Keep the fridge free from food smells by simply keeping an open packet of bicarbonate soda in there. It absorbs the odours
5. Absorb kitty litter pongs by sprinkling a bit of bicarb at the bottom of the tray before covering with the kitty litter
6. Use as a scourer on hard surfaces (marble, granite, formica, ceramic), with a sprinkling of bicarbonate soda on a damp sponge
7. Sprinkle the soda on your barbeque grill, soak it, then rinse off
8. Dishwasher odours are neutralised by sprinkling bicarbonate soda on the bottom
9. Run your dishwasher through a cycle with bicarb instead of soap to give it a good clean
10. Scour pans with it, or if they’ve got really burnt on food, let it soak in soda and water
11. Keep drains free flowing and clean by putting 4 tablespoons of bicarbonate soda in them each week, flushing down with hot water
12. Stinky trainers?! Sprinkle some bicarb in to freshen them up
13. It’s another good non-toxic, biodegradable all rounder, and cheap too.

1. Remove stains from stainless steel and chrome with a vinegar dampened cloth.
   
2. Rinse glasses and dishes in water and vinegar to remove spots and stains
   
3. Prevent grease building up in your oven by frequently wiping out with vinegar
   
4. Wiping down walls with a vinegar soaked cloth eliminates mildew, dust and odours
   
5. Vinegar is great for cleaning glass, so use with water to clean windows and mirrors
   
6. Pouring boiling vinegar down drains unclogs and cleans them
   
7. Limescale in your kettle can be removed using vinegar
   
8. Boil vinegar and water in your saucepans to remove stuck on bits or stains (burnt bits in my case!)
   
9. Use vinegar in a spray bottle as a multi-surface cleaner
   
10. Vinegar is a great stain remover on clothing and carpets
    
11. Add vinegar to your washing machine as a natural fabric softener and brightener
    
12. You can clean the limescale out of your steam iron by filling the reservoir with half water / half vinegar and making it steam and spray until the reservoir is empty
    
13. Hot vinegar removes paint from glass
    
14. Cut flowers last longer if you add 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of sugar to the vase
    
15. Ants hate vinegar! Wipe your garden table with vinegar to enjoy ant-free alfresco dining! Or spray in problem areas, it’ll keep them away.
    
16. Vinegar neutralises the ammonia smell in urine, so clean out your cats litter tray with it.
    
17. Does your dog smells, well, a bit doggy?! When giving your dog a bath, add a couple of cups of vinegar to the final rinse. This reduces that doggy smell and makes their coat gleam.
    
18. Apparently, adding vinegar to your shampoo will make your hair gleam too! But I’m not sure I want to try that one!
    
19. Vinegar cleans out and freshens your fridge
    
20. To summarise (!), vinegar is a useful all round degreaser, odour neutraliser, limescale remover, water softener and jack of all trades. And it’s CHEAP!!

1. Don’t let the water run when brushing your teeth, shaving, etc.
2. Fill the sink with water while washing dishes and only use fresh water when rinsing. Minimize soap to avoid extra rinsing.
3. Run your dishwasher only when it’s full.
4. Limit your shower time. Even a one or two minute reduction can save you 700 gallons!
5. Never pour water down the drain if there’s another use for it, such as watering your plants or garden.
6. Set the water level in your washing machine for the size of the load.
7. Always water your lawn or garden during the cool time of the day (at night or early morning) to minimize evaporation.
8. Instead of letting the water run while cleaning your veggies rinse them in a pot with water.
9. Compost instead of using the garbage disposal.
10. Wash your car on the lawn instead of the driveway. The water will help the grass, but don’t forget to use eco-friendly car wash.