1. Many brands of green cleaners are available, such as Begley’s Best from actor Ed Begley Jr., which is made entirely of plant-based materials. Other options include, clockwise from top right, Planet Hugger, Homeology, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day, Ecover, Seventh Generation, and Method. 2. This microfiber cloth from Chandler, Arizona-based Planet Hugger is made from fine threads that are said to collect dirt and bacteria without the need for conventional cleaners.

Green cleaning products are defined as being good for both you and the planet. They are said to reduce the amount of toxins released into the air and water supply because they are not made from harsh chemicals.

People have become more concerned with what is in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and how everyday consumer goods are impacting the earth, comments Linda Cobb, The Queen of Clean®, a New York Times best-selling author and Phoenix-based green-cleaning advocate.

Cobb explains that green-cleaning practices have been around for decades and encompass such household items as baking soda, lemons and vinegar. However, ready-made cleaners produced with chemicals became commonplace during the late 1950s and early ’60s, and these began polluting the environment, she states.

The expert points out that some conventional cleaners expose people to potentially harmful gases and fumes when they are used. In closed spaces, those gases and fumes become concentrated. Cobb notes that, in general, children have more allergies now than they did years ago, and she believes that this is partly due to the chemicals in cleaning products.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may be linked to health is-sues ranging from minor allergies to cancer. The EPA’s Web site lists cleaning products as a source for increased VOC levels indoors. Going green can reduce the amount of VOCs emitted in the home.