Cleaning alternatives for a 'greener' environment

Lemon Freshener Natural cleaning remedies —such as vinegar, baking soda and water — are coming back in fashion, replacing harsh chemical-based cleaning products in an effort to "go green."Jinnifer Gibbsof Michigan State University Extension Ottawa County branch said she is seeing people make a more conscientious choice in becoming earth-friendly."It's becoming a more mainstream focus," she said. "Just from the inquiries I've received and from what I've seen nationally, I do think we're seeing a new shift. More people are becoming more sensitive to what they're using and how it effects their families and the environment. We're seeing the ramifications in the choices we make and how it can be beneficial or not beneficial."Gibbs explained that common food and baking staples found in your pantry can serve as a greener alternative to the store-bought cleaning agents which might contain pollutant chemicals."First, it's a cost savings for your home — comprising of things in your pantry," she said. "Second, it'll have an impact on society — with water runoffs, it'll eliminate something that's going into a system that's going out into our environment."In an effort to a greener alternative, Gibbs said many people are confused by product labels, especially those marked "toxic," but are safe to use, and "non-toxic.""When in doubt, call the manufacturer," she said. "If you question whether it's safe, go to the source."An example of a "toxic, but safe" product is an air freshener."Air fresheners truly do not freshen the air, they mask the odor," Gibbs said.A safe and all-natural alternative to air fresheners would be to boil cinnamon and cloves on the stove, which will disperse a scent through the air, killing the odor, according to Gibbs."It's non-evasive and safe," she said of the alternative.Another cleaning agent combination that can be found in your pantry — vinegar and water — also works great for cleaning windows.Common store-bought cleaning products, such as Clorox, are also being re-vamped, offering a "greener" alternative for the consumer.Clorox Green Works is a line of cleaning supplies — from toilet bowl cleaners to glass and all-purpose cleaners — made from natural ingredients. According to its Web site, greenworkscleaners.com, the new cleaning line is made from plants and minerals, including a coconut-based cleaning agent, lemon oils, corn-based ethanol, filtered water and biodegradable preservatives. None of the products contain any phosphorus or bleach, according to the company."The ingredients must come from renewable resources, be biodegradable and free of petrochemicals," the Web site states. "Green Works cleaners are at least 99 percent natural."Four of the five Green Works products are recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Design for the Environment Program. Those products, and others made from natural ingredients, will have a DfE world label on its packaging."The DfE Program offers formulator companies the opportunity to partner with DfE to design or reformulate products with a more positive environmental and human health profile," according to the EPA Web site. "DfE also recognizes formulators and products with improved environmental and health characteristics."Consumers may also find another line of natural cleaners at their local store by Seventh Generation. The company has a variety of household and laundry cleaning supplies that are considered non-toxic and do not contain phosphates. It also offers chlorine-free baby and feminine care products.A wide variety of natural cleaning products can also be found on the Internet, including gaiam.com.The next time you sweep the floor, consider the O-Cedar Angler Broom, which can be found at local retailers. The broom's "memory bristles" are made from recycled plastic bottles."By using recycled material, O-Cedar will convert approximately 60 million water bottles annually into broom bristles and use 200,000 fewer gallons of fuel in the conversion process," an O-Cedar press release states."The environment is very important to the company and we have to do our part to help the environment," said Joanna Barber, an O-Cedar spokeswoman, adding that the angler broom has been on the market for about a year.While the Clorox and Seventh Generation "green" cleaners are two of several companies that offer a different alternative than its harsher chemical-based counterparts, Gibbs urges consumers to read the label on products for natural ingredients."There are more and more products on the market that are going 'green,'" she said. "But read the label to see if the products are all-natural — such as using lemon oils and orange extracts. If they're not, contact your local (MSU) Extension office — we have many resources."