Spring is often associated with the dreaded chore of cleaning. And while many of us may dislike the actual act of cleaning, most of us enjoy that fresh clean smell that fills the home after a long winter.

The question is, when you inhale that clean scent, what are you really inhaling?

This spring, before you clean your home from top to bottom, take a minute to consider what you're using and if it's the best cleanser for your home and family.

What's the Problem?

Let's start by looking at where cleaning products are. Actually, it may be easier to try to list where they "aren't."

After all, cleaning products seem to be everywhere. They're in the kitchen where your family eats...in the bathroom where you brush your teeth...on the mirrors, countertops, and windows you touch. And, as a result of all these, they're even in the air you breathe.

But, really, why is that a problem? Aren't these products cleaning your home, making it safer for you and your family?

To help us tackle this question, we interviewed Sara Mohs, co-founder of simplyneutral™, a company that promotes sustainable living through its non-toxic cleaners.

The problem with most commercial cleaning products, as Mohs pointed out, is that there is very little regulation and virtually no labeling requirements for those cleaning products.

"Many conventional cleaning products actually contain toxic ingredients that aren't properly regulated or even disclosed," Mohs said. "To make matters worse, a report by the Government Accountability Office found that most chemicals used in consumer products have never even undergone a federal safety review."

According to Greenerchoices.org, less than 200 of the 62,000 chemicals used in commerce have undergone required testing by the EPA since 1979. So not only are consumers unaware of potential toxins in cleaning products, the agency in charge of monitoring those products probably hasn't even tested them.

The reality is, the average household cleaner may include chemicals, fragrances, and dyes that can be irritating to your eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. If that wasn't troubling enough, most conventional cleaning products are produced using a petroleum-based formula. That's right, petroleum.

Many experts believe that even low-level exposure to these chemicals over time may cause asthma, allergies, or even cancer. In addition, these chemicals may negatively impact or harm your community.

"The development, use, and disposal of conventional cleaning products can release dangerous amounts of toxins into the air, land, and water in your community and around your home," Mohs explained. "Because many of these chemicals biodegrade so slowly, they can remain in that soil and water for hundreds of years, resulting in damaging effects on our ecosystem and future generations."

 So What Should You Do?

Rather than use potentially toxic and harmful conventional cleaners, you can try some of the natural cleaning agents in your pantry. That's right, you probably already have a number of products in your kitchen that can be used as cleaners if you add a little elbow grease to them, including:

Baking soda – We all know that baking soda absorbs odors, especially in refrigerators, but did you know it's also a simple and effective cleaner? Just mix baking soda with warm water for an inexpensive cleaner comparable to commercial "abrasive" cleaners. Also, mix baking soda with hot water for a great drain cleaner and deodorizer. It won't unclog your kitchen sink, but use it two or three times a month and it will help prevent future clogs.

Vinegar – Don't be fooled by the smell. White vinegar is actually a deodorizer and a disinfectant. Plus, when diluted in equal parts of water, it also makes is a great all-purpose cleaner. Avoid using vinegar solutions on marble or grout, but it's perfect for all of the other surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom.

Lemon juice – Like vinegar, the acidic nature of lemon juice makes for a great cleaning and deodorizing solution, especially in the bathroom. Use lemon juice on hard-water stains, soap scum, even rust stains in the shower, tub, and toilet. Mix lemon juice with salt to remove stubborn stains from coffee pots. Or you can mix lemon juice with baking soda for a softer, paste-like cleaning solution. Add a little to olive oil for an effective wood polish. Blend it with water to make a potent air freshener.

Cornstarch – Another great natural deodorizer, cornstarch also makes an effective glass and surface cleaner. Plus, you can combine 2 tbsp of cornstarch with 3/4 cup of baking soda for an inexpensive carpet freshener.

Borax – Also known as sodium borate, borax is best known as a hard-water laundry soap, but it also cleans wallpaper, painted walls, and other painted surfaces. This versatile, naturally-occurring mineral also preserves cut flowers and can be used to repel roaches and other bugs without toxic fumes or chemicals that can harm the environment. Borax can be an irritant, so protect your eyes and hands, and, of course, do not ingest it.

However, you'll want to make sure these natural ingredients are right for your home and your situation. For Mohs, her company's original cleaning recipes included vinegar and borax. But eventually, they decided to move to a new formula.

"We liked the idea of using those two natural ingredients, but they had their drawbacks. The smell of vinegar turned people off, and borax can be harmful if it's inhaled or ingested," Mohs explained.

The answer for Mohs and her sister-in-law was to come up with their own cleaning solution and make it available to others.

"We spent months working with different chemists to find an effective natural alternative. One that's safe and non-toxic, yet cuts through stains, grease, and dirt. Finally, we found our baby! A cleaning agent derived from corn sugar and palm kernel oil."

If you're looking to purchase a non-toxic cleaner that's safe yet effective, here are a couple of points to look for during your shopping.

First, read the label carefully. Although a "green" cleaner may contain natural ingredients, it may also include dyes, fragrances, or synthetic preservatives. For example, if the label says fragrances are added, it may contain up to 150 synthetic chemicals.

Second, you may want to take a quick look at the company itself to see if it is serious about producing natural cleaners that are safe for people and the environment.

"Be conscious of green washing. If a company says they're product is green, yet it has a history of polluting or producing toxic products, chances are it's more about marketing than sustainability," Mohs said. "Look at the big picture. Supporting those with a genuine mission will make a bigger impact in the long run and help those companies create more and more natural, safe products."

Sara Mohs is a co-founder of simplyneutral™, a company that produces non-toxic, yet effective cleaning products. For green cleaning tips or more information about Sara Mohs and simplyneutral™, visit www.simplyneutral.com.