Spring cleaning season is right around the corner. This year while you´re freshening up your home and sorting through the clutter, why not toss the toxic cleaning supplies, too?

Replacing what´s currently under your sink with products that are non-toxic and safe for the environment is easier than ever with Seventh Generation´s environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Leading the “responsible cleaning” charge for the past twenty years, Seventh Generation has tapped into the disinfecting power of the herb thyme, to introduce an EPA registered line of disinfecting sprays and wipes that kill germs* naturally! The new line of botanical disinfectant cleaners includes a multi-surface cleaning spray, bathroom cleaning spray and wipes.

The disinfectants contain thymol, a component of the herb thyme, and can be used on hard surfaces including counter tops, plastic cutting boards, highchair trays as well as children´s toys. Best of all, they kill over 99.99 percent of germs* naturally and are effective against the Influenza A Virus, including H1N1.

Seventh Generation has partnered with eco-lifestyle consultant and author, Alexandra Zissu, whose new book, The Conscious Kitchen, discusses what´s good for your health, what´s good for the planet and what tastes great. Her book also includes great tips on maintaining a green and healthy kitchen, including:

Change is Good
Choosing cleaning products without indoor air pollutants like volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, is a simple and effective way to reduce your indoor air pollution. If you´re not prepared to switch everything overnight, start by swapping out the one product you use the most, and moving forward from there.

Think before you spray
Residues from cleaning products can last on a surface for longer than we we´d like to know and travel to areas that we sometimes don´t intend them to. Don´t contaminate your food by prepping it on a surface that may contain harsh chemical residues – rinse cleaning products from food preparation surfaces carefully or use botanical disinfecting cleaners that do not require a rinse step.

Home is Where the Clean Is
Your standard cleaners are good for removing soils and dirt from kitchen surfaces, but to tackle germs you need a cleaner that is effective against microbes like bacteria and viruses. Many cleaners contain ingredients that have antimicrobial properties such as vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, but the germ killing power of these is not necessarily guaranteed. To be sure you are killing germs, use an EPA registered disinfectant. Seventh Generation tapped into the disinfecting power of the common garden herb thyme, to provide a disinfecting cleaner that kills germs* naturally.

Make the Old New Again
Think twice about the items that you´re using to clean and dry your kitchen equipment and dishes. Use rags (like old t-shirts and washcloths) instead of paper towels. If you aren´t prepared to kick your paper towel addiction just yet, use only recycled versions that are unbleached or haven´t been whitened with chemicals containing chlorine and see how long you can make a roll last.

The Writing is on the … Sponge                                                                                                                                           Be sure to read the fine print on sponges and only purchase those that do not contain antimicrobial pesticides. Remember to store sponges in a dry place and frequently clean them by popping plastic sponges wet in a microwave for two minutes or boiling sponges for three minutes in water.

Mom Was Right, Wash Your Hands                                                                                                                             Wash your hands with soap and water before and after prepping food, and always before eating. So much of what can be potentially harmful in a kitchen can be reduced by this simple act that doesn´t require any harsh chemicals whatsoever.

I keep my cleaning supplies locked in a cabinet and safely away from my children. I have been trying to go more green in the supplies I buy as well.  I love the fresh scent of Clean. Spring cleaning is NOT one of my favorite chores, but when I see all what I have accomplished when I am done it feels so much better.

I got to try out the Seventh Generations Products and my favorite product from them is the Multi-Surface cleaner. I love it because I can safely and effectively clean my baby’s highchair and toys with it.  It also worked well when cleaning my babies changing table and diaper pail can.

I love the smell of clean, and usually that means no smell at all.

I do want to say though, that I was sent the Lemongrass and Thyme scented products from Seventh Generation and I personally do not like this scent. While the products work super, I would rather non-scented, or vanilla scented, or something fruity

Now here is how you can WIN a   “Disinfecting Cleaning Kit” (as shown ) that includes a disinfecting multi-surface cleaner, bathroom cleaner, wipes , a copy of The Conscious Kitchen, a cleaning caddy made from recycled plastic, and two rolls of 100% recycled, unbleached paper towels.

1. Comment and tell me how you keep your children safe from harmful chemicals in your home = 1 entry
2. Comment and tell me what is the best thing you have done for the environment this year? = 1 entry
3. Follow my blog on Facebook via Networked Blogs Here : http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Plus-Size-Mommy/208847305617?ref=ts = 1 entry
4. Tweet the following up to 3 times per day for a total of up to 3 entries/day :  ” Win a “Green” Spring Disinfecting Cleaning Kit Here (ends 4/15)  http://twurl.nl/8xg1j2   ”  = comment with tweet thread, separate comments please.
5. Blog about your Earth Friendly Spring cleaning tips & link to this post = 5 BONUS entries (separate comments for all 5 please).
6. Follow me on Twitter – I am @plussizemommy
7. If you are a NEW subscriber to my blog via the UBP2010 from 5 Minutes For Mom – Comment telling me your a new subscriber = 3 Bonus entries (separate comments for each entry please)
8. If your a Faithful Follower of mine and been a subscriber – comment and tell me what your favorite part about my blog is = 3 bonus entries for you too (you know I wouldn’t leave my favorite longtime  fans hangin’  ) – separate comments

This giveaway starts NOW and will end on 4/15/2010 at 8pm EST.  ONLY subscribers to THIS blog can win. You can be subscribed via rss, feedburner, fan from fb, networked blogs, or email.  This particular giveaway is open to USA residents ONLY (sorry everyone else). Winner will be chosen via random.org and will be posted to this site by 4/16/2010. If you enter PLEASE check back to see if you won. Winner will NOT be emailed. Winner will have 48 hours to email me their info. to claim the prize or another winner will be chosen.

THANK YOU to all Who enter and Good Luck !!!

The Plus Size Mommy

*Disclosure – The Seventh Generation products, information and additional prize pack to give away were all given to me  from Seventh Generation through MyBlogSpark. All opinions are my own honest opinions.

Tags: Botanical, cleaning, giveaway, Green Cleaning, health, My Blog Spark, prize pack, review, safety, Seventh Generation, Spring Cleaning, win