She also likes to go green when she cleans. At home, the mother of a 5-year-old son uses a phosphate-free laundry detergent to wash clothes and Orange Plus to clean countertops and the shower.

“There are more options [to buy green] now than there used to be,” Minyard said. “I hope my small actions will make a difference.” You can make effective, low-cost and nontoxic cleaners that are safe for you and your home with such natural products as salt, baking soda and white vinegar. But it’s more convenient to buy environmentally sensitive cleaners at your favorite grocery, hardware or health food store.

When shopping for cleaners, look for products that are made from plant sources (not petroleum) and that don’t pollute (like phosphates). Also consider cleaners that are free of dyes and chemicals (like chlorine) that can irritate your eyes, nose and skin or pose a health risk to small children or anyone who is ill or elderly, experts at Consumer Reports say.

You’ll find green cleaners from Ecover, Mrs. Meyer’s, Seventh Generation, Shaklee, Method and Trader Joe’s at prices that are comparable to the leading bigname brands.

Many of the products sport hip bottle designs, smart-looking labels, recyclable packing and fresh scents, like lavender or grapefruit. They also come in convenient sprays for quick cleanups. Because some cleaners can handle several household chores, you may be able to accomplish more cleaning tasks with fewer products, Consumer Reports points out, which will save you some “green.”

Here are some supplies you might want for your green cleaning basket:

Countertops, plus

An all-purpose cleaner such as Mrs. Meyer’s works effectively on everything from walls to countertops. The cleaner comes in scents like lavender (a big seller) and lemon verbena. It smells so good you might want to get a jump on your springcleaning

now. Whole Foods markets and many Ace Hardware stores carry the products, or they can be ordered online at www.mrsmeyers.com.

Scour power

For tough-to-clean areas in kitchens and baths, try a biodegradable scouring powder like Bon Ami, founded in 1886. It contains no chlorine, dye or perfume and cleans without scratching. It is especially useful on burned-on grease and baked-on food on cookware. To find a store that sells Bon Ami products in your area, go to www.bonami.com.

Dish it up

Whether you wash dishes in a dishwasher or the kitchen sink, choose detergents free of phosphates and other chemicals. Ecover Automatic Dishwashing Powder and Automatic Dishwasher Tablets get high marks from Consumer Reports for leaving dishes clean and virtually spot free. If you wash dishes by hand, try a squirt of Ecover Dishwashing Liquid. The products are sold at Whole Foods,Wild Oats and other natural food stores, or they can be ordered from www.ecover.com.

Laundry day

Use 2 ounces or less of Ecos Liquid Laundry Detergent to clean a full load of clothes. It works well in cold or hot water. A gallon jug should wash 64 loads. If you (or your kids) are sensitive to fragrances or fabric softeners, choose Ecos Free & Clear. Ecos is sold at Trader Joe’s and some GNC stores. To find a store near you, go to www.ecos.com.

The wood works

Murphy Oil Soap safely cleans wood cabinets, paneling, furniture and floors. It also works well on nonwood surfaces and as a laundry pre-spotter, especiallyon blood and grass stains. The natural orange scent is pleasant without being overpowering. Murphy is sold at most grocery and hardware stores as well as at retailers like Wal-Mart, Kmart and Target. More information is available at www.Murphy OilSoap.com.