Sometimes, cleaning is my escape from stress and other responsibilities. I spend an hour or an afternoon taking everything off my floor and tables, and scrubing every counter until it is shiny clean.

But most cleaning products can be bad for you to breathe in, and the smell of ammonia isn't very refreshing, either. What starts as a relaxing hobby could quickly become an unhealthy chore.

So what are some eco-friendly alternatives? Here are some common concerns when it comes to cleaning products and habits, and what I suggest you do to make positive decisions regarding your cleaning supply closet.

Are there any ways to use produce in my cleaning? 

Lemon, lime and grapefruit juices, fresh or in concentrate, are acidic and antibacterial and can be an addition to any cleaning formula, according to our story "Clean Deep, Clean Sweet with Herbs."

Here's a recipe for lemon-mint window wash, to get your sliding doors, windows and mirrors clean.

I have some essential oils but no use for them. How can I make my own cleaning products with oils?

Essential oils are good for so many uses, especially cleaning. But be careful to dilute them a lot. A little goes a long way with essential oils.

Lavender is a disinfectant. Tea tree is effective against bacteria, fungus and some viruses (use when you or someone you live with are sick). Eucalyptus is a disinfectant and helps relieve stuffy noses (use if you are fighting a cold). Pine is a degreaser and slightly disinfects (it also stimulates alertness). (All of these tips are courtesy of the same article: "Clean Deep, Clean Sweet with Herbs.")

This general cleaning spray uses eucalyptus, lavender and tea tree essential oils.

I don't have time to make my own cleaning products, or I want to buy them as a gift.

One of the cheapest and best cleaning companies to buy from is Mrs. Meyer's. Last time I went grocery shopping, I even saw them in the herbal section — so their products should be easy to find.

Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products come in fragrances such as basil, lavender and lemon verbena. The company uses "naturally derived ingredients whenever possible" and obtain "materials from renewable plant resources such as olive, coconut, corn and soy," according to their Web site.

Do you regularly use herbs and natural ingredients in your cleaning? Share your tips and recipes with our other readers in the comments! Or if you have any other questions about how to get started, leave me a question.

— Jessica is an editorial intern at The Herb Companion.

Having a Christmas tree at home was something I always took for granted. Even as I lived on-campus my first couple years in college, I still managed to live somewhere that we could have a Christmas tree to decorate and aid us in getting in that "holiday spirit." When I first moved into an apartment, and it was just up to me and my roommate to decide how to decorate for the holiday season, the main question was: Christmas tree or no Christmas tree?

We opted for the tree.

Although it was an adorable addition to our tiny living room, I can understand why one would want to bypass the Christmas tree option, based on space, time and money alone.

But there are other ways to decorate for the holidays that don't require 4-foot living things and can even allow you to incorporate your favorite herbs.

1. Rosemary Christmas tree

Buy a rosemary plant, often coined a rosemary Christmas tree for its shape, and keep it as a smaller alternative to a regular Christmas tree. Bonus: You can pick off the rosemary whenever to use in your cooking.

Though they're cute, they're hard to keep alive. Remember to keep them moist but well-drained, and in areas with lots of sun and humidity (think the bathroom when you're taking a shower).

Decorate with small lights or oranaments, but don't go crazy. Rosemary branches are delicate. GardenGuides.com provides lots of tips on taking care of rosemary Christmas trees.

2. Herb Wreath

They're simple, beautiful and will be easy to add to your home decor because of their size. Make an herb wreath yourself with a variety of herbs and fruit. That design includes mint, oregano and thyme, but you can add cinnamon sticks, dried flowers and anything else you think of. A wreath base and wire are generally the only necessary tools for making an herb wreath.

If you're too busy to make your own, go the easy route and just buy one. Organic Bouquet sells a variety of different types — from a bay and rosemary wreath (see right), to a colorful oregano wreath.

3. Herbal Candles and Candle Rings

Candles make excellent year-round decorations, so these will last you through the holidays. Simple directions for herbal candle making are here.

Even if you don't want DIY candles, you can still make an herbal candle ring — the same Web site will show you how with just herbs, floral tape, a clothes pin and wire. You can use a combination of fresh and dry herbs for that project!

Place those rings all around your home for a simple but consistent holiday decoration.

So take the opportunity of some nights staying out of the snow, and days at home from work or school for holiday vacation, to work on a few decoration projects that could be a fine addition, or alternative, to the classic Christmas tree.

— Jessica is an editorial intern at The Herb Companion.