There are many ways in which we can make our daily routines kinder to our planet. A perfect place to start is in our own homes and trying to be greener in the way we clean. Keep reading for our 5 top tips to cleaning your bathroom, the eco-friendly way.   1. Bicarbonate Soda Bicarbonate of soda can be a great, gentle alternative to harsh toilet cleaners or bleach. When mixed with water, the soda cuts through dirt and grease. But when used dry, it is slightly abrasive, so it can be used to scrub away difficult stains. Baking soda mixed with water is also a great way to remove any dirt and grime that may have built up around your bath, shower or floor tiles.   2. Switch to Re-Purposed and Re-Usable Save yourself some money and do the environment a favour by ditching the single use paper towels when you clean. Invest in some microfiber cloths or simply reuse old clothes or towels as rags.   3. White Vinegar White vinegar is the perfect, natural solution to get those tiles, mirrors and windows looking extra sparkly. Simply make a 50/50 water and vinegar solution in an old spray bottle, and use as you would your regular cleaning solutions.   4. Use Gentle, Eco-Friendly Products If you’re struggling to switch to 100% homemade products, don’t be hard on yourself, just be conscious about the solutions you are purchasing. There are so many natural, eco-friendly and even refillable options out on the market that are better for your home and the planet. Our favourite is the Miniml range, which is also vegan, cruelty-free and British made.   5. Opt for Multi-Use Solutions Multi-use products are better for the environment, make your cleaning routine easier, and prevents you from buying every...

For the Plant Lover Plantbox Living Wall Every plant fanatics dream; a living wall. These green wall planters not only bring an indoor or outdoor space to life, they also come with an intelligent watering system that makes plant care simple. For the Organiser Willow Alexander Planner These elegant planners are the perfect stocking filler for the methodical person in your life that needs to arrange every hour of their day. For the Coffee Addict Rose Gold Coffee Scoop with Clip We all know a coffee connoisseur! Beautify and streamline their morning brew with this elegant scoop that doubles as a clip to keep your coffee fresh For the Artisan Nutscene Lemongrass and Jojoba Hand Cream   Know someone who spends a lot of time working with their hands? Gift them the TLC they need this Christmas with this beautifully crafted lemongrass and jojoba handcream from Nutscene. Curated with soothing, caring and healing ingredients this hyper-moisturising cream has a luxurious, subtle fragrance, and is presented in a beautiful glass bottle with a pump-action top. For the Green Thumb For Good Home Grown Hero Kit The perfect starter pack to set someone on their journey to Home Grown Hero status. A go-to kit for learning the art of growing your own food sustainably, all packed in an eco-friendly grow bag. For the Master Decorator Shell on Earth Crushed Whelk Shells These recycled crushed whelk shells are the perfect gift for your plant loving friend that likes to go the extra mile with their presentation. Ideal for indoor plant pot and terrarium top dressing, adding an extra layer of elegance and protection for your plants. Perfect as part of a plant-care hamper or a DIY terrarium kit. For the Outdoor Explorer Willow Alexander Countrywear The Willow Alexander countrywear line is the perfect gift...

With less than a month to go, the Christmas countdown has begun. The holiday period can be a difficult time to navigate with a sustainable conscience, so we’re here to help. Read ahead for our 5 easy steps you can make towards a more eco-friendly Christmas.   1. Get yourself a re-usable advent calendar Save yourself trying to find the perfect advent every year, and invest in a reusable calendar that you can fill with personalised treats. From wooden designs to fabric garlands, there are so many beautiful options to choose from that will double as a decoration.   2. Rent a tree It is believed up to 8 million Christmas trees are thrown away each year (GWPGroup), yet studies have also shown artificial trees need to be reused for at least 20 years to be the more sustainable option (Two Sides). So what is a truly green alternative? Introducing rentable Christmas trees! Businesses like Christmas on the Hill will deliver a live, potted tree straight to your door. They will come back to collect it after the Christmas period, and replant it, so its life continues, and it can be used again next year!   3. Wrap gifts in recycled or reusable wrap A lot of wrapping papers contain materials such as glitter, foil or plastic that makes them non-recyclable, but there are many other eco-friendly options out there. Opt for recyclable, or better yet, recycled papers, re-use wrapping papers from previous years, or repurpose magazines and newspapers. Maybe even consider investing in some fabric wraps that you can use again and again. Support a small business by exploring the wide rage of options available on Etsy.   4. Shop local Use the abundant amount of shopping that comes with the holiday season to show your support for your...

Lemongrass, or Cymbopogon, is a perennial herb of tropical origin, and member of the grass family. It grows a beautiful fountain of smooth, arching leaves that can reach up to 5ft. Lemongrass gets its name from its distinct lemon-like taste and smell. Its stems are commonly used for cooking and the herbs essential oil is a popular natural medicine. Lemongrass is believed to have many health benefits, and can be a very advantageous addition to your garden, read ahead to find out 5 reasons why.   1. Repel unwanted pests Lemongrass can be a great companion plants due to the citronella in the herb that helps to repel un-welcome insects. It drives away mosquitos, stable flies, aphids and white flies, helping to protect you, and your garden.   2. Add it to your meals Lemongrass can be incorporated into your cooking in many ways. Young shoots can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable. Leaves can be placed directly in dishes and removed before consumption to add flavour, or can be brewed to make a tea with a long list of health benefits.   3. Harvest for health benefits Lemongrass is a very popular natural medicine. Tea brewed from its leaves is believed to help treat digestive issues, joint pains, relieve headaches, lower blood pressure and detoxify the body. Its essential oil helps to promote relaxation, and is thought to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.   4. Space efficient Due to its warmer origins, lemongrass is not a fan of frosts or cold weather, making it a great addition to your container or herb garden, so it can be easily moved. It can be grown indoors or outside, as long as it is exposed to plenty of light, kept warm and is well drained. Lemongrass can be an excellent...

Now that the clocks have changed, Halloween has come and gone, the rain is falling and the temperature has really dropped, there is no denying Winter is well on the way. There is much to be done around the garden to prepare your outside space for the coldest months. Keep reading for our top garden to-do's before Winter arrives!   Mulch Mulching protects your plants from frost, helps to regulate temperature, and reduces the potential of soil erosion from rainfall. Cover your garden beds in thick organic materials such as wood chippings or Shell on Earths Recycled Whelk Shells to keep your plants warm, happy and healthy over the Winter.   Harvest/Regenerate Compost Now is the perfect time to collect the compost you’ve been brewing over the past year and make use of it around the garden. This should create room for you to start a new batch with this years waste.   Weeding Weeds can quickly take over a garden if left to their own devices. Its best to keep on top of them, and manage them at the beginning of Winter, so you don’t have a larger problem on your hands come Spring. Make sure the weeds are extracted right from the root to prevent them from coming back again and again.   Net Ponds Fallen and decomposing leaves can block filters and spoil your pond water. Netting any water features in your garden to catch the leaves before they drop in can save you a lot of time and effort later on.   Look After the Wildlife The insects and animals that reside in your outdoor space are a crucial part of the well-being of your garden, so make sure to take care of them as the weather becomes colder. Keep your bird feeders topped up, and...

We think carefully about everything we do to make sure are projects are always as eco friendly as possible. Environmentally friendly decking is an important step towards making our gardens that little bit kinder to the planet. We work with Envirobuild and their range of sustainably sourced and eco-friendly materials. But are you wondering what really makes sustainable composite decking a superior solution for our outside space? Read ahead to find out more…   Environmentally Friendly Composite decking is made of 90% recycled materials in a factory run on 100% wind energy. This repurposes materials heading for landfill and ensures no trees need to be cut down for its production. As a result, composite boards have up to 68% lower global warming contribution than timber.   Long Lasting Unlike timber, composite decking contains a unique blend of materials that do not rot, wrap or splinter. It is non-slip and built to withstand all kinds of weather. Composite decking is a long-lasting, safer, and more reliable solution than timber.   Low Maintenance Composite decking never needs to be treated or stained, saving you a big maintenance job every 6-12 months. There is a wide variety of designs and colours to choose from, so you can find the perfect aesthetic for your outside space that will last for years and years.   Find out more about our sustainable composite decking design and installation service here.

We should all be doing what we can to act more sustainably, and build a cleaner, greener future for the generations to come. However, it’s very easy to feel overwhelmed by all the advice and information currently out there surrounding the subject of sustainable living. To help simplify things, we’ve put together 5 simple tips, to help you start living more sustainably. Start composting your food waste Composting is a great way to recycle the organic waste you create at home, reducing your greenhouse gas emissions and preventing unnecessary waste from ending up in landfill. If you have a garden, compost is an excellent way to fertilise and enrich your soil, helping it to retain nutrients and water, encouraging growth and reducing the risk of potential disease. If you don’t have an outside space to enrich, your local council should provide you with composting bins or a compost collection service. Reduce your energy usage Keeping an eye on your energy consumption is not only kinder to the planet, but also better for your budget! Remember to switch your lights and appliances off when you leave a room, turn your thermostat down a degree and put on an extra layer, only turn on your washing machine and dishwasher when you’re gathered and full load, and hang your clothes out to dry if you can! Next time you need to change a lightbulb or replace an appliance, opt for an energy efficient choice. Re-Purpose, donate or responsibly dispose of pre-loved items Are you guilty of throwing away old clothes, textiles, furniture and homeware when they become broken, damaged or you don’t want them anymore? Next time you go to get rid of something, ask yourself (or google) if there is any way you can re-purpose the item and give it a second...

There can be many benefits of a professional garden maintanence subscription, from simply saving yourself time, to increasing the curb appeal of your home. Have you been wondering if a garden maintanence service might be right for you? Keep reading to find out 5 benefits of a garden maintanence subscription...   Save Yourself Time Keeping on top of your garden can involve a lot of time, energy and labour every week. It can also be a process that will take a bit of and trial and error if you aren’t already an expert. A professional garden maintenance subscription might be the perfect solution for you if you just can’t spare the extra hours a week yourself.   Ensure Healthy Growth Gardening professionals will be able to bring a wealth of horticulture knowledge that will hugely benefit your outside space. Regular upkeep will ensure plants are growing well, free of pests, diseases and mould and can be treated by your maintenance team immediately if found to stop spread or further damage. Professional gardeners will trim and shape your lawn and hedges at the correct time to ensure optimal growth.   Increase Curb Appeal Potential buyers look at many things when viewing a property, but a well maintained garden can be the difference between a sale or a deal breaker. A neglected outdoor space might tempt a buyer to make a lower offer on the basis that it will cost them to renovate, or possibly even put them off the sale completely. Keeping a well maintained garden can be very beneficial in the future should you ever come to sell your property.   Control Weeds When left to their own devices, weeds can completely take control of a garden, and become quite unmanageable. Certain weeds need careful and regular maintenance to keep...

It is estimated that of the 39.9 million pumpkins sold this Halloween 22.2 million will go to landfill. Not only does this contribute to greenhouse gas emissions but it also adds up to around £32 million worth of edible food, being thrown away (Hubub.org).  Here are 5 ways you can do the planet a favour, and re-purpose your Halloween pumpkins this year.   Eat It! If your pumpkin hasn’t yet been carved and is still looking fresh, the tastiest way to dispose of your Halloween pumpkin is the eat it! This time of year, you will find pumpkin based recipes for almost anything but some of our favourites are; Pumpkin Pie Pumpkin Spice Bread Spicy Pumpkin Hummus Soft Pumpkin Cookies Pumpkin Soup Pumpkin Butter Parmesan Pumpkin Wedges Use the guts as a base for broth and save and roast the seeds for a quick snack. Alternatively, wash, dry and store your seeds for planting next Spring.   Create a Succulent Planter Give your pumpkins a life longer than Halloween weekend and turn them into an Autumn-long decoration. These mini pumpkin succulent planters by our friends at Shell on Earth are the perfect, lowkey Autumn decoration that you can keep around the house for as long as they live! Watch their tutorial here. Make a Bird Feeder A great solution to an already carved pumpkin is to turn it into a bird feeder and welcome to wildlife into your garden. Cut the pumpkin in half so it resembles a bowl or carve around the face so there is a large enough opening for birds to enter. Add some string to your feeder so you’re able to hang it and fill with bird feed for the birds to enjoy!   Compost Pumpkins make an excellent, garden fuelling addition to your compost pile....

Growing your own resources can be a great step in your sustainability journey and your garden development. Herbs are versatile and pretty easy to care for, which make them the perfect start your home harvest! Here are our secrets for successfully growing your own herbs and our 5 top picks for beginners.   Get a Head Start Growing anything from seeds can be a tricky process that requires a bit of trial and error, which can be frustrating and discouraging for a beginner. Go easy on yourself and get some herb starters, which can be found in most garden centres and supermarkets. This should start you off on the right foot and set yourself up for success!   Pick the Right Place Herbs are so versatile, it leaves you with many options of where to put them and how to display them. They can be grown indoors, or outside, and do well in pots, or straight into your garden ground. It’s really up to you where you want to keep them, but there are some things to consider when it comes to deciding. Planting herbs in pots makes them moveable, which can be very useful when you’re testing the best place for their forever home. Terracotta pots are an excellent choice as they not only look great, but they’re also heavy and porous, which means they’re stable, and help to increase drainage in the soil. Planting herbs outside can be beneficial as they have the potential to produce a much higher yield when they’re given the room to flourish. But be considerate about where you place them outside, as if uncontained they can take over surrounding plants.   Let there be Light Most herbs perform best in full sun. When planting them outside make sure it’s in a spot that...

There are so many small changes we can make in our daily routines to be kinder to our planet. A perfect place to start is in our own homes and trying to be greener in the way we clean. Plastic products, harsh cleaners, and single use items not only impact the planet but can also be less kind to your home and those in it. Keep reading for our green tips, sustainable swaps, and gentle alternatives to incorporate into your home cleaning routine.   Switch to Natural Products Swapping out harsh cleaning chemicals for eco-friendly ones is not only better for the earth, but for your family and home too. We recommend using natural, non-toxic cleaning supplies, that are eco-friendly and multi-use. Even better if they’re refillable too, which further helps to reduce waste. We love Miniml’s Anti-Bac Surface Cleaner as an excellent all-rounder!   Out with Everyday Kitchen Towels There are so many alternatives to regular paper towels now, its really about finding your personal preference! Switch to reusable cloths that you can wash and re-use, or if you still like a traditional paper sheet, try opting for a sustainable alternative like Who Gives a Crap Forest Friendly Paper Towels.   Eco-Friendly Laundry Laundry detergents do not have to be artificially coloured or scented to do the job. There are many natural alternatives out there that are so much better for the planet, your clothes, and your skin. Look for laundry products that are naturally scented and free from artificial dyes, such as Vanilla Blanc’s Natural Laundry Liquid which contains organic essential oils eucalyptus dives and geranium for a natural, gentle, fresh smelling wash that also helps aid your overall wellbeing.   Repurpose Household Items Old toothbrushes are perfect for scrubbing small, hard to reach areas. Socks with holes...

Are your houseplants looking a little worse for wear since the summer has retired?   As the temperature drops, rain starts to fall more frequently, and the days get shorter and darker growth tends to slow down for most types of houseplants. All these changes to their environment can have an effect on your indoor plants, so the way you care for them should change too. Different types of houseplants require different care. Knowing and understanding the kind of environment the plant originated from will help you to recreate those conditions that they thrive in. We always recommend doing some research on the specific needs of your green companions, but here are a few tips to keep your houseplants happy during the colder months.   Reduce Watering With less hours of day light and colder temperatures, Autumn/Winter tends to be a period of rest for most plants. As they become dormant, plants require much less water. A plant you might water once a week in the summer, could be reduced to a fortnightly watering when the temperatures drop. But there is no need to stick to a strict schedule, just wait until the soil is completely dry 1-2 inches below the surface before watering - a simple system that can be followed all year round.   Maintain Temperatures Most plants are not fond of extreme conditions, and big temperature drops, or increases can be difficult for your houseplants to handle. To keep their environment as consistent as possible, try to place your plants away from open windows, drafts, heaters, and radiators.   Move into the Light As the sun begins to rise later and set earlier, your plants will receive less hours of light. If you can, you may want to move your houseplants closer onto windowsills or other sunny...