You're not just doing the dishes, you're saving the world. Discover easy tips for cleaning your home that help safeguard the environment

Harsh chemicals and detergents negatively impact the environment and they're not good for your health either - they've been linked to breathing problems, skin irritation and may be harmful to children and pregnant women. Use these tips to save money, energy and, well, the planet the next time you put on your Marigolds.

1. Well, it might sound a bit strange, but you could try cleaning slightly less often. It's a strategy that's worked particularly well for me for years! Seriously though, evidence suggests that living with a certain amount of dirt and microbes serves to build up the immune system, that unnecessary perfumes and air fresheners adversely affect indoor air quality and are linked to allergies and asthma, and the overuse of anti-bacterial cleaning products could contribute to drug-resistant bacterial strains.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Try to refill your cleaning products containers rather than just buying new ones. Environmentally friendly cleaning product manufacturers Ecover run a re-fill scheme. Click here to find your nearest refill stockist www.uk-marketingdatabase.com
5. Avoid cleaning products containing phosphates and chlorine. Also steer clear of aerosol sprays and products with unnecessary packaging.
6. Read the labels and don't be afraid to ask questions. Greenpeace's Chemical Home campaign has a colour coded list of products to help you choose what to buy as well as shocking information about the effects of chemicals in all kinds of household products and items. www.greenpeace.org.uk
7. Use a broom or dust pan and brush rather than the vacuum cleaner when possible rather than guzzling up all that electricity.
8. 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.
9. Try using re-usable cloths rather than wasteful wipes and disposable clothes. The E-cloth is new microfibre cleaning cloth that works on contact with water. It can be washed and re-used up to 300 times. Visit www.e-cloth.com
10. Where possible try using natural cleaning agents, that can be found in your kitchen such as vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil and bicarbonate of soda, or greener commercial products. Find out more about cleaning naturally.