Clean yourself green!

By Mel from Cupboard Love

As we start to think about spring cleaning, it’s a good time to think about the cleaning products that you’re using.  The recent findings from the Big Plastic Count were pretty scary in terms of the single-use plastic being used - whether containers are thrown away or recycled, we are still using way too much.  The theme for this year’s Earth Day was Planet Vs Plastics, which further highlighted the need to massively reduce the amount of single-use plastic entering our waste systems.  Recycling is not enough.  So, what are some of the options…

Refilling the containers that you already have is a great way to stop the constant buying of new bottles.  The cleaning products that are offered for refilling by Cupboard Love, Poppy’s Pantry and several others in the area, are much better for the environment too – natural ingredients, no phosphates, artificial fragrances or bleaching agents heading for the water system.  And you’ll be surprised just how many times you can refill the same bottle before it eventually needs replacing!

Another option is to make your own natural cleaning products using a few simple ingredients (all stocked at Cupboard Love – just bring a container or bottle and try a small amount first if you like!).  Here’s what you need to know:

Green Bleach (Oxygen bleach, natural bleach, Percarbonate of soda) Fine granules that react when mixed with water (over 50 degrees) releasing just oxygen -no fumes or strong smells! An eco (odourless) alternative to bleach - use for anything you’d use chemical bleach for. Removes stains and whitens whites - add to laundry or make a paste for spot treating. Disinfects. Removes bad smells. Cleans drains/ plugholes

Citric Acid Best for descaling and removing limescale but also kills bacteria, mould and mildew. Descale your kettle - add a couple of tablespoons to some water and boil your kettle. Leave to cool. Empty and rinse well. Add a cup to your toilet bowl, leave overnight, quick scrub and the limescale will disappear. Use for shower heads, taps and anywhere limescale builds up.

Soda Crystals (washing soda, sodium carbonate) Heavy duty cleaner for grime and grease - sprinkle some down the plughole with boiling water to flush through blockages. Water softener and stain remover - add to laundry for extra cleaning boost. Clean driveways and patios of moss and algae.

Bicarb (sodium bicarbonate) A gently abrasive powder - great when you need a bit of extra scrub! Deodorises bad smells by absorbing them, not just covering them up - clean fridges, microwaves, plastic tubs etc. Make a carpet deodorising powder or sprinkle in stinky trainers!

White vinegar Mix with equal parts water - add a small squirt of washing up liquid for extra cleaning power and essential oils for fragrance for an effective cleaning liquid and disinfectant. Infuse with lemon rinds and/or juice for extra grease busting! Clean surfaces, shower screens, windows. Add to laundry in place of fabric softener (good if you’re washing reusable period products)

If you haven’t already heard of Nancy Birtwhistle, check out her books or watch her online – she’s a font of all knowledge and you’ll find you can replace all your shop-bought cleaning products by using her ‘recipes’!

Happy Spring Cleaning!

 * Visit Cupboard Love Woodbridge & Framlingham markets here.