I've just about finished replacing my chemicals with natural cleaners

[danniellabella]

I have been searching for weeks at the supermarket for a few things like washing soda and pure soap and borax and of couse they are located either right up the top or right down the bottom of shelves!

I've stocked up on bi-carb and more vinegar. I have my essential oils: lemon, lavender, cloves, eucaliptus, tea-tree.

I've just grated a bar of pure soap and tomorrow I'll make a washing powder and give it all a go.

I'm happy with the way all the things I now have are multipurpose and so cheap. Rather than having a whole heap of products that can only do one thing, I now have a small handful of products that mixed in various ways will clean the whole house!

Best part of all, I know exactly what is in my cleaners!

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Ooh, congrats chicky!

Keep us updated!

[christy]

Well done!!! It feels great doesn't it?

We've also just gotten rid of all our body products (shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste and deodorant) and it feels great!

[sneakysparkle]

well done!
Im not fully there yet, maybe you will inspire me!!

[missamy]

Hi! I'm in the process of doing this.. I just need to wait until DH is out of the house before I go tossing anything away (he's a stickler for not wasting anything particularly expensive cleaners) I'm a huge fan of anything that says 'antibacterial' so this is all a big thing for me!

i'm also using all natural shampoos, consmetics etc.. and have bought an awesome (hugely overpriced) water purifier to get all the lead, mercury and other nasties out of the water..

the reason i'm doing this is i'm TTC.. hopefully it all works and i'll get my baby!

[Ryatha]

wow - I have just started using bicarb and vinegar with water, and have got the essential oils eucalyptus and tea tree oil. I can't wait to get the rest of the things to go completely natural.

Congrats and let us know how it goes!

[Lolli]

Well done!!! It feels great doesn't it?

We've also just gotten rid of all our body products (shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste and deodorant) and it feels great!

Christy, I'm intrigued. What are you using instead of all those?

[christy]

I've just gotten around to finding products that work for us.

I use the MOPS products (modern organic products for curly hair) but DH uses "No-poo" techniques which is rubbing bi carb soda into the roots of the hair in the shower and rubbing it through and then pouring a cup of apple cider vinegar on afterwards.... It doesn't work too well for my curly hair though. The girls use my products for hair as well.

Mi-Essence body products for soap....

I bought a natural toothpaste "Natura" and for deodorant I use a witch hazel and lavender oil mix in a spray bottle.

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Wow Christy, you're hardcore! I was proud of myself just using Enjo and no toxic cleaning chemicals!

[Shanti]

Girls, what do you use to clean the loo's?? We are still using the toilet ducks etc

Slowly getting there removing chemicals from our house.... it's a gradual process.

[danniellabella]

Girls, what do you use to clean the loo's?? We are still using the toilet ducks etc

Slowly getting there removing chemicals from our house.... it's a gradual process.

I sprinkle bicarb around the bowl and then spray my vinegar/water solution and scrub. You can also use a paste of lemon juice and borax or I just pour a cup of bleach all around the bowl and leave it for a minimum of 2 hours or over night.

You can also use denture tablets but I can't remember if you put them into the cistern or the bowl.

[Muffy]

I love this thread...
Im wanting to give it a go.
Can someone please tell me what i need?
or give me some 'recipes'

[squidipa]

I love this thread...
Im wanting to give it a go.
Can someone please tell me what i need?
or give me some 'recipes'

me too ??? i hardly buy anything except for disinfectant thats my spray and wipe and everything in between lol

[Lolli]

White vinegar and bi-carb are your essentials being lazy, I pretty much use vinegar for everything and add bi-carb if if something stubborn. I throw a bit of lavender in too, just to makes things smell pretty, but I think it's a natural dinifectant as well.

Ren, I do FlyLady style on my toilets and wipe them down every day everyday with a bit of toilet paper, and give them a quick brush with the toilet brush. Once a month I clean them thoroughly with vinegar, and if I got guests coming I pop in a few drops of lavender oil and give it a flush.

Christy, that's pretty impressive I might have to give the witch hazel deodorant a try.

Can someone enlighten me here, are clove and eucalypt oils safe to use in pregnancy? I want to try the clove on mould idea, btu i have a sneaking suspicion it's not recommended?

[somewoman]

Does anybody have a tried and tested recipe for a homemade insecticide? I know that spiders HATE lemon oil and have plans to treat all windows and doors at our new home with this, but is there anything else that people use and love?

[Fleur]

I use eucalyptus on my benchtops (you do have to be careful as it is toxic) I just add a tiny dash to my vinegar spray, seems to deter ****roaches etc.

[somewoman]

So just a bottle full of plain ol' white vinegar and a few drops of eucalyptus oil? Sounds too easy! And certainly much healthier for my family than the mortein surface spray!! =)

[Fleur]

Yup, I do about 2/3 vinegar to 1/3 water with a few drops of eucalyptus for surfaces, bin, cupboard doors etc & plain vinegar 100% for Pie's highchair and stuff which goes in her mouth.
Much nicer