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Zingy lemon disinfectant


A worthy all-purpose disinfectant, highly effective at killing germs on all ceramic surfaces. Spray on tiles and ceramic surfaces, and leave for a few minutes before wiping with a clean damp cloth.

6 tablespoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons borax substitute

½ teaspoon washing soda/soda crystals

6 tablespoons white vinegar

3 cups filtered/distilled hot water

Mix together all ingredients in a glass spray bottle.

Carefully add the hot water, and shake the bottle until all of the ingredients have dissolved. Always shake bottle before use.

How to clean your drains and keep them smelling fresh

drain cleaning
For sweet smelling drains, and to prevent grease and unpleasant odours in sink or bathroom drains, pour a handful of salt or a 1/4 cup of baking soda down the kitchen or bathroom plughole, and wait 5 minutes before flushing with warm water.

This will ensure your drains remain residue-free and smelling fresh. Do this weekly to keep drains clear and deodorised. To instantly freshen up smelly drains you could also pour 2 cups of white vinegar down the drain and leave for 30 to 45 minutes before flushing with a bucket of hot water.

Bathroom sinks, showers and bathtub drains have to cope with the daily bombardment of hair, skin, soap, shampoo and body wash residues so it’s not surprising they often become blocked and clogged up. To clear and dissolve the problem, mix 1 cup of salt, 1 cup of baking soda and ½ a cup of white vinegar together in a bowl. Pour the mixture down the drain and leave to work for 30 minutes before flushing thoroughly with hot water.

How to Clean Glassware Safely and Naturally

For sparkling glassware and to remove stubborn stains, add a little salt to a damp microfibre cloth for extra abrasive power and rub gently in a circular motion. Although the salt is abrasive, it is gentle enough not to scratch the delicate glass. Rinse with warm water and dry to a high shine with a glass cloth.

For spotless glasses whilst using the dishwasher, place 1 cup of white vinegar into the rinse aid well while running, this is also effective on stainless steel cutlery. 

“A frog in the mud is happier than the man, because it has no ambition to reach the stars!”


They may not be cute and cuddly but frogs are an important part of Australia’s creeks, rivers and wetlands. If frogs start disappearing from the landscape, it is a sure sign that it’s time to take better care of their watery homes. A frog’s skin is permeable, which means that water and other gases can pass through it. Pollutants are potentially harmful, and sometimes lethal.

Did you know that insect repellents; flea and tick sprays, powders, and pet collars; cockroach sprays and baits; rat and mice poisons; some kitchen, laundry and bath disinfectants and sanitisers; mould and mildew killers; some lawn and garden products (such as weed killers); and some swimming pool chemicals are classified as pesticides?

We cannot rely on the sewerage system to take care of the household items we put down the drain. Everything we do may directly affect our waterways and the frogs that live in them. Keep in mind: non-chemical methods of cleaning or pest control can be as effective as a chemical alternative.

The surprising household benefits of olive oil


Olive trees are one of the oldest known cultivated species in the world, with a life span of between 300 and 400 years. The trees belong to the Oleaceae family, along with Ash, Jasmine and Lilacs.

The olive’s precise origins remain a mystery but are believed to have originated in the Mediterranean Basin and Asia Minor. Early cultivation is thought to have begun over 6000 years ago in Syria, Palestine and Crete.

The ancient Greeks considered the olive tree to be a gift from their goddess Athena, utilising the oil of the fruit in religious ceremonies. So sacred was the tree to the Greeks that it was prohibited to cut down an olive tree under any circumstances, with offenders facing a penalty of death.

The fruit of the olive and its oils are extremely abundant in the Mediterranean and other countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Iran, where they make up an integral and particularly important part of everyday life.

The oil was originally used as lamp fuel and it was not until 1600BC that the culinary benefits were eventually discovered by the Greeks. Word soon spread and before long, the Italians, Spanish and French were all cultivating the fruit and producing oils for culinary use.

Throughout history, the virtues of the ancient olive tree have been many. It has been the foundation of great wealth, greed and power, anointed the noblest kings and queens, crowned our elite sportsmen and women and is said to be both magical and medicinal, earning its title “Liquid Gold” – by Homer, the Immortal Greek Poet.

Today, our appreciation for olives and their miraculous oil has grown such that worldwide production of olive oil is around 3 million metric tons per year. We are aware of the olive’s health benefits from diet (the Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil, is believed to increase longevity and decrease the risk of heart disease and other serious illnesses) to skin care (the Romans swore by the oil for its hydrating and softening properties and would use it after bathing to moisturise their faces and bodies). What we may be less aware of is that olive oil is a useful and effective addition to our home cleaning kits.

Oils have many surprising household benefits beyond the kitchen. They produce fabulous wood and furniture polishes, as they possess the power to hydrate and revive thirsty, dried-out wooden furniture and surfaces, and dislodge dust and dirt, while reducing and diminishing unsightly scratches. They are also extremely effective at making stainless steel appliances sparkle.

All you need to know about Cleaning with Vinegar


It is somewhat fascinating that in this advanced, modern world we live in today, we are still producing a product discovered by accident, over 10,000 years ago. Vin-aigre, as the French named it, meaning sour wine, is exactly how vinegar first originated: A cask of wine was discovered well past its best and over a prolonged period of time had transformed itself into the wonderful new commodity we now recognise as vinegar.

For thousands of years, vinegar has been utilised around the globe, by a multitude of people, in a host of different ways. The first written history of vinegar dates back to China in 1200 BC. Around 5000 BC, the Babylonians fermented the fruit of date palms to brew wine and vinegar, flavoured with herbs and spices, which in turn were employed for preserving and pickling food.The Ancient Romans would distil numerous varieties of vinegar from wine, dates, figs and assorted fruits. The vinegars were then transformed into dips.

During biblical times, vinegar was added not only to dips but to certain foods to flavour them. Additionally, it became popular as a medicinal energising pick-me-up.In the bible, vinegar is mentioned as often as wine, the New Testament tells of how a vinegar soaked sponge was held to the scorched, dry lips of Jesus to ease his thirst on the cross.

In Ancient Greece, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, prescribed apple cider vinegar and honey for a variety of ailments, including sore throats, coughs and colds.Throughout history, soldiers from around the world have been diluting vinegar with water and drinking it as a strengthening and energising tonic. The Japanese Samurais swore by its benefits, believing it enhanced strength and power. They would drink it regularly to boost their performance. Similarly, the Roman soldiers believed it to increase stamina and endurance, naming the magical brew Posca. The addition of vinegar to drinking water of course had the added benefit of killing germs and bacteria that might have been present in the water.

By the early middle ages, people were ingesting vinegar extensively as a medicine to cure digestive problems, fevers, coughs and colds. It was employed liberally to dress and sterilise wounds and served as an important blood-clotting agent. During the Black Plague, doctors would rub vinegar infused with essential oils and herbs all over their bodies for protection, whist tending to contagious patients.

Throughout the late Middle Ages, soldiers began to recognised vinegar’s value as a cleaning agent: When mixed with an abrasive such as sand, vinegar was found to be effective at cleaning and polishing armour.

By the time of the Renaissance in Europe, vinegar production was a thriving industry and had become the essential ingredient in many old-fashioned remedies and recipes handed down from generation to generation.In 1968, the Vinegar Institute was formed to assist producers to protect their rights, and in 1999, the International Vinegar Museum was opened to inform people of the countless benefits vinegar has to offer, not only as a condiment but also for a multitude of purposes in our daily lives and environments.

This kitchen staple is so versatile and handy around the house. It has a whole array of valuable qualities and is a main ingredient in countless home-made cleaners.

There are numerous vinegars on the market; however, I tend to use white vinegar in my cleaning solutions. It is extremely versatile and I favour it in my recipes more than any other style. It is colourless, mildly acidic and effortlessly dissolves dirt, grease and soap scum.

How to Clean Chrome Safely and Naturally


Shine chrome taps and fixtures with undiluted white vinegar. It is ideal for removing streaks from stainless steel taps and appliances. Apply the vinegar with a clean microfibre cloth and buff dry to a high gloss finish. Undiluted vodka is also an excellent option, rub directly on to chrome fittings and fixtures, allow to dry, and buff with a clean, dry microfibre cloth for a beautiful, polished and germ-free finish.

Note: As with all cleaning products, keep vodka sprays and solutions out of reach of children and animals due to the alcohol content.

Toothpaste is also a quick fix to make chrome taps, door handles and door knobs sparkle. Place a good squeeze of toothpaste onto a clean cloth and rub over the surface of the tap or handle, leave for a minute before buffing to a high shine.

Or for badly stained fittings try making up the Chrome, copper and stainless steel cleaner recipe. The addition of the salt in this recipe lends a slightly abrasive texture, yet the solution remains gentle enough not to scratch.

The Vodka soda glass and surface cleaner is also excellent for effortless everyday cleaning of chrome taps and fixings.

How to Clean Chopping Boards Safely and Naturally

Lemon juice is excellent for eliminating stains and odours from chopping boards; its antibacterial powers kill the build-up of germs and microorganisms, while its bleaching agent naturally lifts stains, leaving the board not only clean but sanitised. Cut a lemon in half and juice; rub the chopping board all over with the cut sides of the juiced lemon. Follow by washing the board with the juice of the lemon and a clean microfibre cloth. Let the solution sit until the stains and odours begin to fade. For tough stains, the lemon may be left on overnight, then rinsed off the following morning with warm water.

The Cleaning Power of Salt For Non-Toxic Cleaning Purposes

Salt is a chemical compound of sodium and chlorine, and is one of the most basic, plentiful molecules on earth. This simple compound is essential to life itself, as our bodies require salt to function correctly and to regulate our fluid levels.

Salt is present in our vast expanse of oceans and seas. It can be found on the surface of the ocean as brine and below the skin of the earth in the form of salt licks. The salt forms in white veins and is often mined from shafts over half a mile deep.

We are all aware of the significance of salt in cooking, but this resourceful compound is widely employed in over 14,000 commercial applications, from paper production to road safety. This makes it an important and essential mineral for humankind. For centuries, it has played a key role in economic, religious, social and political practices and it is a common topic in many stories, fables and fairy tales.

Today, salt occupies a momentous role in our daily lives with its ability to season and preserve food. It transforms our dependence on seasonal availability, and enables us to store and ship consumables around the world without them spoiling. Salt is inexpensive, easy to obtain and a commodity that we often take for granted. However, in ancient times, it was highly valued and its production was legally restricted, hence its historical use as a method of trade and currency. In fact, the word ‘salary’ derives from salt, and in Roman times it was common practice to pay soldiers wages with this highly prized mineral.

There are  many forms of salt produced today: unrefined salt such as Celtic, Himalayan, kosher, and sea salt; as well as refined, iodised table salt. All these salts can be used to deal with the toughest jobs around the house.

One of the most common, inexpensive household products, salt is an extraordinary cleaning and deodorising agent that can be used as an abrasive for scrubbing and eliminating mould and mildew, or diluted and dissolved into various cleaning solutions. It quickly absorbs foul odours and prevents grease and grime build-up as its granular texture acts as a gentle yet effective scourer.

Salt is extremely versatile and can tackle a wide range of household cleaning tasks. It can be used alone, or mixed with other natural agents; for example, lemon, vinegar and baking soda to boost their cleansing and deodorising powers.

All you need to know about Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound with a formula of H2O2. It is the only germicidal agent composed solely of water and oxygen. This astounding solution kills dangerous germs and micro-organisms through a process of oxidation and is considered to be the world’s safest, all-natural disinfectant and sanitiser. Now that’s an impressive accolade! It was first discovered in 1818 by Louis Jaques Thenard,  who happened to stumble upon it quite by chance, while burning barium salts to produce barium peroxide. Thenard noticed that when barium peroxide came into contact with water and dissolved, hydrogen peroxide was produced. Over many years, he worked tirelessly to improve this process and his was the most common method of production until the mid-twentieth century.

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound with a formula of H2O2. It is the only germicidal agent composed solely of water and oxygen. This astounding solution kills dangerous germs and micro-organisms through a process of oxidation and is considered to be the world’s safest, all-natural disinfectant and sanitiser. Now that’s an impressive accolade! It was first discovered in 1818 by Louis Jaques Thenard,  who happened to stumble upon it quite by chance, while burning barium salts to produce barium peroxide. Thenard noticed that when barium peroxide came into contact with water and dissolved, hydrogen peroxide was produced. Over many years, he worked tirelessly to improve this process and his was the most common method of production until the mid-twentieth century.

In 1863 it was proved that hydrogen peroxide was present in rainwater and the American Medical Association announced that this had long been Mother Nature’s way of sterilising herself.

Hydrogen peroxide has a lengthy history as a bleaching agent, steriliser, oxidiser and disinfectant. Both gentle and non-toxic, it is used in a variety of industries around the world. A recent study showed hydrogen peroxide to be a powerful and highly effective disinfectant for surfaces in research labs, animal labs, and hospital rooms, thus rendering it an excellent product for bathrooms and kitchens. This natural commodity offers endless cleaning possibilities. You can purchase 3-10% hydrogen peroxide at most supermarkets and grocery stores. I usually use 3% strength and find this is adequate for most cleaning tasks around the home.

Often referred to as “The Wonder Cleaner”, hydrogen peroxide is non-toxic, practical, inexpensive and an excellent green cleaner. Hydrogen peroxide kills germs and organisms through oxidation and is considered the safest and most effective natural sanitiser available. Therefore, it is a fantastic environmentally-friendly alternative to bleach.