I work in a non-profit committed to protecting our oceans and being as "green" as possible is a not only a part of my work life but my home life. I am not perfect. I am a work in progress and recently I have started tackling one area of greening up my home that I thought was out of my budget - less chemicals for cleaning the house and on my family's body. And yes, this post contains affiliate links but I am sharing products that I use and love.Just like a new fitness program and diet, greening up your home does not need to happen all at once. Baby steps matter so pick a place and start there. In fact, baby step lead to stronger continuous growth.
My first step was eliminating traditional household cleaners and moving to vinegar, water, and baking soda. A lot can be done with these simple ingredients and to this day I am convinced baking soda makes the tub shinier than any traditional cleaner I ever used in the past....and no yucky fumes is a plus.
But even though I was cleaning without chemicals, chemicals were still going into the air with air fragrances as I do love a awesome smelling house. Don't you?
My next step was to purchase essential oils and a diffuser and this small investment is transforming my life in so many ways. Now I have a diffuser in both bedrooms, the bathroom, the kitchen, and even one at work! I like the ones that have pretty lights and let you choose between continuous or intermittent puffs.
I always have at least one diffusing away and over the past 8-10 months, I have collected an amazing collection of oils. I have single oils and blends and some of my favorite blends are for breathing easy, headache relief, stress relief, and a good night's sleep. My single oils range from orange, to lemon, to lavender, to eucalyptus, to patchouli, to frankincense, and more. I even have some clove and cedar wood! Everything has a purpose and a reason that now goes way beyond just diffusing.
I invested in a great book on essential oils in the home that contains a host of "recipes" for cleaning products and more. I invested in glass bottles to hold my blends in and have a kitchen counter blend, bathroom sanitizer blend, linen spray for the beds, and a sports cleaner for my treadmill and ironically, the blend is great for cleaning the pet cages. Bunnies can make some good stink!
I used the book I bought for inspiration but have added my own twist and inventions. With the purchase of some castille soap, I have created my own toilet cleaner that dilutes the soap with water and adds in some essential oils, whatever scent I desire when I make up some, and it is kept by the toilet for those regular deeper cleanings and let me tell you, that toilet bowl shines!
Is that the end? Nope!
I was still using dryer sheets and it bugged me with the physical waste and chemicals. I now own dryer balls you can reuse and add oils if you want a scent. They are taking some getting used to but make a huge impact. My drying times are shorter and they do work. I just need to be careful not to over dry and create a lot of static clean. It is a timing thing I need to get used to. And each ball can be used hundreds of times! So that scary first investment does work itself out in the end especially when you factor in shorter dryer times. Win-Win!
But everything I do and use is not essential oils or homemade. I have transitioned the family to natural toothpastes and soaps. I do love the products from Elk River Soaps and we keep bath bombs in stock, love their handmade soap, and even tried their shampoo and conditioner for a trial run. I am going to get more for when we travel as I love the cans they come in.
I am in the process of making the final transition with shampoo, deodorant, and laundry detergent. And I even now have an all natural hand sanitizer on my desk at work for helping combat office germs.
FYI: The products we buy for the horse darling daughter rides are also all natural. And did you know you can make your own mosquito repellant? I do and it works. I may still get some bites here and there but honestly, that can happen with the nasty chemical repellant too as I am a mosquito buffet. I am only mentioning that here because I keep some homemade mosquito repellant at the stables for me when those pesky mosquitos are hunting me down.Daily Gratitude: I am thankful for the opportunity to share products I love that can keep your home and life greener and chemical free.Daily Bible Verse: But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. ~ 1 Timothy 5:8
