by Zoe Trudeaux

Created on: May 12, 2008   Last Updated: July 18, 2008

Take steps to help the planet and keep your home healthy by practicing green house-cleaning. Learn how to avoid being fooled by so-called "natural" commercial cleaners, how to make your own home cleaning products (and save money in the process), and how to choose plants that absorb indoor air pollution. Take the steps below to take control of the environment you live in and make it as happy and healthy as possible.

Step #1. OPEN THE WINDOWS!

The first thing to do to when "green cleaning" is to open windows and doors and let indoor air pollution out. Indoor air pollution may not seem like a big deal, but according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), levels of pollution indoors can be from two to 100 times higher than outdoors. This is due to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that evaporate from cleaning products.

Many commercial cleaning products (like bleach, air fresheners, scouring powders, and disinfectants) contain caustics and solvents. Long-term exposure to some solvents may cause liver and kidney problems, birth defects, central nervous system disorders, and even cancer. You may think the answer lies in buying cleaning products that are labeled "natural", but think again.

Step #2. GREENWASHING: Don't be fooled by labels.

Cleaning products labeled as "natural" are not necessarily nontoxic. There are no standards for claims such as "non-toxic," "eco-safe," and "environmentally friendly." The best way to find non-toxic cleaning products is to read the ingredients on the label.

In solvents, look for grain alcohol instead of butyl cellosolve. In detergents, look for coconut or other plant oils instead of petroleum. Be aware that the most hazardous cleaning products are drain cleaners, oven cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, and anything containing chlorine or ammonia (which produces toxic fumes when combined).

Step #3. MAKE YOUR OWN CLEANING PRODUCTS

The American Lung Association warns consumers to "avoid using hazardous household products. Use nontoxic alternatives instead." Despite these warnings, consumers continue to use hazardous commercial cleaners because they believe home made cleaning products are not able to disinfect or whiten as well as "strong" commercial cleaners. This is simply not true. Home made cleaning products are effective at disinfecting, whitening, and grime-fighting.

5 SAFEST CLEANING INGREDIENTS

1. WHITE VINEGAR: The king of "do-it-yourself" cleaning products.

If you can only buy one item, buy vinegar. This mildly acidic product dissolves

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