It could be argued that clean water is our planet's most precious asset. For many regions across the globe water is increasingly becoming a limited resource, both the amount of water available and the quality of what is available.

According to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, South Africa's available freshwater resources are nearly fully utilised and under pressure. Adding to this pressure is the acceleration of population growth and it is estimated that (based on projected population growth and economic rates) it is unlikely that the demand on water resources in South Africa will be sustainable.

The pressures on our water systems are further exacerbated by pollution of the surface- and ground-water resources. Typical pollutants of South Africa's freshwater aquatic environment include industrial effluents; domestic and commercial sewage; acid mine drainage; agricultural runoff, and litter.

P.J Oberholster and P.J Ashton in The State of the Nation Report: An Overview of the Current Status of Water Quality and Eutrophication in South African Rivers and Reservoirs noted that a great proportion of sewage emanating from South African urban areas cannot be treated properly since sewage treatment plants are overloaded, especially in densely populated areas. Cleaning without chemicals helps reduce strain on municipal treatment systems and lessens further water pollution.

Today it is very easy to replace those harmful chemical based cleaning products with commercially produced chemical free products. A wide variety of chemical free cleaning products, ranging from floor cleaners to disinfectants, are available at Pick n Pay and Woolworths. Pick n Pay’s in-house range is PnP Green Range and Woolworths produces their very own Earth Friendly range. You can also buy their products online at picknpay.co.za and woolworths.co.za.

A great online store to buy a wide variety of chemical free and all-natural cleaning products is www.faithful-to-nature.co.za. They stock fantastic brands such as Earthsap, Better Earth and Bloublommetjies. Alternatively you can visit earthsap.co.za, betterearth.co.za or bloublommetjieskloof.com to find stockist in your province.

For more affordable chemical free cleaning you can even mix your own cleaners. For bathroom and kitchen tiles use Baking Soda and Water. Dust surfaces with baking soda, and then scrub with a moist sponge or cloth. For difficult stains, spray vinegar or lemon juice on the surface and scrub with a stiff brush.

Mix half a cup of vinegar and a quarter cup of baking soda with 2 litres of water for a great All-Purpose Cleaner.

Remove carpet stains with 1 part water and 1 part vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray directly onto the stain; leave for 10 minutes and clean with a sponge or brush and warm water. Most floor surfaces can also be cleaned using this carpet cleaning formula.

For your windows mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with 2 litres of water and spray onto windows. Use old newspaper to scrub it off since it leaves fewer streaks. If you do not have vinegar or you dislike the smell, substitute it with undiluted lemon juice. Image sourced from www.earthcheck.org