Time for cleaning? Keep it green...

Green cleaning* has emerged as the new wave in household cleaning services. “Green” methods of cleaning have become extremely popular due to the safety and effectiveness of products and techniques used that minimize health risk and maximize cleanliness.

There are currently hundreds of thousands of chemicals present in household cleaning products that can compromise the health of families and pets. These chemicals, such as neurotoxins, carcinogens, and endocrine disruptors are found in even the most common of products such as air freshener, glass cleaner, disinfectants, and even nail polish. Ridding the home of these chemicals can have a significant impact on the health and cleanliness of your family and home. Cleaning service providers are an easy way to rid your home of chemicals while ensuring your home is clean. These services typically use only Green Seal certified products, re-usable cloths, and eco-friendly methods.

Do-it-Yourself Green Cleaning

Green cleaning doesn’t have to be done exclusively by cleaning service providers. Though it may be easier to simply hire a service, doing some green cleaning yourself is easy if you learn a few tricks and tips. First, enjoy the simplicity of green cleaning. Non-toxic green cleaning products can be made from natural ingredients you may already have in your home, such as lemons and hot water. A few simple DIY green tips below:

• To clean the microwave, heat a bowl of water and lemon slices and then wipe down the microwave. Doing this will neutralize old food odors and any stuck food will be easier to remove.
• Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to dishwashing detergent to help you further eliminate grease.
• Because lemon juice is a natural bleach, pouring diluted lemon juice on clothes will help whiten them.
• Cut a lemon in half and dip it into table salt, then use the salt-coated lemon to scrub copper pots. The acidity from the lemon will remove stains and polish away oxidation.

Lemons are just one of the many natural cleaning ingredients that can help you keep your home dirt-free and toxin-free. Other natural green cleaning products include distilled white vinegar, baking soda, borax, castile soap, and hydrogen peroxide.

Making your own cleaning products is the best way to ensure a green clean home. Start green cleaning today to improve your health and your home.

Willow Tolbert is an Account Services Manager with a B.A. in Psychology, and a M.B.A. in Management. Willow has a passion for the green lifestyle and works to educate and help others attain a green home through a position with MaidBrigade and her own green cleaning blog.

Want something in between making your own cleaners and hiring a service? Check out our current listings of green cleaning products for the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry.

Image credit: eyeliam at Flickr under a Creative Commons license

*Link to a page in sustainablog’s Green Choices product comparison engine