A 9-step green kitchen cleaning routine

The kitchen is the room with the most potential for accumulating grease and spills. However, if you get into the habit of a daily cleaning routine, you can keep your kitchen clean without using harsh commercial products.

1. Wipe kitchen counters and sinks daily with a cloth sprinkled with baking soda (also called bicarbonate of soda). Then dampen the cloth with eucalyptus oil and wipe again.
2. Use a solution of salt – about five grams (one teaspoon) of salt to 250 millilitres (one cup) of water – to clean the sink. It's very effective and almost cost-free.
3. Keep the drains clear. Catch food debris with a sink strainer and put tea leaves and coffee grounds into the compost bin.
4. Don't put the fat and oil from saucepans down the drain. Instead, scrape them into an old milk carton, freeze and then throw it into the garbage bin. This way the oil won't leak into your bin.
5. Clean your fridge once every few weeks. Check use-by dates on cartons and jars and get rid of perishable foods that are past their prime. Don't use commercial cleaning products on fridge shelves – they may contain harsh solvents that undermine the plastic. Instead, wipe them down with a paste of baking soda and water.
6. Check the seals on bottles and containers in the pantry every six months or so and wipe up any spills as they can attract kitchen pests.
7. To clean and deodorize a microwave oven, add the juice and skin of a lemon to a bowl of water and place it inside the microwave. Run on high for two to five minutes. Remove the bowl and wipe the microwave interior clean. Always cover food in the microwave to cut down on spills and splatters.
8. Wipe out your oven while it is still warm with a damp cloth dipped in baking soda. If it needs more of a clean, apply a paste of baking soda and white vinegar to all surfaces, leave for an hour, then wipe away the residue and rinse with a damp cloth.
9. Rub matte-finish stainless steel range hoods and exhaust fans with a clean dry cloth from time to time. If you do this regularly, thick grease won't have time to build up and a polish is all you'll need. If you have a shiny stainless steel range hood and exhaust fan, rub them with a damp cloth sprinkled with a little baking soda and buff with a clean, dry cloth.

• Baking soda, which has very low toxicity and is economical, is an excellent choice as an all-purpose cleaner for your kitchen.
• It's gentle enough to use in fridges and on chrome and aluminum without scratching.
• To clean pots and pans, rub them with a paste of baking soda and water using a damp cloth and then rinse.

Use five to 10 millilitres (one to two teaspoons) of this easy-to-make detergent in hot water for washing dishes.

Ingredients

• 350 grams (1.5 cups) soap flakes
• 175 millilitres (3/4 cup) water
• 350 millilitres (1.5 cups) washing soda
• 350 millilitres (1.5 cups) white vinegar
• lemon essential oil

Directions

1. Bring the soap and water to a boil, reduce the heat and stir until smooth.
2. Remove from the heat and stir in the washing soda until blended.
3. Add the vinegar and a few drops of the oil.
4. Store in a sealed bottle.

With a daily cleaning routine using green household products, you can keep your kitchen looking spotless in a way that's gentle on the environment.