With all of the hype about “going green” and “green cleaning” you may be contemplating going green yourself. Read on for the best ways to green your household without breaking the bank.

Clean with Water

It may sound crazy and go against everything you have ever been taught about the need for chemical antibacterial cleaning products, but water simply works.

Better for certain chores than others, all you need is a spray bottle of distilled water and a microfiber cloth. You can use it to clean areas that attract dirt and debris, such as the kitchen floor, bathroom floor, and entryway. Water cleans the mirrors and windows by spraying on, wiping off with a damp micro fiber cloth, and then drying with a dry micro fiber cloth. It will even clean dirty doors, shoes and other surfaces. For the bathroom, try white vinegar with water and a drop or two of essential oils for a pleasant fragrance and extra germ-fighting power.

Use Cloth instead of Paper Towels

Cloth towels, including microfiber cloths, are washable, and you can reuse them several times. Paper towels cost an average of $2 a roll, and could end up costing you hundreds in a year! Also, paper towels are not reusable or recyclable, but towels that have passed their expiration date in the house can still be useful as garage towels or rags for your next painting project.

Swap Chemical Laundry Detergent for a Natural Alternative

Common laundry detergents contain petroleum distillates, or napthas, which have been linked to cancer, lung damage and inflammation. They also commonly contain phenols, which are declared by the National Institute of Health (NIH) to be toxic to people, especially those who are hypersensitive.Fragrance is another common ingredient in laundry detergent which can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients, many of which are toxic and carcinogenic.

“Free” versions still contain chemicals such as sodium hydroxide, which is caustic soda and can cause skin irritation, as well as other effects in bigger doses. The bottom line: when using chemical-based laundry detergent, you never really know what you are getting, but it’s a safe bet that it’s not, well, safe.

You may want to consider a natural alternative such as soap nuts, an age-old cleaning agent from the Himalayas that is completely natural, organic and chemical free. If you want to stick with a traditional style of cleaning product, try a company like Mrs. Meyer’s that uses no bleach or phosphates, and their formula is biodegradable. Dr. Bronner’s also has an excellent reputation for laundry, cleaning and personal care products.

Avoid Dry Cleaners

Consider the dry cleaner your last resort, and try a few simple steps to clean your clothes safely at home first. Use a soft brush or microfiber cloth to brush surface soil from clothing. For wrinkle removal, steam with a home garment steamer, or an iron with a steaming feature built in. Smooth wrinkles and rumples with ease, and heat up the fabric to kill off some microbes. Let garments cool and dry completely before wearing.

Another economic and easy trick is to put vodka in a spray bottle and spritz the garment, concentrating on the areas where perspiration has collected. The alcohol kills odor-causing bacteria, then dries quickly (do not use rubbing alcohol, as it has additives). Hand washing works for wool and silk sweaters and simple unlined garments. Take care not to wring the clothes.

If you must dry clean, then consider your options. Most drycleaners use perchloroethylene (PERC), and it is the only airborne toxin emitted from the dry cleaning process. Scientists with the EPA say that acute exposure to perc can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches as well as a loss of coordination, and have said perc is a “possible to probable human carcinogen”.

Some green alternatives to this harsh process would be trying home dry cleaning solutions you mix yourself. If you are going to dry clean at home, skip the kits which contain some of the same harsh chemicals and find green natural ways to clean your clothes. There are many resources online and different solutions for different fabrics.

If you must take your clothes to a professional, some dry cleaners have started offering a variety of options. “Wet cleaning” uses minimal water with detergent in a computer controlled washing machine, “silicon cleaning” is a silicon based solvent used in modified dry cleaning machines. “Carbon dioxide cleaning” uses high pressure to convert carbon dioxide gas to liquid form, and removes detergent the same way water does in a washing machine. Carbon dioxide cleaning has been rated as the best cleaning of the options, including perc.

Start at home where you and your family live and breathe, and it’s that much easier to live a healthier lifestyle.