Forget harsh bleaches and toxic cleaning products. You may not know it, but your kitchen cupboards are full of miracle cleaners that won’t harm you, your family or the environment. Here are just a few uses for some of them…

Lemons

Used lemon halves are great for descaling and taps and plugholes. Store them in the fridge until you need them. You can also try reviving tired-looking whites by soaking them, along with a couple of slices of lemon, in a large pan of boiling water for two or three minutes.

Bicarbonate of Soda

Don’t use harsh detergents to clean your fridge and freezer; simply mix up a strong solution of bicarbonate of soda, or use neat for stubborn stains. Bicarbonate is also great for tackling limescale build-up in the bathroom and neutralises smells too – try sprinkling a little into your kitchen bin for a fresher aroma.

White vinegar

Spray a solution of white vinegar and water onto mirrors and wipe away with a clean cloth or old newspaper.

Charcoal

If your bathroom gets overly damp or steamy, try placing a few pieces of charcoal on a shelf or in a cupboard. It will absorb the excess moisture and help do away with musty smells, too.

Potatoes

Not only is the humble spud our most diverse vegetable, but it can also help clean your kettle! Simply boil your old potato (or carrot) peelings in water, then remove the peel and use the water to clean away limescale deposits.

Bread

Dirty finger marks and smudges on walls can be removed by gently rubbing the area with a small, rolled up piece of white bread.

Nuts

Gently rub the oily part of a walnut or brazil nut over small scratches on your woodwork and then work the oil into the wood with a soft cloth for a smooth and beautiful surface.

Baking soda

If your linoleum flooring is covered in black heel marks, try mixing baking soda into a paste with water and rubbing over the marks.

Tomatoes

Cut a tomato in half and rub over gold jewellery to make it sparkle. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean, soft cloth.

Milk

Lipstick on your collar? Simply scrape off as much as you can, soak in milk for half an hour or so, then rinse the in hot, soapy water and wash as normal.

Olive oil

Olive oil can help get rid of water marks on polished wood. Smear the oil over the mark and then sprinkle with cigarette ash and mix into a paste using a soft cloth. Wipe the paste off and polish the wood as normal.

Tea

The tannin in tea can help counteract grease and will give your wooden furniture a lovely deep colour. Simply wipe cold tea over clean, wooden furniture and polish with a soft, lint-free duster. Tea bags can also be added to a pan of cold water and used to soak nylon socks that have lost their brightness.

Mayonnaise

If your wooden tables are covered in unsightly heat marks, try coating the area with a layer of mayonnaise. Leave to stand for an hour or so and then simply wipe the area clean and give it a polish.

Toothpaste

Use non-gel toothpaste to clean white leather shoes and trainers. Just rub the toothpaste onto the shoes with a cloth, then rinse off and wipe dry.

Ice

If someone walks chewing gum into your carpet, don’t panic! Just put some ice into a plastic food bag and place on top of the gum until in hardens. You should then be able to remove it with a pair of tweesers.

Salt

For brass or copper items that have seen better days, wipe or rinse off any excess dust or dirt, and then make up a paste of salt and vinegar (or salt and lemon) and get rubbing!