Products tough, but friendlier

It’s that time again. Something about the longer, brighter days seems to shine light on spring’s biggest chore: cleaning house.

“As the weather changes, we get ready to throw open the windows and pull back the drapery, and then the sunlight settles on the dust-bunnies under the bed,” says Sara Snow, a green-living expert and author of newly released “Sara Snow’s Fresh Living” (Bantam, $16).

So while you prepare to cleanse your kitchen, banish grime from your bathroom and get the grit out of your garage, green living experts such as Snow suggest it’s a good time to swap your arsenal of harsh, chemical-laden cleaning products for Earth-friendly cleaners.

Carolyn Forte, director of the home appliances and cleaning products department at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, says most cleaning projects can be accomplished without turning to harsh chemicals.

“We tested green products many years ago and they were terrible,” she says. “Now mainstream and even smaller brands are raising the bar.”

The Good Housekeeping Research Institute tests products on their ability to clean various stains, soils or greases from a variety of surfaces. Later this year, the institute will unveil its Green Good Housekeeping Seal, a designation awarded products that pass testing of efficacy, eco-friendliness and truthfulness of claims.

She points out, however, that few natural cleaning products claim to disinfect, which is the goal of many a homeowner.

“You have to keep things in perspective,” she says, explaining that germ-killing products such as bleach are ideal for instances of mildew in the bathtub, to disinfect surfaces if a family member is ill or to prevent food-borne illnesses after handling chicken or other meats.

“But you don’t need to use [harsh cleaners] all the time for everything.”

Showing that there’s more than one way to green-clean a house, Snow, however, asserts that natural household products such as distilled white vinegar, tea tree oil and even hydrogen peroxide are more than enough to tackle the worst germs.

To help ready readers for spring cleaning, we chatted with Snow, Forte and HGTV’s “Green Home” guru Sabrina Soto about the best plan of attack, favorite green cleaning products and when —- if ever —- you should break out the bleach.

Strategies, supplies to make it happen

Clear the clutter: Soto says to begin by purging everything —- clothes, accessories, furniture and documents you no longer use —- that has lost its luster. Donate and recycle all you can, or consider holding a yard sale.

“Once you have everything out of your house, you have less to clean and less to clean around,” Soto said.

Kitchen: Snow says she begins here, in the room she uses most. Tackle the fridge first by purging outdated condiments or food that has gone bad. Wash out all shelves and interiors with hot soap and water. Snow favors Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Lemon Verbena Dish Soap ($3.99).

Forte adds that other surfaces, such as countertops, can be cleaned with all-purpose cleaners such as Nature’s Source by S.C. Johnson ($3.69). Higher-end products such as Caldrea’s all-purpose cleanser ($12) in Ginger Pomelo bring a heavenly scent while taking care of grime. (But when handling foods such as chicken, Snow uses distilled white vinegar for its antimicrobial properties to clean potentially contaminated surfaces.)

Finally, Soto advises cleaning stainless steel appliances with white vinegar, then rubbing in olive oil with a microfiber cloth to prevent fingerprints.

Windows: Because this is among the mildest cleaning liquids, most companies produce a quality glass cleaner, Forte says. Try Clorox Green Works natural glass and surface cleaner ($3.39) or Seventh Generation’s Free & Clear Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner ($4.44).

Tub and tile: Forte looks to CLR Bathroom & Kitchen Cleaner ($18.90 for pack of six) to take care of hard water stains and soap scum, but says green products are futile if mildew is present. She advises homeowners to spot-treat mildew with a bleach-and-water combination and use natural products for surface stains and maintenance. Snow, however, says mildew can be treated by spraying hydrogen peroxide or tea tree oil and letting it sit on the problem area for an hour or so before scrubbing away.

For tiled floors (as well as stainless steel, hard surface counters and Corian countertops), Snow favors Earth Friendly Products Creamy Cleanser ($3.99).

Laundry: Forte’s research shows Arm & Hammer Essentials laundry detergent ($3.99 for 50 ounces) works great for stain removal. Snow declares Ecos Liquid Laundry Detergent in Magnolia & Lilies ($6.99 for 50 ounces) her favorite cleaning product, period.

Carpet/upholstery: Forte says spot cleaning carpet and upholstery is easy with Simple Green Carpet Cleaner Concentrate ($3.99).

Floors/wood: This is a relatively uncharted area for many natural cleaning companies, but Good Housekeeping testers were impressed with Method’s Wood for Good almond floor cleaner ($6).

Snow tackles hardwoods with household products, first by using a damp cloth dipped in dish detergent and water, then a second wipe-down with a water and distilled vinegar combo (three parts water to one part white vinegar). For furniture polish, Snow mixes two parts olive oil and one part lemon juice.

A final note: Ready to banish chemical-laden cleaners to go green? Don’t pour those liquids down the drain or toss in the trash, Snow says. Check with your local municipality for the next toxic dump day.