Chores Made Easy: Green Cleaning Tricks

Greening your cleaning shouldn't be a Herculean task. You don't need to wake up one day and change all your cleaning habits. Instead, take it step by step, start with one household task and then eventually work to have a completely green cleaning routine. Here are some quick swaps you can make that trade traditional, toxic supplies for gentler, earth-friendly options:

Martha Stewart's Whole Living site highlights "green-cleaning superstars." To combat mold and mildew in the bathroom, they offer three options that can all be sprayed onto bathroom surfaces, allowed to dry and then wiped off with a damp cloth. First, vinegar can be used either straight or diluted with water. Second, a tea-tree oil solution (2 teaspoons with 2 cups water) can help disinfect surfaces. Last, to whiten stained tiles or grout, try 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide mixed with 1 cup water.

Real Simple has a complete guide to natural cleaning worth looking over. For cleaning any type of floor, RS's editors suggest using a solution of 1/4 cup liquid Castile soap and 2 gallons warm water.

Planet Green asked green cleaning expert Annie B. Bond, author of Clean & Green for her eco-friendly cleaning recipes. Among the six formulas listed on the site, is an alternative to ammonia-based window cleaner; mix up: 1/4 to 1/2 t. liquid detergent, 3 T. vinegar and 2 cups water in a spray bottle.

Instead of notoriously harsh silver polish, The Daily Green recommends the following method of cleaning your sterling flatware: Place silverware in a tub/bucket lined with aluminum foil. Fill the vessel with boiling water, a cup of baking soda and a dash of salt. Let sit for a few minutes, and apparently the tarnish will transfer from the silver to the foil. Neat!

Last but not least, we love the Green Guide's guide to shopping for eco-friendly cleaners. They break down the terminology and key words to look for on labels of your cleaning supplies.