Several years ago after I was diagnosed with bladder cancer, I decided it was time I changed my entire outlook and approach to cleaning. I decided to go "green" and switch all of my chemically based household products to natural based products. After trying loads of different brands I've come up with a few favorites, tried and true - that won't hurt your home or environment:

Biokleen Produce Wash. I'm one of those people who HAS to wash every darn piece of fruit or vegetable and this product is great. It contains grapefruit seed oil, orange peel oil, coconut & lime. It doesn't leave any residue once rinsed. It is also great for cleaning counters and cutting boards. A little goes a long way, it's super concentrated!

Mrs. Meyer's Shower Cleaner, Geranium. I'm a big fan of Mrs. Meyer's products and this spray has a refreshing, clean smelling scent. It contains geranium, rose and clove essential oils. Just spray - no need to wipe, scrub or rinse. Now that's my kind of cleaning!

Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Detergent Liquid, Free and Clear. My daughter suffers from contact dermatitis and I am only able to wash her clothes in mild, fragrance free detergents. This product was a life-saver! It's non-toxic, biodegradable, and hypo-allergenic. It leaves no residue and, therefore, is perfect for those with sensitive skin.

Trader Joe's Lavender Dryer Bags. I cannot get enough of the scent of lavender in my life...and these little bags are my absolute favorite. I'm not very fond of those overly perfumed dryer sheets, I just want a nice, clean scent when doing laundry. The bags are reusable (I get about 4-5 dryer cycles out of them).

Ecover Dishwashing Liquid with Lemon & Aloe Vera. Made with plant-based ingredients, it's mild on your hands but tough on grease and leaves no chemical residue on your dishes. Plus, it is biodegradable. It has a pleasant, fresh lemon scent - not too overpowering.

Seventh Generation Natural Fabric Softener Liquid, Lavender. This product makes my laundry soft but not greasy like some products seem to, and it prevents static. It is made with biodegradable ingredients, no dyes or chemicals.

Ecover Cream Scrub. Just like the dishwashing liquid, this product is made with plant based ingredients, is completely biodegradable and works like a charm! I used it to remove wine and coffee stains from my counters. I was skeptical about its effectiveness but it took the stains out of my counter-tops with very little effort. Plus, it is so mild it can be used on any surface.

These natural based products may be a bit more expensive than chemical based products but they are definitely worth the price for your peace of mind.