Spring Cleaning

I know it's been awhile, but I have been so busy with yard and house work.  We have company staying right now, so for a couple weeks I was crazily cleaning.  I'm not terribly fond of house cleaning.  I'm much happier cooking or crocheting, but I love the end result.  It's amazing how much a clean organized house can affect everyone's mood.  Everybody just seems calmer and more relaxed and the day runs more smoothly.  So, cleaning rags- check, cleaners- check, mop- check, loud music- check, and away we go.

As with everything, I am always looking for cheaper, safer alternatives to commercial products.  So naturally I have been looking into in learning about homemade cleaning products.  I find it very interesting how complicated companies make their products.  They have a million different products with a million different chemical ingredients for every different cleaning job you can imagine.   Of course they want you to think that you need all these bottles- your house won't possibly be clean enough without them.  And now on top of that they are making everything disposable!  Instead of using a cleaning rag, there are tubs of pre-moistened wipes for the kitchen and bath.  Instead of a toilet brush, you can use a toilet wand with disposable scrubbie pads.  It just amazes me how many ways the corporations can come up with for us to throw away our money while at the same time consuming even more resources and overflowing the landfills.  However, in researching the topic, I was pleased to discover how simple, safe and effective natural homemade cleaners are.  Vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and good old-fashioned soap and water are a few of the things I came across.  Here are a few links to some good sites with cleaning recipes.  Experiment, have fun.  Find what you like and what works for you.  And be happy that you've taken one more step towards self-sufficiency and natural living :)

http://eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm

http://organizedhome.com/clean-house/pantry-recipes-homemade-cleaning-products

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/make-your-own-non-toxic-cleaning-kit.html

http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2007/08/various-recipes-for-green-cleaning.html

Homemade Toothpaste

So by now you've realized I am a huge DIY-er.  It's not just about saving money, which is great, but a lot of the choices I make have to do with health.  If I can make something myself and the result is healthier AND saves me money, then I'm a happy camper for sure.  So when it came time to buy toothpaste a while back, I stopped and thought, "There's got to be a cheaper AND healthier way to clean teeth."  So, as always, Google was my friend.  After reading several different articles and trying a few different recipes, I came up with this one.

Homemade Toothpaste

What You Need:

3 Tbls. Baking Soda (a natural antiseptic, mildly abrasive to remove build-up)
2 Tbls. Coconut Oil (anti-bacterial, makes it paste-like)
1 Tbl. Xylitol (a natural sweetener, prevents cavities)
1 tsp. Hydrogen Peroxide (kills those bad breath germs)
20 drops Essential Oil (for flavor, Peppermint and Mint are good, I use Tangerine for the kids)

What You Do:

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl with a fork until a paste forms.  (It takes a minute for the coconut oil to soften)
Store in an airtight container.
Use a pea-size amount for teeth-brushing for a super clean mouth!

I have been using this for several months and have been very pleased with it.  The baking soda taste was a little off-putting at first, but you get used to it after a while.  The Xylitol you can find sold in bulk in most health food stores.  I haven't priced this out yet, but I'm sure it is MUCH cheaper than commercial toothpaste.

Why make your own toothpaste?

Well, besides cost, the more I learn about the chemicals that are in almost every cleaning product like laundry soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, etc., the more concerned I become.  Especially when you start to see the connection to the astounding rise in cancers and diseases like Alzheimer's.  We are putting this stuff on and in our bodies every day.  I know we can't protect ourselves from every single toxin out there, and yes, we are ALL going to die eventually, but there are some simple things that everyone can do to lessen the exposure and live a happier healthier life.

Homemade Laundry Soap

I really don't mind doing laundry.  I'm lucky to have a good washer and dryer that do all the work for me.  What I do mind, however, is the ridiculous price of commercial laundry detergent.  Yes, I know it works well and smells nice, but I just can't stomach paying $16 for chemical filled blue goo in an orange plastic bottle that will most likely end up in the landfill.  Fortunately, I learned how to make my own laundry soap.  I know you're thinking, "Isn't making soap all complicated and don't you have to use lye?"  Nope, not laundry soap.  It really is pretty simple, I promise.  So let's get started!

Homemade Laundry Soap

What You Need:

 

1 gallon water

1 ounce Fels Naptha Soap

1/4 cup Borax

1/4 cup Washing Soda

(I find the soap, Borax and washing soda all side by side in the laundry aisle at our Fred Meyer.)

20 drops Essential Oils (I use Lavender and Rosemary)

1 gallon container ( I saved an old laundry soap bottle)

What You Do:

In a large pot, heat 2 cups of the water.

Grate 1 ounce of the soap.  (I know, it looks just like cheese!)

Add the soap to the water and stir until the soap is completely melted.

Add the borax...

 then the washing soda, and stir until well disolved.

Remove from heat and add the rest of the water.

Using a stick blender, blend until well combined.

Add essential oils and blend again.

Pour into your container and let it cool.  It will form into a sort of gel. 

 Now put a cute label on it and your done!

Use 1 cup per load. Shake well before each use. 

That's it!  It's that simple.  And it only takes about 15 minutes to make.  Still nervous?  If I tell you that it only costs about 75 cents to make will it sway you a bit?  Really.  75 cents.  And it works pretty good.  Granted, it's not as powerful as the store stuff.  You might have to scrub out a few stubborn stains by hand, but that is a trade off I am happy to make for that kind of savings and peace of mind knowing what's on my clothes and therefore on my skin.  Happy washing!