Germs: A mother's natural enemy.

Armed with a small battery of household cleaners, we scrub and scour on a near-daily basis, determined to protect our homes from these invisible invaders. But using dangerous chemical cleaners to defeat germs is a little like dropping a nuclear warhead on a bus full of bad guys - It'll definitely get the job done, but at what cost?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency and other environmental watchdogs, the cost is too great.

Chemicals found in many household cleaners not only endanger our environment but may also threaten our heath. Studies have linked many ingredients commonly found in household cleaners to medical problems such as asthma, reproductive and neurological issues and even cancer; yet the government does not require manufacturers to test their products for health and safety, or even require them to list all product ingredients on the bottle. Left unaware of the potential dangers, we cheerfully spritz and spray away, inadvertently trading one threat to our family's health for another.

Luckily, a number of eco-friendly, safety-approved cleaning options are available, ranging from store-bought "green" products to good, old-fashioned cleaning ingredients found in your pantry. These greener cleaners protect your family's health and the environment and could even save you a small fortune over time.

Ready to tackle that grimy, germ-ridden mess?  Ditch the dangerous chemicals, and enlist some leaner, greener cleaning products with the help of these simple tips.

 

Buy Eco-Friendly Cleaners

Want to make a healthier choice without a hassle? Trading in your usual cleaning products for eco-friendly alternatives can be as easy as a trip to the grocery store.

Thanks to growing awareness and increased demand for eco-friendly merchandise, a quick stroll down the cleaning aisle should provide you with a bevy of "green" products to choose from. Look for products marked "non-toxic" or "biodegradable." Products that claim to be free of dangerous chemicals such as petroleum, phosphates and VOCs, are also a good bet, but be sure to do your homework before you settle on a brand. The government does not regulate these claims, and since manufactures are not required to list all ingredients, determining the exact make up of your cleaning product can be difficult.

The Environmental Protection Agency does offer consumers a list of EPA-approved cleaners, but according to private organizations like the Environmental Working Group, EPA standards have proven too lenient, approving products in as few as three weeks with little to no testing. The EWG recommends consumers only purchase products certified by independent organizations like Green Seal and EcoLogo, which employ more stringent criteria than the EPA.

Dilute Your Cleaning Products

Ready-made, eco-friendly cleaners may be convenient, but going green with store-bought products won't put any more green in your wallet. In fact, many all-natural green cleaners cost more than chemical-based products.

To get around the added cost, try investing in safety-approved, environmentally friendly concentrates, or dilute the products you already use. Concentrated cleaners cost less, and since they require less packaging, they produce less waste - another boon for the environment. Even if your cleaner is chemically based, you can reduce your exposure to dangerous toxins - and save a few pennies - by watering the formula down.

Make Your Own Green Cleaning Kit

Vinegar, baking soda, liquid dish soap - These are just a few of the eco-friendly miracle cleaners you probably already have in your home. Making your own cleaners may seem a bit old-fashioned, but what worked for Grandma will work for you and your bank account too.

The inexpensive, non-toxic ingredients found in homemade cleaners may seem tame in comparison to the chemical contemporaries, but don't be fooled. They are more than tough enough to take on anything your kids can dish out without exposing your family to dangerous chemical toxins. What's more, they require no plastic packaging and produce no chemical waste whatsoever.

For tips on creating your own cleaning products, visit our frugal living page where you'll find an extensive list of recipes for homemade cleaners.