Announcing that it would remove chemicals of concern from its baby products by 2013, the personal care giant Johnson & Johnson is following through on a commitment it made after relentless pressure from health and environmental groups.

It's hard to imagine this country 100 years ago with little more than soap and water to protect people from germs. How did they survive amidst their filthy countrymen? Well, as it turns out, we weren't nearly as toxic then as we are today. We've entered into a new era of germs—superbugs that won't die, and threats that weren't nearly as present in past centuries as they are now.

Markey went further: "I call upon the federal government to ban the use of triclosan in consumer soaps and hand-washes, products intended for use by children, and products intended to come into contact with food. In addition, I will soon introduce legislation to speed up the government's efforts to evaluate and regulate other substances that may pose similar public health concerns." Rep. Markey has shown a lot of courage in standing up to big chemical companies.

If you want to get ahead of the pack and ditch this dangerous chemical before the government bans it, check out our 5 Easy Green Cleaning Tips that Use Vinegar. If you want to learn about other household chemicals that you might want to avoid, read our article on the connection between Cosmetics and Breast Cancer.

Who says green cleaning is expensive?! Not when you follow my tips and use one of my easy do-it-yourself  recipes. Any time you want to freshen up your eco-friendly home and give it a fresh, spring feel, follow these tips.

Because budgets are tight, why not start using the ingredient that doubles as a natural antibacterial cleaning product? If you are concerned about going green with your cleaning products and feel you need a product with the "antibacterial" label, think again. Michael Mullen, a Heinz company representative, references numerous studies that show straight 5 percent vinegar kills 99% of all bacteria, 82% of all molds, and 80% of germs and viruses. The only reason vinegar manufacturers cannot put the antibacterial label on their product is that it is not registered with the EPA as a pesticide.

Why buy pesticide-laden, triclosan-filled antibacterial products when this super inexpensive cleaner awaits your use? Make my Green Goodness All Purpose Cleaner with simple, affordable ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen cabinet.

Green Goodness All Purpose Green Home Cleaner

1 spray bottle
1 ½ cups distilled white vinegar
2 cups of water
10-12 drops of your favorite essential oil, i.e. lavender, eucalyptus, jasmine (optional)

How To:

Fill your spray bottle with all ingredients. Shake to combine (and give a little shake before each use). Use to clean surfaces in and around the house like kitchen counter tops, refrigerator handles and appliances, to keep porcelain and fixtures shining bright. Follow with a clean cloth for a bright shine!

You can use the above recipe for some of the following household duties. Tougher jobs may call for straight vinegar:

1. Clean and wipe down kitchen countertops, cutting boards and refrigerator and freezer handles.
2. Clean bathroom surfaces (If you need some scrubbing action, put some baking soda in a bowl and pour some of the above mixture in, stir to combine and scrub away!)
3. For stubborn hard water deposits on faucets/shower heads, fill a plastic bag with enough distilled white vinegar to completely cover the fixture and let it soak overnight or eight hours.
4. Vinegar is a natural weed killer. Get rid of unwanted grass and weeds with vinegar. Simply spray straight vinegar (with a high percentage of acetic acid) on grass or weeds and watch them die! If you use culinary vinegar it may not work as fast and may need repeat applications.
5. Freshen air and remove odors. When you cook fish put out a small bowl of vinegar and it will devour the smell by the next day!

Bonus Eco Tip: Do you want your home to smell like a spa? Dump the conventional air fresheners and grab your essential oil burner and burn your favorite oil like lavender or eucalyptus.

Eco Friendly Vinegar Shopping Tip

When shopping for vinegar, look for distilled white vinegar brands made from grain (there are several organic versions on the market). Some white vinegar comes from petroleum, a nonrenewable resource, so be sure to avoid those.