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For everyone who tries to do a little good in the world, it seems there's a skeptic waiting to claim that those actions do no good at all. If you need a good comeback—or if you just need to reassure yourself—here are responses to some common misconceptions about going green.

"Recycling wastes more energy than it saves."

TRUTH:Typically, this myth comes at you in the form of “Sending out trucks all over town to pick up bottles and cans takes more energy than you'll save by recycling.” It sounds compelling, but it's wrong. For example, recycling aluminum cans cuts energy use and greenhouse gases by 95 percent compared with the energy needed to make virgin aluminum. In general, the energy used to manufacture new products from raw materials is at least ten times more than the energy consumed by curbside collection, recycling and transportation of recycled goods to retailers, according to a 2004 study published in the International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment.

"Natural cleaners don't disinfect."

TRUTH:Natural cleaners are highly effective in the bathroom and kitchen, even when it comes to nasty food-borne bacteria like E. coli. Susan Sumner, head of the Food Sciences and Technology program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, found that all you need to wipe out Salmonella, Shigellaand E. colibacteria is a combination of household hydrogen peroxide and undiluted white or apple cider vinegar. Put the two liquids in separate spray bottles and spray one immediately after the other, in either order. You can spray it directly on fruits and vegetables as well as on surfaces, such as cutting boards and countertops, for an effective, nontoxic disinfectant that can be wiped right off. Household vinegar can also take care of mold in the bathroom, killing off 82 percent of mold strains. For tougher mold problems, mix two teaspoons of tea tree oil and two cups of water, spray on and then scrub off after 30 minutes.

"Plastics are safe in the microwave."

TRUTH: Unfortunately, reheating in plastic isn't your safest bet. Common food-grade plastics, such as yogurt containers, margarine tubs or disposable plastic plates, are FDA-approved but have not been tested for use in microwaves. If they are microwaved, they may release chemicals that can interfere with hormones into food—especially fatty foods. Furthermore, heated food can melt them, posing a risk of burns and scalds. Those plastic containers labeled “microwave-safe” won't melt or crack, and they havebeen tested under typical conditions of use to see if chemicals in plastic wind up in food. Any chemicals that leach into food appear at levels far below those shown to have any health effects. Still, even “microwave-safe” #7 poly- carbonate plastic should be avoided, since it leaches hormone-disrupting bisphenol A, especially when heated. And “microwave-safe” plastic can bubble, scratch or degrade over time.

To avoid all of these issues, microwave foods in glass or ceramic containers or on undyed paper towels. If you cover a food dish with plastic wrap, be sure it does not touch the food and leave vents for steam to escape.