If your shaving cream bottle boasted, "Now With Toxic Pesticides!" would you still slather it all over your face? What if your toothbrush came free with a canister of roach killer? Would you think twice before putting it in your mouth? Although these products are not so transparent with their ingredients, they do contain pesticides.

The popularity and danger posed by antibacterial products can be seen in the fact that one of the most common pesticides used in these products, triclosan, has been found contaminating more than half of all U.S. waterways. Closer to home, there is strong evidence that the widespread use of antibacterial products leads to an increase in allergies and the creation of drug-resistant bacteria.

So what do we do about all those germs? For the most part, we must call a truce and even kiss and make up with them. The fact is not all, or even most, bacteria are bad. In the human body, for instance, the ratio of bacteria to human cells is 10 to 1. And we need that bacteria for healthy functioning.

Of course there are bad bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella. But the new, cutting edge thinking about controlling these bad strands of bacteria is about as old as soap. Here it is: Wash your hands more.

But we're not talking about that quick rinsing thing you do when you're in a hurry or even the squirt-the-soap-then-rinse-it-off thing. No. For hand washing to function as an antibacterial, you need to actually use soap and the process needs to last longer than a nanosecond.

Here's a hand-washing primer:

1. Use vegetable-based, nontoxic soap, such as castile or glycerin
2. Make sure you lather up for a full 15-20 seconds. That means getting through the whole alphabet or singing "Happy Birthday" to yourself twice
3. Rinse thoroughly in warm water
4. Use a clean towel to dry your hands

For other surfaces in your home, try these greener bacteria fighting tools:

Vinegar
Studies show that distilled white vinegar kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of germs. Vinegar can be used to fight bacteria in laundry, cutting boards, and just about anything. Keep a spray bottle of straight vinegar handy to clean up any problem areas quickly and easily.

Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a fungicide and antibacterial that has been used for centuries. It's potent, so a little goes a long way. Combine 1 teaspoon tea tree oil to 2 cups water for an anti-mold/antibacterial spray you can use on cutting boards, showers or any other problem area.

Lavender Oil
Lavender is a great alternative if you don't like the smell of tea tree oil. Using lavender gives you the added aromatherapy perk of calming and lifting your mood.

So skip the hand sanitizer and the antibacterial counter, floor, mattress, baby, and button wipes. Make your grandmother proud and don't forget to wash your hands!