Clean Up and Save Cash

In the ongoing battle against dirt in the home, it's important to have the right weapons. And, as in any war, costs have to be managed, so here are a few tips to help you keep your ammunition supply well-stocked without causing a lot of collateral damage to your pocketbook (and the environment). Inexpensive and eco-friendly cleaning cleaning solutions are easy to make with materials you probably already have around the home, so before your next skirmish against the forces of dirtiness, stock up your arsenal with these green-minded dirt- and grime-busting agents.

Baking soda is one of the best secret weapons in the green homemaker's anti-dirt crusade - it's completely non-toxic and has many uses in the kitchen, bathroom and elsewhere. Use it mixed with a little water to make a highly effective scouring paste. Why use expensive bleach-based cleansers when you can make your own safe alternative that won't leave a toxic residue? If it's a stubborn job, you may want to add a little kosher, or sea salt to the mixture. Baking soda is also a great silver and chrome polish, as well. Use it to deodorize carpets, and sprinkle a little on the bottom of pans with tough, baked on food residue before soaking overnight.

Lemon Juice is another natural cleaning secret used by savvy homemakers in the daily struggle against dirt and grime. Lemon juice is good for cutting through grease - add a little to your dishwashing liquid for improving it's grease-fighting quality and use lemon juice to remove scale and hard-water deposits in sinks. Make a furniture polish by mixing lemon juice with olive oil. A little lemon juice mixed with water and used in a spray bottle is the perfect air freshener.

Vinegar is one of the most versatile and effective natural cleaning agents available and like baking soda and lemon juice, it costs next to nothing. Clean your fridge with a half and half vinegar and water mixture. Vinegar fights mold and mildew and is it's strong odor will dissipate when it dries. Vinegar is great for removing stains on tea and coffee cups and can also be used to clean your teapot or coffeemaker.

For some jobs, you may still need the help of professional cleaning services, but it's nice to know that more and more professionals are opting for safe, green methods that won't pollute your home. Be sure when you contact one of the many cleaning services London has to offer, that the firm you choose utilizes eco-friendly cleaning methods. You want to keep your home as green as possible without breaking the bank. You may never actually win the war on dirt completely, but you can stay on top of the struggle and keep dirt on the run while being green and economical as well.