How green is your clean house?

As the result of EU legislation passed in 2006, the number of harmful chemicals in household products sold in the UK has been significantly reduced. However, many domestic cleaning products still contain pollutants such as phosphates and chlorine, which end up contaminating rivers and lakes. These chemicals can then find their way back into the food chain via fish. Many cleaning products also contain chemicals that can be an irritant for people with sensitive skin or allergies.

The other problem with many cleaning products is the packaging. Most come in plastic bottles that take hundreds of years to biodegrade on already full landfill sites if thrown in the bin.

Eco solutions

The easiest thing to do to reduce the environmental impact of your cleaners is to switch to an 'eco brand' – these are available in most supermarkets, who also do their own eco versions. These eco solutions are made from biodegradable plant-based ingredients. Some health food shops also sell refills of some eco brands so you don't need a new bottle each time, which will cut down on the amount of waste you create.

Long before supermarket shelves were lined with rows and rows of shiny cleaning products, people kept their houses spic and span with a few cloths, some lemon juice, some vinegar and some bicarbonate of soda – also known as 'granny’s cleaners'.

These traditional techniques were revived recently by Kim and Aggie in the Channel 4 television series 'How Clean Is Your House?' The pair showed that it was possible to clean even the most unbelievably dirty homes with natural products. For homemade cleaning tips, either ask your granny, or visit www.lowimpact.org/topics_natural_cleaners.htm.

DIY and the environment

If you set out to do some household DIY, again, think about the environmental impact of your choice of materials. Lots of toxic chemicals are used with abandon in the DIY industry, despite the fact that greener alternatives exist and are easy to source. Many modern paints, for example, contain solvents and volatile organic compounds that are related to health problems. Instead, choose natural paints made from plant and mineral bases (preferably organic), such as those made by Auro or Eco Solutions.

Energy use and recycling

Many people insulate their houses in order to cut down on energy use. This is a highly effective way of reducing your environmental impact, but the materials you use to do it can also make a difference. Conventional loft insulation materials such as glass wool, for example, produce harmful emissions in their manufacture and disposal, and are associated with health problems. There are lots of effective eco-friendly alternatives to choose from, such as cork, sheep's wool, paper and even straw.

Another way you can cut down on the waste produced by your DIY endeavours is to use recycled materials. As well as cutting out all the pollution involved in producing new materials, things like reclaimed bricks, radiators, hand basins or wooden floors are often cheaper and of a better quality. The only real difficulty may be in sourcing the materials – although the Salvo website is a good place to start.

Whatever you do to clean or improve your home, consider the greener products on the market – for your own health as well as the good of the environment.

Related information:

The ultimate spring clean – top tips for removing tricky stains and avoiding them in the first place!

Loft conversions – we've given you some tips on how to make loft insulation green, but how do you go about doing the whole conversion from start to finish?

Green driving – find out how to be green when you're out and about, as well as at home.