Before you buy, make sure the one you select for your cleaning job is truly environmentally-safe. Do not purchase a product that does not list all of its ingredients. Some products, such as detergents, are petroleum-based. Ask your grocer for product details. If you are concerned about animals, make sure the product does not contain any animal by-products and was not tested on animals.
Soaps can contain animal or vegetable fat.
If your grocer does not stock environmentally-safe products, ask for them or write manufacturers requesting that they produce some.