Abbey Verigin

How to naturally clean your home with just 5 non-toxic ingredients. Non-toxic cleaning products can be expensive, but with these 5 simple ingredients you can make all of your household cleaners for pennies.

My journey into natural living came to be in some what of a domino effect. It started with my interest in holistic nutrition, which got me curious about toxins in my makeup, and that naturally pushed me into researching the products we use in our homes. Turns out, conventional cleaning products on the market are filled with chemicals that are known carcinogens and endocrine disruptors.

Our endocrine systems are bombarded with things on a daily basis that can be detrimental to our hormonal health. From the food we eat, the makeup we wear, to the fragrance we fill our home with, it’s hard for our hormones to stand a chance. It is no wonder hormonal health issues are so prevalent. Knowing this, I do whatever I can to reduce my exposure.

When I first got into natural living, making my own cleaning products was more out of necessity than out of a particular desire to. The natural products available in store either weren’t as natural as the label claimed, or they were ineffective. That just wasn’t going to cut it. If I was going to switch over to non-toxic products, they needed to work! So, I made my own. These days, there are clean brands on the market, but it’s still way more affordable for me to make my own. Plus, I have fun with it!

Why Should I Switch To Natural Cleaning Products

It comes down to the fact that our health is determined by more than just the food we eat. As a holistic nutritionist, I view health in a holistic way. Our health is determined by everything from the food we eat, the water we drink, air quality, sleep quality, and the toxins we are exposed to on a day to day basis.

Conventional cleaning products are loaded with chemicals, many of which are known carcinogen.Yep, most products filling the cleaning aisle contain ingredients known to cause cancer. This is exactly why it is so crucial for us to take our health into our own hands. Learning how to clean your home naturally is one of the best ways you can take back your power.

Phthalates are another common ingredient in household cleaners. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors that can cause reproductive harm including decreased sperm motility and concentration in men, and they are also linked to asthma and allergies. They are a common chemical ingredient in synthetic fragrance, so all the more reason to avoid it.

Fragrance is going to be on the ingredient list of just about every cleaning product you bring into your home. This is a huge one to avoid because when fragrance is listed as an ingredient, you can just about guarantee there are hundreds of unlisted chemicals included. Fragrance is considered trade secret, and with that, disclosure of them is not required. Scary stuff, right? The easiest way to avoid this is by simply making your cleaning products at home.

If you are just starting out on your journey to toxin free living, I highly recommend inputting the products you use in your home here to see how they rate for safety. The EWG has a database of over 2000 home cleaning products for you to see how they rate.

How To Clean Your Home Naturally With 5 Ingredients

Making your own cleaning products at home is beyond simple, and so inexpensive! If this intimidates you, I promise there is no need for it to be intimidating! Here are some of my favorite natural ingredients that I know you will make great use of as you learn how to clean your home naturally.

Vinegar. Likely one of the most underrated, and also the most versatile. Vinegar actually is able to kill salmonella and E.Coli. Pretty impressive considering you can purchase a gallon for just $1-$2. Its high acidity level makes it effective in cutting grease and removing build up. Vinegar is the base of most of my surface cleaners.

Baking Soda. We know that baking soda is great at absorbing odor, but it is also great for removing stains, polishing, and cutting through grease. It works great as an oven cleaner, and in combination with vinegar it is so effective in removing tough grime on pots and pans.

Castile Soap. Totally natural and also very highly concentrated, so a little bit goes a long way. This super cost effective ingredient is a great addition to the non-toxic home as it can be used in a ton of different applications. I use castile soap in my homemade dish soap as well as laundry detergent. I typically use liquid castile soap, but many recipes call for a bar of grated castile soap in homemade laundry detergent.

Washing Soda. This is one of the most common ingredients you’ll come across if looking for a natural, DIY laundry detergent. Washing soda is very alkaline which allows it to act like a solvent, which is why it is so effective at removing stains. If you can’t find washing soda, you can actually make it at home yourself! Simply spread baking soda over a shallow baking dish, and place in the oven at 400 for an hour. You will notice the texture is much more coarse than the baking soda you started with.

Salt. Yes, salt! Salt works for cleaning firstly because it is a natural abrasive, so if you need some good scrubbing action or to get grime out, it works great. I use coarse or epsom salt in my homemade laundry detergent and DIY Laundry Scent Booster & Fabric Softener because it helps to soften laundry. The chloride in salt also helps to keep fabrics looking bright.

Other Ingredients I Use To Clean My Home

Rubbing Alcohol/Isopropyl Alcohol. I don’t use this often in my home, but if you’re looking for a disinfectant instead of a surface cleaner, you can simply fill a spray bottle with isopropyl alcohol and essential oils.

Essential Oils. I love to add essential oils to all of my homemade cleaners. Oils like lemon and melaleuca actually have cleansing properties, so not only will they help to make your products smell great, but they can make them more effective! These are my favorite oils to use.

My Favorite Homemade Cleaner Recipes

All Purpose Cleaner. Fill a 500 ml/16 oz spray bottle half way with vinegar and top off with filtered water. Add essential oils of your choice.

Disinfectant Spray. Fill a 500 ml/16 oz spray bottle with rubbing alcohol. Add essential oils of your choice.

Dish Soap. Add 1/2 cup of liquid unscented castile soap to a foaming soap container and top off with filtered water. Add 10 drops of lemon essential oil to help cut grease.

DIY Essential Oil Linen Spray

DIY Fabric Softener & Scent Booster

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Learn how to make natural body butter with just two ingredients. This DIY body butter recipe is easy and inexpensive to make with natural ingredients.

There are several reasons why I absolutely love to make my own cleaning and personal care products at home. When I first started diving into non-toxic living over 10 years ago, it was because it was so hard to find products that were truly clean that also performed well. Trust me, non-toxic makeup has come a long, long way in the past 10 years. Now there are many more reputable companies out there, but I still find there is a ton of green washing going on. I’m a stickler for reading a label, yet I can’t tell you how many times I have almost been fooled by the green washing on a product label! Nothing bothers me more than green washing. It’s so discouraging that so many people out there are trying to make a healthier choice for their family, yet they’re essentially being duped.

I love making my own products at home so that I know exactly what’s in them. If you think about the products you use to clean your home, what you wash your hair and body, skincare, makeup, perfume… it can add up to a massive burden of toxins on your body. I am always looking for ways to reduce my toxic load!

I’m sure many of you who eat a clean, organic diet, care about your water quality, and use natural products can relate to the fact that if you’re not paying attention, your budget can get blown pretty quickly. I love making my own products because with just a couple of inexpensive natural ingredients on hand, I can do so much. You don’t need to spend $30 on organic body butter or even $5 on non-toxic cleaner.

What You Need To Make Homemade Natural Body Butter

You only need a few ingredients to make homemade natural body butter, and a little goes a long way.

• Coconut Oil
• Shea Butter
• Jojoba Oil (Optional)
• Essential Oils (Optional)

How To Make Natural Body Butter

To make homemade natural body butter, follow the steps below!

Add shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil (if using) to a double boiler. I use a make shift double boiler by placing a pyrex mixing bowl over top of a pot of boiling water. Melt the oils together.

Let the oils cool and set. I do so by leaving the bowl in the freezer for about 30 minutes. You don’t want it frozen solid because you won’t be able to whip it. You want it just set enough that you’ll be able to get it to the right consistency. See the photos below for reference!

Using a stand mixer or a handheld mixer, whip the mixture together with the essential oils.

Transfer to an air tight container of your choice. If gifting, add a pretty ribbon and label and you’re good to go!

Ingredient Substitutions for Natural Body Butter

It is easy to make substitutions in this recipe for natural body butter.

• Use cocoa butter instead of shea butter.
• Use olive oil or sweet almond oil in place of jojoba oil, or omit. The jojoba oil gives the natural body butter a little lighter of a consistency, but it isn’t at all necessary.
• Swap the essential oils for your personal preference. Do not use citrus essential oils in this recipe if you plan to apply the body butter and then be exposed to sun. This could cause burning. ‘Hot’ oils like melaleuca or oregano oil should also be avoided in this recipe. Lavender, ylang ylang, frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, and peppermint are some of my favorites both because of their scents and their health benefits.
• Omit essential oils for an unscented version!

My Natural Body Butter Melted, Can I Fix It?

Yes! There is nothing wrong with natural body butter that has melted. If your natural body butter melts and then hardens again, you’ll find it is much firmer. It is likely just too warm where it is being stored. You can continue to use it as is, or chill it in the fridge and whip it again for that lighter texture.

My Homemade Body Butter Is Too Greasy, What Do I Do?

I personally don’t find this necessary, but you can add 2 teaspoons of arrowroot powder when whipping the natural body butter. This will thicken it a little bit, and also make it feel a bit lighter and less greasy on the skin.

How To Make Natural Body Butter

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Learn how to make homemade natural body butter with just two ingredients. Non-toxic, safe, clean DIY body butter recipe that you can customize to your needs.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Additional Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shea butter
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1 tbsp jojoba oil (optional)
• 10 drops lavender essential oil (optional)

Instructions

1. Add shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil (if using) to a double boiler and melt together.
2. Chill mixture in the freezer for 30 minutes.
3. Remove mixture from the freezer and add essential oils. Whip using a hand or stand mixer until it has turned white and fluffy.
4. Transfer to an air tight container.

Notes

If you find this mixture greasy, add 2 teaspoons arrowroot powder. Customize the essential oils as you prefer. Adding jojoba oil will result in a lighter texture, though I typically leave it out.

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How To Make DIY Essential Oil Linen Spray

Non-Toxic Fabric Softener & Scent Booster

Learn how to make a homemade DIY essential oil linen spray with only a few ingredients. This DIY is quick and easy so you can have a non-toxic linen spray ready in a few minutes.

I like my home to feel warm, inviting and cozy. A big part of that is having a yummy and clean smelling home. Most linen and fabric sprays, candles, and wall plugins on the market are filled with toxic chemicals. I don’t want to bring into my home because of how they can negatively impact our health. Fragrance is a blanket statement for chemicals that don’t need to be listed because they are considered ‘trade secret’. We are constantly bombarded by carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. There is a lot that is out of my control, so I am very specific with what I will allow into my home. I’m all for doing what we can do reduce our toxic load, because the small changes add up.

How To Use DIY Essential Oil Linen Spray

I use this linen spray on bedding, in our linen closet, and on my living room furniture to freshen things up a bit. I love to use this linen spray as a part of my evening routine because it helps to create a cozy atmosphere. There is nothing better than starting the week with fresh sheets on the bed, calming oils in the diffuser (Cedarwood and Lavender are my go-to’s), the salt lamp on, and this linen spray misted on our duvet. It is so heavenly and the perfect way to start the week off on the right foot.

What Essential Oils Can You Use for DIY Essential Oil Linen Spray?

For this DIY Essential Oil Linen Spray you can use almost any essential oil you want. I recommend not using any oils that are typically very sticky or dark in color, like Vetiver or Myrrh, because they could stain fabric. I love Bergamot and Lavender together. Cedarwood and Lavender, Wild Orange and Lavender, Lavender and Eucalyptus, Ylang Ylang and Wild Orange are all great combinations as well. Get creative with it and use whichever oils are your favorite. I love this brand of essential oils.

What Do I Need?

To make this linen spray you only need a few ingredients and supplies.

• 500 ml/16 oz Glass Spray Bottle
• Vodka or Rubbing Alcohol
• Distilled or Filtered Water
• Essential Oils
• A funnel

How Do I Make DIY Essential Oil Linen Spray?

Making DIY linen spray is super simple. Just add vodka or rubbing alcohol to the glass spray bottle. Add in 40 drops of essential oils of your choice, and top it off with distilled or filtered water. I like to use a funnel so the process a little less messy.

How To Make DIY Essential Oil Linen Spray

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How to make a homemade DIY essential oil linen spray with only a few ingredients. In just a few minutes you will have a toxin free scented linen spray to use in your home.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup Vodka or Rubbing Alcohol
• 20 drops Bergamot Essential Oil
• 20 drops Lavender Essential Oil
• Filtered or Distilled Water
• 500 ml/16 oz Glass Spray Bottle

Instructions

1. Add vodka or rubbing alcohol to the spray bottle.
2. Add essential oils.
3. Top off with water.
4. Spray on linens or furniture to freshen up.

Notes

Feel free to substitute essential oils based on your preference.

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