Going green in the kitchen can start at the kitchen sink if homeowners make simple changes like buying natural sponges, it has been suggested. Writing for Examiner.com, Aqiylah Collins stated that sustainability is the hot topic at the moment and kitchens are a good place to start when trying to increase ones green credentials. According to Ms Collins, individuals should buy good natural sponges and change them frequently, with a variety of sizes useful for different chores. People were also advised to wash dishes by hand in the kitchen sink using environmentally-safe cleaning fluids free of phosphates, chlorine and other chemicals.Options that can also be introduced as cleaners include salt, lemon juice and olive oil, she remarked, reminding property owners that the smell of chemicals is not an indication of cleanliness.Earlier this month, scientists at Purdue University in the US claimed they have found a self-cleaning material that could become commercially available for kitchen countertops within a few years.