Greener Is Cleaner Week 1: Do You Feel Caught between Green and Clean?

And you can. Step one: Pinpoint trouble spots and areas of concern. As you define your goals and make a plan to develop a simple cleaning routine this week, be sure to include your hot spots.

When you learn (next week!) about the germs multiplying on your kitchen sponge and the bacteria accumulating on your cutting board it can scare you into better cleaning habits. When they think about the underside of the toilet seat or the potentially dangerous things growing in their kitchen sink, some folks want to bring out the big guns, and never mind the other consequences. Well, it’s a fact: Certain areas of the house can harbor germs. But no need to live in fear. Frequent attention more than powerful ammunition will best keep those germs in check.

In the weeks to come, you'll uncover these germ hot spots, and develop a quick routine to make that frequent attention less daunting. You'll also learn about environmentally-safe cleaning products, and all-purpose cleaners that are not only fantastic for cleaning but healthy for your family.

Your Clean Green Home Notebook

This week, take out your pen, not your scrub brush! Get started by simply jotting down the things you’re most concerned with as a new or expecting (or even experienced!) parent in your Clean Green Home Notebook.

• Are there new products you might be interested in using around your home?
• Is there research you want to do on babyproofing your cleaning methods?
• Are there areas of your home you’re worried about as a mother-to-be or as a new mom?
• Are there ways you could reduce your household's environmental impact?

Start writing!