Have you ever read the labels of your cleaning products?

Chances are the ingredients section will be full of hard-to-pronounce chemicals. Some of these chemicals are effective cleansers, some are preservatives, and some are fragrances or colors.

But the majority of them are not necessary, some are not good for our health, and some are downright dangerous.

Some cleaning product manufacturers have begun to produce safer options. These “green” cleaners contain more natural ingredients and fewer potentially dangerous chemicals.

The trouble is that while many of them claim to be more green, few of them are truly all-natural.

Therefore, it is important to read the labels carefully. Even if the ingredients include unidentified “fragrance,” there could be hidden chemicals which are harmful to your health, or that of your pets if you have any in the house.

If you want to completely avoid chemicals in your cleaning products, the best way to do so is to make your own out of natural ingredients. There are many common household ingredients that do a fine job of cleaning windows, surfaces, dishes and more, without harmful chemicals, or breaking the bank. Here are a few suggestions.

Baking Soda
Baking soda is well known for its odor absorbency in fridges and freezers, and down the drain to keep your plumbing running smoothly too, but did you know that it’s also an excellent stain remover?

It can be safely used on tile, glass, china and most fabrics. It’s a wonderful scrubbing aid for baked-on food in pots and pans as well. It can also whiten teeth and is always useful in the house for baking.

It can even give a great boost to your kitty litter, and help deodorize carpets by sprinkling it on, letting it stand for about 10 minutes, and then vacuuming it up.

Hydrogen Peroxide
One of the biggest concerns of those who are reluctant to use natural cleaners is whether or not they will be killing germs when they clean. Chlorine bleach and other chemicals are often believed to be the only things that will get the job done. But hydrogen peroxide is a milder and safer alternative. It is safe for use on virtually any surface, and is also useful around the house for cleaning cuts and scrapes, or cleaning your dog’s ears.