OK, some of you may know that since January of this year, I discovered I have eczema, which is a condition in which my immune system freaks out over allergens. Where most people sneeze or get puffy eyes, I don't actually suffer from those symptoms. Rather, my skin on my arms break out in rashes instead.

It brought me on along journey of reading, studying, and pursuing solutions that help me minimize the irritants in my environment--namely, household chemicals.

People, I'm not just being some kind of hippy pussy when I say this--household cleaners are ExTREMELY TOXIC and poisoning you. THEY SHOULD NOT BE USED IN A HOUSE.

Here in America, makers of cleaning products are not required to list the ingredients in their products, as they've lobbied congress so they can "protect intellectual property" and not giveaway their competitive secrets. Instead of getting ingredients, we get warning labels that tell us to flush our eyes out for 15 minutes, call poison control, or pray if swallowed.

Here are some solutions I've been using in the last month that are amazing, and I can't believe I never did them before--they simply work as well and better than the commercial products.

NOTE: The initial dollar investment in doing this cost a bit more, but the sustainable financial impact reduced your costs significantly.

THINGS TO USE:

1. Essential Oils (they cost about 4 to 6 dollars for a bottle), which you can get at any health food store, like GNC or a Natural grocer. Don't be fooled by the oil fragrances that are sold near incense in the grocery store--those are petroleum based and stuffed with chemicals.

2. Vinegar - NOTHING beats vinegar for cleaning. For between 1 and 2 dollars you can get more than a gallon's worth of distilled vinegar at the store.

3. Baking Soda - 88 cents per box, you can stock up on these very cheaply.

5. Table Salt & Lemons

6. Olive Oil (make sure it's first cold pressed, which is chemical free). Many grocery stores now carry the cold pressed olive oils you used to only find in health food and organic groceries due to the increased demand. Though not cheap, they are more economical for use (as I'll show below) than the chemical alternatives.




THINGS I USE THEM FOR:

Furniture Polish:

I mix 3 tablespoons Olive oil, and a teaspon (or half a lemon) of lemon juice. I add about 3 drops of orange essential oil, and 2 drops of jasmine essential oil (the essential oil is optional, but adds a terrific soothing fragrance). The only essential piece of this formula is the olive oil. The rest are added for fragrance. (the solution is still cheaper than buying pledge, and it is COMPLETELY chemical free). You'll be amazed at the wonderful aroma the combination above gives off though.

FLOOR MOPPING:

1 Gallon warm water, 1 Cup Vinegar, 5 drops orange essential oil, 5 drops Eucalyptus essential oil. If you have non toxic natural dish washing soap (like 7th Generation or other non phosphorus soap), add a teaspoon. The Eucalyptus adds a "clean" smell, the vinegar does the cleaning, and the orange sweetens the smell. The only essential product here is Vinegar to the water, but the essential oils mask the smell of the vinegar which some people don't like. Again, this is completely non toxic and chemical free, and works as well as any commercial solution.

tile cleaner:

3 lemons squeezed, a 1/3 to 1/2 cup of salt. Rub on your tile and let it sit there for 30 minutes (or more if you have the patience). Come back and scrub the tile and rinse. This is not as effective as comet, I admit, but it is completely chemical free, and non toxic--well, other than if you swallow al that salt.

CARPET DEODORIZER

This solution surprised me the most the first time I used it. It makes your carpet and room smell great. Take one small box of baking soda, and empty it into a small plastic container (a Rubbermaid container works fine). Add 20 drops of orange essential oil, 12 to 15 drops of Jasmine essential oil, and 5 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil. Let it sit for about 4 hours or overnight.
Sprinkle on your carpet, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Vacuum, and you'll be amazed at the pleasant smell. Far nicer than the petroleum based fragrances that are poisoning your air.



Don't be put off on the initial investment, as bottles of essential oils can run 5 to 6 bucks (or more dependng the fragrance). The benefit here is that the essential oil bottles last forever cause you only use tiny drops at a time. I started a month ago doing this, and I reckon I have at least 5 to 6 months left with the same bottles before I run out.



In the long run, not only will you be chemical free, and free of toxins with these solutions, you'll end up saving alot of money.



I love this shit.

My great grandmother told me this years ago and it's not hippie ish

You're SUCH a hippy these days.


And I'm no skank.

I switched from chemical cleaners to natural ones over 18 yrs ago



Smart move for those inclined to do so

Imago said:

Vinegar, baking soda and warm water cleaned the hell outta my clogged up drains.
Draino sucks!

here are some I use

Disinfectant Spray for Surfaces

3 drops Cinnamon Leaf
5 drops Pine Needle
2 drops Frankincense
10 drops Bergamot
1/8 t. GSE
30 ounces water

Combine essential oils with GSE and water in a 32 oz. trigger spray bottle. Spray on and wipe surface dry. Disinfects countertops, stovetops and tile.

Rosemary Deodorizer & Disinfectant

6 drops Rosemary
6 drops Grapefruit
4 drops Lemon
2 ounces purified water

Combine oils and water in a 2-ounce glass spritzer bottle. Shake well before each use and spray liberally into the air. This spray will combat odors and kill infectious organisms. During cold and flu season, add 2 drops of Eucalyptus.

Christmas House Spray

4 drops Pine Needle
1 drop Mandarin
2 drops Cinnamon Leaf

Dilute in purified water in a 2 ounce spray bottle.

Lavender Soft Scrubber

3/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup powdered milk
1/8 cup (one-eighth) liquid castile soap
5 drops lavender Essential Oil

Combine all ingredients in a squirt-top bottle and add enough water to make a smooth paste. Shake or stir to mix. Apply to surface, then wipe area clean with a damp sponge or cloth. Rinse well.

Microwave Cleaner


1/4 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon vinegar
6 drops lemon essential oil
Instructions:


Mix ingredients to make a paste. Apply to interior of microwave with a sponge. Rinse and leave door open to dry for 15 minutes.
Wash the glass turntable by hand. This recipe will get rid of food odors...great for getting rid of that popcorn smell.

Floor Cleaner
Add 1/4 cup white vinegar to a bucket of water. Add 10 drops of lemon oil and 4 drops of oregano essential oil. Oregano oil has powerful antiseptic properties!
1/4 cup white vinegar to a bucket of water
10 drops lemon oil
4 drops oregano oil

Cleaner for Electronics

1/2 cup of water
2 tablespoons of nutmeg
1 pack of menthol Halls cough drops(lemon or cherry only)
A sprinkle of sugar
And 3 tablespoons of melted butter.

Bring water to a boil. Add cough drops, nutmeg and butter.
Stir for about 5 mins then let it sit.
After about 5 mins, sprinkle in sugar.








Im lying
Just wanted to fit in and try to feel smart

EverSoulicious said:

Maybe you're grandmom started this movement!

She could be the original Grup !



I'm soooo totally comimg to terms with the fact that I'm a grup.

Fuck it i give up! Im not cleaning anymore!

CarrieMpls said:

I am sooooo not a Hippy!








But I did eat at the Grass Roots "Raw/Vegan" restaurant again this weekend
I had their divine Raw Treatloaf and Smashed "raw cauliflower" potatoes.

Mach said:

copy, right-click, save!



I'm serious--these solutions are AWESOME

Imago said:

DanceWme said:

Thanks hot stuff!

Muse2NOPharaoh said:

LET. LOVE. IN!

Imago said:

Neem Oil and Eczema:

The broad range of beneficial effects neem has on skin makes it one of the better treatments for eczema (dermatitis). Though neem oil is preferred because of the concentration of active compounds, topical applications of even the weaker leaf extracts have cured acute eczema ( Neem Leaf Powder ).

Imago said:

And you didn't call me freaking out after??

omg, I'm so proud of you.

Imago said:

I know

industrial strength planet destroyer is, and will always be, more efficient...

I bet Al Gore aint cleaning toilets with nutmeg and sea salt...



comma edit
[Edited 11/19/07 8:58am]

You wash your floors with vinegar?

Fucking gross.

skank!!??

ThreadCula said:

considering the source, I wouldn't sweat it...
[Edited 11/19/07 9:06am]

2the9s said:

I hate the smell of vinegar

roodboi said:

Ah yes! U are right

veronikka said:

you sniff floors??

Imago said:

The only flaw in my iMac is that the mouse only has one big button. You can't right- or left-click; you can only click.

Mach said:

I absolutely despise the org bug.



Anyways, thanks Mach. I will seriously look into this now as I need to find SOMETHING that works.

Thanks for taking this thread seriously, and could you please ban Veronikka, Threadcula, and roodboi? Thanks.

2the9s said:

I'd create a powerpoint to show you how mop the floors with that stuff, but I don't think you'd know how to play it!

Imago said:

Look into it - it may work really well for you as it has for many others

I have 2 very very dry patches on my face and I have been using a few drops of it in my soap ( i make ) and lotion for my face and have noticed a great difference in just a couple months

CarrieMpls said:

I spoke with the owner, his wife, and their mother, all of whom are hardcore RAW/Vegan folks.

They actually teach classes once a month on eating RAW, and you learn to cook a basic RAW meal.


I fucking LOVE that restaurant, and I hope my Scientologist friends move out of state or something so I don't have another chance meeting with them any time soon.