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Clean & Green: 101 Hints and Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Home
Learn how easy it is to make simple swaps in your cleaning and tidying methods for a more eco-friendly home. This beautifully illustrated black-and-white guide with 101 hints and sustainable, natural cleaning tips and hacks will help you take small steps that have a massive positive environmental impact. In Clean & Green, Nancy Birtwhistle shares the simple recipes and methods she has developed since making a conscious effort to live more sustainably, many of which are faster and easier than the go-to products and methods most of us use now. From everyday cleaning and laundry tips to zero-effort oven cleaner and guidance on removing tricky stains from clothing and furniture, these economical, practical methods are perfect for anyone looking to reduce their use of plastic and throwaway products. Nancy shares her tried-and-tested recipes for all-purpose cleaners, replacements for harmful chemicals, as well as planners and to-do lists that will keep both your home and the planet clean and green for future generations. Includes metric measures.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published June 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
November 24, 2020
A book giving handy tips for cleaning your house using natural substances.
I think this book will come in really handy for household chores.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for my e-copy in exchange for an honest
I think this book will come in really handy for household chores.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for my e-copy in exchange for an honest
September 26, 2024
Total convert!!! The oven racks on the grass ... What sorcery!
August 8, 2021
Love this book with all its hints, tips and recipes to follow for a cleaner and greener life. There are recipes for making your own cleaning products for house, home, clothes and even yourself.
I have bookmarked numerous recipes and tips and will be trying them out soon (after I do a bit of shopping for a few of the ingredients).
Although I won't use every recipe and tip in this book even a few will help me to be more environmentally aware and helpful.
Clean & Green: 101 Hints and Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Home
Nancy Birtwhistle
I have bookmarked numerous recipes and tips and will be trying them out soon (after I do a bit of shopping for a few of the ingredients).
Although I won't use every recipe and tip in this book even a few will help me to be more environmentally aware and helpful.
Clean & Green: 101 Hints and Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Home
Nancy Birtwhistle
Read
July 17, 2024I love Nancy Birtwhistle's IG account - so many wonderful tips! I was thrilled to find out that my library carries a number of her books. Some of her recipes contain ingredients that I had to google - since the British have different names and labels for things. But all in all most of the recipes seem doable in Canada. I look forward to trying a couple.
October 20, 2023
So excited to try all of these out and keep my home clean in an environmentally and financially sustainable way!!
Already tried a few recipes and I’m looking forward to making cleaning fun for me. It just makes me so happy to know that there are people who really do make the world a better place every day in such clever and resourceful ways. I’m already walking around the apartment telling Raine I need to “Nancy” this stain and yea I do have half a lemon stuck on my sink faucet right now.
I need to go buy some citric acid and some more things but luckily I already have a giant box of baking soda I bought last year. I’m looking forward to the day we eventually replace all our cleaning supplies with environmentally sound alternatives that we can make with just some pantry staples.
Already tried a few recipes and I’m looking forward to making cleaning fun for me. It just makes me so happy to know that there are people who really do make the world a better place every day in such clever and resourceful ways. I’m already walking around the apartment telling Raine I need to “Nancy” this stain and yea I do have half a lemon stuck on my sink faucet right now.
I need to go buy some citric acid and some more things but luckily I already have a giant box of baking soda I bought last year. I’m looking forward to the day we eventually replace all our cleaning supplies with environmentally sound alternatives that we can make with just some pantry staples.
September 18, 2023
Helpful hints and tips to keep your house, clothes and self clean using eco-friendly methods and plenty of recipes to make your own cleaning liquids
September 16, 2023
Brimming with useful easy eco friendly tips. It’s my go to especially dealing with any spills! 🤩
June 17, 2021
I didn't know this famous blogger/instagrammer who can replace all detergents with natural things and I find her very useful, also because, maybe slowly, I could do it too.
Non conoscevo questa famosa blogger/instagrammer che puó sostituire tutti i detersivi con cose naturali e la trovo molto utile, anche perché, magari piano piano, potrei farcela anche io.
Non conoscevo questa famosa blogger/instagrammer che puó sostituire tutti i detersivi con cose naturali e la trovo molto utile, anche perché, magari piano piano, potrei farcela anche io.
April 11, 2021
Who knew basically everything in your home can be cleaned with bicarb, vinegar and lemon?! Safe to say I will not be repurchasing any of the cleaners I’ve previously been using specially when there’s much more cost effective and environmentally friendly ways to clean your home.
July 6, 2024
Nancy’s book shows how shockingly simple it is to make environmentally cleaning products that work! We immediately tried her silver cleaning method and it was excellent! Now onto making her other products.
The book is written in the same way that Nancy talks , more of a chat with a friend, which is lovely. You can read the book in sections out of order which is great but does mean some repetitions of the ‘why’ she decided to move to making he own products.
Personally I would have preferred the layout to have been different - more of a recipe layout as to how to make each item in numbered stages on one page and her chatty part on a separate page.
Ultimately I was already committing to making my own cleaning products and her book has given me one place to find all the recipes to do so - so job well done Nancy!
The book is written in the same way that Nancy talks , more of a chat with a friend, which is lovely. You can read the book in sections out of order which is great but does mean some repetitions of the ‘why’ she decided to move to making he own products.
Personally I would have preferred the layout to have been different - more of a recipe layout as to how to make each item in numbered stages on one page and her chatty part on a separate page.
Ultimately I was already committing to making my own cleaning products and her book has given me one place to find all the recipes to do so - so job well done Nancy!
December 17, 2022
The best green book I'ver ever read (and I've read loads). There's so much I absolutely loved about it, but mostly how genuinely useful it is for the average person. It goes beyond the obvious that every vaguely green book covers and actually talks about very specific every-day needs that are super relatable. Not only that, but Nancy's various cleaning products all contain different amounts of the same few basic ingredients, making each of the different solutions very accessible and easy to put together.
This is a MUST read for everyone, whether you're looking to become more green in your life, want to make cleaning a lot easier, or you're looking to save some money along the way. Nancy's
This is a MUST read for everyone, whether you're looking to become more green in your life, want to make cleaning a lot easier, or you're looking to save some money along the way. Nancy's
January 9, 2024
A revelation, easy to follow and the tips I have tried so far have worked really well. This is going to save me money and the planet.
August 4, 2025
in my nara smith era ! interesting to learn about the toxins in cleaning products that affect us & the environment 🌱
January 4, 2026
Perfect new years read. Not only inexpensive and eco friendly ideas, but SEPTIC SAFE ideas (hallelujah).
She’s a fun follow on IG too.
She’s a fun follow on IG too.
March 3, 2023
Loads of great tips and recipes for green cleaning. I've already used some of the stain removal tips and they work!!!
December 22, 2020
Can a 'green cleaning' book be revolutionary? I didn't think so - and I was wrong! Like many of us, I try to balance not wanting to destroy the environment with the need for time-saving and convenience; also, like many of us, my household has its share of allergies and sensitivities which send me on a constant hunt for skin-safe products.
In Birtwhistle's 'Clean & Green', we learn no-nonsense techniques for tackling all the home cleaning chores, from laundry and dishes to deep-cleaning appliances, and everything in between. Unlike so many of these books (and I've read more than a handful in my day), Birtwhistle's formulas work for the super-hard water that I have to contend with. My struggle with 'natural' cleaning products always came down to the fact that they only really worked in soft-water areas. Anyone who's tried to use a shampoo bar in hard water more than twice will get what I'm saying - soapscum / limescale central.
Not so here - Birtwhistle is very much aware just how much hard water impacts cleaning products, detergents, and their natural alternatives. Her instructions help you master greener cleaning that's both budget-friendly and hard-water friendly.
Highly recommended for anyone looking to reduce their environmental impact, decrease their dependence and expenditures on commercial cleaning products, learn about how / why certain products work, and anyone needing to 'DIY' their cleaning products due to allergies, sensitivities, eczema, psoriasis, or other medical reasons.
Advance reader copy kindly provided by Pan Macmillan.
In Birtwhistle's 'Clean & Green', we learn no-nonsense techniques for tackling all the home cleaning chores, from laundry and dishes to deep-cleaning appliances, and everything in between. Unlike so many of these books (and I've read more than a handful in my day), Birtwhistle's formulas work for the super-hard water that I have to contend with. My struggle with 'natural' cleaning products always came down to the fact that they only really worked in soft-water areas. Anyone who's tried to use a shampoo bar in hard water more than twice will get what I'm saying - soapscum / limescale central.
Not so here - Birtwhistle is very much aware just how much hard water impacts cleaning products, detergents, and their natural alternatives. Her instructions help you master greener cleaning that's both budget-friendly and hard-water friendly.
Highly recommended for anyone looking to reduce their environmental impact, decrease their dependence and expenditures on commercial cleaning products, learn about how / why certain products work, and anyone needing to 'DIY' their cleaning products due to allergies, sensitivities, eczema, psoriasis, or other medical reasons.
Advance reader copy kindly provided by Pan Macmillan.
January 23, 2021
A very comprehensive book on how to clean your home the green eco-friendly way.
Nancy Birtwhistle has created this book, inspired by her grandchildren and her concerns for their futures with a fragile planet. So she set off on a journey of discovery to record her own knowledge as well as research more ways we can reduce our use of harmful chemicals in our homes.
This is such a cracking book, Nancy tackles every room in the home from top to bottom. There are green recipes and step by step guides on everything from cleaning windows to bathrooms, kitchens even laundry.
There are tips on descaling, deodorising and disinfecting. Just about any household cleaning chore you can think of is listed. There's also instructions on how to maintain household equipment such as irons, kettles, toasters and ovens.
Anyone who cares about their health and the planet should buy this book. In fact buy several copies and gift them to family and friends. Let's help Nancy share the important message that we don't need to use chemical cleaners in our home. There is a low cost, eco-friendly solution to all our cleaning needs, we just need to re-educate ourselves and change old habits.
Many thanks to Netgalley for my digital copy in return for my honest review.
Nancy Birtwhistle has created this book, inspired by her grandchildren and her concerns for their futures with a fragile planet. So she set off on a journey of discovery to record her own knowledge as well as research more ways we can reduce our use of harmful chemicals in our homes.
This is such a cracking book, Nancy tackles every room in the home from top to bottom. There are green recipes and step by step guides on everything from cleaning windows to bathrooms, kitchens even laundry.
There are tips on descaling, deodorising and disinfecting. Just about any household cleaning chore you can think of is listed. There's also instructions on how to maintain household equipment such as irons, kettles, toasters and ovens.
Anyone who cares about their health and the planet should buy this book. In fact buy several copies and gift them to family and friends. Let's help Nancy share the important message that we don't need to use chemical cleaners in our home. There is a low cost, eco-friendly solution to all our cleaning needs, we just need to re-educate ourselves and change old habits.
Many thanks to Netgalley for my digital copy in return for my honest review.
January 23, 2021
A very comprehensive book on how to clean your home the green eco-friendly way.
Nancy Birtwhistle has created this book, inspired by her grandchildren and her concerns for their futures with a fragile planet. So she set off on a journey of discovery to record her own knowledge as well as research more ways we can reduce our use of harmful chemicals in our homes.
This is such a cracking book, Nancy tackles every room in the home from top to bottom. There are green recipes and step by step guides on everything from cleaning windows to bathrooms, kitchens even laundry.
There are tips on descaling, deodorising and disinfecting. Just about any household cleaning chore you can think of is listed. There's also instructions on how to maintain household equipment such as irons, kettles, toasters and ovens.
Anyone who cares about their health and the planet should buy this book. In fact buy several copies and gift them to family and friends. Let's help Nancy share the important message that we don't need to use chemical cleaners in our home. There is a low cost, eco-friendly solution to all our cleaning needs, we just need to re-educate ourselves and change old habits.
Nancy Birtwhistle has created this book, inspired by her grandchildren and her concerns for their futures with a fragile planet. So she set off on a journey of discovery to record her own knowledge as well as research more ways we can reduce our use of harmful chemicals in our homes.
This is such a cracking book, Nancy tackles every room in the home from top to bottom. There are green recipes and step by step guides on everything from cleaning windows to bathrooms, kitchens even laundry.
There are tips on descaling, deodorising and disinfecting. Just about any household cleaning chore you can think of is listed. There's also instructions on how to maintain household equipment such as irons, kettles, toasters and ovens.
Anyone who cares about their health and the planet should buy this book. In fact buy several copies and gift them to family and friends. Let's help Nancy share the important message that we don't need to use chemical cleaners in our home. There is a low cost, eco-friendly solution to all our cleaning needs, we just need to re-educate ourselves and change old habits.
April 24, 2023
Changed my cleaning routine
Love the cleaning solution recipes. I was partially green but not so much more so. Pure Magic is just as advertised. When I moved into this apartment, the toilet had disgusting hard water and rust stains. Tried every chemical product out there. So embarrassing! Well, found Nancy's recipe. Now my toilet is sparkling white. It set he little things. Great shower or moving from home present.
Love the cleaning solution recipes. I was partially green but not so much more so. Pure Magic is just as advertised. When I moved into this apartment, the toilet had disgusting hard water and rust stains. Tried every chemical product out there. So embarrassing! Well, found Nancy's recipe. Now my toilet is sparkling white. It set he little things. Great shower or moving from home present.
October 2, 2021
Loved this book from Nancy Birtwhistle. Tried several recipes for cleaning and so far all have worked brilliantly. A lot of work has gone into this book and I would recommend it as a kitchen must have. Every recipe is clearly explained although some items are harder to find so have to be bought on line. Maybe in time I can source them more locally. It was a Prize Well Worth Winning!
December 16, 2025
Nancy is my new influencer. I seriously learned so much and I will keep reading het books!
May 3, 2025
Nancy Birthwhistle was ooit winnaar van de Engelse versie van ‘Heel Holland bakt’. In 2019 begint ze naast haar fabuleuze baksels ook schoonmaak adviezen online te delen. Milieuvriendelijk..
Zo maakt ze zelf waspoeder en andere schoonmaakmiddelen en deelt deze recepten in dit boek. Mooie frisse cover ook!
Die klimop op de foto staat er niet voor niks op, met klimop kun je nl ook de was doen!
Ik heb een onstuimig groeiende in de tuin dus dit staat zeker op het programma..
Er zijn ook best wat ‘groene’ schoonmaakmiddelen te koop trouwens, dus zelf maken hoeft niet perse.. Ik gebruik zelf bv al vaak baking soda en voor de was heb ik al een tijd wasstrips. Dat zijn een soort papieren blaadjes met of zonder geur die je bij de was in de trommel doet. Ik gebruik ze voor elke was. Je hebt echt niet voor elke soort was een andere plastic fles of waspoeder nodig. Daarmee spek je vooral de kas van de fabrikant. Het goedkoopste is als je het zelf maakt.
En koop toch aub geen bleekmiddel/glorix, dat doodt meer dan je wilt en er zijn groene middelen die echt net zo goed zijn.
Dit boek is een heel handig naslagwerk, je zoekt makkelijk iets op met de index achterin. Ook voor de tuin staan er tips in voor bv gewasbescherming, en voor je persoonlijke verzorging. Maak bv zelf badzout of een lippen crème.
Laten we met z’n allen de wereld wat groener maken. Het is nodig. Ook voor je eigen gezondheid. Weet jij wat je op je huid smeert? En kijk eens op de ingrediënten lijst van je wasmiddel.
Een handig boek voor in je keukenkast!
Zo maakt ze zelf waspoeder en andere schoonmaakmiddelen en deelt deze recepten in dit boek. Mooie frisse cover ook!
Die klimop op de foto staat er niet voor niks op, met klimop kun je nl ook de was doen!
Ik heb een onstuimig groeiende in de tuin dus dit staat zeker op het programma..
Er zijn ook best wat ‘groene’ schoonmaakmiddelen te koop trouwens, dus zelf maken hoeft niet perse.. Ik gebruik zelf bv al vaak baking soda en voor de was heb ik al een tijd wasstrips. Dat zijn een soort papieren blaadjes met of zonder geur die je bij de was in de trommel doet. Ik gebruik ze voor elke was. Je hebt echt niet voor elke soort was een andere plastic fles of waspoeder nodig. Daarmee spek je vooral de kas van de fabrikant. Het goedkoopste is als je het zelf maakt.
En koop toch aub geen bleekmiddel/glorix, dat doodt meer dan je wilt en er zijn groene middelen die echt net zo goed zijn.
Dit boek is een heel handig naslagwerk, je zoekt makkelijk iets op met de index achterin. Ook voor de tuin staan er tips in voor bv gewasbescherming, en voor je persoonlijke verzorging. Maak bv zelf badzout of een lippen crème.
Laten we met z’n allen de wereld wat groener maken. Het is nodig. Ook voor je eigen gezondheid. Weet jij wat je op je huid smeert? En kijk eens op de ingrediënten lijst van je wasmiddel.
Een handig boek voor in je keukenkast!
May 4, 2024
Skimmed through most of it, and flagged 15 pages. The amount of posts, pins and videos I’ve saved with cleaning tips I’ve saved over the years… It’s nice to have them all in one place.
She uses similar ingredients throughout her kitchen, laundry, bathroom and garden, making it a much more accessible and routine for me. I’ve already started implementing more natural products into my routines. I have some skincare oils that I make myself, etc. But laundry and cleaning have always been more intimidating for me, because I don’t want to sacrifice the cleanliness of my clothes/dishes for green products (always been a Clorox wipes kinda girl) But since I’ve started with some vinegar based products, and using essential oils, I’ve actually felt like my home remains just as fresh and clean.
I feel good about the products and processes she outlines in the book. Nothing stands out as totally different than what I’ve seen. She has detailed instructions as well and ingredient lists for everything she does which makes it super easy to follow.
I’m excited to try her English ivy laundry detergent recipe for my clothes (I have so much)!!
Also— the author is English so wording of things / names / measurements are slightly different sometimes. But for some reason it makes me trust her more 🤷🏼♀️.
She uses similar ingredients throughout her kitchen, laundry, bathroom and garden, making it a much more accessible and routine for me. I’ve already started implementing more natural products into my routines. I have some skincare oils that I make myself, etc. But laundry and cleaning have always been more intimidating for me, because I don’t want to sacrifice the cleanliness of my clothes/dishes for green products (always been a Clorox wipes kinda girl) But since I’ve started with some vinegar based products, and using essential oils, I’ve actually felt like my home remains just as fresh and clean.
I feel good about the products and processes she outlines in the book. Nothing stands out as totally different than what I’ve seen. She has detailed instructions as well and ingredient lists for everything she does which makes it super easy to follow.
I’m excited to try her English ivy laundry detergent recipe for my clothes (I have so much)!!
Also— the author is English so wording of things / names / measurements are slightly different sometimes. But for some reason it makes me trust her more 🤷🏼♀️.
November 15, 2023
Transformed my approach and feelings about cleaning...for the better!
I love Nancy and this book is wonderful. I think it's great if you read it and watch her videos on social media too. For me it's her no nonsense, tried and tested approach that I love. You can genuinely sense that she does indeed use all these recipes. It's given me faith in using more natural products and it's quite fun actually deciding on your own scents. I wanted to use less chemicals since I had my children as I hated to clean around them with them breathing in the toxic smells. Now I don't need to worry about cleaning with them around. For shine, the all purpose cleaner is wonderful. Everything really does sparkle with it.
I love Nancy and this book is wonderful. I think it's great if you read it and watch her videos on social media too. For me it's her no nonsense, tried and tested approach that I love. You can genuinely sense that she does indeed use all these recipes. It's given me faith in using more natural products and it's quite fun actually deciding on your own scents. I wanted to use less chemicals since I had my children as I hated to clean around them with them breathing in the toxic smells. Now I don't need to worry about cleaning with them around. For shine, the all purpose cleaner is wonderful. Everything really does sparkle with it.
October 9, 2024
I didn't sleep at all last night so I ended up finishing another book. I've had my eye on this series for ages and finally got round to starting them!
I've followed @nancy.birtwhistle on Instagram for a while now you may remember her as a previous winner of Great British Bake Off! However I like to follow Nancy because her Eco-friendly tips are amazing!! This book in particular focuses on cleaning around the home, garden and personal care. There's so many great ideas to help make your everyday chores more sustainable.
A long term goal for me would be to bring more of this kind of lifestyle into my home... It's definitely something I'd like to work on and with these tips from Nancy it's definitely achievable and cost effective too. Lemons and Bicarbonate Soda here I come!!
I've followed @nancy.birtwhistle on Instagram for a while now you may remember her as a previous winner of Great British Bake Off! However I like to follow Nancy because her Eco-friendly tips are amazing!! This book in particular focuses on cleaning around the home, garden and personal care. There's so many great ideas to help make your everyday chores more sustainable.
A long term goal for me would be to bring more of this kind of lifestyle into my home... It's definitely something I'd like to work on and with these tips from Nancy it's definitely achievable and cost effective too. Lemons and Bicarbonate Soda here I come!!
February 4, 2023
A fantastic resource for anyone interested in reducing the number of harmful chemicals they use in their home and garden, or even people looking to reduce their cleaning costs. I confess I've only read the book so far, I haven't tried out any of the recipes, but as someone who hates cleaning with a passion they all seem pretty straightforward and fuss-free. I'll update my review when I've tried some out, now I need to get bulk buying supplies!!
March 25, 2023
Finally bought myself a copy cuz I’d like to consume less plastic, use healthier cleaning products, and save money. Seems like a no-brainer! The only challenge with the book is that the writer is British and she uses British terms and measurements for the formulas. This requires translating and converting…but she’s great. I first found out about her through Instagram. Also bought her other book.
February 24, 2025
I borrowed this from the library; I’ve found this so useful that I’ve bought my own copy. Lots of advice, hints and tips about cleaning your house and its contents without using dozens of different plastic bottles filled with dubious chemicals. It’s easier now to source the main ingredients (white vinegar, sodium bicarbonate, citric acid etc) either on line or from a refill shop or other retailer.
February 27, 2021
I started following Nancy because of the GBBO, but I loved seeing her tips and tricks about household cleaning and personal care. Since I started dealing with infertility issues, I’ve been trying to get rid of all the chemicals and use only natural products. I’m looking forward to trying out these methods and making more changes that will help my health and the environment!
August 14, 2023
An excellent book with lots of tips for cleaning in an eco friendly way that works. I have started following Nancy on instagram and it’s great to see all her hints and tips working for people. The more people who follow her ideas, the less plastic waste and harmful chemicals will be in our environment and that has got to be a good thing.
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