If only the job of spring cleaning was as simple as opening a window or taking a deep breath of fresh air. This spring, why not take a natural approach to green spring cleaning your home that doesn't involve inhaling dangerous chemicals.

The natural way to clean can also be the most effective way. Get to know the natural ingredient power players and you'll quickly understand how they can be combined to form an efficient cleaning team.

Baking Soda: Known best for baking, it also cleans and scours, softens water when added to laundry, and deodorizes.

Simple Soap: Whether in liquid form, flakes, bars or powders, unscented soap is biodegradable as long as it doesn't contain petroleum distillates.

Fresh Lemon: An effective, fresh smelling acid cleaner that fights bacteria.

Natural Borax: Similar to baking soda when used, this all purpose cleaner has the added benefit of disinfecting.

White Vinegar: Another acid based product, it cuts grease and wax, deodorizes, and can even remove some stains.

Surprising Cornstarch: It works cleaning windows, polishing furniture and shampooing carpets.

Everyone's least favorite spring cleaning job is figuring out how to wash dirty windows without streaking. Try the following green recipe before reaching for that old bottle of Windex and a roll of paper towels.

Mix one quart warm water with two teaspoons of white vinegar. Take a soft cotton cloth or crumbled newspaper to rub away the grime. Rinse with water and buff to a shine. Another tip: To prevent streaking, never wash windows in direct sunlight.

A good all-purpose cleaner can be made by mixing a half gallon of warm water with a half cup of white vinegar, a quarter cup of baking soda (or two teaspoons of borax). Mix thoroughly and this solution goes from bathroom to kitchen to most floorings.

If you'd rather not bother mixing a natural recipe, there are manufacturers of chemical products that have introduced their own green product lines. Boasting biodegradable and non-toxic ingredients, the Green Works Natural Glass & Surface cleaner is made by Clorox. Even Johnson & Johnson, the maker of Windex, has a natural product line called

Nature's Source that carries the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.

Trader Joe's natural Cedarwood & Sage Multi-purpose Cleaner with essential oils has a fragrance almost as fresh as opening a window. Nature's Source All Purpose Cleaner hopes to appeal to green seeking customers who previously used their Scrubbing Bubbles product.

Remember, the ultimate green cleaning helper is microfiber cloths. They lift dust and even grease all by themselves and are even reusable when washed.

After green spring cleaning your home, and discovering how easy it really is, you may decide to use natural, biodegradable ingredients all year round.

Learn more about this author, Diane Quinn .
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