Earth Days come and Earth Days go, but caring for the planet is a job that lasts all year round.

So as homeowners turn their thoughts to spring cleaning, they might want to consider making their own simple cleaning solutions that reduce the risk to their health or the health of the environment.

The Penobscot County Extension Service in Bangor has recently been trying to teach homeowners about the hazards of some commercial cleaning products that clog the cabinet under the sink and wind up down the drain.

“If you buy them, buy only the amount you need and then dispose of the container as soon as it’s finished,” said Louise Kirkland, an educator with the extension office. “Some of the products lose their potency over time but you don’t want them hanging around longer than necessary.”

In its booklet, “Watershed: An Action Guide to Improving Maine Waters,” the extension office recommends the following easy-to-make solutions to spring cleaning chores:

Instead of moth balls, which can irritate the eyes, try freshening closets with cedar chips, lavender flowers, or bundles of herbs.

The ammonia and petroleum distillates in some commercial all-purpose cleaners can irritate the eyes and the respiratory tract. A safer alternative is to mix water with half a cup of borax, half a cup of liquid detergent such as Ivory, and two teaspoons of trisodium phosphate, which can be found in a hardware store.

A potpourri of dried flowers can freshen the air without the need to use aerosol sprays.

The fumes from some rug and upholstery cleaners can cause tissue damage and inflammation of the skin. Try sprinkling dry corn starch on the rug, letting it sit for a while, and then vacuuming up the dirty residue.

Some floor and furniture polishes can burn the eyes, throat, and the skin. The extension office recommends making a simple solution of one part lemon juice, two parts olive or vegetable oil, and rubbing it on the wood as usual.

Ammonia and ethanols in some commercial window-cleaning products can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract. Instead, mix a half cup of vinegar with two tablespoons of borax or corn starch and water.

“When it comes to spring cleaning, I’d suggest doing it in stages rather than trying to tackle the whole house at once,” Kirkland said. “And get other family members to help. It’s a good time to literally move furniture away from walls and clean out the cobwebs in those hard-to-reach corners. Open the windows and just start working from the ceiling down.”