If you’re worried about the environmental concerns and health issues related to chemical-packed traditional household cleaners, you may want to consider steam cleaners as a green cleaning option.  Steam cleaners hold water in a storage tank, and a heating element boils the water which creates pressurized steam.  Then using a wand or other attachment, you can clean with powerful blasts of hot steam, without detergents or other additives.

There are many ways to use a steam cleaner for environmentally friendly household cleaning, including:

• Ceramic Tile Floors
• Showers & Bathtubs
• Carpet
• Lawn Furniture
• Eliminating Odors
• Disinfecting
• Decks
• Grills
• Upholstery
• Hard to Reach Nooks & Crannies

The steam cleaner above is made by Euro-Pro.  It holds enough water for 30 minutes of cleaning time, and includes several attachments.  The Euro-Pro Shark steam cleaner is available at Ace Hardware. Here’s an interesting article on the benefits of steam cleaning.

If you’re new to green living, here’s an idea to help you get started in purchasing green cleaning products and recycled household products. It’s a green cleaning starter kit filled with a variety of non- toxic cleaners and recycled paper goods. Here’s what the green cleaning kit includes:

Phosphate Free Household Cleaner: An every day non toxic cleaning spray for cleaning the bathroom sink, kitchen appliances, and counter tops.

Biodegradable Dish Washing Soap: Plant-based soap for dishes and cooking pans.

Recycled Paper Towels: 80% post consumer waste.

Recycled Facial Tissues: 100% recycled, 20% post consumer waste.

All Natural Hand Soap: Biodegradable hand soap made with essential oils.

I think the Starter Green-kit available at Green-kit looks like a convenient way to take some of the initial confusion out of selecting green products, and choosing the ones you like the most.