Today's living simply theme is natural house cleaning. The DH and I made the switch to natural cleaners over the past several years. As one thing ran out, we just didn't replace it. Now, we clean with baking soda, water, and vinegar. I have a bottle of store-bought natural wood and all-purpose cleaner that is about out, and I plan to make my own with a bit of olive oil and lemon going forward. It's a comfort to me to know that I can ingest the things I clean with.
I also stopped using synthetic air fresheners. Now, I can hardly stand their unnatural smell. Instead, I use essential oils in a diffuser. I became so aware of the badness of these synthetic fragrances from a colleague whose daughter is highly sensitive to chemicals. Think of an airport bathroom - it can certainly give me a headache with that syrupy-sweet masking scent. Unfortunately, for those with chemical sensitivities, it's much more serious. The chemicals can cause this girl's fragile body to have a seizure.
It's easy to give up the expensive and harsh chemicals and clean naturally. Here are some great resources and recipes. Do you have a favorite home-cleaning recipe? Please share!
*Image from free online image sources.
Thanks for these links. It is a strong intention of mine to move toward a more natural way to maintain my home and life. These resources are quite welcome.
ReplyDeleteI give thanks... at this time of Thanksgiving.
Hello! I love it that you are using natural cleaners. I try to buy the "green" brand of cleaners in spite of their larger price tags. But maybe I will try some more natural recipes. Thanks for the tips.
ReplyDeleteI've not found anything better at removing tea stains from china, and my sink, than baking soda.
ReplyDeleteI was disappointed, when Seventh Generation started showing the full ingredient list on their dish liquid, to find sodium lauryl sulfate on the list. A natural dish soap is my next soap making project.
I'm glad my sensitive child has influenced your choices. I sometimes think that is part of her purpose here on Earth.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite window cleaner is the ACT Natural microfiber cloth. No more Windex or other chemically-based window cleaner. Just spritz glass with water, then rub with the ACT Natural cloth. I have the whole line of cleaning products.
http://www.actnatural.net/
Check out the Queen of Clean recommendations, too.
http://queenofclean.com/picks.php
We use several products she recommends: Clean and Shield, Odorzout, and of course, baking soda and vinegar.
Thanks for yet another great post, Steph!