Choose Products Wisely

• Before you start working, start collecting some green cleaning products. Harsh products like chlorine bleach and chemical-based all purpose cleaners emit toxins into the air. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar (a natural and effective cleaning agent), sprinkle baking soda over your carpet shortly before vacuuming and mix water with baking soda to make a strong natural paste for removing difficult stains on hard surfaces and grout. When shopping for commercial cleaning products, look for labels that read "Green," "Natural" or "Chemical Free." Additionally, oxygen bleach powder can safely clean almost any surface, and without harming the environment like chlorine bleach.
  
  

Improve Air Circulation

• If your home has minimal air flow, you likely breathe in toxins on a regular basis. You do not need to waste excess electricity to expel these toxins. Just open your windows to promote air circulation. If you want to accelerate the air flow even more by running fans (while leaving the windows open), use energy efficient fans for best results. Your home will feel and smell fresher, and you will have a safer breathing environment. If you need to freshen the air with pleasant scents, Tree Hugger recommends boiling spices and herbs like cloves and cinnamon, rather than using commercial air fresheners.
  
  

Use Natural Processes

• Use energy efficient appliances such as vacuum cleaners and washing machines and, when possible, use your own elbow grease to save electricity while getting the job done. For example, rather than using a dryer, hang your fabrics on clotheslines. Rather than vacuuming every week, try sweeping your floors daily to prevent excess accumulation, thus reducing the frequency that you need to vacuum.
  
  

Limit Wasteful Habits

• Cleaning the house can result in a lot of wasted resources, but you can avoid wastefulness using eco-friendly approaches. When washing dishes, fill your sink halfway with water and turn off the faucet, rather than letting it run. When cleaning bathrooms, countertops and other surfaces, use sponges and nonabrasive cloths rather than paper towels. When eliminating clutter from your home, separate the recyclable from the nonrecyclable goods.