From the Introduction:
Getting Started
I assume if you are holding this book in your hands you are ready to jump into revamping your home to make it a safer place for your family. Am I right? I am so excited to take you through each room of your home and show you how to make it a healthier space with natural homemade products. Before we jump right in, let’s discuss the supplies you will need, tried and true tips to make this whole process less stressful, and some safety concerns.
What Will I Need?
Each recipe will have its own list of ingredients and instructions, but you will see that a lot of the recipes will call for similar things. As we go through this journey together, you will learn I like to keep things easy and I love recipes with few ingredients. If I ever see a recipe with a long list of ingredients, I find myself skipping over it. Like you, I am a very busy mom and like to keep things simple for my own sanity.
Some ingredients you will find often throughout this book include:
Baking Soda: The first ingredient I reach for when I am creating a new cleaning product is baking soda. If you read the description on your baking soda box, it will have a whole section about using it for cleaning and laundry. Baking soda is renowned for being an effective odor remover and will leave your house smelling fresh and clean. It is a great natural cleaning agent and has been used for cleaning for many, many years.
With its mild alkali properties, it can cause dirt, grime, and grease to dissolve quickly. Baking soda is effective for removing soap scrum, hard water, and whitening.
Vinegar: Vinegar is great for cleaning because of its high acidity level. It can remove sticky buildup, dissolve soap scum, get rid of rings left by hard water, and cut grease. Vinegar can also kill salmonella and E.coli, two bacteria you’ll want to eliminate from your home.
Castile Soap: Ok, I might as well admit this now because you are going to find out soon enough: I am obsessed with Castile soap. Castile soap is gentle, safe, and leaves surfaces squeaky clean. Castile soap is also highly concentrated, making it cost-effective because you only need a little bit each time you clean, and each bottle will last you a long time. I prefer to buy it unscented and then use my essential oils to scent it the way I want.
Essential Oils: You probably already assumed that essential oils would be a big part of this book, especially if you have heard of my blog, Our Oily House. If so, you are correct! Throughout this home detoxifying journey, you will find diffuser blends, roller bottle recipes, and lots of natural DIY recipes with essential oils.
Coconut Oil: Coconut oil can be found in many skincare products for very good reasons. It can protect the skin against anti-aging, dryness, imperfections, and even infections.
Coconut oil is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and it is very moisturizing for the skin. It is primarily made up of nourishing fatty acids and is really high in lauric acid. Coconut oil contains vitamin E and several healthy fats that help to make skin smooth.
When purchasing coconut oil, unrefined and organic is best, especially if you are planning to use this in the kitchen. For skin and hair, expeller-pressed, fractionated, or other types of refined coconut oil will work.
Shea Butter: I love the light earthy smell of shea butter. It goes perfectly in so many of my bath and beauty recipes. It has high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins that are great for the skin. Using shea butter on your body can improve skin tone, moisturize, and soothe any irritation of the skin. Because it is so gentle, it is great for all skin types.
Cocoa Butter: Cocoa butter is the fat that comes from cocoa beans, and it smells absolutely delicious, in my opinion. Cocoa butter naturally moisturizes and heals dry, chapped skin. Fair warning―it smells like chocolate, and you may be tempted to eat your skin care products! Don’t worry if your kids accidentally get their hands on it and decide to eat it, cocoa butter is edible and used to make delicate chocolates.
Beeswax: Beeswax is another one of those ingredients you will be seeing a lot of, especially when it comes to skin care. With its antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, this ingredient is the best for damaged or dry skin. It forms a protective wall by sealing moisture in the skin without clogging up the pores.
