We’d all like to use more natural products in our homes, but sometimes it can be daunting to figure out what we can swap with our old products. We’ve got some tips on how you can make the switch and create a healthier home.
In the kitchen
The kitchen is a great place to start with making some changes. In our post about incorporating essential oils into your life, we shared a few recipes for more natural cleaning products you can make. Here are some other natural swaps:
- Instead of using bleach to clean your sink drain, you can use hot saltwater. Mix a radio of ¼ cup of salt to 8 cups of water and heat on the stove to about 200 degrees. Make sure not to boil the water so you don’t damage your pipes and pour the hot water directly down the drain.
- Have baked-on gunk in your oven? Take a box of baking soda, mix it with a tablespoon of salt, and a few tablespoons of water until you get a thick paste. Spread the paste on the affected areas, close the oven and leave overnight. Once the mixture has hardened, you can use a spatula to remove most of the mix, and then follow with wet paper towels to take care of the rest.
- Ditch the paper towels! Buy a roll of washable cloths that will hang on a regular paper towel roll and toss in the wash when they’re dirty.
In the laundry room
- Instead of dryer sheets, use wool dryer balls. They’ll soften your clothes without the residue that dryer sheets leave. You can even add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to make your clothes smell heavenly when you pull them out.
- Make your own stain remover by mixing one part dish soap, one tablespoon of baking soda and two parts hydrogen peroxide together into a paste and store in an airtight container. When you have a stain, use an old toothbrush to spread the mixture on the stain. Let sit for an hour and launder as usual.
- White vinegar has so many uses, including as a fabric softener! Simply add ¼ to ½ cup distilled white vinegar to your laundry during the last rinse cycle. The vinegar will also help with brightening your clothes as well.
In the bathroom
- Think about switching out your regular toothpaste for a more natural version. Look for ingredients like xylitol, hydrated silica, and mint.
- Make your own toilet bowl cleaner using half a cup of baking soda, one cup of distilled white vinegar, and a half a teaspoon of tea tree essential oil. Mix the vinegar and the tea tree oil in a spray bottle, spray on the bowl and let it sit for a moment. Then sprinkle the baking soda into the bowl, and scrub while the baking soda reacts with the vinegar.
- To help clean up soap scum in the bath or shower, mix one cup of white vinegar, four teaspoons of dish soap (unscented works best), 10 drops of tea tree oil, and ten drops of eucalyptus oil in a spray bottle. Shake well before spraying on your tub or shower and let it sit for five to ten minutes. Wipe clean with a rag.
It can be hard to know where to start when making natural swaps in your home but start with just one or two of our tips and you’ll start to see the benefits.