Despite Kermit the Frog’s memorable ballad, it’s actually becoming easier to be green. And this translates to the way we clean our homes, too. The war on dirt, germs and grime is a fiercely fought battle, but the conventional household cleaners are petroleum-based and can cause serious health and environmental problems. Opting for natural products that maintain your clean nest without the toxic side effects is a wise choice. Here are a few to try in your home:

Building biologists, husband-and-wife team Lisa and Ron Beres co-founded Green Nest, a company of home-healthy cleaning products. The Green Nest All-Purpose Cleaner breaks down completely into water and carbon dioxide in 27 days, and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) gives it the all-clear, non-hazardous rating. Likely because it’s free of solvents, bleach, ammonia, caustic chemicals and acids, which can cause illness in humans, pets and the Earth. Available at greennest.com.

Green Nest General Purpose Cleaner

A popular line of non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products, Seventh Generation offers tools for every surface in your house, from counters to carpets to everything in between. The company successfully uses natural ingredients in its cleaners for tough jobs, proving that harsh chemicals aren’t needed to kill bacteria. For example, the Emerald Cypress & Fir Toilet Bowl Cleaner works as well as conventional cleaners and deodorizes without harsh fumes, harmful chemicals or dyes. Available at mainstream grocery stores and health food stores.

Keeping your car bright and shiny with environmentally friendly cleaners is just as important as using Mother Earth-approved products in your home, as the run-off affects your grass, which pets and insects snack on. Laura Klein’s Green Cleaning car care products debuted last November and include a degreaser, glass and mirror cleaner, waterless wash-and-shine detergent, tire and dash dressing, wax, and a carpet spot remover safe to use around children and pets. Washing your car without a water hose saves 80 to 140 gallons of water. Each product is made from sustainable products that biodegrade within seven days, and includes 100 percent pure aromatherapeutic essential oils with no synthetic fragrance. Available at organicauthority.com and Sam’s Club.

Seventh Generation

You want to get your clothes clean without killing sea creatures, right? The Laundry’s Finest, a pH-balanced and bio-degradable laundry powder, is made with organic surfactants that give clothes a cleaner wash, make fabrics last longer, and protect even the most delicate colors for decades. It contains no harmful additives, optical brighteners, bleach, or significant quantities of phosphorus. The organic surfactants are biodegradable in oceans, lakes and streams, returning to nature naturally. The detergent is packaged in a sturdy and attractive 40-ounce reusable canister good for 20 loads of laundry, and comes with a handy dispensing spoon and simply constructed, pre-measured plastic bag refills. It’s powerful enough for towels and denim, but gentle enough for fine knits. Available at thelaundrysfinest.com.

Laundry's Finest

Environmentalist and conservationist Laura Turner Seydel, daughter of CNN founder Ted Turner, has built an entire home devoted to being eco-friendly. EcoManor, located in Atlanta, houses the Seydel family, with every possible building and décor detail as either sustainable (such as the floors) or recycled (countertops, insulation). The eco-living expert uses homemade cleaners in her home. Try her easy fix for linoleum floors: Mop with a mixture of 1/2 cup white vinegar in a bucket of warm water. The vinegar odor will dissipate shortly after the floor dries. Find more green cleaning tips from Laura at lauraseydel.com.

Kirsten Ott is an Atlanta-based writer specializing in lifestyle, travel, art and dining. For more about her and to read more of her works, visit kirstenott.com.