Green Home Cleaning Products:
What You Should Know

Green home cleaning products are an easy way to keep toxic household products out of your home and away from your family. 

They are also generally less expensive, although the tradeoff sometimes means you'll need more elbow grease to complete the dirty jobs.

When choosing between so-called natural and synthetic products, it's important to remember that all ingredients-whether naturally or artificially derived, even water - are chemicals. There are no non-toxic substances. Even salt can be deadly if taken in too high a dose. 

"Nontoxic" and "Green" Cleaning Products

First and foremost, Don't be taken in by the labeling on green home cleaning products, which include words like "nontoxic" and "green." 

Many people interpret these words to mean a cleaner is totally safe to use—for both the Earth and its inhabitants.

However, being environmentally friendly and being people-friendly are two different things. Regulation of what constitutes a "green" or "nontoxic" cleaner is spotty at best. 

Remember, all cleaners contain chemicals, and any chemical, natural or synthetic, can be toxic in some amount. All cleaning products have some environmental impact, although some have less.

When disposed of properly, most of the commercial products we use, including ammonia cleaners, chlorine bleach, disinfectants, rubbing alcohol, and tub, tile, and shower cleaners, will not significantly affect the environment.

Downshift to Simpler Cleaners and Save Money

If you want to downshift to simpler cleaners and save money, this list of alternative cleaning supplies can help you clean less expensively and with fewer chemicals - truly green cleaning.

Here's a look at alternative green home cleaning products:

• Vegetable-based liquid soap (such as Castile or glycerin-based soaps), diluted in water for an all-purpose cleaner to wash dishes;

• Baking soda mixed with water as an all-purpose cleaner;

• Lemon juice to remove greasy fingerprints on windows;

• Toothpaste (white) for cleaning silver;

• White distilled vinegar diluted in water to remove baking soda residue and to clean windows;

• Borax cleans, deodorizes, and removes toilet bowl stains.
  

Daily Green Home Cleaning Products Use Tips

Always make sure you have adequate ventilation in the area you're cleaning. 

Even green home cleaning products can be hazardous when inhaled in small spaces, such as in most bathrooms' small, confined spaces.

Although green home cleaning products are safer for the environment, don't be lulled into a laid-back attitude about your safety when using any cleaner.

Homemade cleaners generally require a great deal more time and elbow grease. The single exception is this home-mix glass cleaner: 1/4 cup (60ml) of vinegar in 3 and 3/4 cups (900ml) of warm water.

If you'd prefer an easy-to-use, concentrated bio-friendly cleaner, Biokleen concentrated all purpose cleaner, is a good choice. It doesn't have any artificial fragrances, colors, or preservatives and works wonders on tough, greasy jobs.

Chemicals to Avoid for Safer Cleaning

When buying commercial cleaners, read labels to minimize your family's exposure to chemicals. Steer clear of household cleaners with the following ingredients:

• ammonia (found in glass cleaners; instead, make your own using 1/4 cup [60ml] of vinegar in 3 and 3/4 cups [900ml] warm water); 

• Glycol and butyl ethers (found in all-purpose cleaners);

• Terrenes (a chemical in virtually all citrus cleaners);

• Formaldehyde, phosphates, and perfumes.

These chemicals can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, nausea, and headaches in the short term. Long-term exposure can damage the liver, kidneys, and the central nervous system.

Look for dye-free, perfume-free, phosphate-free, biodegradable, nontoxic, and highly concentrated products.

Prevent Water Pollution at Home

While we're talking about green home cleaning products for a safer home, here are some tips for preventing water pollution at home as well:

• Send dirty water down a sink or toilet, not into a street, gutter, or storm drain.

• Clean up spills, lawn, and yard clippings with a broom, not a hose.

• Ensure trash can lids are tightly closed, and recyclables are secured to prevent them from blowing into storm drains.
  

• Dispose of any potentially toxic products—such as leftover pesticides and yard chemicals, oven cleaner, drain cleaner, motor oil, or paints—at a household hazardous waste collection facility. Never pour potentially toxic products into indoor drains or street gutters.
  

• Recycle or dispose of oil and other automotive fluids properly. 

• Rain and overwatering wash chemicals off lawns and yards and into storm drains. Spray only when rain is not in the forecast, and turn off sprinklers.

• Control pool algae by regulating chlorine levels and using a pool cover to block sunlight. Don't use copper-based algae control products.

• Pick up animal waste and dispose of it in a garbage can or toilet.