Eco-Products for Spring Cleaning

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 Sevananda on Moreland Avenue in Little Five Points has an array of green cleaning products. (Photo by Mary Logan Barmeyer)

Greening your house can be as simple as switching to organic cleaning products.

When it comes to the scrubbing and cleaning that come with spring, organic cleaning products provide a healthy and eco-conscious alternative to conventional cleaning products, which can contain a long list of ingredients with unpronounceable chemicals.

People are switching to organic cleaning products for a number of reasons, including the impact on the environment and our bodies. Laurie Davis, who founded Serenity Organic Cleaning, a cleaning service devoted to organic products, had a personal reason for going green: her allergies.

"I am concerned about the environment, but starting this company was mainly spurred by my health issue," Davis said. "I can’t use toxic chemicals in my cleaning."

While many conventional products may contain nasty dyes, phosphates, ammonia or chlorine (many do not; check the label), these natural cleaners are often plant-derived, with natural essential oils and plant-based surfactants and ethanol.

These cleaners are less irritating to the body and to the environment, and products include those made by Seventh Generation, Ecover and Mrs. Meyers. Seventh Generation and Ecover are both available at stores, including Sevenanda Natural Foods Market and Whole Foods Market, and Mrs. Meyers at stores including The Container Store, Belly General Store, and Whole Foods Market. Many of these organic products can also be found at standard grocery stores. These eco-cleaners may put a bigger dent in your wallet than your store-brand generic cleaner, but they put a smaller dent in their impact on the environment and your health.