Spring Cleaning-The Eco-Friendly Way

Spring is in the air! And for most of us, that means spring cleaning is definitely due.

Before you stock up on cleaning product to massacre all germs and dirt in and around your home, why not learn about a new way to clean–going green style. According to ecomall.com, a 2007 study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that exposure to cleaning products accounts for 15% of all asthma cases. Also, studies conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show the average American home holds about 62 toxic chemicals linked to allergies, birth defects and cancer. The EPA also found that indoor air levels of pollutants may be 2-5 times higher than outdoor level pollutants. So why not help you and your family by making cleaning greener along with improving the environment of your home?

You can cut back on pollutants and chemicals by buying or making your own eco-friendly cleaning products. Here are two of my favorite sites that lead you on the road to green cleaning:

• Care2 Green Living shows a variety of recipes for non-toxic cleaning products that are easy and cheap to make right in your kitchen. One recipe for soft scrubber calls for baking soda and liquid detergent. To make your own window cleaner just add vinegar and water to liquid detergent and put it in a spray bottle. Forget about that Windex–you have a homemade non-toxic cleaner! The site includes 8 different cleaner recipes ranging from windows to ovens to an all-purpose surface cleaner.
• For those of you who do not want to play mixologist in your kitchen, there are many green cleaning products on the market for easy purchase. The LA Times ran an article written by an eco-friendly Chicago Tribune writer with product recommendations for green cleaners. Check it out! She gives product suggestions for just about every area of the house including shower walls, dishes and even the toilet.

So get your green on while you clean and make your home germ-free and pollutant-free. If you choose to mix your own products or purchase them, let us know what works best for a squeaky clean home!