Clean, cleaner, GREENEST

Here's a dirty little secret: Cleaning products for your home don't need to cost an arm and a leg. You probably already have everything you need to ensure your home is spick and span in the pantry. 

Yup, your list of Ultimate Cleaning Products include the following ingredients: 

• Salt 

• Vinegar 

• Baking soda 

• Rubbing alcohol 

• Essential oils 

• Cornstarch 

• Fresh lemons 

What's more, not only will DIY cleaning products dig less of a whole in your pocket, but it's also infinitely better for the environment and for your health. 

Here are some of the DIY cleaning products the Leapfrog team swear by for a clean, green home! 
 

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER 

• ¼ cup of white vinegar

• 1 tbsp baking soda

• 1 litre of hot water

• ½ a lemon

Clean everything from kitchen surfaces to bedroom cupboards to the grime in the bath and shower with the magical multipurpose cleaner. It cleans, disinfects and leaves things smelling lemony fresh! 

TOILET CLEANER 

• ¾ cup baking soda

• ¾ cup white vinegar

• 10 drops of tea tree oil

• 10 drops of essential oils

Also known as The Last Toilet Cleaner You'll Ever Need, this eco product is guaranteed to clean away the most stubborn stains in your toilet bowl. 

GLASS AND MIRROR CLEANER 

• ¼ cup of white vinegar

• 1 tbsp of cornstarch

• 2 cups of warm water

The combination of water and vinegar for cleaning glass and mirrors is well known, but the addition of cornstarch simply takes it up a notch, to crystal clear! 

Start with the three above and you'll soon find that there are countless things in and around the home that the all-purpose cleaner is suitable for. 

Some other favourite quick-clean product solutions include:

Tile cleaner: Combine two parts warm water with one part vinegar in a bucket. Use a mop to wipe floors. The best part? There is no need to rinse because there is no soapy residue. 

Linen spray: Mix 90ml water, 30ml rubbing alcohol (or vodka!) and 10 drops of essential oil (a scent of your choice) together. Pour into a suitable spray bottle... and voila! 

Disinfectant: The smell of most chemical disinfectants are so potent that you always have to hold it at arm's length. The planet and your health will thank you for this simple, but uber effective, one. Mix 2 cups of water with 3 tablespoons of liquid soap and 30 drops of tea tree oil (it has germ-fighting properties second to none!). 

There's no reason why a clean home can't also be a green home. And why not recruit the kids in helping mix and shake things together and storing it? Pretend the kitchen is your lab and use it as a fun opportunity to teach them about basic science AND the importance of caring for the environment. Make enough for a month or two and store in suitable containers so it's ready when you need it. 

Happy (spring) cleaning!