Clean & Green: 101 Hints and Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Home

by Nancy Birtwhistle

Overview

Simple swaps and innovative ideas for cleaning and maintaining your home that won't cost the Earth.

Learn how easy it is to make simple swaps in your cleaning and tidying methods for a more eco-friendly home, with helpful tips from bestselling author and Great British Bake Off winner Nancy Birtwhistle.

This beautifully illustrated black and white guide with 101 hints and sustainable, natural cleaning tips and hacks will help you take small steps that have a massive positive environmental impact. In Clean & Green, Nancy shares the simple recipes and methods she has developed since making a conscious effort to live more sustainably, many of which are faster and easier than the go-to products and methods most of us use now.

From everyday cleaning and laundry tips to zero-effort oven cleaner and guidance on removing tricky stains from clothing and furniture, these economical, practical methods are perfect for anyone looking to reduce their use of plastic and throwaway products. Nancy shares her tried-and-tested recipes for all-purpose cleaners, replacements for harmful chemicals that will keep both your home and the planet clean and green for future generations.

'The book I’ve waited all my life for' – Kirstie Allsopp

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781529049749
Publisher:	Pan Macmillan
Publication date:	07/11/2023
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	32,008
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Nancy Birtwhistle is a Hull-born baker who won the fifth series of The Great British Bake Off in 2014. Nancy worked as a GP practice manager in the NHS for thirty-six years until she retired in 2007. Motivated by protecting the planet for her ten grand-children, Nancy decided to change how she used plastic, single use products and chemicals in her home. Sharing her tips online, she amassed an engaged international following of devoted fans interested not only in her delicious recipes, but also her innovative ideas and time-saving swaps that rethink everyday household chores to make as little an impact on the environment as possible.

Table of Contents

Foreword 1

About the book 7

Laundry 17

Washing machine clean-up 21

Laundry detergent 25

Ivy detergent 31

Conker detergent 33

Fabric conditioner/softener 35

Fluffy towels without fabric softener 38

Spray starch 40

Iron descaler 42

Iron plate cleaner 44

Rainwater ironing water 46

Spot-cleaning collars and cuffs 48

Removing bloodstains 50

Whiten those yellowed whites 53

Clean, sanitize and whiten cloths 55

Remove lily pollen stains from clothing, carpets and furnishings 58

Get rid of nasty smells on clothes 60

Oil and fat splashes on clothing 62

Fruit and veg stains 63

Fruit juice and wine stains 65

Avoid a trip to the dry-cleaner 66

Body odour stains and smells 68

Kitchen 71

Tea stains 75

Dishwasher detergent and rinse aid 78

Dishwasher clean and freshen up 82

Cleaning oven shelves while you sleep 85

Using grass to clean oven and barbecue racks 87

Thorough, effective oven clean without harmful chemicals 88

Induction, gas or ceramic hob cleaner 92

Microwave cleaning 95

Deodorize, sanitize and treat wooden spoons and boards 97

Freshen smelly chopping boards 100

Recycling glass jars without a vinegar smell 102

Rainwater for jar odours 103

Sticky label remover 104

Kettle descale 106

All-purpose kitchen and bathroom cleaner 108

Descaling kitchen taps 110

Kitchen sink cleaning 111

Kitchen sink drain 113

Sink overflow 114

Sink rust marks 116

Fridge cleaning 117

Fridge odours 120

Removing mould and mildew from fridge seals 121

Cleaning copper pans, casseroles and kettles 123

Cleaning pots and pans with rhubarb leaves 127

Cleaning cast iron casseroles and enamel bakeware 128

Home 131

Window cleaning 134

Brass cleaning 137

Silver cleaning 141

Silver cleaning with a tin can 145

Furniture polish 146

Walnuts for wood scratches 149

Nancy's Natural Nurture for leather 150

Spills, marks and stains on white furniture 154

Spot-clean carpet stains 156

Tea and coffee spills on carpets and upholstery 158

Candle wax spills on carpet or soft furnishings 160

Freshen and dry-clean carpets 163

Carpet indentations caused by furniture 165

Clean marks, fingerprints and smears on screens 167

Sparkly-clean vases and decanters 169

Shine up dull glassware 171

All-purpose floor cleaner 173

Lemon or lavender infused oil 176

Air freshener 179

Water marks on fabrics 180

Deodorizing room and fabric spray 182

Dry(ish) clean furniture and soft furnishings 185

Miscellaneous scuffs and marks 187

Bathroom 191

Nancy's Toilet Magic 194

Clean the loo 196

Clean mould and stains off tile grouting 202

Rust marks on shower head 205

Spot limescale remover 207

Slow-flow sink 210

Garden 213

Eco-friendly pesticide 216

Cat and dog deterrent 219

Field mice deterrent 221

Rhubarb and nettle bug fixes for veg, plants and flowers 223

Powdery mildew on roses and edible plants 228

Slugs and snails pest control 230

Plant food for cut flowers 232

Weed control for patios, paths and pavers 234

Revive neglected wooden garden seats 236

Personal 239

Lip balm, sore skin and dry skin softener 242

Cleaning gold jewellery and rings with stones 244

Pearl necklace 246

Cleaning dental retainers, mouth guards and dentures 248

Bath and shower gel 250

Perfumed and coloured bath salts 253

Clean glasses and sunglasses 256

Clean hairbrushes and combs 258

Hand sanitizer 260

How to Clean 263

Once- or twice-a-year deep cleans 268

Three to six-monthly cleans 270

Monthly cleans 272

Weekly or two-weekly cleans 272

Every day cleans 273

Thank you 275

Acknowledgements 279

Author biography 283

Index 285

Notes 292

Editorial Reviews

"From baking, to gardening, to organization, resourcefulness, and just her incredible energy . . . she creates art out of everything in her life, and takes so much joy in the process." —Jonathan Van Ness, Queer Eye

From the Publisher