Living Chemical Free

One thing that has been important to my family over the past couple years is going chemical free in our home. It hasn’t always been easy, and it certainly didn’t happen overnight. We started out just wanting parabens out of our cosmetics and soaps etc., and now we are at a point where we are truly a chemical free home. Parabens were important for us to eliminate because we learned that they were hormone disrupters. We assume because we can buy our cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, etc. at any store, that some big wig in a lab coat has made sure that it is safe for our well being. The truth is, most of these come to us almost unexamined by the federal government. There are over 20,000 chemicals we use on a daily basis that have never even been looked at or approved by our FDA. We see recalls frequently because of this. My number 1 rule to replace something in my home is that is has to work as good as, or better, than what it is replacing. 9 out of 10 times we find that the natural solution works BETTER than what we were using before!!

After replacing the chemicals we used on our skin on a daily basis, we started learning more about the chemicals we use to clean our home! I have struggled with asthma my whole life, and really hated that there were toxicity labels on all of my home cleaning products. Typical cleaners not only do a number on your eyes, airways – and with enough exposure – your nervous system; they now contaminate more than two-thirds of U.S. streams. Largely because of chemical cleaners, our indoor air can be up to 5 times more polluted than the air outside!

We started with a cloth system that kills germs, but I really was missing the “clean” smell that my chemical cleaners left behind. After doing some research, I found I could make my own cleaners and I could make them smell good (instead of just like vinegar). Speaking of vinegar, did you know it kills as many germs as bleach?? Gotta love those results! Below I will share a few of my favorite cleaning recipes!!

If you’d like to learn more, you are welcome to come to our next Holistic Moms Network meeting held the first Tuesday of every month at Elegant Mommy!! We start at 6pm sharp!!

~Danielle McClure

Holistic Moms Network

Sioux Falls Chapter Leader

www.holisticmoms.org

Lysol Alternative

1/2 cup distilled water

1/2 cup vodka

25 drops orange oil

15 drops lavender oil

15 drops eucalyptus oil

Place all ingredients in a spray bottle, cap and shake well. Shake prior to use.

This one gets rid of urine smells!! A must if you have kids or pets!!

2 cups hot distilled water

3 T baking soda

1 T borax

12 drops essential oil (orange or lavender)

Place ingredients into a spray bottle, cap and shake well. Shake prior to use.

Minty Glass Cleaner

The mint is also an effective insect repellant, helping to keep ants and mice from coming into the home.

2 cups vinegar

1 cup water

1 t castile soap

35 drops peppermint oil

Place all ingredients in a spray bottle, cap and shake well.