| 1. The multi-purpose spray. This is made from water | | | | 3. An Enjo microfibre mitt. This is the only "brand |
| and white vinegar in about 50:50 proportions, plus | | | | name" cleaning product I use, but you can't beat it |
| about 10 or more drops of tea tree essential oil. This | | | | for cleaning up greasy surfaces. The green Enjo mitt |
| spray gets used all the time for all sorts of home | | | | - the one designed for greasy work - is great for |
| cleaning jobs. I use it for cleaning kitchen surfaces, | | | | cleaning oil spills and spatters off the top of the |
| cleaning glass and mirrors, cleaning the front of the | | | | stove after a beginner cook has been frying things |
| refrigerator and the microwave and even for cleaning | | | | without putting a lid over it, and is also great for |
| the toilet - that tea tree oil and the vinegar makes | | | | cleaning off the barbecue. |
| the spray a germ-killer. And when it's not cleaning | | | | 4. Old toothbrushes. You can't beat old toothbrushes |
| day, the multi-purpose spray can also be used as a | | | | for getting into odd nooks and crannies. Even |
| toilet air freshener that is free from VOC and artificial | | | | professional house cleaners tend to have an old |
| (and potential carcinogenic) fragrances. | | | | toothbrush or three in their cleaning toolkit, especially |
| 2. Soft cloths. Soft cloths are the best ally for any | | | | if their work involves cleaning toilets. |
| cleaner, professional or not. Often, a good rub with a | | | | 5. Soap gel. Soap gel is great for cleaning floors, |
| soft cloth is all the cleaning that some items need | | | | cleaning cars, cleaning carpets and cleaning the inside |
| (this tends to be the shower head). Soft cloths can | | | | of toilets, as well as for handwashing woolens and |
| be dipped in water and used as dusters, and they | | | | other delicate items. Soap gel is very simple to make: |
| can also be used for buffing and polishing. Soft cloths | | | | all you have to do is to save up those useless little |
| also cut down on waste compared to paper towels, | | | | slivers of soap left over at the end of the bar or |
| as they can be washed and reused after a cleaning | | | | else chop up a bar of cheap soap. Pour boiling water |
| job, with the exception of polishing boots and shoes, | | | | over the bits, then leave the mix to melt and cool to |
| which requires a dedicated rag or three. The other | | | | a gel. Soap gel can also be used as shampoo and as |
| great thing about soft cloths for cleaning is that they | | | | an aphid deterrent. I have also tried using it for |
| cut down on waste another way: you can make | | | | washing dishes, but this doesn't work too well in a |
| them from old towels, old sheets and other tattered | | | | hard water area, and the items have to be rinsed |
| items rather than throwing these away. Soft cloths | | | | thoroughly, preferably in water with a splash of |
| can be used any way that you use tissues or paper | | | | vinegar in, before drying, or they get soap spots. |
| towels, but are much longer lasting. | | | | Soap gel works best in warm water rather than cold. |