Cleaning agents that contain chemicals are used to clean everything in our lives, from the bathroom to the kitchen, on our pets and even ourselves. By using these products we are potentially harming ourselves and the environment.

According to the Consumer Product Safety commission, up to 150 chemicals found in household cleaning products have been linked to health issues such an allergies, birth defects, cancer and even psychological issues. Think about all of the chemical cleaners you likely have under a sink in your house - now imagine the number of chemicals in those products, and think about how much of a health risk those products are. It's somewhat frightening.

Housewives have an elevated risk of cancer, up to 54%, compared to women who work in an office due to the fact that they are typically exposed to the chemicals more frequently.

American households have the unfortunate reputation for being at the top of the list when it comes to breaching the chemical waste rules with disposal of household cleaners compared to other countries.

So, what is the solution? We are using more environmentally safe products today, such as reusable bags, yet we still use cleaning products that are environmentally unfriendly. There is a lot more work that could be done in this area, but thankfully there are some simple, homemade, environmentally friendly alternatives.

Natural cleaning products are far safer, cheaper and do a better cleaning job then the harsh cleaning chemicals on the market. White vinegar and lemon juice are great for almost any job. Do you have grease marks on your cook top? Spray some white vinegar mixed with warm water and leave for a few minutes, come back and wipe over the cook top with a soft cloth and you have a clean, shiny surface to cook from. This mixture is also good for wiping over bench tops and dining tables.

Tea tree oil and lavender oil are germs worst enemies. Mix either oil with warm water to spray over surfaces that have mold or mildew on them and the anti-fungal agents that the oils contain will kill the mold and mildew before you know it. This spray is also good for keeping germs off of door handles.

To keep your furniture looking new and clean, mix olive oil with lemon or white vinegar, spray over furniture and wipe with a clean soft cloth. Mix Baking soda and salt into a paste and rub on any stubborn cooking stains in the kitchen, this will create a scour effect and get rid of any hard baked on stains.

It is easy to change your cleaning products and help minimize the effect on the environment that harsh chemicals can cause. Natural cleaning products are much less expensive then chemical based cleaners and so much safer for you and your family. The best news is that you probably already have a lot of these items in your home - so start using them!