Going Green -- A new Slogan for commercials?

(Image found on this website offering a cleaning service with earth-friendly products)

All right, ever since EARTH DAY I have noticed that a growing number of commercials use the slogan "go green" and similar.
A good thing, right?
Well, I really hope so and if this was the new movement and life style I couldn't be happier. But I am suspicious and have yet to be convinced that this is not just a new way to sell all kind of products.
As for cleaning products especially, I wonder how earth-friendly the ingredients really are. And even though they may satisfy a certain industrial standard, I still wonder why the products (that typically come in more plastic containers) couldn't just easily be replaced with "grandma' tips for thrifty cleaning", the vinegar and lye-soap old-school cleaning type. There are great recipes for homemade cleaning products, I used to own wonderful books with tips of the old-fashioned kind.
So, I wonder how effective the readily mixed and plastic-bottled products will be for the environment in the long run.
Another example may be the improvement of tumble dryers when it comes to the use of electricity, but how the use of a simple cloth line would actually simplify saving our money and earth instead of all-year tumble drying. (Not everywhere it's possible, but it's just an example how simple things really could be).

I found some nice tips about home-made natural cleaners here, but there is a whole lot more to be explored.

Vinegar

Uses:

Vinegar naturally cleans like an all-purpose cleaner. Mix a solution of 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a new store bought spray bottle and you have a solution that will clean most areas of your home. Vinegar is a great natural cleaning product as well as a disinfectant and deodorizer. Always test on an inconspicuous area.

It is safe to use on most surfaces and has the added bonus of being incredibly cheap. Improperly diluted vinegar is acidic and can eat away at tile grout. Never use vinegar on marble surfaces. Don't worry about your home smelling like vinegar. The smell disappears when it dries. Here are some uses for vinegar in the rooms of your house. Use it in the…

1. Bathroom - Clean the bathtub, toilet, sink, and countertops. Use pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of rings. Flush the toilet to allow the water level to go down. Pour the undiluted vinegar around the inside of the rim. Scrub down the bowl. Mop the floor in the bathroom with a vinegar/water solution. The substance will also eat away the soap scum and hard water stains on your fixtures and tile. Make sure it is safe to use with your tile.
2. Kitchen- Clean the stovetop, appliances, countertops, and floor.
3. Laundry Room- Use vinegar as a natural fabric softener. This can be especially helpful for families who have sensitive skin. Add ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle in place of store bought fabric softener. Vinegar has the added benefit of breaking down laundry detergent more effectively. (A plus when you have a family member whose skin detects every trace of detergent.)

Lemon Juice

Uses:

Lemon juice is another natural substance that can be used to clean your home. Lemon juice can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. Lemon is a great substance to clean and shine brass and copper. Lemon juice can be mixed with vinegar and or baking soda to make cleaning pastes. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section. Use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces, and stains. Mix 1 cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice and you have a furniture polish for your hardwood furniture.

My favorite use for the fruit is to put a whole lemon peel through the garbage disposal. It freshens the drain and the kitchen. Orange peels can be used with the same results.

Baking Soda

Uses:

Baking soda can be used to scrub surfaces in much the same way as commercial abrasive cleansers. Baking soda is great as a deodorizer. Place a box in the refrigerator and freezer to absorb odors. Put it anywhere you need deodorizing action. Try these three kitchen ingredients as natural cleaning products in your home.