It’s important to be aware of what chemicals your family is being exposed. Children are especially at risk since they have a tendency to crawl and put things in their mouths. Since they’re much smaller they haven’t had the time to build immunities to these chemicals and will be effected in different ways.

You can reduce the toxic chemicals in your home by paying attention to substances you use to keep your home clean. There are tons of alternatives to harmful chemical cleaners. Here are five ways to use organic cleaners to keep your home clean the safe, all-natural way.

1. Prevention and Elimination of Dirt and Odor

You can go a long way to keeping your home clean by taking a few simple steps to eliminate the need for chemical cleaners. Removing your shoes when you enter the home and keeping a door mat at your front door so visitors can wipe their feet is very effective for keeping dirt out of the house. Your shoes track in harmful amounts of pesticides, lead and other chemicals found in dirt.

Vacuum carpets and floors regularly to minimize dust. Clutter attracts dust, so reduce or remove whenever possible. If you are experiencing odors, the first step is always to eliminate the source rather than trying to cover it up. By attacking the problem at its source you reduce the need for toxic chemicals.

2. Use Single-ingredient Household Alternatives

You can find many safe all-natural alternatives to toxic chemical cleaners in your pantry or under your sink. Baking soda is perfect for cleaning sinks, tubs, toilets, and can even freshen drains. Vegetable oil and lemon juice cleans wood furniture. A vinegar and water mixture works wonders for cleaning mirrors and windows or polishing chrome and other metals. You can also simmer cloves and cinnamon for an environmentally friendly ai-freshener.

3. Avoid Aerosol

Pressurized aerosol products produce a fine mist of chemicals that is easily inhaled, damaging the lungs and potentially causing respiratory illness. Aerosols emit unnecessary volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) into your indoor air. To avoid this, switch to pump spray bottles wherever possible. Spray bottles are refillable, unlike aerosol cans, so they can be reused time and again with different all-natural mixtures.

4. Clean from the Top Down

Your carpets and floors should be the last thing you clean. This allows all of the dust and particulates to settle before vacuuming.

5. Choose Products Carefully

Carefully read labels when shopping for cleaning products. Anytime you see the words caution, warning, danger, and poison you can be sure that these products are not safe for your home. It’s far better to select products made from plant-based materials, such as oils from citrus, seeds, vegetables or pine. The products are biodegradable and less toxic.