When it comes to cleaning, environmentally friendly, or 'green' cleaning is all the buzz. But it's about more than simply protecting the health of the environment. It's also about avoiding exposure to dangerous chemicals and cleaning practices that could affect your personal health and the health of your family.

It is important to try and reduce allergy-triggering contaminants in homes such as dust mites, dander, bacteria, pollen and other pollutants.

The house cleaning experts offer the following advice on practicing the greener side of cleaning in your home and the all-natural products they recommend for cleaning.

Steer clear of cleaning products that are strong bases, highly acidic or contain bleach. Instead, try using all-natural products with plant-oil disinfectants such as:

• rosemary
• sage
• eucalyptus
• a little elbow grease for cleaning
• vinegar, as simple as it is, will disinfect and inhibit growth of mold and mildew

1. Don't throw away old t-shirts and socks – use them to clean!

• They're easy to throw in the laundry when dirty and you'll help the environment along the way by avoiding use of paper products. Additionally, socks are great when kids are helping complete cleaning chores. Cover kids' hands and arms with dad's old athletic socks then squirt the socks until lightly damp with a safe solution of vinegar and water. Send them off to dust around the house. Looking for someone to dust higher than your "little helpers" can reach? By hiring a professional cleaning service, they can reach places both high and low, from baseboards to fan blades; they will help eliminate dust and allergens in your home.

1. Stock up on lemons on your next trip to the store. This wonder-fruit serves several purposes when cleaning your home.

• Cut one in half and run it over chrome faucets and then buff for instant shine.
• Take the other half of that lemon and sprinkle it with baking soda to scrub away surface stains.
• Take both halves and grind them in the garbage disposal to freshen that often overlooked place in your home.

1. Baking soda

• Is a great way to absorb those questionable smells in your refrigerator and freezer, just place an open box inside?
• You can also avoid clogged drains by pouring ¼ cup of baking soda down the drain and following with one full cup of white vinegar.

1. Resist the urge to grab a roll of paper towels when cleaning.

• Opt instead for microfiber cloths that trap dust and allergens, eliminating them from the air you breathe.
• Look for cloths that are appropriate to your cleaning task, be it dusting or buffing.
• Microfiber cloths are more expensive than most other cleaning products but an integral part of the experts recommended products.

1. Want a simple way to freshen your home?

• Open up those windows and let your home get a breath of fresh air as often as possible.
• Pollutants indoors are often higher than outside.

1. Invest in a vacuum cleaner that utilizes a HEPA filtration system. These advanced filters can capture the tiny bacteria and particulates that cause allergy sufferers distress.

• Make sure if you hire a house cleaning service that they will attack your home with their HEPA filtered backpack vacuums that can reach those high places your vacuum may not be able to. And not only will you save yourself the trouble of purchasing a new vacuum, you'll also save yourself the trouble of vacuuming. It's a win!

Does all of this deep-cleaning sound overwhelming? Or perhaps, like many, you don't have time to give your home the cleaning attention it needs. That's one of the main reasons why consumers hire a professional cleaning company - to give you back your precious time to spend doing the things you enjoy, with the people you enjoy.