That stubborn scum that ends up in the cracks of the bathroom tiles or on the bottom of the basin is not the easiest of things to clean. Why? Because it’s made up of various elements – mildew, mineral deposits and the limescale from hard water, to name but a few.

There are a few ways to reduce the problem. Try to prevent the build-up by wiping down the shower with a cloth after your wash. Prevention will avoid too much scrubbing.

Otherwise try this recipe, that is best used weekly in your bathroom clean.

Scum Scrub

MAKES 500G

Ingredients

• 250g bicarbonate of soda
• 125g non-iodised salt
• 125g natural washing soda (soda crystals)
• 4–6 drops orange oil
• lidded glass jar for storage (if you wish, you can use two lids and poke holes in one for sprinkling, then replace it with the full lid for storage)

Method

• Mix all the ingredients together into a bowl. Place into a jar and shake.
• Simply sprinkle onto a damp surface, scrub and rinse. Use a spoon to sprinkle. 
• Test on a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure this is suitable for use in your bathroom.
• Store in a dry, dark and cool place.
• Use within three months.

Once a week, ever so slightly wet the scummy surface. Sprinkle your scum scrub generously and let it sit for 10 minutes. Scrub with a brush and use an old toothbrush for the tile grout. Rinse.

Recipe from The Art of the Natural Home by Rebecca Sullivan. Published by Kyle Books. RRP $39.99. Out now.

The book is perfect for anyone interested in sustainability, natural products and mindfulness. It’s all about taking the time to create your own homemade products, from face masks to floor polish and from medicinal honey to massage oil. Taking inspiration from her grandmother’s generation, Rebecca Sullivan has put together the thoughtful and appealing manual to caring for yourself and your home. Traditional methods are resurrected or updated to suit the modern home, using simple, natural ingredients. 

The first part of the book is dedicated to the home, and covers cleaning products for every room, ideas for pickles and preserves, and tips on everything from natural laundry treatments to how to grow your own cocktail garden. The second part covers health and Beauty, and includes bath salts, make up, serums, perfumes and even beard oil, as well as healing remedies such as burn salves and herbal teas.