The sun in shining, the birds are chirping (at least here at Care2), yet my sense of organization remains in hibernation mode. So, in honor of today, the official first day of spring, I will dedicate myself to a weekend of cleaning–a fresh start for a new season. If you care to join, here are some great tips to help you get started.

Getting Rid of Clutter
Why Clutter Happens
Feng Shui Your Clutter
Clear Your Clutter in 6 Steps

Recipes for DIY Natural Cleaners
Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit
Porcelain Stain-Be-Gone Soft Scrub
Non-Toxic Oven Cleaner
Counter Cleaners

Detoxing Your Home
Simple Ways to Detox Your Home
Top 10 Swaps for Detoxing Your Kitchen
Clean Your Upholstery the Non-toxic Way

Organizing Your Closet
7 Ways to Organize Your Closet, the Eco-Way
Healthy Green Closet

By the time laundry day comes around, you’re probably more concerned with cleaning your son’s Spider-Man jammies and your daughter’s favorite purple shirt than you are with the chemicals swirling around in your washing machine. But switching to natural laundry solutions means clean clothes and better health for both your family and the planet. Plus, making the change won’t compromise the quality of your laundry load—your clothes will be as clean and durable as ever.

The down and dirty truth is that traditional detergents contain synthetic optical brighteners as well as surfactants (which are wetting agents such as emulsifiers, dispersants and foaming products that reduce the surface tension of water). They also have fragrances that pollute our waterways,

If you think your beauty cabinet passes muster just because you’ve banished parabens, think again. “A health-minded consumer’s responsibility does not end with the purchase of healthy and eco-friendly bodycare products,” says Julie Ebner, founder of Philadelphia’s Juju Spa and Organics. “We must also spend our money wisely on the related accessories.”

Washcloth. Skip the standard washcloth (which can harbor millions of microbes), and try one made of sustainable ayate from agave plants. “The fibers are renowned for their natural antibacterial properties, and these multipurpose cloths can be used wet or dry,” says Ebner. Exfoliate and boost your circulation when you use your ayate washcloth dry, or lather up with it in the shower. Best

I have wonderful news. Except for a day or two here and there, I have consistently been doing yoga every morning for nearly four weeks! This is a big step for me. I’ve even been doing it since I got to college, which I feared I wouldn’t. I have been absolutely loving it. I can feel it toning my body, and it is amazing how much better my mental state has been. Also, my breathing and posture have improved dramatically. I can really tell, too, because suddenly my singing has so much more breath energy! It’s wonderful.

At home, Mother and I had a carpet that we did yoga on that worked very well. No slipping, no losing our balance because we couldn’t get our footing. But here’s the thing: In a dorm room, there is no such carpet. In fact, I tried doing yoga on

When shopping for toys for a toddler, consider stocking up on the basic staples, just as you would for your pantry. Just as it’s always good to have flour, olive oil and pasta on hand, having the following toys available to your youngsters covers the basics and makes imaginative, age-appropriate, healthful play available any day of the year.

The toys listed below provide great flexibility, in which activities are limited only by a child’s imagination (which naturally is huge!)

Basic guidelines: Purchase toys made of solid wood that are either unfinished or have a non-toxic finish; purchase toys made of organic cotton, wool or hemp. Avoid any long or loose strings, small parts and sharp edges. Remember that toddlers tend to put toys (and everything) into their mouths, so

By Jana Ballinger, Care2 Managing Production Editor

Aren't little sisters just great? They remind you where you've been and support you wherever you're going. They never forget that you taught them to write their name on a chalkboard in the backyard, and they never forget that you spoiled their Christmas morning surprise by finding your parents' hiding place and forcing her to look at her presents before the big day. They know you better than anyone, whether you like it or not. And should your hair ever start to turn gray, they are right there to point it out.

I might have spotted a stray one here or there on my own but I was pretending that it wasn't happening and going about my life. Quite happily, I might add.

Until last weekend, at a Memorial Day barbecue at my dad's house, when

By Melissa Breyer, Care2 Senior Editor

The obsession for "fresh" smelling air is skyrocketing. Americans are expected to spend 1.72 billion dollars on air fresheners this year'that's enough money to buy 82,100 brand new Toyota Prius cars. Air fresheners can provide pleasant smell associations, disguise bad odors, and just make us feel warm and woozy. And itchy and congested and achy and occasionally even convulsive and comatose. Here's what you need to know about the dangers of air fresheners and tips for living without them.

The craze for air fresheners is rapidly expanding and is even infiltrating the tween and teen demographic with new products being designed to entice the 8 to 18 set. One fun and flirty plug-in comes in girl-friendly flavors and provides a light show. All the more

By Annie B. Bond, Executive Editor

I just had to write about this news that sheds light on the probable cause of massive honeybee die-off and hive collapse. Given that we are entering Memorial Day weekend, a traditional garden planting time, the article might stop the buying any of these pesticides and save some bees!

You may have heard of the massive honeybee colony collapses threatening the world's food supply and one that has worried farmers everywhere. Up to 70 percent of honeybees have disappeared, and many hives have died off completely.

Ninety-nine percent of bees in a die-off in Germany carried pesticides of the neonicotinoid family, and Germany has now banned these pesticides from being used. France banned them in 1995 because of their toxicity to bees.

Neonicotinoid pesticides

By Annie B. Bond, Executive Editor

People who enter a naturally cleaned home tend to love the way they feel. I hear this over and over again. I think it is because natural cleaning ingredients infuse the space with their subtle scents and natural, non-toxic presence. On some level, our bodies must brace themselves for a chemical onslaught when faced with mainstream cleaners. What better time of year to make your kitchen feel great and welcoming than when preparing for all the festive holiday cooking? Here are my best eight kitchen cleaning formulas:

Most people can't believe how incredibly well this Oven Cleaner works until they try it.

Although I never recommend that people use their cutting boards to cut meat, bacteria does grow on them nonetheless and keeping them clean using this