Giving your home a thorough scrub-down doesn’t have to be at the cost of your lungs and the environment. Natural cleaning products and methods can keep your place tidy without toxic side effects. Here’s how (and how not) to achieve your greenest clean.

DO Get some fresh air. Turn off the air-conditioning and open doors and windows to usher out stale air and allow for natural ventilation. Baking soda is a great deodorizer or, for fragrance, try fresh flowers.	DON’T Spray scents. Clean doesn’t have a smell, so skip the chemical plug-ins, sprays and other air fresheners.
DO Opt for all-natural. Vegetable-based cleansers, made with ingredients such as coconut oil, are widely available. Or you could make your own. Household products, including vinegar and olive oil, can be used to clean just about anything from floors to windows.	DON’T Use harsh chemical cleaners. Skip petroleum-based products and anything with a toxic warning label, such as products containing bleach or chlorine.
DO Clean and conserve. A no-waste clean is possible. Use reusable microfiber cloths and sponges or old T-shirts and rags and toss them in the laundry when you’re done.	DON’T Use one-time tools. Using half of a roll of paper towels to clean the kitchen or bathroom is a waste of trees and money.