This is the seventh in a series of articles from the Eco Church Team at St Columba’s, which are also published in our church magazine.

Shaving foam can be used to clean mirrors, especially in the bathroom when they are fogged up.  The foam can also clean chrome fixtures, grout, remove stains from clothing, carpets and upholstery, polish jewellery, soften paint brushes and provide relief from bug bites.

This is the time of year when ants may invade our homes, so try using peppermint oil, lemon juice or fresh mint.  Ants do not like the smell of these products.  Also use cinnamon, black pepper or cayenne pepper and sprinkle it along their trails.

Rethink wrapping paper which cannot be recycled and can stay in land filled sites for 100’s of years.  Use brown paper or newspaper, which can be recycled or boxes or bags which in turn can be recycled.  Save money by unplugging electronic devices, don’t leave them on stand-by when not in use.

In the bathroom use bars of soap for washing hair and bamboo toothbrushes.  Store bed linen in pillowcases and keep knitted jumpers there as well as this can keep them safe from moths.  Clean a warm iron with salt.  Lay an A4 sheet of paper on the ironing board, sprinkle with salt, run the iron over and leave to cool.  Wipe away with a cloth and all the dirt and grime will come away.  Bottles and vases can be cleaned with a sand and water mixture.  Shake well and rinse.  Leave to air dry.

RECYCLE OR REUSE!

Use public transport when possible.  Turn off the light when you leave a room.  Encourage others to be eco-friendly, remember every small gesture makes a difference.