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Most consumer cleaning products contain chemicals (including phosphates, chlorine, and artificial colors, fragrances and dyes) that can contribute greatly to numerous health problems and environmental dangers, including asthma, skin irritations, and air pollution. The non-recyclable materials typically used in packaging these products also contributes to the rapid buildup of our landfills.

Consumers need to be wary of labels that tout All-Natural, Biodegradable, HypoAllergenic, NonToxic, Chemical Free, and Fragrance Free. Though many green cleaning products are all of these things, and many will say so right on the package, the cleaning products industry is not regulated like, say, the organic foods industry.

In fact, only foods and herbs have organic regulations, so even Organic cleaning products is generally a lark. Therefore many manufacturers will shamelessly make these claims for purely marketing reasons, whether they're true or not.

To evaluate the eco-friendliness of any cleaning product, you must read the actual contents, not just the claims. For example, look for grain alcohol instead of butyl cellosolve. Look for plant oils like coconut, corn, or palm kernel rather than petroleum-based products. And look for rosemary, eucalyptus, or sage in place of triclosan.

Seventh Generation, Ecover, Shaklee, Naturally Yours, Aubrey Organics, Bio Pac, and Simple Green are among those cleaning products that are genuinely green.

As an alternative to purchasing commercial cleaning products whether green or not consider these truly all-natural recipes for cleaning many common household surfaces.

Brass: Shine with a paste made from 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup white or all-purpose flour, and 1 teaspoon salt.

Copper: Apply equal parts white vinegar and salt (like 1 tablespoon of each) with a rag. To avoid corrosion, make sure to rinse afterward with water thoroughly. Not for use on surfaces with a lacquered finish.

Drains: To clear up minor clogs and keep them from occurring in the future, pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup white vinegar. After it fizzes up for a few minutes, pour down a full tea kettle's worth of boiling water. Repeat as needed. A plunger or a mechanical snake could come in handy in cases of stubborn clogging. You can also find inexpensive plastic or metal drain screens at any hardware store to help prevent future clogs.

Fabric stains (ie. clothing, linens): Make a pad out of paper towels and place beneath the stained part of the fabric.

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