Do your routine household behaviors help or hurt the health of our planet? Four simple swaps that can make a big difference every day of the year:

Step away from the paper towels. If you do only one thing, choose cloth over paper towels. Here’s an easy swap in the kitchen. Do what professional chefs do. Toss a flour sack towel over one shoulder and use it to wipe dirty hands and dry dishes. Easy, convenient, less expensive, and far more environmentally friendly. Now you’re cooking!

Ditch the dryer sheets. Want to be a real Earth Day hero? Switch from a chemical-coated, single-use dryer sheets to all-natural, long-lasting wool dryer balls. Proven just as effective for reducing wrinkling and static cling, they’re also just as easy to use.

Bring re-usable bags when you shop. Yes, it’s hard to get into the habit. But here’s the trick: Store your market bags where you won’t forget them – in your car or by the door. 

Replace toxic cleaners with vinegar. There’s a reason why Grandma cleaned with vinegar – it works. “Green” your cleaning routine with vinegar – an inexpensive, natural alternative for a variety of everyday cleaning jobs:

• Degreaser – Mix ½ cup vinegar with 1 cup water and 1 tsp dishwashing liquid for a natural degreaser.
• Floor cleaner – Mix ¼ to ½ cup of vinegar in a gallon of warm water for cleaning linoleum or ceramic floors.
• Glass and appliance cleaner - Mix 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts water in a reusable spray bottle for a streak-free shine. (And lint-free, too, when you wipe with cloth instead of paper towels!)

Oh, and if you don’t like the harsh smell of vinegar? This scented vinegar will have you spritzing for joy.