Ways to Clean Green!

Courtesy of FamilyFun.com:

· Simple Green (www.simplegreen.com). I use this all-purpose non-toxic, biodegradable cleaner for everything from kitchen countertops to bathroom sinks. Because you add water to get the concentration you need, a little goes a long way.
· Bon Ami (www.bonami.com). I started buying this scouring powder because my mom always did. I kept buying it when I learned that it contained no harmful bleach or ammonia, and is often recommended as an environmentally-friendly cleaner. It's also the only safe product I can find that erases coffee and iron stains from my kitchen sink. Works hard in the bathroom, too.
· Vinegar and water. Sounds old-fashioned, but it sure does windows (try a 1 to 12 ratio of vinegar to water). Every so often I pour a pint or so down the drains, followed by a kettle of boiling water, to help keep them clear.
· Baking soda. Instead of spraying the indoor air or using an air freshener, I stick a box of baking soda in the cabinet where the trash and recycling sit, and another in the fridge. And I crack a couple of windows and let in some fresh air whenever I clean.
· Seventh Generation recycled paper towels (www.seventhgeneration.com). They don't melt when they get wet. When it doesn't make sense to grab an old towel or wash cloth that I can re-use, why not spare a tree?
· Microfiber cleaning cloths. I keep one under the kitchen sink. Dampen, and it quickly wipes fingerprints off chrome with no chemicals. Find them at your grocery store or any store with housewares.
Green cleaning may not take the "work" out of housework, but it sure removes some potentially hazardous chemicals, protecting your kids and the planet. It clears your conscience, too.