Does your dishwasher detergent contain highly concentrated chlorine? Did you know that chlorine happens to be one of the leading causes of child poisoning, according to the poison control center?
Have you ever looked at the ingredients list on your drain cleaner? Did you know that lye, hydrochloric acid, and trichloroethane can damage the esophagus and stomach, the kidneys, liver, eyes, and skin when ingested?
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want that stuff around my kids.
Several years ago, I started down the path toward a more natural lifestyle. For me, that meant replacing chemical-and-toxin-laden household cleaners and body care products with natural products, switching to mostly real food, and, just recently, using essentials oils to enhance our family’s well-being.
Maybe you’re on that path as well but are overwhelmed with all the information and all the recipes that pop up with just one click of your mouse. I hope this information won’t add to the confusion but rather give you some SIMPLE ideas of where to start or what to try.
So for all of my fellow sojourners out there who want to create a healthier home for their families, here are my favorite DIY natural products that have become a part of our every day lives:
1. Facial cream: whipped coconut oil + a couple of drops of Frankincense essential oil.
Smelly good, good for your skin, and lasts a loooooong time!
2. Baby lotion: whipped coconut oil + some drops of lavender essential oil.
Great moisturizer, the lavender has a calming effect, and it also lasts a loooooooong time! Plus, I love that I don’t have to worry about the kids getting lotion on their hands and then putting their hands in their mouths. Not that I encourage them to eat lotion, but if they do get it in their mouth, it’s totally edible!
3. Baby bath: 1 tsp of castile soap.
So simple! It doesn’t create bubbles, but it cleans the little ones without chemicals AND without paying a fortune for organic/all natural baby care products.
4. Hand soap: 2 Tbsp of castile soap + distilled water + 3 drops of lemon essential oil + 3 drops of melaleuca/tea tree essential oil.
Homemade hand soap definitely feels different than store-bought. But it does the job, is super easy to make, and is all natural! The essential oils not only smell good but are anti-bacterial.
5. All-Purpose Cleaner: spray bottle with 50% water + 50% white vinegar + some drops of lemon.
The lemon disinfects and creates a cleaner that is SAFE to use anywhere in the house! It’s supposed to be in a glass spray bottle, as the citrus eats away the plastic after a while (but I haven’t gotten around to buying one yet… so we’ll see how long my plastic one lasts)
6. Glass cleaner: 1/4 c. rubbing alcohol + 1/4 c. white vinegar + 1 Tbsp cornstarch + 2 c. warm water.
This works GREAT! And, according to the website I got it from, it costs a grand total of $0.48 per bottle. Shake before using and spray away.
7. Shower scrub: 1 cup baking soda + a squirt of all natural dish soap (like Seventh Generation) + a couple drops of lemon or melaleuca + enough water to make a paste.
Distribute in shower, scrub, and rinse.
Still on the hunt for a good homemade laundry soap recipe and dishwasher detergent. Feel free to share your recipes :)!