The little green things that make a difference

But in our quest to ensure we get a little quality leisure time, perhaps we have neglected one thing - the environment. The last thing most people want to think of at the end of a hard day is going 'green' - of course, it's a worthy prospect, but it's also one which many of us fear will result in having to ditch all those convenient things which make life so much easier.

According to environmentalist Karen Christensen, we can keep the microwave, the regular cleaning products and the hi-tech clothing and still do our bit for the planet by adopting a few simple measures which won't drastically affect our lives - but which may ensure a safer, healthier future for all.

''You don't have to change cleaning products, spend more time in natural light and start cycling to work all at once,'' she says, in her book Eco Living. ''Identify two or three changes that will make a difference.''

So, how can we do our bit for the environment at home?

KITCHEN

l Go for enamelled cast iron pans (eg: Le Creuset) or for uncoated cast iron. Your food will gain some iron from the pans, which nutritionists say is as easily absorbed as the iron in beef.

l It's okay to use a microwave oven to heat a single dish. A microwave uses a fraction of the energy required by other cooking appliances. If you're reheating homemade dishes rather than using pre-packed food, they're a good eco-choice.

l Use a chest freezer - it's more efficient than an upright model. Defrost regularly and try to keep it full.

l Don't put a small pan on to a big ring - a flame licking up the side of a pan is wasted.

l Don't feel too guilty about using a dishwasher. If you run it on an economy cycle with full loads, it can use less water than hand-washing. Look out for a phosphate and chlorine-free washing powder and cut the amount you use to a minimum.

l In some cases the eco choice is to buy your favourite commercial household cleaning product in the largest container possible - and use it sparingly.

l Use eco-friendly detergent in your washing machine and wash full loads, keeping the cycles as short and cool as possible. Avoid fabric conditioners. Try putting herbal bags in your drawers among the clothes instead.

lAvoid caustic oven cleaner - wipe up spills when they happen and put baking sheets under dishes which could boil over.

BATHROOM

l Have a shower rather than a bath - they use far less water.

l Ditch your chemical-ridden bubble bath - plain Epsom salts make a great mineral bath, with the addition of a few drops of essential oil.

l If you have sensitive skin, just have an unscented bath but light an aromatherapy candle instead.

l Opt for biodegradable soaps and shampoo.

l Avoid powders containing talc, which can be contaminated with asbestos fibre. Ordinary cornflour and arrowroot are soft and absorbent.

l Try limiting anti-perspirant use to times when you wear delicate or fitted clothing. For ecological body-odour control, use pump-action or roll-on deodorants. Minerals are also effective. You can buy a deodorant crystal or use bicarbonate of soda. Keep some in a jar and apply with dampened fingertips.

l Use a natural toothpaste, available at wholefood shops. The best cleaner for your teeth is bicarbonate of soda, which may not taste great but is worth using once a week.

l Don't use bleach to get rid of the ring in your toilet - it can be tackled with a pumice bar, which is completely non-toxic.

LOUNGE

l To contain heat in your lounge, buy heavy curtains. You can also buy special lining fabric for extra insulation.

l Improve your floor insulation with thick fibre underlay and a layer of newspapers under the underlay, before laying the carpet.

l Buy cushions made of latex foam and feathers.

l Dust the room with a soft, slightly damp cloth rather than spraying aerosol polishes on your furniture.

l Reduce the amount of cleaning you have to do by buying patterned carpets and fabrics which won't show the marks.

l Avoid falling asleep in front of the TV. New studies show that evening TV watching interferes with the transition to sleep.

BEDROOM

l Buy untreated or organic cotton bedding.

l Cotton and wool futons provide excellent bedding for people who are chemically sensitive.

l Avoid alcohol before bedtime. Try warm milk or camomile tea.

l Minimise electrical equipment in your bedroom, especially near your bed.

l Use a hot water bottle not an electric blanket.

l If you have to use a hairdryer towel dry your hair first and wait a few minutes so you only use the dryer for the final styling.

GARDEN

l Plant old roses and non-hybrid seeds.

l To move nearer to permaculture (permanent agriculture), plant, food-bearing and other useful perennials such as raspberries, mushrooms, willow and poplar.

l When putting in trees and shrubs, consider those which will offer crops - fruit trees, grapevines, quince bushes.

l Tuck herbs in among your flower beds.

l Find out the composition of your soil so you can find out what will grow well in it.

l Establish your own compost tip, to which you can add kitchen scraps, grass clippings, leaves etc. Fresh manure, rich in nitrogen, will activate it.

HOUSE GENERAL

l Insulate your loft rather than turning up the heat.

l Consider using 'passive' solar heating, for example leave curtains open during daylight, but close them as soon as it gets dark, don't use net curtains, especially on south-facing windows.

l Only heat the rooms you are using.

l Shelves above radiators direct warm air into the room - a layer of aluminium foil on the underside of the shelf will make this more efficient.

Eco Living by Karen Christensen (Piatkus, £9.99)