Welcome to REAL Food Books where I share books that inspire me to live a healthy and natural life. Have I ever mentioned that I don’t like to clean? I love a clean house but would rather have someone else do it. Pathetic, huh? I bribe, pay, and encourage my family to clean for me so I don’t have to. Sad, but true. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t pay attention to the cleaners being used in my home. And with “natural” cleaning supplies costing an arm and a leg sometimes, I was thrilled to see this awesome book, DIY Non-Toxic Cleaning Recipes, by one of my all-time favorite bloggers, Heather from Mommypotamus.
I already use several of Heather’s recipes from her book, DIY Organic Beauty Recipes, so I knew this was going to be a great book. I’m careful with what I put in my body and what I put on my skin as well. So, naturally, I care about what I get exposed to in my home. I’ve been using “natural” cleaners for years, but the idea of making my own sounds wonderful. I can’t believe how easy it really is.
I absolutely LOVE this book. I’m a DIY junkie at heart and love the fact that I no longer have to buy commercial cleaners from Whole Foods. I know exactly what is in all of my cleaners, and I’m saving money too! I can feel good about not exposing my family to any questionable ingredients, and I know that I am not polluting the environment with toxic chemicals that are negatively affecting wildlife and our water supply. And it’s super easy to do!!!
Why make your own cleaning supplies?
This question can be summed up in Heather’s introduction of her book when she says,
“Right now as you read this page, there are about 700 chemicals coursing through your body, many of which can be found in the cleaning supplies that line store shelves: potent hormone disruptors, formaldehyde and cancer-causing 1,4 dioxane to name a few.”
And these chemicals are having devastating affects on us as a society as infertility issues, reproductive defects, and cancers are on the rise. Children, with their developing endocrine systems, are the most affected.
And then there is the issue of environmental pollution. Responsible living means that we consider the affects that out lifestyles have on the world around us. Using non-toxic cleaners ensures that we are not exposing wildlife and our water supply to harmful chemicals.
And the best part is that the recipes in this book REALLY work.
I’ve tried many DIY recipe before with mediocre results. What I learned from Heather is that though most homemade formulas use the same basic ingredients, there’s often a trick to getting them to work. This book explains some of the common mistakes made in homemade formulas, then delivers tested recipes that leave your home fresh and clean.
What’s in the book:
- Basic ingredient and equipment list
- 7 All-Purpose cleaners
- Fruit and Veggie Wash, Liquid Dish Soap, and Dishwasher Detergent for the kitchen
- Soft Scrub, Mold and Mildew remover, Toilet Cleaner, and Tub and Tile Cleaner for the bathroom
- Laundry supplies including laundry detergent, fabric softener, and stain remover
- Wood, carpet, tile and metal care
- Air fresheners
- Plus several DIY tutorials including Unpaper Towels and Making Glass Spray Bottles
What you’ll learn:
- Why other homemade dish detergents leave behind a filmy residue (and how to get your dishes crystal clear)
- Whether your homemade disinfectant REALLY works (Hint: Many are no more effective than water!!!)
- How to get streak free windows and mirrors without any chemicals
- How to save up to 88% on everyday items like Veggie Wash
My favorite Recipes:
Citrus Splash All-Purpose Spray Cleaner (for my counter tops)
Citrus Infused Vinegar (for my floors)
Liquid Dish Soap (for the dishes)
Did you know?
- You can save tons of money by using ingredients you already have around the house?
- You can make your own non-chlorine bleach?
- Homemade glass cleaner costs a fraction of store bought.(Total store bought cost – About $3.43 for 26 ounces. Total homemade cost – About $0.64 for 26 ounce.)
- You can make dishwasher and laundry detergent without Borax?
- Label adhesive and other types of residue can be removed for next-to-nothing with two simple ingredients.
Check out Heather’s book to learn more about making your own non-toxic cleaners
About Heather from Mommypotamus:
Heather is the author of Mommypotamus, a site dedicated to healthy living and real food. With love and humor, her site is full of amazing, well-researched information on real food, parenting, health, and natural living. If you haven’t checked her out, you really should. She’s a real rock star in the blogging world.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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