If you want to clean your entire home with green cleaning products, you have two basic choices; you can make your own from natural substances or purchase already made products. The choice is ultimately yours to make, each has its pros and cons, but the important thing for the planet is that everyone do a little more to use natural and safe products.
Do it Yourself Disinfectant
You can create your own disinfectant from common household items. Two cups of water, three tablespoons of soap and about 30 drops of tea tree oil makes a wonderful disinfectant without any harmful chemicals of any kind.
Commercial manufacturers of cleaning essentials are coming on board with the green movement and every day it seems they are releasing a new eco cleanser or disinfectant. Clorox now has a complete line of Green Works cleansers made from natural substances. These cleaners are made with natural plant based materials and minerals.
Vinegar
One of the all time great natural cleaning products is vinegar. It works wonders on windows without all the harsh chemicals of a commercial cleaner. The problem most people have using vinegar, as a cleanser is the smell, it is very pungent and not exactly pleasant. The good news is the smell evaporates within seconds leaving clean streak free windows.
Other common homemade window cleaners include alcohol, ammonia and bicarbonate of soda. One important note about using these substances, check with your window manufacturer before using. Ammonia on a thermal pane window will discolor the glass turning it purple!
Earth Friendly Cleaning
Retail giants like Wal-Mart are beginning to offer several green products as well. A very popular option is a complete set of cleansers. Earth Friendly products are made with plant-based substances and lightly scented with essential oils. They have a complete line of cleaning products and offer them in a convenient bundle. These are all ph balanced, non-caustic and free from dyes, petroleum products and formaldehyde. Of all the environmental products available commercially this is one of the most economic, for less than $20 you get the complete line of cleaners including hand dish soap, all purpose cleaner, toilet cleaner, window cleaner, creamy cleanser and odor remover.
Conclusion
You may have to shop around a bit to find the best green cleaning products; some will work wonderfully others not so much. Natures Source is a wonderful natural product that offers bathroom, kitchen and laundry cleaners made of 99% natural substances. The key to a greener home is to start somewhere and cleaning supplies is a great place to do that. For a few dollars, you can begin testing the different products until you find the ones that are perfect for your family.
