Programs

Use the following hints as a guide to direct you towards safe, effective and thrifty alternatives.

Always use your judgement and test on a small area first before going ahead on a larger scale. And remember to be careful when using hot/boiling water.

Fresh flowers provide a pleasing natural fragrance. Place a bowl of roses, a vase of lavender, a posy of geraniums, sprigs of rosemary or mint, or a bowl of pot pourri on the bathroom shelf.

Rub the stain with a paste made of bicarb soda and vinegar. If the stain persists, leave the paste to sit for a while. Now rub some more, then rinse clean with hot water.

Soaking the stain in pure lemon juice (for about 30 minutes) often softens it enough to rub clean with bicarb soda.

Leave a paste of borax and lemon juice on the stain until it dissolves.

For really stubborn stains, try an application of eucalyptus oil. Leave for 1 hour, then use fine steel wool to clean away the stain. Rinse with hot water.

To give a final shine, wipe over the surface with a cloth moistened with white vinegar.

If you have let your bathroom get out of control, make up a paste using borax, a few drops of your favourite oil (eucalyptus, lavender, citronella, tea tree or peppermint), a squeeze of environmentally friendly detergent and some vinegar- then scour clean.

A quick vinegar wipe may be all that is required to leave the surface clean, deodorised and shiny.

Bicarb soda on a moist cloth is ideal for lightly soiled surfaces. Use an old toothbrush and bicarb soda for cleaning the grout between tiles.

Flush the drain using 1 cup of washing soda and a jug of boiling water.

Alternatively, pour down half a cup of bicarb soda and 1 cup of vinegar. Seal with the plug and leave for 30 minutes. A jug of boiling water completes the cleaning process. A final half-cup of vinegar helps to remove any odour.

Wipe with a soft cloth moistened with white vinegar.

Or, apply a borax (or bicarb soda) paste to the tiles, then scrub clean with a small brush. Rinse well.

Soak in vinegar and water solution, followed by a warm, soapy wash. Use an old toothbrush to scrub extra-dirty combs. Rinse well and dry in the sun.

Alternatively, dissolve 1 tablespoon of bicarb soda in a basin of very hot water. Soak combs, then clean with an old toothbrush and rinse and dry in the sun.

Rub with borax and lemon juice paste. Leave for five minutes, then scour clean. Rinse well and dry with a soft cloth. If the stain is stubborn, you may need to repeat this several times.

Clean with a cloth or a ball of newspaper moistened with vinegar.

Cold tea on a soft cloth will remove fly spots and polish the surface.

To reduce fogging, use a ball of newspaper moistened with eucalyptus oil.

Or, rub over the mirror with equal parts methylated spirits and glycerine.

Moisten bicarb soda (or salt or borax) with lemon juice and rub into the stain. Leave for a few minutes before rinsing clean.

Flush 1 cup of bicarb soda down the toilet once a week to cleanse, reduce acidity and encourage the growth of waste-digesting bacteria.

Wash in hot soapy water, rinse, then apply lemon juice to the stain and leave to dry in the sun. Alternatively, moisten with lemon juice and salt, or vinegar and salt. Leave for half an hour or so, then rinse well and dry in the sun.

Alternatively, apply a bicarb sod paste (or borax and vinegar), leave for half an hour, then wash in hot soapy water. Add vinegar to the rinse water. Drip dry in the sun.

Apply a paste of salt and lemon juice (or bicarb soda and vinegar). Rub, then rinse clean and hang out in the sunshine to dry.

Alternatively, soak in vinegar, then machine wash with your normal soap powder and half a cup of bicarb soda, along with a couple of towels. Add 1 cup of vinegar to the rinse water. Hang out in the sun, without spin-drying.

Clean with a soft cloth moistened with vinegar, or bicarb soda on a damp cloth.

If the soap is difficult to move, try a paste of salt (or borax) and lemon juice. Rub with a scourer and rinse clean. Alternatively, mix up your own paste using either bicarb soda or borax, a little eucalyptus oil, some environmentally friendly detergent and vinegar.

Clean with a cloth moistened in vinegar. For stubborn stains on and around taps, rub with a salt and lemon juice paste, rinse well and polish dry.

The following procedures may be used for both septic and sewer systems.

Wipe toilet seat with a cloth moistened with vinegar to give a clean, shiny, odourless surface.

Add 1 cup of vinegar to the bowl and leave overnight to soak. Scrub with a toilet brush the following morning.

Remove any stains by applying a paste of bicarb soda (or borax) and lemon juice. Rub clean after a half an hour or so.

A few drops of eucalyptus oil or vanilla can be dropped into the toilet bowl for a pleasant, fresh smell.

Stewart R (2002). Robin Stewart’s Chemical Free Home. Black Inc. Melbourne, Victoria.

Zero Waste SA shall not accept responsibility for injury, loss, or damage occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of material in this information sheet, whether or not such injury, loss, damage is in any way due to any negligent act or omission, breach of duty or default in the part of Zero Waste SA or the Government of South Australia.