Green property: the latest eco products

By Sarah Lonsdale Published: 12:51PM GMT 04 March 2010

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Going green: Sarah Lonsdale sorts the fads from the finds Photo: ANDREW CROWLEY

My family have not long ago awarded me an Oscar for stupidity. After pouring immature divert onto the lounge to remove biro stains, I realised as well late that you shouldnt flow divert onto lounge covers unless they are removable. Mine arent. The enzymes in the divert got absolved of the biro stains beautifully, but the lounge stank similar to an overripe Munster cheese for multiform weeks.

The issue arose out of my enterprise to revoke the series of chemicals in the home. Im not a sum hippy, I only hold that there are sufficient chemicals in the sourroundings emanating from utilitarian industries such as production and agriculture; adding to the poisonous effluvia only since I wish a purify residence doesnt appear right, and I be vexed the fake smells of majority containing alkali cleaners.

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Some of the most appropriate "eco" cleaning products have been around for centuries: vinegar, for example, is a stately window cleaner, and at less than 50p a litre, compared with �5 a litre or some-more for containing alkali window cleaner, the cheaper, too. Lemon extract is an stately washing whiten and bicarbonate of soft drink is only as fit a empty unblocker as that chemical-laden sludge you can buy.

There are augmenting numbers of done "eco cleaners" on the market, as well but are they any improved than lemon extract and vinegar? I got to work to find out.

For starters, "eco" doesnt regularly meant "eco". One supermarket code cleanser calls itself "eco" and it is phosphate free but it still contains fake fragrance. Watch out for the word "parfum" on labels. Synthetic incense can enclose a bubbly beverage of chemicals that have been related to allergic reactions, such as respiratory difficulties and bruise and tingling skin. The Building Research Establishment lists "furnishings (particularly those treated with colour with fire retardants and symbol repellents), cleaning products and toiletries" as sources of indoor air pollution.

The European Unions "Reach" (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) gauge will in the future meant that all containing alkali production companies will have to register the chemicals in their products. However, if less than 100 tons are used or done in a year, they dont have to be purebred until 2013.

Longevity is an additional issue products done but containing alkali preservatives can turn tiny biospheres, nurturing bugs and moulds, so buy in smallish quantities unless you are going to make make make use of of of up a product quickly.

One area where "eco" products do appear to have come up trumps is runner cleaners. I attempted dual products, one for spot-cleaning four-day-old hiss jam spillage and the alternative for a frequented nap rug.

The Home Scents runner shampoo, done with lavender, citronella and virtuoso necessary oils, private the hiss jam perfectly, withdrawal no stickiness or tell-tale grey mark. It can additionally be used for spot-cleaning lounge covers and curtains.

For the rug, I used Natural and Cleans "organic and biodegradable" powder cleaner. Dry cleaning the runner last year finished in mess the realistic stains remained, but the assertive containing alkali cleanser shop-worn the nap fibres and most proposed entrance loose. While the Natural and Clean powder did purify the runner beautifully, the realistic stains remained ingrained.

Vileda, the cleaning products maker, has an "eco" range of sponges and cloths. The consume is 100 per cent biodegradable, done from healthy cellulose and cotton, and after make make make use of of of can be cut up and put in the compost. They are an fit and easy-to-use alternative, but the organic string cloths unsuccessful to answer the question: "Why should I make make make use of of of you rather than old, torn-up pyjamas?"

Prize for the most appropriate product goes to Home Scents pristine beeswax timber gloss with lavender, rosemary and thyme necessary oils. As with old wine on windows, you have to work harder than if utilizing fake polish, but once youve worked it in, timber attains a gorgeous, low fine cloth patina and smells glorious. Makes open cleaning a pleasure.

ECO PRODUCTS ON TEST

Home Scents runner shampoo, �8 a litre (homescents.co.uk)

T-rating: 4/5

Natural and Cleans "organic and biodegradable" powder cleaner, �5.10 for 500g, �14.09 for 3kg (naturalandclean.com)

T-rating: 3/5

Vileda "eco" cloths, from �2.99 (vileda.co.uk)

T-rating: 2/5

Home Scents pristine beeswax timber polish, �8.15 (homescents.co.uk)

T-rating 5/5

Send your questions to Sarah at Life, The Sunday Telegraph, 111 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0DT or email asksarah@telegraph.co.uk