The secret is out: Chemicals are everywhere, and not only are many of them dangerous to our health, but when it comes to the outside world, there’s only so much we can do to control our exposure. That’s why my family is shifting toward using as many natural and chemical-free products in our home as possible. Going natural is easier than you may think, and I have three favorite DIY recipes to help you replace chemical cleaners and beauty products with all-natural versions!
Homemade Febreze Recipe
One of the most insidious products in traditional cleaning arsenals are chemical air fresheners and room deodorizing sprays. Many of them contain more than 85 chemicals, including bronchial irritants. Pretty scary, especially when there’s a more natural way to tackle stinky spaces. Here’s an all-natural room freshening spray that you can use all over your pillows, in the bathroom, in shoes, on pet beds, in the car … so many possibilities! Plus, this recipe uses only four ingredients and can be customized to any fragrance combination you’d like. How’s that for a better solution?
You’ll need a 4 oz. glass spray bottle to store your mixture (Amazon.com and Whole Foods are easy places to find them) because some essential oils break down plastic. The vegetable glycerin is optional but does make a great dispersing agent alongside the witch hazel.
Ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp. witch hazel
- 40-60 drops of essential oils (see ideas below)
- Vegetable glycerin (optional)
- Distilled water (fill to top)
Directions:
- In the glass bottle, mix the witch hazel and vegetable glycerin (if using). Add in your essential oils.
- Fill the bottle to the top with distilled water.
- Shake each time before using, and spray everywhere it’s needed!
Favorite essential oils to use include lavender, lemon, ginger, orange, tea tree, rosemary, cinnamon, clove and peppermint. Try blending a few to customize the scent.
Homemade Household Cleaner
Want to make an all-purpose cleaner that’s safe to use around kids, pets and food? Of course you do! This easy recipe only has three ingredients, so it’s cost-effective as well. I used tea tree oil as the main ingredient in this cleaner, but there are other effective oils as well. Just be sure to use a glass container if using citrus oils, otherwise they’ll eat through the plastic!
Ingredients:
- Water
- 2 Tbsp. castile soap
- 15 drops tea tree oil
- 32 oz. spray bottle
Directions:
- Fill the bottle with water to just below the fill line (leaving room for the castile soap and essential oil).
- Put 2 Tbsp. of castile soap and 15 drops of tea tree oil into a spray bottle.
- Shake each time you use, and spray!
Homemade Dry Shampoo Recipe
There are some days I just don’t have time to wash my hair (shocker, I know!). That’s when dry shampoo became my best friend. It turns out making it myself was much easier than I thought, and it feels great knowing it’s chemical-free too. Plus, I can enhance it with hair-boosting essential oils so it supports healthy hair while adding texture as well!
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup arrowroot powder
- 1 Tbsp. baking soda
- 20 drops of essential oil (use your favorites, but lavender, rosemary, and tea tree are especially great for your hair)
- sugar shaker (as a container)
Directions:
- Place the above ingredients in a food processor and mix until combined. Pour into the sugar shaker and attach lid.
- For each application, sprinkle about 1 tsp. of the powder into your hair. Work it into your hair from scalp to ends using your fingers. Brush and style as usual. It works great if you apply the night before and sleep on it, too.
Moving towards a chemical-free home takes baby steps. I’ve found adding in a few new recipes for cleaning and beauty products each month has been helpful in replacing the unhealthy commercial products with fresh, natural ones without much effort or expense, and these three recipes are a superb place to start!
