Householders should use natural cleaning solutions to give themselves a workout and improve the air quality of their home.

Many commercial bleaches, disinfectants and deodorisers may seem to be effective but can actually damage the home and put people's health at risk due to the chemical agents which they contain, claimed Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer of the San Mateo Daily Journal.

Indeed, the writers pointed out a report from the US Environmental Protection Agency stated that buildings can often be more polluted than the air outdoors, even in heavily industrialised cities.

Consequently, they urged consumers to use natural cleaning solutions such as lemons, vinegar and baking soda to tackle their household dust, dirt and grease.

"It might take a little more elbow grease, but consider it exercise - also good for your health," they said.

Natural cleaning can be kinder to the bank balance as well as the health, claimed Greenopolis writer Sarah Smith.

She said that commercial products are often some of the most expensive items on a monthly shopping list, a cost which householders could cut by making using natural cleaning solutions.