When it comes to cleaning and household tasks, cleaning products can be really expensive...not to mention bad for the planet. All of the chemicals and nasties in store bought products are terrible for the environment, and are just creating an unnecessary hole in your purse too. Marketers are clever though; they market products for a specific issue (a spray for the shower wall, a wipe for kitchen tops), and before you know it, your kitchen cupboard is full of products you don't need. Take a look at part 1 of our eco-friendly blog series, where we divulge some great eco- friendly tips for around the home.

Lemon For Stains - You know those days when you've chopped up something rather smelly (garlic, for example!), and the chopping board is stained and looking less than ideal? The solution lies in a lemon. Chop it in half and run it across the board to get rid of the smell straight away. Mustard powder also does the same thing.

Tee Tree Oil For Smells - When the weather is cold or when you or your family have been involved in hot and sweaty exercise, smelly feet can appear - what a stink! Instead of having to worry about the smell hanging around or the trainers going to waste after such little usage, sprinkle a little tea tree oil in the inside of the shoes. The smell will be gone within no time and those trainers will get plenty more wear out of them. Result!

Soap For Stains - Stains sometimes appear to have come from nowhere, don't they? When dirty marks appear, don't reach out for the stain remover before you add it to the washing machine. Instead, grab a wet bar of regular soap and rub it across the stain. Then add it to the washing machine. It'll do the same job, without the chemicals. A much better solution for the environment and your clothes. Washing up liquid on a cloth does the same thing.

Vinegar for Glass - Glass cleaners can be really expensive and the list of chemicals on the back of the packaging a little horrifying. The solution? Use vinegar; it is a fraction of the price but works just as well. Use a cloth and clean as you would with your normal glass cleaner. You'll love the results.

Do you have any eco-tips you'd like to share? Tell us them and they might be featured in a future post.