Strong cleaner for hard floors

This contains washing soda, which can be damaging on the skin, so wear protective gloves when using. Don’t use on timber floors.

• 1 tbsp liquid soap
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup washing soda
• 3 litres hot water

Mix all the ingredients in a bucket. Clean floors, then rinse with clean water after use.

Carpet stain foam

Use as a foam cleaner for carpets and upholstery.

• 2 cups pure soap flakes
• 1/2 cup methylated spirits
• 25ml eucalyptus oil

Shake ingredients in a large jar. Add a little hot water if the mixture is too hard to combine – but leave it quite thick. Store in a sealed jar.

Mix two to three tablespoons of mixture into one litre of very hot water and whisk until suds form. Rub just the foam over the stain and leave for 10 minutes. Wipe away with a damp sponge dipped in white vinegar (neutralise the alkalinity left by the foam). Blot with a clean pad.

For tough stains add 1/4 cup washing soda to the hot water with the foam mix and whisk until the soda crystals have dissolved.