Times are getting tough. Money is getting scarce. Why should I keep buying products that are more and more expensive and are harmful to body and environment? We've been duped into thinking we have to have things a certain way: to look, smell, feel, taste, sound the way we expect them to be according to corporate say-so. Over the past ten years I've been slowly replacing commercial products with my own homemade formulations. Here are a few substitutes that have worked beautifully:
Bar Soap: A friend of mine who taught soap-making classes taught me how to make cold-process soap. I haven't bought a bar of commercial soap since. Even boutique bar soaps are too expensive for me at $6 or more a bar. It's DIY all the way with this. There are plenty of websites and books to use as guides.
Shampoo: I make my own bar shampoo, using glycerine as one of the ingredients. No waste, no plastic, and I know exactly what goes into it: oils, water, sodium hydroxide, glycerine, and essential or fragrance oils. With a vinegar rinse it cleanses gently, thoroughly, and no soap build-up. Shiny, clean-smelling hair every time.
Dish Soap: Forget the liquid dish detergent mentality! I bought a lovely wire soap dish and stuck it on the wall behind my kitchen sink. The wire allows the soap to drain and dry out when not in use. A natural brush, like a
Brooks from Switzerland, hangs next to the bar of homemade soap. I just wet the brush, rub it on the bar of soap and start the suds on dishes, pots and pans, whatever needs washing. Everything is simple, natural, and easy on the hands.
Tooth powder: What are you putting in your mouth? I make my own tooth powder that tightens gums and cleans tartar and plaque like a charm using baking soda, cosmetic clay, fine sea salt, powdered myrrh, natural peppermint oil and stevia powder (the last two ingredients are optional, for taste). My gums have tightened and my teeth have never felt so clean (I do use an electric toothbrush because I don't have dental insurance and I have to be sure that my teeth are clean...clean teeth don't decay. I also use dental floss, but neither of these two things are harmful to my health as far as I know.)
Deodorant: I make my own using baking soda, corn starch, cosmetic clay, and tea tree oil. Next time I want to experiment mixing these ingredients into melted coconut oil and letting it all harden. I don't think I'll pour it into blank deodorant containers because they're plastic, regardless of how much easier it would be to apply.
Household cleaners: I make my own all-purpose household cleaner using water, vinegar, liquid Castille soap, and borax in a sprayer. Essential or fragrance oil is optional. I use it on hard surfaces as well as for removing spots from fabrics. It works well on mirrors, counter tops, plastic, metal, enamel, you name it. For more scrubbing power I use a scrubby and the legendary Bon Ami scouring powder. Once in awhile I do use bleach (ugh) to clean around the toilet because it begins to stink with urine and whenever there's mold and mildew build-up. I haven't found a substitute for bleach yet, but I'm on the look-out.
How to Make Your Own Laundry Detergent: I haven't tried this yet, but I'm intrigued. You can find the recipe
here.
And lastly (for now), since we live in a rental and can't install a permanent gray water system, we save all our dish washing water to flush our toilet and warm our shower water in a bucket to water plants. We're also planning a way to save rain water.
