MUM’S THE WORD: Creating a more natural home for your family

Have you ever looked at the back of your typical bottle of household cleaner? Scary isn’t it?  As a mom, I often think of what kind of chemicals I am bringing into my home.

Over the past few years, I have tried to make my home not such a chemical-laden place. After I got rid of our foul-smelling shower cleaner, the next item to go was the air fresheners I drenched my home in.  I also noticed certain laundry detergents, fabric softeners and dryer sheets gave me headaches. They went, too.

Then I began to look at the lotions, perfumes, hair and bathing products we were using. Slathering myself and my child with a body lotion and soaps that have certain chemicals is more stress than it is worth. I do my best to avoid all products that have been tested on animals.

I am not writing this to argue whether or not Borox is a safe cleaner or not. I am not telling you  your dryer sheets are going to kill you. I am simply here to encourage you to do the research on more natural cleaning and bath products, making your own cleaning products and finding a place of wellbeing in your life.

These are a few of my favorites for creating a more chemical-free bath, body and home:

•    Regular, shaving and shampoo bar soap – cuts down on plastic. I usually buy my soap from small dealers who use ingredients I feel are best for my family. I also use a knitted soap saver once my soap has gotten too small.

•    Vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice and tea tree oil can be made into numerous homemade household cleaners.

•    Bon Ami Powder Cleanser – I use this to clean sinks, the bathtub etc.

•    Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Basil Liquid Dish soap – This almost makes washing dishes fun…almost.

•    Enchanticals Perfume offers a full-line of vegan and cruelty-free lotions, perfumes and lip tints. They are now featuring the enjoyable fall-themed Harvesting Zombies perfume oil collection.

•    Instead of disposable sponges, many knitters online are making a  “scrubbies” with rough yarn so it can serve the purpose of a steel wool or         a sponge. When you are done – throw in the wash and re-use.

•    Seventh Generation Wood Cleaner has a lovely Lemon and Chamomile scent

•    Laundry Tarts All Natural Laundry Detergent – they come in many yummy scents such as Birthday Cake, Bubble Gum and Apple Pie.

•    Instead of using dryer sheets – I use lavender dryer sachets. A good business to try is The Old White House in Portland, Mich.

Amanda Leitch-Lee is a resident of Greenville. Before you get too annoyed by her eco-friendly ways, she drinks Diet Coke, found composting too hard and uses her dryer in the summer.