Here's Safer Solutions Six easy steps to safer cleaning... 

1. Use nature's natural solvent

Water is both a natural and powerful cleaner and is cheaper and safer to use than any household chemical cleaners. Try cleaning with water first.

Hint: Place a wet cloth on a grimey stove top and wait until the grime softens. It will now be easily to clean.

2. Prevent dirt build-up

If you do it regularly, housework need never become overwhelming. And quick action on a spot, stain or mark will solve little dirt problems fast and save further effort. Set aside time to clean one room of the house a day.

3.  Use better cleaning tools

Many people have swapped their harsh chemical cleaners for microfibre brushes, scourers and cloths. These are effective cleaning tools.The better and more appropriate your cleaning tools, the less you'll need to use harmful chemical cleaners.

Steel wool is a cheap all-rounder.

Using strong cleaning tools goes hand-in-hand with using softer cleaning agents.

4. Try safer alternatives

Harsh cleaning products often come in fancy packaging and are backed up with sophisticated advertising. The advertising and packaging designed to sell more of the product has to be paid for by someone, and that's the buyer - you, who ends up paying more.

Alternatives such as bicarbonate of soda, lemon juice and better cleaning tools are simple ways to save cash.

5. Few equals safer and cheaper

Try using fewer cleaning products. It's in the best interests of cleaner manufacturers to advise the amount of cleaning product to use. Experiment with half of the recommended amount and you'll not only save money but will reduce the amount of chemicals you and your family are exposed to every day.

6. Give cleaners more time to work

One way you can reduce your impact on the environment and protect you and your family's health is to use less harsh cleaning products in your home. Substituting with safer solutions is not only smart but it saves you money.

If chemical cleaners are given more time to do the job, you will need to use even less of them.

• soak pots and plates in the sink.
• if clothes are really dirty, rub them with soap and soak before washing
• soak stains on porcelain and laminex
• soak the toilet bowl
• leave mould and oven cleaners on overnight.