Making the switch to green cleaning doesn’t have to be overwhelming, expensive or time-consuming. If you’re after a more eco-friendly home and keen to reduce chemical exposure while saving a few quid along the way, starting small is the way to go. I’ve pulled together my top beginner-friendly green cleaning tips, all firmly rooted in practicality – just the way we like it here in Yorkshire.

Know What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Mix

Before you start boiling up homemade cleaners like a Victorian apothecary, it’s important to know a bit about what plays nicely together – and what doesn’t. One classic beginner mistake is mixing vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. Yes, it fizzes impressively, but it also cancels out the cleaning power of both ingredients. That’s wasted time and product, and no one wants that.

Vinegar also doesn’t get along with castile soap, soda crystals, borax, or – most crucially – bleach and hydrogen peroxide. Mixing those last two with vinegar can create harmful fumes that are bad for your lungs and downright dangerous. So, pop a label on your spray bottles or keep a note in your cleaning caddy of no-go combos.

A simple rule: stick to a few ingredients you understand, and don’t just throw things together hoping for the best.

Start Small and Stay Consistent

Green cleaning is more about shifting habits than finding miracle products. You don’t need to toss your entire cleaning cupboard in one go. Start with one room – often the bathroom or kitchen is most satisfying – and replace that harsh spray with a homemade or eco-friendly shop-bought alternative.

Something as simple as white vinegar diluted with water can handle glass and surface cleaning beautifully. For a fresh scent, I like to add a drop or two of lemon or tea tree essential oil. For tougher jobs, bicarbonate of soda works wonders as a gentle abrasive cleaner. Once you’re comfy with a couple of swaps, you’ll naturally build from there – just like I did in our farmhouse when we first started cutting back on shop-bought cleaners.

Reuse What You Have

This bit is satisfying and budget-friendly. The goal here is to cut down on disposables, which not only end up in landfill but mean you’re forever buying replacements. Reusable microfiber cloths are a great alternative to paper towels – just chuck them in the wash when they’re grubby. I’ve got a few colour-coded for different tasks (bathroom, windows, kitchen), which helps keep things hygienic without needing to think about it too much.

Don’t bin old t-shirts or threadbare towels either – they make excellent rags for dusting or polishing. Refillable spray bottles, washable mop pads, and compostable sponges are also smart upgrades once your budget allows. It’s all about gradually building a toolkit that works for you.

Your Green Cleaning Starter Kit

You don’t need a cupboard full of specialist products. Honestly, half of what you need is probably already in your kitchen. Here’s what I consider my core essentials:

• White vinegar – brilliant for windows, sinks, limescale and surface cleaning
• Bicarbonate of soda – a gentle scrub for sinks, baths, and stuck-on food
• Castile soap – versatile liquid soap for everything from dishwashing to floors
• Essential oils (optional) – tea tree, lavender or lemon all add a natural scent and mild antibacterial effect
• Reusable cloths and spray bottles – invest once, use for years
• An old pair of gloves – even when cleaning ‘naturally’, your hands deserve protection

Once you’ve got the basics, you can start mixing up your own recipes or testing out green brands (many of which are now available at your local supermarket or health store).

One Last Tip to Keep You Going

I always say: think of green cleaning as a long-term investment – in your home, your health and the environment. It’s not about perfection straight away. Stick a reminder on your fridge, set a little goal for each week, and give yourself a pat on the back when you follow through. Even switching that one bottle of bleach for a vinegar spray is a step in the right direction.

And remember, it all adds up. Every plastic bottle avoided, every reused cloth, every non-toxic product – that’s a win for your family and the planet. Keep going, you’re doing better than you think.