Green baby

I'm not really that into being super "green" for the sake of the planet/environment. If it doesn't cost me anything extra to help out, then that's fine. But I won't spend more money on "green" products just to save our planet. I'm more about the green and natural/organic stuff because I'm not into the effects of chemicals and all that nasty stuff. So...all that being said, I've made a few household changes.

First off, I've switched from the 409, bleach, windex, etc cleaning products to Method's cleaning products. I decided to try them out for a few reasons: 1) they are reasonable priced at about $3 a product (at Target); 2) I'm pregnant and was afraid to use all these other chemicals and breathe in the fumes and have anything seep into my skin and potentially harm our little one; 3) I had tried Green Works products and hated them...never felt like they actually cleaned...I started off with just one Method cleaning product and was completely awestruck with how well it worked (the tub and tile scrub)...I'm hooked! Plus, they're stuff just smells amazing. I'll admit I still use soft scrub on the stainless sink in the kitchen because nothing cleans a metal sink like that stuff.

Secondly, I started making my own laundry soap. I did this both for budget reasons and for personal reasons. I constantly felt like something was making me itch and noticed skin rashes (like hives) sometimes even though I was using "free and clear" detergent from the store. I also didn't want to have to buy a second detergent for baby clothes. The homemade stuff is amazing! Not only do I not itch anymore, but it works great, saves a ton of money, and is completely safe for little Eden.

Third...I would love to use only natural wipes, diapers, and baby products. However...they are expensive. Twice the price of normal diapers. So while I know I can't really afford to do it all the time, I'm going to try to buy them here and there. I think I'm going to use the Seventh Generation products. I've read some scary stuff about all the chemicals used in diapers now to keep all the mess "locked in" and to keep the baby dry. My poor niece had some horrible reactions to them. Knowing that both my hubby and I have a lot of allergies and extremely sensitive skin, our little girl is bound to have the same thing. I'm planning to make my own wipes for the most part (more on that to come), but I'll hopefully be able to buy the Seventh Generation wipes for backup when I run out or don't have time to make my own. I really wanted to do cloth diapers to solve this issue altogether, but my hubby was horrified/disgusted by the idea and refused to change diapers if I went that route. I guess you have to pick your battles, right? Unless she just can't handle disposables. Then I'll go cloth, and that's just the way it'll have to be.

Baby products...I had seen some of the natural and organic baby products at the store, but they're so much more expensive than the typical Johnson & Johnson products that I didn't feel I could justify the difference. Well, guess what? I did some reading and research on the Johnson & Johnson products (including their Aveeno line), and I found some extremely disturbing things. They have some pretty scary ingredients. And my niece also had some nasty reactions to these products. That was enough to convince me the money spent on organic products would be worth it. So I'm going for Dr. Bonner's all-natural castile baby soaps. Method also makes a few baby products I plan to try out.

Anyone else have any natural/organic suggestions for household or baby use?



**I was not paid or compensated in any way for posting about any of the products I mentioned. This is completely my opinion**

Homemade goods part 2

Last week I did a post on homemade laundry soap. Want a fabric softener recipe too?

You can use this same thing for either fabric softener in the wash or as dryer sheets...

Just add your choice of essential oil to some distilled white vinegar (put as much or as little as you want...depending on how heavily scented you want your clothes to be). I'm a major fan of eucalyptus. It kills dust mites and clears your sinuses. And smells ridiculously good. But you could really use any scent...Lavender, Rosewood, citrus scents, etc. If you want to put it in the wash (to replace liquid softener), simply add 1/4 cup of the scented vinegar to the last rinse cycle OR you can put it in the bleach compartment of your washer. Since I'm not always home for the last rinse cycle, I use the bleach compartment.

If you prefer to soften fabrics in the dryer or want the extra static reducer, just dip or mist a clean washcloth with the same scented vinegar mix and throw it in the dryer with your clothes. And you're done! And don't worry, your clothes won't smell like vinegar. And a note about the essential oils...don't waste your money on the super expensive ones in the store. Go to amazon. They're tons cheaper on there. The purpose of this is to save money, remember? My sister-in-law found another great website with excellent if you want to check it out here.

Have a pesky stain that needs a little more than just detergent? Here's all you need...
1 cup water
1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide
1/2 cup baking soda

Simply soak the soiled item(s) in your washer for 20 minutes to overnight depending on the stain (double or triple the recipe as needed for the amount of clothes), and then proceed to wash as normal!

I've been told you can skip the water and soaking and just add the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to your wash with the laundry soap for the same effect, but I have not tried it.

All three of these things are so simple, so easy, and so cost efficient. I'm SO glad I tried it. I love it. I'll never buy another thing of laundry soap, fabric softener, or stain remover!

Homemade goods part 1

Ok, fellow bloggers. If you are spending too much laundry detergent, you need to make your own!! I did it and it's absolutely wonderful and SO cost effective. Want the recipe (this is for powdered detergent)?

1 bar of soap (use Zote, Fels-Naptha, Ivory, or Kirk's Castile...I personally like the Kirk's Castile. It's all natural)
1 cup borax (use 20 Mule Team brand)
1 cup washing soda (Arm&Hammer)

Finely grate the bar of soap into a bowl. Stir in the borax and washing soda. Stir until well mixed, and voila! You have laundry detergent! And you only need 1-2 tablespoons per load (2 tablespoons for something heavily soiled, have a huge load, or if you just prefer that). If you only use 1 tablespoon, that's roughly 48 loads of wash! And it's CHEAP, people! And the borax box includes ideas for all sorts of other household uses. It's amazing stuff.

If you want to make more than this amount, you obviously just double, triple, etc the recipe. You can reduce the amount of borax or washing soda to your liking if you don't like this particular mix. It kind of depends on your water (whether it's soft or hard) and laundry needs. I like the higher concentrate because my hubby works in a job that soils his clothes pretty good, and the extra borax and washing soda add a stain fighter boost.

I must say...I've been using this recipe for a couple months, and I've noticed a difference. I feel like my clothes smell fresher and are softer. AND some of my clothes that used to make me itch (I have super sensitive skin) no longer make me itch! It's wonderful. And also VERY safe for baby clothes! You can find all the ingredients in the laundry aisle of your local Fred Meyer. I didn't have any luck finding them at Safeway or Target, so check Fred Meyer if you have one close by. Except the Ivory and Kirk's Castile soap. You'll find that in the soap isle, but the Zote and Fels-Naptha are specially made for laundry, so they'll be in the laundry isle.

One quick tip for the powdered detergent though...make sure you put the powder in the washer WITHOUT clothes. Let the water run until there are several cups of water in the bottom and the soap starts to dissolve...then add your clothes. If you don't do this, it won't ruin anything, but you might have little soap spots on your clothes. They'll come out the next time you wash them.