Super-soft citrus
shower & bath scrub
PRODUCT PIONEERS
A few of our favourite clean and
green cleaners to buyKINN Beauty From a small British
family firm, this range of cleaning
and beauty products comes in chic,
minimalist packaging and smells
wonderful. Sold online and in
Waitrose; kinn-living.com.
Bio-D This widely available green
brand, based in Hull, is still
independently owned. Bio-D products
meet the standards for commercial
food preparation; biodegradable.biz.
Ecover The veteran Belgian brand is
now producing its washing-up liquid
in 100% recycled and recyclable
plastic (it says all its bottles will be like
this by 2020) and has trialled a bottle
made from 50% waste plastic
collected from the ocean.
Libby Chan Probiotic CleanerThis
product is so natural it’s technically
edible; ingredients include yeast,
yoghurt and Fairtrade sugar. Rich with
beneficial bacteria, the ‘live’ fluid is
designed to not only clean but to help
populate your home with beneficial
microbes; mylivingwateruk.com.
e-clothA product that can help you
do awaywith cleaning sprays and
liquids altogether, the original micro-
fibre cloth only needs water to clean
well on many surfaces and has been
shown to remove bacteria as well as
sticky spills and grease; e-cloth.com.
LoofCoThese brushes and
washing-up pads are made from
coconut fibres or sustainably farmed
loofah. They are either biodegradable
or recyclable, and a great alternative
to disposable plastic sponges and
scourers; natbrands.co.uk.For acrylic baths and shower trays,
this gentle, soft scrub is great at
cleaning up soap scum, tidemarks,
dried-on toothpaste and anything
else your bathroom can throw at you.
Makes 250g
200g bicarbonate of soda
1½ tbsp liquid castile soap
1 tbsp cooled boiled water
5 drops grapefruit essential oil
5 drops lemon essential oil
5 drops sweet orange essential oil
250g lidded glass jar
Put the bicarbonate of soda in the jar,
then add the liquid castile soap and
stir well. Next, add the water and oils
and stir to form a smooth paste. It
shouldn’t be runny – you should be
able to form a clump in your hand. If
the mixture is too dry, add water a
little at a time until you have the right
consistency. If it’s too wet, add a bit
more bicarbonate of soda. When
you’re happy, place the lid on the jar
and secure tightly. This will last about
eight weeks.How to use
Use a small wooden scrubbing brush,
intended for pots and pans. Wet the
brush, then spoon a small amount
onto the bristles and scrub surfaces in
circular movements. Don’t forget to
rinse down afterwards to avoid that
gritty feeling when you get in for a
soak. Shower screens may need a
final wipe down with an e-cloth.PROUDLY
HOMEMADERecipes taken from Fresh Clean Home
by Wendy Graham (Pavilion).
Photography: Rachel Whiting“Eco products are becoming
more effective, more stylishly
packaged and nicer to use”
»
Storing homemade
cleaners in re-used
bottles and jars makes
them even greener43