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Many products on the market that claim to be environmentally friendly are really highly priced. However, that is just the marketing side of the present trend to be environmentally friendly. To be truely environmentally friendly and save money it is a good idea to look to ways in which our grandparents lived, in those days basic and natural ingredients were used, for cooking, cleaning, gardening, beauty products, first aid products. Things were repaired not merely thrown away, and they were the first ones to use reusable shopping bags - truly ahead of their times!

Look at the different areas of your life in which you can reduce the use of chemicals, reuse, reduce waste, use wherever possible natural ingredients to clean and cook from scratch and if possible using local or even home grown produce.

1) Cleaning, there are many natural products that you can buy that are 'green' as well as being less expensive than commercial products.

Soda crystals can be used for degreasing, unblocking drains, removing any burnt on food on pans, stain removal in laudry as well as a general cleaner.

White vinegar can also be used for stain removal, cleaning glass and smooth surfaces on is natural and very inexpensive.

Bicarbonate of soda is very versatile and inexpensive, it can be added to laundry as a stain remover, and it freshens fridges, and can be used as a general cleaner.

Lemon juice can be used to clean fridges, kitchens and bathrooms to leave smelling really fresh.

Soap nuts can be used for laundry, household cleaning, is a natural insecticide so can be used as a garden spray and head lice deterrent. They are natural, gentle on skin and contain no bleaches so do not damage clothes and are less expensive than commercial products.

Essential oils can be added to any natural cleaning product to add specific benefits, for example when cleaning your floors with soap nut liquid soap you can add a few drops of lavender for a relaxing aroma, ideal for bedrooms, eucalyptus is a natural anti bacterial cleaner ideal for work tops and floors, lemon and orange is uplifting and refreshing. For a sensual aroma add a few drops of ylang ylang - ideal for bedrooms or before a romantic evening!

2) Beauty, natural beauty products are very inexpensive.

Olive oil can be added to the bath as a moisturiser and also used as a hair conditioner. It can be massaged into areas of dry skin to relieve dryness.

Lemon juice is a great final rinse to brighten blond hair and vinegar really brings out the shine of brunette

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