Safe sox

There is nothing sadder than a solitary sock on wash day; apart from perhaps a Christmas tree blowing down the street on Valentine’s Day, but that’s a whole different story.

Whilst all the others have been hanging out and met their match, there will always be one lonely sock that sits there on the bedspread staring back up at you; desperate for its sole mate.

You do what you can but at the end of the day the solitary sock will inevitably be banished to the back of the drawer, a lost cause.

It was whilst contemplating the many lost souls at the back of my overly burgeoning chest of drawers that I cast my mind back and remembered my mother’s very simple laundry rule. Father had black socks, my sister has white socks, I had grey sock and my mother had stockings.

I felt horrible doing it but I bundled all every single, and coupled, sock into the car and took them all to the textile recycling bin. Then I popped into Selfridges and bought myself five pairs of black, five pairs of blue and five pairs of brown socks; all the same. I also bought five pairs of white gym socks but they can go back.

Now on wash days I have three little piles and no one goes home alone. Perfect pairings.

Click here to see more of Mrs White's handy tips.

Dulwich Going Greener

The Dulwich Going Greener campaign group, abreast with current trends, has just launched its very own green shopper. Dulwich dwellers have been snapping them up by the armful. We have found them perfect for the groceries purchased from low carbon footprint local traders, picnicking and generally making a bit of a stylish statement. 

Those of you who got your fingers burned by other, ahem, responsible shoppers should fear not the www.dulwichgoinggreener.org shopper is made from jute, which requires no fertilisers or pesticides as it grows like a weed, and is assembled by adults paid a fair wage, working acceptable hours, in safe conditions. Can't say fairer trade than that!

www.dulwichgoinggreener.org shoppers are available from Roullier White, 125 Lordship Lane, London SE22 8HU or visit www.dulwichgoinggreener.org to find other outlets.

A fresh start; people, pet, planet and price friendly household cleaners by Isabella Smith from Maison Belle

This original cleaning formula was discovered by sheer accident. A small Danish soap manufacturer added a few drops of an alcohol combination, now called IC4™ extract, to his old formula and to his surprise the soap’s cleaning effect was increased by several hundred percent. Using this process natural, non-toxic, cleaning products become extraordinarily efficient.

The MAISON BELLE® range was born and quickly became immensely popular in Scandinavia. Roullier White is proud to introduce it into the UK. MAISON BELLE® is the sole manufacturer of household cleaning products containing the non-toxic activator IC4™ extract. The products are 100 per cent degradable, completely harmless, and incredibly efficient. The products are scented with essential oils, leaving your house smelling naturally clean. All products are tested at leading Danish laboratories. None of the products are tested on animals.

MAISON BELLE® BATH, Lavender-Mint, 500 ml £4.00 

This effective and non-toxic household cleaner can be used on sinks, tiles, toilets and taps. Scented with essential oils, this special formula leaves your bathroom smelling naturally clean. To be used on ceramics, marble, enamel, steel, stone, glass, plastic, vinyl and painted surfaces. Spray & wipe – no need to rinse.

MAISON BELLE® BATH, Lavender-Mint, 1 litre refill £6.00

This effective and non-toxic household cleaner can be used on sinks, tiles, toilets and taps. Scented with essential oils, this special formula leaves your bathroom smelling naturally clean. To be used on ceramics, marble, enamel, steel, stone, glass, plastic, vinyl and painted surfaces. Spray & wipe – no need to rinse

MAISON BELLE® KITCHEN, 500 ml £4.00 

This effective and non-toxic household cleaner can be used on stoves, sinks, tiles, floors, fridges and cabinets. Scented with essential oils, this special formula leaves your kitchen smelling naturally clean. To be used on ceramics, marble, enamel, steel, stone, glass, plastic, linoleum, vinyl and painted surfaces. Spray & wipe – no need to rinse

MAISON BELLE® KITCHEN, 1 litre refill £6.00

This effective and non-toxic household cleaner can be used on stoves, sinks, tiles, floors, fridges and cabinets. Scented with essential oils, this special formula leaves your kitchen smelling naturally clean. To be used on ceramics, marble, enamel, steel, stone, glass, plastic, linoleum, vinyl and painted surfaces. Spray & wipe – no need to rinse

MAISON BELLE® SPRING, Cucumber, 500 ml £4.00 

This effective, but non-toxic household cleaner can be used throughout the house to clean walls, floors, doors, ceilings, cabinets, lawn and patio furniture, toys, tiles, tabs, sinks and bathtubs. Scented with essential oils, this special formula leaves your house smelling naturally clean. To be used on ceramics, marble, enamel, steel, stone, glass, plastic, linoleum, vinyl and painted surfaces.

MAISON BELLE® DISHES, Apple-Thyme 500 ml £4.00

Tea, eggs, grease and baked-on food particles: This effective and non-toxic, detergent-free dish soap quickly removes it all from your dishes without harming your skin or the environment. Scented with essential oils, this special formula leaves your dishes smelling naturally clean.

MAISON BELLE® DISHES, Orange-Rosemary, 1 litre £6.00 

Tea, eggs, grease and baked-on food particles: This effective and non-toxic, detergent-free dish soap quickly removes it all from your dishes without harming your skin or the environment. Scented with essential oils, this special formula leaves your dishes smelling naturally clean.

MAISON BELLE® GLASS, Green tea-Sage, 500 ml £4.00

This effective and non-toxic window wash can be used on all kinds of glass. Removes even difficult stains and leaves windows and mirrors clean and streak free. Also great for cleaning glasses and windscreens. Scented with essential oils for a fresh and natural smell. Spray & wipe – no need to rinse

MAISON BELLE® LIMESCALE, Lavender-Mint, 500 ml £4.00

A non-toxic, liquid limescale remover for daily use on sinks, taps, bathtubs, toilets, showers, tiles and floors. Safe to use – no gloves needed. Scented with essential oils maison belle limescale is friendly to your nose as well. To be used on ceramics, steel, porcelain, enamel, vinyl, glass, brass and chrome. Do not use on marble and granite.

MAISON BELLE® LIMESCALE PLUS, Lavender-Mint, 500 ml £5.00 

A hard-working, non-toxic limescale remover gel for sinks, taps, bathtubs, toilets, showers, tiles and floors. Stays on – no need for cloths or paper to keep it in place. Safe to use – no gloves needed. Scented with essential oils maison belle limescale PLUS is friendly to your nose as well. To be used on ceramics, steel, porcelain, enamel, vinyl, glass, brass and chrome. Do not use on marble and granite.

MAISON BELLE® TOILET, Lemon-Mint, 500 ml £4.00 

A hard-working, non-toxic toilet cleaner. Removes dirt and limescale. Safe to use - no harmful chemicals. Scented with essential oils, this special formula leaves your toilet smelling naturally clean.