Spring is here, birds are singing, the sun is getting warmer, the air even feels and smells fresher. So we get caught up in the spirit of spring. We are happier, feel healthier and are more active. Soon, we will all start the yearly ritual of opening the windows to let all that sweet smelling spring fresh air in, and break out the toxic cleaning products.

In 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined the toxic chemicals found in common household cleaners, often dispersed in fumes, are three times more likely to cause cancer than are other air pollutants. Thus, in 1993, The General Services Administration (GSA) initiated the Cleaning Products Pilot Project to identify specific cleaning products with reduced human health and safety concerns for use in cleaning the more than 7,700 buildings overseen by GSA's Public Building Service. On average,

88%of Americans believe that household cleaning products must be tested for safety before they can be sold to the public, and  87% think manufacturers are required to list their products' ingredients on labels.

Americans spend about 90 percent of their days indoors. EPA studies indicate that human exposure to air pollutants indoors can be 2-5 times, and occasionally up to 100 times, higher than outdoor levels.

You may ask yourselves, “How can these common household cleaners be bad for me and my family? I read the label and it does not tell me of the harmful ingredients.” Cleaning products are exempt from the full ingredient disclosure on product labels required for food and personal care products due to how the trade secret laws work. According to a survey, 88% of Americans believe that household cleaning products must be tested for safety before they can be sold to the public, and 87% think manufacturers are required to list their products' ingredients on labels. I would be weary of any product that does not fully disclose their ingredients.

The purpose of this article is not to lecture or scare you. It is just to inform you that there are other awesome all natural products out there made by a lot of great companies. Please do your own research either on the web or in your local library. We use many different products in our home, but we always make sure to use only all natural products. Switching to all natural non-toxic cleaning products is one way we can all easily get rid of toxins in our home and have a “Fresh Start” this spring.

David Zielski started Seaside Naturals with his wife Linda. Seaside Naturals, a leading manufacturer of all natural first aid kits and natural cleaning and personal care products, provides all natural living solutions for health-conscious people. Seaside Naturals markets and distributes through natural food stores, supermarkets, on-line and in mail-order catalogs in the United States. For more information, visit www.seasidenaturals.com