Green cleaning advice for the bathroom

Would you like to help the Earth and possibly save some money along the way? With these eco-friendly cleaning tips, you can use common household items to achieve a spotless bathroom without breaking the bank.

You don't need harsh commercial cleaners to keep showers and bathtubs free of scum and mould, just a bit of regular cleaning and smart use of household products.

• Never use an abrasive cleaner on baths because it may scratch the surface. A little dish-washing liquid on a cloth is a good alternative.
• Clean soap scum from a glass shower screen by mixing two parts salt with one part vinegar. Rub the mixture onto the screen with a cloth (or even fine steel wool), then rinse and dry.
• To disinfect the shower recess and to clean mould from grout, mix 50 grams (1/4 cup) of borax with 500 millilitres (2 cups) of very hot water and one millilitre (1/4 teaspoon) of tea tree oil. Shake in a spray bottle until the borax dissolves. Spray on surfaces, leave overnight and rinse.
• After cleaning the shower, wipe the tiles and screen with a few drops of almond oil to prevent the buildup of soap scum.
• To prevent the bathroom mirror fogging up while showering, wipe it with glycerine or a thin film of shaving cream. Buff with a dry cloth.
• Reuse plastic orange nets in the bathroom as scouring pads or to hold children's bath toys.

Sinks and basins often see a buildup of grime over time, but keeping them sparkling clean is easy using basic items that you might already have.

• Old nylon stockings work well for cleaning bathroom porcelain that scratches easily. Use them with a mild abrasive, such as baking soda, salt or cream of tartar.
• Rub lemon juice around drains to remove grease and lime scale. Another way to remove lime scale is by rubbing hard with a plastic scouring pad and dish-washing liquid.
• For the orange-brown stains that result from dripping taps, rub vigorously with a mixture of 5 grams (1 teaspoon) of salt to 125 millilitres (1/2 cup) of white vinegar. This also works for hard-water deposits.
• Use old toothbrushes or denture brushes sprinkled with baking soda to clean fiddly crevices around taps and plugs. Another good cleaning agent is toothpaste. Try it on taps as well as teeth – it will give your chrome added sparkle.
• To remove oily deposits or lime scale from around taps, try wrapping them in a cloth soaked in white vinegar. Leave the cloth for about half an hour before rinsing.
• To clean mirrors, window glass and tiles, dilute 125 millilitres (1/2 cup) of vinegar in 2 litres (2 quarts) of water. It's better than plain water because it doesn't leave a water mark.

Unfortunately, mould and bathrooms often go hand in hand. Good ventilation is essential to prevent it. Open windows and install an exhaust fan if necessary. After showering, air and dry damp towels outside to keep moisture down.

• Stop mould from forming by treating susceptible surfaces with a mixture of 10 grams (2 teaspoons) of borax and 250 millilitres (1 cup) of white vinegar. Spray or apply with a cloth and leave for 30 minutes before wiping off.
• Apply a paste of baking soda and water to clean the grout between shower or floor tiles. Scrub with an old toothbrush and then rinse.
• To reduce mould on a shower curtain, get into the habit of drying the curtain with a towel after each shower.
• To clean mould off a shower curtain, scrub with baking soda. Alternatively, use a paste made from vinegar or lemon juice and borax. Rub the curtain vigorously and rinse well.

Keeping your bathroom spotless and fresh using methods that are gentle on the environment is easier than you think!