When the spring cleaning season comes around, many homeowners turn to their favorite cleaning products to tidy up. Unfortunately, most of these products contain harmful chemicals that get washed down the drain and into the sewage. The majority of these chemicals are filtered out in sewage plants before the water goes to rivers and lakes, but not all of them. Nitrogen, ammonia, and phosphorus, which is the main ingredient in dishwasher detergents, aren’t removed in treatment plants. Instead, these three chemicals usually end up in waterways, where they contaminate larger bodies of water and wreak havoc on aquatic life and plants. Not to mention the health hazards these chemicals have on humans when they’re sprayed inside the home.

The good news is there are plenty of ways to get into the spring cleaning mode without potentially hurting your health or the environment. The best way to avoid harmful cleaning products is to look for non-toxic chemicals. These products are usually equipped with an eco-friendly or biodegradable label. You should also avoid buying products that are known to irritate skin or are flammable. You can also make your own eco-friendly cleaning products with a few household staples. Ingredients like lemon, vinegar, baking soda, and glycerine are great at combating dirt and grease. A mixture of soap and water or water and vinegar can easily remove tough stains while eliminating germs. You can also add a little baking soda for some added abrasion. Need more eco-friendly cleaning tips? Have a look here and you’ll get all the spring cleaning advice you need.