by Lana Stockton

Created on: February 16, 2009   Last Updated: May 05, 2010

Now that our planet is choking, coughing and begging for relief, people are finally coming to grips with the need to stop being part of the problem. Can we, as residents of this earth, do more to show respect for our global home?

While going green is not going to solve the earth's problems, it certainly is a step in the responsible direction.

Not too many years ago, companies making household cleaning products were vying for the position of having the toughest cleaners out there. They were looking for ways to cut grease faster, deeper and in the prettiest packaging possible.

It's true that harsh chemicals do a great job of cleaning. But the modern generation's top priority is not how to out-sparkle their neighbor's squeeky clean kitchen floor.

More important issues have come to the fore, such as: how can we get our homes, clothes and kids clean without using harsh, unsafe chemicals?

Responsible individuals are looking to the past for answers. To these individuals, companies making the safest cleaning products might be Arm&Hammer for baking soda, Heinz for white vinegar and grandma's lemon tree out in the front yard.

Companies making household cleaning products are stepping up to the plate. The word, Clorox. used to bring to mind a jug of chlorine bleach. But not today. In January 2008, Clorox, put its new label, "Green Works" on the market. The Green Works all purpose cleaner is my personal favorite. It cleans effortlessly and I'm hooked on that fresh lime scent.

The first eco-friendly cleaning product I remember was Simple Green. It cleaned everything. And did a great job, too. This one has been on the market for more than thirty years.

They now have a new line called: Simple Green Naturals. The products are derved from chickory (a root that's supposed to taste like coffee when roasted and brewed), from coconut, corn and a few other natural earth grown goodies. And the packaging is made partly from post-consumer material. They even use soy ink for printing the label.

Seventh Generation is another company offering eco-friendly products for laundry, dishwashing and general household cleaning. They even have baby wipes for cleaning tiny bottoms!

And check out some of their fragrances: Wild Orange, Cedar Spice, Green Apple, Citris, Lavendar Floral Mint . It sounds like a dessert menu. Well, except for the Lavendar Floral one.

Safeway has come out with, "Bright Green," their own line of environmentally friendly cleaning products. They go a step further by offering paper towels, bath tissue and napkins made from 100% recycled fiber.

With all these choices, it has never before been so easy to pitch in and do our part to make life a little better for everyone.

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