So is there an alternative?

Yes, there is always a hope. Instead of filling our cabinets with dangerous chemicals and spending too much money for them, there are different ways and solutions for less chemical base cleaning.
Before you start to use healthier cleaners, make sure not to just throw your chemical based cleaners to the trash can. Go online and find recycle center in your area and ask about the way you can dispose off these cleaners, you can go to

http://www.earth911.com/ for more information on recycling.

So where and how to begin?

Here is a list of basic ingredients for a start:

- baking soda

- white vinegar
- lemons
- salt
- hydrogen peroxide
- water

Also, what I like to do, is use less paper towel, to protect our trees and use old towels and rags instead, I am sure we all have plenty of these at home under the sink in laundry rooms or in linen closet. I like to cut the towels to smaller sizes so they are easier to use. Of course there are places where paper towels come in handy, but every time we use a towel instead of paper, we are doing good to our nature.
Wash towels and rags after each use and then when they have been used a lot, dispose off them and think of them that they been put in a good use.