What with the sunny bit of spring arriving very belatedly here in the UK, this round-up of the best eco-friendly spring cleaning hacks is correspondingly tardy. But no less effective, I promise. I have used all these, in most cases repeatedly, so can vouch for how well they all work.

To tackle mould on tiles

To get rid of those black mould spots that stubbornly collect along the grouting and sealant of bathroom tiles, mix 150ml water, 60ml white vinegar, 40ml surgical spirit and 20 drops of lemon oil in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the mould then leave for at least 15 mins before wiping off. If any stubborn spots remain, scrub them with a dampened old toothbrush and some bicarbonate of soda.

To get rid of grease on kitchen units

Using a mop to clean kitchen cabinets makes the job quicker and easier

Mix up 1 cup of water with 1 cup of vinegar and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice in a spray bottle. Spray generously on the outside of the cabinets making sure to avoid any porous surfaces such as stone and wood. Wipe off with a damp microfibre cloth, or, as I prefer to, with a mop (I have a mop pad I keep specifically for this and doing bathroom tiles. You can also cover your pad with a cloth as in the pic). Then dry with a clean tea towel.

To clean the microwave

Ideally do this once every three months or so.

Clean the inside of your microwave using lemon and washing-up liquid

Put half a used lemon in a small microwave-proof bowl, cover with recently boiled water or hot water from the tap and put the microwave on full power for 1.5-2 mins or until you see the water bubble. Leave for a full two minutes before opening the door and removing the bowl (careful, it’ll be hot) then use a wrung-out cloth that has been dipped in warm water and washing up liquid to wipe over the inside.

To deodorise and sanitise wooden spoons and boards

Another job that should be more frequent than annual, though I do admit is isn’t in my house. Ahem…..

Keep wooden boards and spoons clean and sanitised

Clean the spoons by using a container large enough to take them, pour enough white vinegar to come about a third of the way up the spoons then stop up with water so it reaches the level where the handles start. Leave for an hour then hand wash in warm soapy water. Allow to air dry thoroughly.

To sanitise boards and spoons, rub with half a lemon, sprinkle with table salt and massage in using the lemon half. Rinse with warm soapy water and allow to dry thoroughly (stand the spoons, handle side down, in something that keeps them upright.)

To give the dishwasher a deep clean

Finish off a dishwasher deep clean by running a hot cycle with a cup of vinegar on the top rack

Remove the filter and racks and scrub with hot soapy water. Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda generously on the inside then squeeze over washing up liquid, scrub and wipe clean. Then add a cup of vinegar to the top rack and run a hot cycle

To make a gas hob look good as new

Make your stainless steel gas hob look good as new

Soak the grates and knobs in hot soapy water, and the burner tops in boiling water with bicarbonate of soda dissolved in it. Clean the surface with mixture of 1 cup of bicarbonate of soda, 2 teaspoons of washing up liquid and enough water to make a paste. I use an old toothbrush to get in all the nooks and crannies. And a toothpick wrapped in a piece of kitchen towel to get to the dried in dirt around the outside edge. Dry and replace the cast iron bits, but give the burner tops a top-up scrub with lemon juice - it makes such a difference!

For super shiny induction hobs, sprinkle with bicarbonate of soda, squeeze on some lemon juice (which will make it sizzle) then scrub - not with anything that will scratch the surface obviously - and wipe clean.

To get the inside of the oven super clean

There’s an unusual way of getting oven shelves and runners clean

Remove the shelves and runners (see below for an unusual way to tackle the dirt on those) and give the inside and the door a thorough scrub using the same paste as the hob. I like to use my dishmatic sponge for this. If you’re brave enough to remove the oven door and get between the two glass panels then definitely do that. I’m still scarred from the time I tried that then couldn’t put everything back together, so I haven’t attempted to do that again since. Then wipe clean.

A strangely effective way of removing the caked in dirt on the shelves and runners is to put them onto a lawn and leave them overnight. I have no idea what alchemy happens, but when you wipe them over in the morning, the dirt lifts off easily.

To freshen up the washing machine

Cloths soaked in vinegar will get rid of mould inside the washing machine rubber seal

Remove and clean the detergent drawer and filters in a sink of soapy water. Soak a couple of clothes in vinegar with a few drops of tea tree oil, put them inside the rubber seal and leave for 30 mins. Wipe over all the surfaces of the machine with a mixture of half and half vinegar and water with a little dish soap. Add half a cup of bicarbonate of soda to the drum, then take out the cloths from the seal and run a quick hot wash cycle.

To get general grime out of carpets

Make up a mixture of water and vinegar using two parts water to one part vinegar. (So if you have one cup of water, you want half a cup of vinegar) in a spray bottle, then add one teaspoon of salt per cup of water and give it a good shake.

Add about 10 drops of colourless essential oil - like lavender, lime, peppermint or geranium, per cup of water. depending on the scent scene you want to create in the room.

Shake to combine, then spray the mixture generously over the whole carpet. Wait for it to dry, then vacuum.

To finish off

This is a great hack for your regular cleaning as well as to round off your spring clean efforts.

Use lavender oil to freshen the air when you hoover

When you wash the removable filter on your vacuum cleaner (you do do that, don’t you? If not, you definitely should on a regular basis), sprinkle it with just a few drops of your favourite essential oil (no prizes for guessing mine is lavender) when it’s dry. It’ll give the air in your house an instant, fresh, perfumed lift. Especially useful if you have a dog in the house. If your vacuum cleaner uses a disposable filter, just add the oil each time you replace it.

The one cleaning job I’ve still to successfully tackle is my windows. Everything I use ends up looking smeary, so if you have a failsafe eco-friendly method for window cleaning, please do let me know in the comments.

There are a couple of bonus hacks in the These Are The Heydays newsletter on Substack. Become a subscriber to get a weekly helping of ideas, inspiration and fun direct to your inbox.