Most people that choose green cleaning products do so because they care about the environment – and with good reason.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, cleaning products are released into the environment during normal use including rinsing down the drain a residual product from cleaned surfaces and sponges. Certain ingredients can be hazardous not only to humans – typically through skin and eye irritation – but also to aquatic species in waters that are not suitably treated. For example, ingredients containing phosphorus or nitrogen can lead to adverse effects on water quality and contribute to nutrient-loading in water bodies.

By looking for products that contain no toxic ingredients, no optical brighteners, no solvents (except for water) and no enzymes, individuals can make a difference because the fewer harmful chemicals that enter our water treatment system the less damage they can do. You can also buy cleaning products in reduced or recyclable packaging that cuts down on waste and transportation energy.

Are there other benefits?

If doing your bit for the environment isn`t reason enough to think green with cleaning products then also consider the following:

- Health benefits: When cleaning products are used in homes we are exposed to their ingredients. It might be that they are sprayed on to surfaces that we eat from or touch so we absorb the chemicals; or it might be that we inhale their fumes. This can have a significant impact on our respiratory and immune systems. If you are in a home with young children or pets then you should be particularly wary as their basic body systems are more open to exposure and it could even impact their brain and internal organs. Just take a look at any number of conventional cleaning products and look at the warning labels – whether they read `do not inhale` or `if swallowed seek medical attention`, it`s clear that they can do serious damage to our health. So why expose yourself, your children and your pets to these risks when there are non-toxic products available such as those used by Green Clean Solution.

– Tackling allergies: Do you have asthma or hay fever? Perhaps eczema or dermatitis? These conditions can be aggravated by the cleaning ingredients that are trapped in furniture and carpets. Carpets act as a filter for this contamination in a home and if you use green cleaning products and regularly clean your carpet you can eliminate these issues and control the build up of dust mites and pollen grain contamination.

There may even be financial benefits too.

Don`t forget that regular cleaning and keeping your home in a good state of repair can impact your home insurance. Insurers may refuse claims if they deem that you have been negligent with your property prior to an insured event; while many insurers also only cover on a `wear and tear` basis meaning they reduce the payout they offer on select contents, such as carpets, based on depreciation. As such, upkeep and regular cleaning can help a claim run smoothly and help you receive a suitable payout should an insured event occur.

If you suffer minor accidental damage in your home it can also be more cost effective to hire a cleaning company to deal with any spills or stains for you rather than making a home insurance claim – most policies carry an excess and making claims may cause premiums to rise during your next renewal. When the time does come to renew, it`s well worth shopping around for cheap home insurance to ensure you are getting value for money.