Clean It Up Naturally!
by Angela Pirisi

Natural cleaning products make a splash.

Household cleaning products have been making surfaces gleam for decades, but scientists are now taking a closer look at how commercial germ busters may also adversely affect our health and environment. Fortunately, armed with labeling knowledge and common sense, consumers can navigate around the more toxic product ingredients and choose safer, "greener" alternatives.

At the most basic level, you can stock your household with homemade cleaners such as white vinegar to clean glass and other surfaces and baking soda to combat hardened dirt. But there are also many natural cleaning products on the market. So how do you know which ingredients to look for? Here are a few healthy places to start.

• Guide to Natural Cleaning Ingredients
  
• Cleaning Culprits: Products to Avoid

Angela Pirisi is a freelance health writer based in Toronto.