“Cleanliness is not next to godliness. It’s not even in the same neighborhood. No one has ever had a religious experience removing burnt cheese from the grill of the toaster oven.” -Erma Bomback

Green cleaning is generally defined as the use of cleaning products and methods that include environmentally friendly elements that “protect health without harming the environment.” The term “green cleaning” can also refer to a type of human behavior that encourages the exclusive application of healthy and green products on a regular basis, as well as advising other consumers on how green cleaning can be used effectively every day. There has even been a steady increase in the availability of products offered in biodegradable packaging through environmentally friendly manufacturing and distribution methods.

In recent years, there has been a surge of people across the country expressing a desire to ditch their expensive, chemical-filled cleaning products, choosing instead simpler, more earth-friendly techniques. In fact, some men and women who are fully committed to the green-clean lifestyle swear by using a thin layer of baking soda in favor of expensive underarm deodorants. They even sing the praises of old T-shirts, socks, and towels that have been cut up and used as disposable sweeping rags and window-cleaning squeegees, instead of expensive fabric-cleaning rags.

If you get dizzy while scrubbing with your wide array of colorful multi-purpose sponges, bathroom brushes, and kitchen mops and start to feel dizzy, you may need to ask yourself if you really trust the many unknown chemicals in the cleaning products you continually use. . Instead, here are some great homemade cleansing recipes that everyone can use:

All-Purpose Cleaner – This simple blend can clean, disinfect, and deodorize a variety of surfaces, so you can clean kitchen and bathroom countertops, stovetops, kitchen appliances, and more. This is what you will need:

-1 cup of white vinegar
-1 cup of water
-1 spray bottle

Directions: Mix white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray onto surface and wipe clean with a cloth or sponge. Caution: If you do not properly dilute the white vinegar, you may end up damaging the surface you intend to clean. Be sure to test the concoction on a small area first to gauge its effectiveness.

Surface Scrub – If you have any of those nasty spots, streaks, or stains on your countertops that never seem to go away, this green remedy can be used in place of many commercially available products. This is what you will need:

-1 ½ cup of baking soda
-½ cup of water

Instructions: Mix the baking soda and water in a bowl to create a creamy paste. Spread the paste over the surface area, and after letting it sit for about 10 minutes, wipe it off with a damp sponge. If the stain is very stubborn and refuses to budge, let the paste sit for 20-25 minutes before trying to sponge it off. If necessary, repeat this a few more times if it doesn’t go away after the first try. Caution: Be sure not to use too abrasive sponge pads that may damage the surface.

Fabric softener: For those with sensitive skin, detergents with “normal” ingredients can still cause horrible rashes and other skin irritations. Adding a half cup of white vinegar to the soak cycle of your wash on laundry day makes a fantastic organic fabric softener. This is what you will need:

-½ cup of white vinegar

Instructions: Pour the white vinegar during the rinse cycle, or into the fabric softener compartment if your washer has one.

‘Krishna insisted on outer cleanliness and inner cleanliness. Clean clothes and a clean mind are an ideal combination.’ -Sri Sathya Sai Baba