Bayswater Brook Catchment

A lot of the cleaners you probably have around your home will be toxic and contain high levels of phosphorus, which are harmful to our waterways. These cleaning products end up in our rivers and wetlands through washing cars, clothes, dishes and watering gardens.

Think about the jobs you do around your home - do you know where your water goes? There are alternative cleaners that you can use in your home that are not only better for your health, but also for the environment.

Here are some alternatives you can try! 

But remember, if you are allergic to any of these products, consult your doctor before use. Also, test a small, hidden patch to make sure no adverse reactions occur.

• Bicarbonate of Soda - cleans and deodorises.   You can use this to clean plastic surfaces, cups/plates and pots/pans, brass and copper, your bathroom (baths, basins and toilets), the oven, carpet and even get rid of smells from the refrigerator and nappies! Simply use a damp cloth to rub the bicarb over the surface- if the powder is too wet it won’t work.
•  Lemon - cuts grease and freshens.   Lemon or lime contains citric acid that leaves a fresh clean smell and can be used for cleaning and bleaching plates, cutlery, glasses, furniture, copper or getting rid of smells.
•  Salt - disinfectant.   Salt can be used to polish brass and copper.
•  Vinegar – cuts grease and freshens.   White vinegar is a great cleaning agent as it is colourless. It can be used for a variety of purposes including cleaning glass, chrome/brass/copper, floors (tiles, slate and lino), windows, mouldy surfaces and bathrooms (baths/basins and toilets).

RECIPES FOR:

Cleaning windows and lino:  mix equal parts of vinegar and warm water- easy!

Scouring powder:  mix equal parts of bicarb soda and salt- great for an abrasive cleaner!

Most fertilisers contain phosphates and other nutrients which enter our river through stormwater drains or even through the groundwater by seeping into soil.

So the next time you apply fertiliser to your garden be fertiliser wise and think about these two things;

1. Does your garden REALLY need it?

2. Is it phosphorus free?

Check out the City of Bayswater Local Native Plants Guide for tips on local plants, watering, pruning, mulching and fertilisers. It also has ideas for garden designs.

Here are some other ways you can help:

•  Only apply fertilisers when nutrient deficiency can be seen, such as yellow patches.
•  Use fertilisers sparingly and ensure they are low soluble phosphorus.
•  Sweep paved areas clean rather than hosing them down, which also saves water.
•  Don’t plant trees that shed their leaves seasonally (deciduous trees) as the leaves may enter the waterways and contribute nutrients to the system as they breakdown.
•  Use fertiliser in spring/autumn when the grass grows fast and it reduces rain washing it away.
•  Grow native plants! Exotic species are not suited to our soils and climate and use more water.
•  Worm farms, compost and mulch return nutrients to your garden and improve the soils ability to retain nutrients and water.

When you take your dog for a walk, do you pick up the droppings?

If droppings are left on footpaths, parks and gardens, this can be washed into stormwater drains and end up in our rivers and wetlands. Within residential areas, about 10-20% of the phosphorus loads in our waterways are from pet faeces, which adds to the problem of algal blooms.

Here are some ways you can help:

• Pick up after your dog by carrying a plastic bag with you when you go for walks.
•  Create a worm farm to compost the droppings, but DON’T put the compost on plants that you will eat like your vegetable garden.
•  Use a rubbish bin to dispose of the droppings.

Do you wash your car on your driveway? Cars that are washed on hard surfaces are contributing pollution to our rivers and wetlands. The soapy water runs off your driveway and into street drains, which are linked to our rivers! This waste water is adding excess dirt and nutrients to our waterways.

Here are some ways you can help:

•  Wash it on the lawn as the grass uses the nutrients, instead of being washed down the drain.
•  If your house does not have a lawn, why not wash your car with a friend who does.
•  Use a commercial car wash bay as the wastewater is treated before it is disposed of.
•  Use a bucket to save water and switch the hose off when you are not using it.
•  If you use detergents use them sparingly and make sure they are phosphorus free.
•  Better still just use some water and elbow grease!
•  Do the environment a favour and only wash your car once a month.