5 painless ways to 'green clean' your home

Discover easy tips for cleaning your home that help safeguard the environment. The way you clean your home can provide an ideal opportunity to 'think green' and be more environmentally friendly. Use these tips to save money and energy.

1. Always run your electric cleaning appliances at full load - save up dirty dishes/clothes during the week if necessary until you have enough to justify the amount of water and electricity you're consuming.

2. Don't leave the tap on while hand washing your dishes as this uses more water than a dishwasher. After soaking, use a bowl of water to rinse them.

3. Read the labels and don't be afraid to ask questions.

4. Hang clothes out to dry rather than using a tumble dryer. Not only does it save energy, it extends the life of your clothes, as they're not being subjected to the high temperatures and wear and tear of the tumble dry.

5. When washing clothes, try putting them on at a lower temperature.