These days when you walk down the aisles of your local grocery store, there are hundreds of chemicals and synthetic materials available for a variety of uses. Most of us use these chemicals and synthetics everyday without giving a second thought about their effect on our health or the environment. Believe it or not, many of these compounds can be very harmful and take generations to dissolve in landfills.

There are many green alternatives to the harsh chemicals used every day in businesses and private residences. Best of all, these natural cleaners can be cheaper and smell a lot nicer than chemicals!

For easy shower and tile cleaning, mix 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water and spray on moldy spots, followed by a brisk scrub with a stiff scrub brush. For especially hard to clean areas, mix 1 part water and 1 part vinegar, mix and add 2 parts baking soda. This will form a powerful oxidative paste.

To control odors around the house, dry out orange peels and place in a mesh bag. Hang them around closets, under kitchen sinks, and in restrooms for a fresh orange smell. When grilling or firing up the fireplace, use dried orange peels instead of a harsh flammable accelerant.

Dried rosemary sprigs also make a nice deodorizer. Rosemary is very easy to grow in your backyard. In fact, once it is established, you will have to trim it back every so often to keep it from running wild. Once it is well established, simply cut a few sprigs about 6 to 8 inches in length, bind them together and hang them in one of the aforementioned areas of your home. Throw them out and replace them when they become too brittle and start falling apart.

For toilet cleaning, use ¼ cup of borax instead of harsh bleach-based products to deodorize and disinfect. You can also use borax on your pots and pans instead of S.O.S. pads for a scratch-free clean.

Recycling is an assumed part of green living, but there are more ways to recycle than just throwing something into the bin. Recycling also includes re-using items creatively. Instead of throwing away old t-shirts and socks, re-use them as dusting cloths or rags. Instead of buying new books, go to your library and save paper by just checking out books with your library card.

Speaking of recycling, make sure that you actively take part in your cities recycling program. Make sure that your household actively recycles everything that it possibly can. Though we all know that aluminum cans are recyclable, paper, glass, cardboard and plastic bottles can also all be recycled. You will be amazed at how much less waste your household will be producing once you fully embrace recycling, most homes reduce the amount of trash they produce by 50%.

You also want to make sure that you do not simply throw out yard clippings. Yard clippings can be used to make excellent compost if you have a flower or vegetable garden in your yard and produce gasses that can cause major problems for landfills. Compost your clippings or use your yard waste can if your municipality provides one.

Megan Holley, a mom who wants to encourage others to take even one tiny green step with your family. Our website is designed to give you information on making positive changes, inform you about why natural products are so important and give you "how to" instructions. Check us out at http://recyclinggreenmoms.com/