Are you interested in greening your lifestyle but you're not sure where to start? Green cleaning is one way that you can make small but noticeable changes to your routine, leaving your home clean without exposing you or your family to toxic chemicals. Housecleaning may not be your favorite activity, but you can make it a more pleasant task by employing some of these Earth-friendly methods. Breathe easy as you do your part for the environment.

1. Tackle allergens with Dyson vacuums

Dyson vacuums have become well known for their powerful cleaning abilities, which is something all homeowners – especially pet lovers – can appreciate. Anything that helps keep dust, pet hair 'tumbleweeds,' and other irritants to a minimum is welcome, especially if your family is susceptible to allergies. Dyson vacuums include a HEPA filter, which isolates small particles that can cause conditions like asthma to flare up.

2. Make your own cleansers

Recipes abound for household cleansers that you can make using lemon juice, baking soda, and vinegar. It's not necessary to buy prepackaged cleansers at the store, even if they're labeled as being biodegradable. Many are full of toxic chemicals that needlessly pollute the air in your home and cause health issues. Save money – and your lungs – by making your own products like these:

General household cleaner: Mix one cup of water with one cup of white vinegar and use around the house to clean countertops, floors, sinks, and more. Adding a cup of lemon juice can cut down on the vinegary smell, although it will fade once dry. You can also make an all-purpose cleanser using 1/4 cup of baking soda (an excellent scouring agent) and 1/2 cup of white vinegar in one gallon of hot water.

Glass cleaner: Add 1/4 cup of undiluted white vinegar to one quart of warm water and spray on mirrors to keep them clean and streak-free.

Air freshener: Add several drops of your favorite essential oil to a spray bottle full of warm water. Shake well and use around your home to invigorate your living space or create a relaxing atmosphere prior to sleeping. Jasmine, lemon, and rosemary oil are good for perking you up, while lavender and chamomile oil are good for calm surroundings.

3. Green clean your carpets

Many people have rugs in their homes which have probably been cleaned using steam cleaners. Consider instead dry carpet cleaning, which uses a humidified organic powder to remove stains and soil from carpets. The green process keeps moisture low, meaning that carpets can be walked on as soon as cleaning is done, rather than having to wait hours for the rug to dry. Reduce the chance that you'll have to deal with mold later and protect your family by keeping unnecessary chemical residue out of your home.

You need not breathe chemical fumes or go to considerable expense just to live in a clean home. Stay green at home with these tips and see your environmentally-friendly efforts start to affect other areas of your life.

Holly Lee is an avid yogi, animal lover, and vegan. She enjoys blogging on behalf of Sears and other brands she loves, especially Dyson vacuums.