Nine DIY cleaning tricks

Paula Dooge, Green Ideas reader, Hawke’s Bay

“For the kitchen and dining room I always have a mixture of baking powder, vinegar and water (sometimes with a few drops of eucalyptus or tea tree oil) in a spray bottle. I’ve found it doesn’t really matter what amounts you mix up.”

Sue Kinmond, Green Ideas advertising manager, Auckland

“To clean your bathtub and shower screen, just cut a lemon or lime in half and dip it into bicarbonate of soda. Scrub with the dipped lemon to remove soap scum – keep re-dipping as needed. Rinse with water for a sparkling clean.”

Tina Toschi, Green Ideas reader, Auckland

“Here is a recipe my mum gave me aeons ago for descaling a kettle: half fill the kettle with water. Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Boil the water, then stand for one minute. Rinse the kettle and repeat the process. Also I came across two invaluable books, both published by Star Fire (www.star-fire.co.uk): Vinegar: The complete practical handbook by Maria Costantino & Gina Steer and Bicarbonate of Soda: Hundreds of everyday uses by Diane Sutherland.”

Jenny Barrow, Green Ideas reader, Gulf Harbour

“I am new to this but have just made my own all-purpose cleaner and glass cleaner. Both are equal parts water and white vinegar with the all-purpose cleaner having a little lavender oil added as well. See www.dycvinegar.co.nz for an amazing page of tips for homemade cleaning products.”

John Wraight, Green Ideas reader, Paekakariki

“To keep the compost bucket fresher and cleaner, I line it with a couple of sheets of newspaper – it absorbs excess liquid and smells, and gives my worms something to read! It also works well at deodorising the kitchen rubbish bin and recycling bucket.”

Nellie Oakley, Green Ideas reader and CEO of natural cosmetics company Santé, Wellington

“I use eucalyptus essential oil for so many of my cleaning needs, including keeping the toilet smelling fresh without using yucky spray, removing sticker labels on jars I want to reuse, adding it to white vinegar for a natural mould killer and adding it to my homemade dishwashing liquid for extra cleaning.”

Julie Guest, Green Ideas reader, Tauranga

“My cream cleanser replacements are a) white toothpaste for delicate jobs such as getting marks off pale matt painted walls. (Also toothpaste is a marvel for removing ink from fabric. Lather on, leave to absorb and wash.) And b) baking soda mixed with dishwashing detergent (or yellow laundry soap, grated and soaked in boiling water).”

Hazel Lucy, Green Ideas reader, Oamaru

“Top of my list for oven cleaner is a thick paste of baking soda. You do have to rinse well but really what harm is there in having some white powdery residue left behind? That same paste looks after my ceramic cooktop and gunk stuck in pots and pans and also makes an excellent stainless steel sink polish. White vinegar, meanwhile, kills nasties. I use it as a fabric softener in the laundry. It gets rid of any detergent residue and when the wash comes off the clothes line it has a delightful fresh smell – not in the least vinegary.”

Wendyl Nissen, Green Ideas reader and Green Goddess owner, Hokianga

“This is one of the most popular products I make in my Green Goddess range. I’ve even had people tell me they use it as a shampoo and also as a hand cleaner instead of Swarfega.

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
• 10ml liquid castile soap (or dishwashing liquid for a less green option)
• 5ml water

In a bowl mix together baking soda with cream of tartar. In a jug mix 10ml of liquid castile soap with the water. Slowly pour into the powders and mix with a fork until you have a paste. Add more water if you need to. Add 1 ml of peppermint essential oil if you have some and stir to combine.”

Take the next Green Ideas small step

What are your tips for reusing leftovers and reducing food waste?

Share your ideas and recipes with the Green Ideas community by emailing [email protected] – include a head-and-shoulders photo and tell us where you’re from, and we’ll print a selection of your letters in the next magazine.