| One issue that many people have when it comes to | | | | However, the seat and (worse still) behind the seat is |
| cleaning and natural house cleaning products is the | | | | where they get. |
| issue of germs. Can you really sanitize toilets and | | | | 4 cups water |
| food preparation surfaces (or, if you're cleaning | | | | ½ cup soap gel, preferably made from castile soap |
| carpets, the place where the dog misbehaved) using | | | | 2 tablespoons tea tree essential oil |
| natural cleaners? Actually, yes you can. A number of | | | | 20 drops essential oil of peppermint, lavender, pine or |
| natural ingredients have been known as germ-killers | | | | eucalyptus |
| for a very long time. Not all of them can be used for | | | | Shake together in a spray-top container and leave |
| every single cleaning job, but you should find | | | | for a while to let the oils work thoroughly into the |
| something that suits what you're doing. | | | | water and soap. Spray wherever you need it. An old |
| Boiling water: The simplest germ-killer of them all. | | | | toothbrush is great for cleaning lavatories around the |
| Small items (heat proof, obviously!) can be dropped | | | | hinges of the lid and other tricky places - so handy |
| into a pot of boiling water. Alternatively, you can | | | | that old toothbrushes are often part of a |
| pour boiling water over larger items, assuming that | | | | professional cleaner's toolkit. |
| (a) you're not going to ruin it by getting it hot and | | | | Vinegar: |
| wet, (b) you won't scald yourself. Boiling water is | | | | Vinegar is one of the non-poisonous germ killers, |
| good for cleaning cutlery and crockery, especially if | | | | which is why it is used as a natural preservative in |
| they have been used by someone who's ill. | | | | things like pickles. Vinegar can be used neat to clean |
| Bathroom disinfectant: | | | | up mould, as the acid breaks down the spores. |
| Use this for cleaning the bathroom or other damp | | | | Salt: |
| areas that are prone to mould and mildew. | | | | Common salt is another edible germ-killer. Usually, salt |
| 1 cup hot water | | | | is used more as an anti-bacterial mouthwash or for |
| 5 drops thyme essential oil | | | | washing wounds (ouch!). But it can also be used as an |
| 1/8 cup borax | | | | antibacterial scouring powder, assuming that you |
| Shake together in a spray bottle. You don't have to | | | | have grains of salt that aren't too large. A very |
| allow it to cool before using. Alternatively, you can | | | | strong solution of salt can be used to soak fabric |
| replace the thyme essential oil with the same amount | | | | items that have something revolting on them. Those |
| of tea tree oil, or with four drops of pine essential oil | | | | living near the coast can use sea water. |
| and two drops of cedar oil. | | | | Methylated spirits, surgical (rubbing) alcohol, vodka or |
| Loo cleaner: | | | | whisky (etc): |
| This can be used for cleaning toilets inside and out. | | | | Any strong alcohol is a disinfectant and can be |
| Actually, contrary to wht many people believe, it isn't | | | | sprayed or wiped onto most surfaces. It evaporates |
| the bowl of the toilet that is favoured by germs. You | | | | off easily without leaving any residue, so it is useful |
| flush fresh water through the bowl umpteen times a | | | | for window cleaning or glass cleaning. |
| day (with or without a tank hippo), don't you? | | | | |