I have stated in many previous articles how I am slowly transitioning my home to a chemical-free, organic household. This process has been fairly easy. It does not require throwing away money by any means. Simply look for DIY, natural recipes for each household product once you run out of your storebought.
After transitioning our home, I honestly cannot even walk into the cleaning and detergent aisles any longer. The noxious smells are just overwhelming. If I walk into a business or home that uses these products regularly (which is much more often now), I cannot stick around for long. This tells me there is a detoxification process happening internally. Once you step away from these downright poisonous materials, your body is no longer used to them. Those cleaners and laundry scent boosters you once thought to be euphoric become putrid. Welcome this experience with open arms.
On a surface level, these products are very harmful to your skin. Those suffering from eczema and psoriasis beware. These will only exacerbate your problems. If you look past that, you will see that these items seep into your skin, make it into your bloodstream, and wreak havoc on your internal processes. Here are some of the issues they can cause: irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, asthma, cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hormonal disruption (thus causing fertility issues), etc....shall I go on??
Did you know mixing any of these products (even accidentally) can prove to be deadly? Mixing any cleaner containing ammonia with bleach can create toxic fumes that can lead to death!
Tell me something. If you cannot accidentally swallow these products without the risk of death, then why would you want them around your body, your children, or your animals at all?
Now, since I've got you thinking, here are some basic ingredients you may need to get started:
Castile Soap
Baking Soda
White/Apple Cider Vinegar
Essential Oils
Purified/Distilled Water
Liquid Dishwasher Detergent/Rinse Aid
2 Cups Castile Soap
3/4 Cups Purified or Distilled Water
3 Drops Essential Oil of Choice (I use Tea Tree)
Glass Jar
White Vinegar
Mix the first three ingredients in a glass jar. When using, make sure to shake the jar. Then, add 1-2 Tablespoons to your detergent compartment and close the lid. You will add vinegar to the rinse aid compartment. Sometimes I add some vinegar into a small cup and set it on the top rack.
**If you have especially hard water, you may need to adjust this recipe slightly.
All-Purpose Cleaner
Purified or Distilled Water
White Vinegar
20 Drops Essential Oil of Choice (I typically use Orange and Rosemary)
Spray Bottle
In your spray bottle, pour 2 parts water to 1 part vinegar. Then, you will add your essential oils. Each time before using, make sure to shake the bottle. You will use this like any other all-purpose cleaner.
Liquid Laundry Detergent
Here is my favorite recipe for liquid detergent. It does not use washing soda, borax, or any soap grating.
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup detergent for each load. Feel free to play with different scents. I might try lavender Castile soap with some blood orange essential oil.
Clothing Stain Remover
1 Part Castile Soap
1 Part Baking Soda
1 Part Hydrogen Peroxide
Mix all of your ingredients into a squeeze bottle or spray bottle, and shake thoroughly to combine. When using, apply the mixture to the area and rub in slightly. Let this sit for 1 hour, and then wash it as you would regularly.
Stainless Steel Cleaner
This is so simple, and I love it. You will spray your appliances down with the vinegar all-purpose cleaner. Once you've wiped them down and let them dry some, you will polish the appliances using a rag and a little olive oil. You do not need a lot of oil here. This will leave your appliances looking clean and sparkly!
Pet Stain Remover
1 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Cup Purified or Distilled Water
1 Tablespoon Castile Soap
1 Teaspoon Salt
10 Drops Lemon Essential Oil
10 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
10 Drops Rosemary, Thyme, or Basil Essential Oil
Spray Bottle
Mix all of your ingredients into the spray bottle and shake well to combine.
When using: soak up as much of the wetness as you can. Spray the stain liberally with your mixture. Let this sit for about 5 minutes, and then blot.
If the stain is set in, sprinkle baking soda over it, scrub it into the stain, and let sit for about 10 minutes. Spray your mixture over the baking soda and let it sit for another 5 minutes, allowing it to get all bubbly. Blot the area. You may need to repeat this process a few times.
Basic Foaming Hand Soap
This is ridiculously easy. My son's soap dispenser just broke, so I ordered these new ones from Amazon. You're basically going to add 1 part Castile soap to about 5 to 6 parts water (preferably purified). This will depend on the size of your container. Feel free to, again, play with different scents. You can also add a few drops of essential oil of choice. For young children, you may want to go unscented.
Mold Spray
This is the original recipe. I have used this process with great results. As the author states, using essential oils such as tea tree and lemon are your best bets as they have powerful antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Anti-Bacterial Spray
Did you ever realize that you could make your own antibacterial spray?? No need for those harsh chemicals that have been recently outed as cancer-causing!
Here is the original recipe. I would prefer using organic vodka over rubbing alcohol. Using purified or distilled water over simply filtered is much more ideal, as well.
Oven Cleaner
Here is the original recipe. I would look for organic dish soap or simply use Castile soap. I do not condone the use of soaps such as Dawn. Straight-up poison.
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