6 of the Best Green Cleaning Products

We know a lot of folks who make their own green cleaning products at home, out of common, time-tested ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, kosher salt, borax and essential plant oils. It's surprisingly easy and it's definitely cheaper than buying pre-made chemicals, although it does take a little time and experimentation. It's also true that some folks don't like the smell of vinegar, while others just don't trust something unless they've bought it.

Now, green cleaning products are widely available, from big boxes to corner drugstores. Martha Stewart and Ed Begley, Jr., have released their own lines.

Do you have a green cleaning brand you've been buying from your food coop for years? Or have you been impressed with a recent offering from a mainstream brand? When it comes to battling grime and germs, folks can get pretty passionate, and fans of some brands often accuse rivals of "greenwashing." It is true that when it comes to cleaning products, words like "natural," "organic" and "biodegradable" aren't regulated, and traditionally it has been difficult to know exactly what's inside those spray bottles.

The list of green cleaning products on store shelves grows all the time, with brands like Earth Friendly, Earth Choice, ECOS, Sun & Earth, OxiClean, CitraSolv, Shaklee, Melaleuca, Biokleen and Bon Ami to name a few. Trader Joe's and other outlets also offer private label options.

In this feature, you'll find our top picks for general purpose cleaning product lines, chosen as nominees for the 2011 Heart of Green Awards. Find out which wins on Monday, April 4!