My (mostly) chemical-free home.

A while ago I decided once we finally moved into our new home (it was a 4 month long buying process) that I was going to make it "chemical-free". Considering my limited, but growing knowledge of the ingredients I need and how to use them, on what, I am sure this will be fun experience for everyone.  :)

The things I make thus far are:

• General household cleaner and sanitizer - my recipe here
• Kitchen/bathroom cleaner and sanitizer - my recipe here
• Laundry detergent - my recipie here
• Floor cleaner - Mop with a bucket of hot water, 10 drops of lemon essential oil, 10 drops of pine or cedar essential oil, 2 cups of white vinegar.
• Glass cleaner - Spray window/mirror with 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts water, wipe with wet (with water) microfiber cloth.
• Fabric softener - my recipie here
• Rinse-aid for the dishwasher - I just use white vinegar.
• Fabric/room freshener - Still perfecting it, will post when I am happy with the results.
• Fruit/Veggie wash - I fill sink/bowl with water, then add about a cup of white vinegar.
• Wood oil - 1 cup olive oil, 10 drops cedar oil, 10 drops lemon oil.
• Mouth wash- my recipe here
• Hand/Body Soap - my recipes here
• Teeth Whitener - 1 part hydrogen peroxide (pre diluted to 3%), 1 part water. Swish, Spit, let bubbles work for a bit, then swish with mouth wash.
• Toothpaste - I get my recipes for this from here (for now until I come up with my own)
• Hair Gel - here
• Solid Loton - here
• Healing Salve - here
• Face scrub - coming soon
• Body butter - here (This is someone else's recipe that I have used. I will post my own version soon)
• Shaving Cream - same as body butter (above)

The things I still buy (but get the least chemical filled brands/types I can find) are:

• Hand/Body Soap - from here
• Shampoo/Conditioner - also from here
• Deodorant - Buy from here or I make the recipe posted here 
• Bubble bath - from here
• Sunscreen - same as bubble bath
• Automatic dishwasher detergent - from here
• Dish soap - same as dishwasher detergent

Just as a side note; I do not have any affilation with the above companies. They are simply the ones that work for me, and have less "bad stuff" in them then most.

A majority of the things on the "buy" list I have tried to make, I just haven't found a recipe that I really like yet. As far as makeup and other beauty products I have not converted over 100% yet. Mostly because I almost never wear makeup (as in once every couple of months) so I don't feel that is a big concern at this time. I also still buy regular chemical-filled mousse. I just haven't found anything that makes me happy that is natural yet. When it comes to chapstick and things of that nature I use a variety of natural brands. Coconut oil, and almond oil are about the only things I use as moisturizer, lotion, or face creams.

Want to get good quality essential oils? Click here.

Laundry Soap and Fabric Softener

I have been making my own laundry soap for about 5 years now. Mostly because I'm allergic to pretty much every single kind at the store. Out of desperation I started making my own. Over the years it has saved quite a bit of money, my clothes are clean, my skin doesn't itch so I keep making it. Recently, I have been striving to be "chemical-free" in my home, which caused me to change my detergent recipe. This new recipe is great! It is a liquid, which I recently learned is much better for your washer, and it is very easy to make. This is one of those things I can throw together even while holding my son if necessary. I make a gallon at a time. Feel free to make a big 5 gallon bucket of it if you want, the only reason I don't do this is because I use my bucket for other things and never remember to buy a new one with a lid, and I really don't want to mess with where to keep it and getting it out. For me, one gallon at a time works great. One gallon does about 48 loads, and cost aprox: $2.21 (about .05 cents per load). If buying in bulk it cost about $40 to get all the ingredients (you can get it as cheap as $15 but it makes less detergent), however, I use every single one of the ingredients for other purposes so I buy in bulk, it makes more sense that way. If you spend only $15 on the ingredients it will make several batches (about 3-4 gallons) and you will know if you want to invest in the bulk versions next time.

 Here is what I use:

Laundry Soap

• Dr. Bronners liquid castle soap in lavender (you can use any brand, or scent) 
• Borax
• Washing soda
• Warm water
• Gallon container (I use an empty vinegar bottle)

I put 1/4 cup each of borax and washing soda into the bottle, add very warm water and shake until dissolved. Then I add 1/2 cup of the liquid castle soap. I usually shake before using, and I use around 1/3 cup per load in my HE washer.

Feel free to add a few drops of essential oils. Sometimes I add extra lavender, or if I use the unscented castle soap I will add peppermint, lemon, or just whatever smells good.


Mixing Tip:

• Once you put the powder into the container then put a little water into the container, shake, and then fill about 1/3 full of water before you add the castle soap.

Fabric Softener:

I fill my fabric softener container on my washer with pure white vingear. My clothes are soft, static-free, and they do NOT smell like vinegar. Also, I keep several wool dryer balls in the dryer to help dry the clothes faster (saves money on electric), and really helps the static if you forgot the vinegar.

Just a side note: 

Fabric softener sheets are very hard on your dryer. The waxy junk on them builds up in the vent area and is basically impossible to remove, which eventually can be a fire hazard (and makes you use more energy to dry clothes, therefor, costing more money).

Want to get good quality essential oils? Click here.