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Whether you are the person who cleans your home or office, or you have hired someone to help you with the job, there are a few things you can do to guarantee that safer products are being used. Many common household cleaners contain abrasive chemicals and ingredients that are potentially hazardous to our health. With a few easy substitutions you can make sure that when you clean, you are cutting out unnecessary and toxic chemicals, dyes, and fragrances.

There are many green cleaning products available for purchase at health food stores and even online. Put yourself in charge of stocking the cleaning products. This way, you can be sure that the products being used to clean your house are all natural and environmentally friendly. Be wary of unscented cleansers as even these may contain harmful chemicals used to suppress the product's fragrance. Read product labels and ingredients, and look for products where the ingredient list is short. A shorter list is usually an indication that there are less additives and chemicals used as ingredients in the product.

Even more convenient than buying new products is to use those you may already have in your kitchen. There are several common household items that can serve double duty as safe and effective cleansers. Vinegar and lemon juice are both naturally acidic products which are able to dissolve unwanted stains while serving as natural bleaching agents. Baking soda and salt are also helpful products to include in your cleaning arsenal. These are both mild abrasives and cost effective solutions for your sanitation needs.

Green products make a difference not only in your health, but are gentler on the environment as well. With just a little planning and creativity, no matter who is doing the cleaning in your home or office, you can be sure that the products being used are safe and effective.

Learn more about this author, Sarah Snyder.
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