Green living may be the hot thing right now, but it's nothing new. It's something that can be incorporated into your life even in the smallest ways. Using baking soda and borax as carpet deodorizers is one small step that can lead to a larger green impact for yourself and the environment.

I admit that I didn't initially start using these products for cleaning out of altruistic environmental tendencies. Well, I did, but it was in the back of my mind. Years ago, I developed sensitivities to cleaning products including some brand-name carpet deodorizers, even those marked natural on the label.

Thankfully, I didn't get to the point where I was wheezing like an asthmatic, but my reaction was uncomfortable enough to force me to seek an alternative product.

I did some research and found that two things I used around the house, baking soda and borax, make excellent carpet deodorizers. I added natural essential oils for added benefit and haven't had an allergic reaction since.

Also known by its chemical name sodium bicarbonate, baking soda is a salt and component of the mineral natron. It naturally occurs in mineral springs.

Baking soda is known not just for baking and helping indigestion but for drawing out odors too. How many of us grew up with a box in the freezer and one in the fridge?

That same odor drawing principle applies to the carpet. Just sprinkle some all over the area that needs to be deodorized and leave for 10-20 minutes. Vacuum and reap the benefits of a fresher carpet.

Borax is another natural mineral that is excellent for laundry, home cleaning and other household uses.

For deodorizing your carpet, use it the same way as you would baking soda. Sprinkle on your carpet, leave on for 20 minutes, then vacuum.

Do you like the lemon and pine scents in your favorite cleaners? Why not add them yourself instead of settling for synthetic fragrances?

Not only do essential oils smell nice, but many of them have antimicrobial properties. Some of the most well known for this purpose are tea tree and citrus oils.

• For one cup of borax or baking soda, pour 5-10 drops of your choice of essential oil. You don't have to stick to just one. Use two or three of your favorites.
  
• You will have to mix these in with the powder really well or they just end up turning into beads of essential oil covered in baking soda. Use this mixture on your carpet as you would the plain powder.

Make sure you use quality essential oils, nothing synthetic and especially nothing with dyes.

If you have had sensitivities or allergies to regular cleaning products, you might be surprised at how much of a difference green cleaning makes in your life.

While it might not solve all of your allergy-related problems, it's certainly worth giving it a try. You will also save cash and possibly help the planet in the process.