5 natural cleaning products you can make

These five natural cleaning products you can make won't just save you money, they're also good for your health and the planet.

There are few things as satisfying as a sparkling clean, healthy home.

• Unfortunately, cleaning products today tend to be expensive and most contain unhealthy toxins. Try these alternatives instead.

This is a beautiful, soft scrub for your bathtub that won't scratch the surface. It keeps for up to a year in an airtight container, so feel free to double the recipe.

1. Pour one cup of baking soda into a mixing bowl, then add 1/2 a cup of castile liquid soap slowly while stirring.
2. Stop when you notice your mixture starts to look a little like cake frosting.
3. You can use the mixture as is, or for added cleaning power and a lovely scent, add a few drops of an essential oil. Lavender, tea tree, orange, and lemon oils all have antibacterial properties that will help keep your bathtub clean longer.

Use this mixture instead of your regular softener.

1. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into a mixing bowl or container.
2. Mix in one cup of warm water until the baking soda dissolves, then add three more cups of water.
3. Add three cups of vinegar, a little at a time.
4. If you like, add a few drops (five-10) of your favourite essential oil to add a lovely scent to your laundry.

Wood polish is surprisingly easy to make yourself.

1. Mix the juice of one lemon (strained to remove pulp and pits), a tablespoon of olive oil, and a tablespoon of water in a container that has an airtight lid.
2. With the lid in place, shake the container vigorously to mix the ingredients until they combine.
3. Pour a small amount of the solution on a clean, dry cloth and use it to polish your wood furniture. This mixture will only last a few days in the fridge, so make a fresh batch each time.

Making your own laundry detergent involves a little elbow grease, but it's very simple. This recipe makes enough powdered detergent to fill two one-litre mason jars.

1. Grate one bar of laundry soap.
2. Add two cups of borax and two cups of washing soda and place into a lidded container of your choice.
3. Close the lid and shake to mix.

This solution is excellent for cleaning surfaces anywhere in your home, from the kitchen to the bathroom and everywhere in between.

1. Mix half a teaspoon of eco-friendly dish soap, one teaspoon baking soda, one tablespoon white vinegar, two cups water and three drops of the essential oil of your choice.
2. Pour into a spray bottle.

With these five natural cleaning products that you can make today, your home and clothes will be clean, fresh and toxin free. Your wallet will also thank you.