Using natural cleaning products is one of the simplest and best ways to make a household more environmentally friendly, an expert has said.

Jennifer Jones, interior design expert for US newspaper the Examiner, said that trying to run a green home can seem daunting because of the number of choices available to consumers.

She explained that natural cleaning products derive their ingredients from plants and are biodegradable, as well as phosphate and chlorine free.

This makes them healthier for the environment and for consumers than chemical-filled alternatives made from using petrochemicals, Ms Jones said.

She also noted that houses fitted with air conditioning should turn it off and use a fan instead, as they use significantly less energy and therefore can help reduce a household's carbon emissions.

In another column, the writer also recommended that rather than decking a house out with brand new chairs, tables and sofas, furniture shoppers should consider buying second-hand, vintage or antique pieces instead.