The Simple Green company has been producing non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning products for over 30 years and has a simple mission: "We, the Sunshine Makers, as a socially responsible company, are committed to being worldwide market leaders providing quality, environmentally safe, cleaning products."

Although Simple Green makes over 20 different types of cleaning products for home and professional use, they are perhaps most well-known for their all-purpose cleaner. All of Simple Green's products are non-toxic and biodegradable, making them the perfect option for the environmentally conscious individual. They have also developed the Simple Green Naturals line, which are derived from 100% natural bio-organic sources including coconut, chicory, corn, palm, naturally occurring minerals, sugar, salt, and water. These Naturals also offer zero synthetic fragrances, zero petroleum-derived ingredients, 100% sustainable ingredient sources, no animal testing, a full ingredient disclosure, and much more.

Bruce FaBrizio and the Simple Green company have greatly contributed to the national community as well. In 1989, the Everything Is Going To Be Alright Foundation, or EGBAR, was created. The Foundation is funded by a percentage of Simple Green sales, which goes directly to a national education curriculum designed to teach children about the environment and how to care for it. These funds also support community clean-up projects, as well as partnerships with The Catalina Island Conservancy and The SEA Lab. The EGBAR Foundation is making a difference by teaching everyone to "Think Globally, Act Locally". For more information on the Simple Green company and the EGBAR Foundation, visit www.simplegreen.com

While purchasing that Energy Star washer and dryer is a great first step in making your laundry room green, your efforts shouldn't stop there. Making the decision to go green with your laundry detergents and other laundry supplies is critical both for you and your family's health and for the health of the environment. While ensuring that you purchase green products may be difficult on your own, review this information to make your next trip down the grocery store detergent aisle an easy one.

Unfortunately, due to government trade-secret laws, manufacturers of cleaning products are not required to disclose ingredients on product labels, making it difficult for you as the consumer to make an informed decision. Well nonylphenol ephoxylates, or NPE's, are surfactants found in many laundry detergents that are petroleum-derived and potentially harmful to the environment. In addition to NPE's, other harmful substances found in laundry detergents can include synthetic dyes, fragrances, and other chemicals. Chlorine-based bleaches can also pose a significant health hazard.

So what is the solution? When you purchase detergents and bleaches think "less is more". While the synthetic fragrances, dyes, and brighteners may be appealing to the senses, they do not have any effect on how "clean" clothes come out. So consider whether that "spring fresh scent" is worth the potential health and environmental hazard. Also, because ingredients are not required to appear on labels, do not necessarily be fooled by advertisement of "non-toxic" or "biodegradable". Instead, search for products who list ingredients on labels or those with more specific labels such as "chlorine-free" or "no NPE's". Notable manufacturers who produce liquid and powder detergents without harmful chemicals are Seventh Generation, Ecover, and Bi-O-Kleen. In the end, however, the greenest way to go is to make your own detergent at home. Find out the quick, fun, and easy way here: www.ehow.com

Any household product that contains corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients is considered to be Household Hazardous Waste, or HHW. It can be found in virtually any place in your home including the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and garage. Not only is disposal of these materials down the drain, onto the ground, into storm drains, or in the trash unsafe, but it is also illegal. The disposal of HHW is actually quite easy. Simply gather all of your HHW together and drop it off at a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center (HHWCC) for free disposal and recycling. Some of these centers even have a "stop & swap" program that lets you take partially used home, garden, and automobile products free of charge. Contact your local HHWCC today to get information regarding the disposal of your Household Hazardous Waste. Here are a few of the more common types of HHW:

• Batteries
  
• Paint and paint products
• Drain openers
• Household cleaning products
• Wood/metal cleaners and polishes
• Automotive products (motor oil, antifreeze, fluids)
• Grease
• Fluorescent lamps
• Pool/Spa chemicals
• Medications
• Televisions/Monitors
• ...and more