Considering that most food preparation occurs in the kitchen, keeping it free of toxic chemicals is only logical. These are a some suggestions for replacing chemical products with just a few natural alternatives, the most common being salt, lemon juice, baking soda and vinegar.

For baking dishes and containers with stubborn baked on food, an option is to soak  in hot water with 3 tablespoons of salt, wait until it cools then wash as normal. A second option is to scour with baking soda or salt then rinse throughly. Sprinkling dishes which cannot be washed immediately with salt helps to prevent sticking. Vegetables or fruit can also be soaked in salt and lukewarm water prior to scrubbing.

When cleaning the dishes, avoid petroleum-based detergents, and instead use liguid or powdered soap. Baking soda and liguid soap can be used, or using a mix of borax and washing powder in equal quantities. Vinegar has properties which breaks up grease, and can be added when washing greasy pans. Copper pans can be cleaned with coarse salt, rubbed into stains with a lemon half.

Coffee makers and coffee pots can often have a build up of coffee sediment. To clean a coffee machine, run a cleaning cycle using vinegar. Rinse the machine by running water through for atleast 30 seconds. Coffee pots can recieve a similar treatment, by filling the coffee pot with rougly a cup of vinegar and running through a normal brewing cycle without grounds. Run the second cycle with water to rinse the inside.

Vinegar can be used to remove unpleasant cooking odours from the environment by boiling a cup or two on the hob. Whilst cooking, vinegar can be added to pots (such as when cooking cabbage) to prevent odour. The smell of burnt food can be allieviated by soaking a tea towel in vinegar then wringing out and waving around the room.

For removing grease from countertops, pour a small amount of oil on top and then wipe up, removing the remainder with soap. Lemon juice, vinegar or any other mild acid can also be used to 'cut through grease'.

For general countertop cleaning, and cleaning out fridges, liberal sprinkling of baking soda on a damp cloth is effective, and to freshen countertops, add small amounts of essential oils such as lavender or orange.

Washing soda in water can be used to clean walls or surfaces which may have become grease splattered. Add to warm water and wipe walls with a cloth dampened by the solution. Be careful to wear rubber gloves whilst putting hands into the washing soda solution, as it may irritate the skin.

To keep the dishwasher clean, add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse compartment during an empty cycle every month to help reduce soap build up. To get glasses clean and sparkling, vinegar can also be used. Just soak in a solution of water and vinegar and then rinse. Baking soda can be used to deodorise food containers, by rinsing in a baking soda and hot water solution. For particularly persistent odours, leave to soak in baking powder and water overnight.

Drains often emit nasty odours, and become blocked easily. To reduce blockages in drains, pour down a half cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar (although not all at once). When fizzing and bubbling stops, then it is okay to stop adding vinegar. Rinse with the hot tap for a couple of minutes. To unblock drains, try using a plunger then pouring down one cup of baking soda then one cup of vinegar which will break down any fatty acids. Leave for a couple of minutes, then flush with hot water. However, it is unsafe to use a commercial cleaning product prior to vinegar, as a reaction could occur and cause harmful fumes. Waste disposal units can be cleaned and deodorised by grinding ice (which also sharpens blades), followed by lemon and/or orange rinds.

For deodorising bins, sprinkle amounts of baking soda into the bottom before lining.

A trick for cleaning microwaves and lossening the build up of food is to place 2 cups of water with half a cup of vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the solution for 3 or more minutes on the highest setting, (until it has boiled) and then leave in the microwave for a couple or minutes to allow the steam to loosen grime and then wipe out the microwave with a damp cloth.

For non-stick cookware, stain removal can be done by adding a cup of water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the pan, boiling for 5-10 minute (being careful not to let it boil over). Then wash in hot water, rinse and dry. A light coating of cooking oil can be added to the pan.

Ovens often become covered with burnt cooking spills and grease. To prevent grease build up, a cloth with vinegar can be used to wipe the inside of the oven. To remove stains, a paste can be made of 1 cup of vinegar and 1/4 cup of laundry detergent. After heating the oven for roughly five minutes at 350 degrees, apply the paste to the stained areas. Leave for an hour and then scrape off with a spatula. For particularly tough stains and odours, ovens can be left over night with a solution of water, baking soda and a vegetable-oil based liquid soap. Pour small amounts of water onto the bottom of the oven, then sprinkle baking soda on top. In the morning, wipe off the baking soda with the liquid soap on a scourer.

If you choose to use a chemical product on the oven, to prevent odours, wipe down with distilled vinegar to neutralise odours.

Rust stains can be removed from stainless steel surfaces by using a small amount of lemon juice with cream of tartar, then polished. Stainelss stell saucepans can be cleaned with a mix of equal amounts of baking soda, washing soda and borax.

To clean a chopping board, use vinegar, which acts as a disinfectant. Soaking the board in vinegar can also help if there are deep cuts in the board.