Editor’s note: This month, GNMParents‘ contributor Tiffany Washko takes a look at home cleaning alternatives that are both greener and safer for your family. Don’t forget to check out Jennifer’s contribution at GNMParents.

So what is “green” cleaning exactly? Green cleaning means using cleaning products that don’t endanger you, children, or the environment.

Many people use cleaning products throughout their homes without a thought or concern. They figure that if the product is widely available that it must be relatively safe for use. But these products contain all kinds of chemicals that can potentially be toxic, corrosive, flammable, or reactive. They can also cause serious health issues and environmental damage. Here are some examples of common chemicals found in conventional cleaning supplies:

• Formaldehyde
• Sodium Hypochlorite
• Petroleum Solvents
• Sodium Acid Sulfate

Some of the problems associated with these chemicals are skin irritations, nausea, headaches, nose bleeds, shortness of breath, burns, vomiting, kidney and liver damage, and exposure to carcinogens. Do you want to clean your home with chemicals that have the potential for that kind of damage? Certainly not…don’t take that chance.

These same chemicals also have the potential to harm the planet as well. When chemical cleaners go down the drain, most ingredients break down into harmless substances during treatment or soon afterward. Others, however, do not, and they threaten water quality or fish and other wildlife. Purchasing these mainstream cleaners can end up costing us quite a bit in the long run.

The best option for the health and safety of your family and the health of our planet is to use green cleaning items such as:

• Baking Soda
• White Vinegar
• Pure Castile Soap
• Lemons
• Salt
• Vegetable Oil
• Essential Oils

Using the above ingredients, you can make your own cleaners…

Vinegar, for instance, naturally cleans like an all purpose cleaner. Add one part water to one part vinegar and you have a solution that can clean most areas of your home. Vinegar disinfects and deodorizes. The strong smell of vinegar goes away after it dries. Both vinegar and baking soda have the added bonus of being incredibly cheap.

Baking soda can be used to scrub surfaces similar to commercial abrasive cleansers like Comet or Ajax. Baking soda is also a great deodorizer.

Lemon juice dissolves soap scum and hard water deposits. It also cleans and shines brass and copper. If mixed with vinegar and baking soda, it can be made into cleaning pastes. If mixed with vegetable oil, it makes furniture polish.

Salt removes stains and odors and it absorbs moisture too.

One of my favorite cleaners is one I make in my own home. I mix several cups of baking soda with pure peppermint essential oil to create scented soda cleanser. It smells heavenly.

If you do not have the time or inclination to make your own cleansers, then there are hundreds of green cleaning products available to purchase as well. Here are some of the alternative products you may like:

• Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soaps
• Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Liquid Cleanser
• Earth Friendly Products’ Creamy Cleanser
• Seventh Generation Natural Dishwasher Gel
• Charlie’s Laundry Soap
• Mrs. Meyer’s All Purpose Cleaner

The cleaners mentioned above are viable options if you are not interested in making your own cleaning products. But as always…don’t take anything at face value…do your research and make sure everything you buy is safe and environmentally friendly!

Tiffany - The Natural Mom

More "green cleaning" at GO:

Hate Chemicals? Clean Green!

Weekly DIY: All Purpose Cleaner