How to Clean Your Washing Machine

We can't talk about washing your clothes if your washing machine has never been cleaned!

If you've been following me for awhile, you know I would never recommend anything made with toxic ingredients. Now, more than ever, we need to keep things clean and safe (and not lower our immunity with toxins)!

Image : Amazon, Spectrum Organic White Distilled Vinegar

When using white vinegar, I like to use the Spectrum brand since it comes in a glass bottle (bye, bye plastic!), and it doesn't have any fillers or synthetics.

Image : Amazon, Meliora Unscented Laundry Powder

Meliora means "better" in Latin and I just love everything about this certified B corporation, 100% single-use plastic free, Leaping Bunny Certified, non-toxic cleaning product company!

Not only is this unscented laundry powder made with the exact 3 ingredients in my homemade recipe (baking soda, washing soda and castile soap), but it's a Chicago-based company with a wide range of non-toxic, sustainable products from an all-purpose cleaning (sold in a glass spray bottle -- just buy the flakes when you need to refill it), to an non-toxic oxygen brightener (great bleach alternative since bleach weakens fibers immensely), to a non-toxic stain stick.

And here's the key - these products really work! :)

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Want to reduce how many toxins your body absorbs by making your environment as clean as possible?

I've put everything I know about switching away from toxic beauty products, a $30 shower head filter that removes nasty chlorine (say goodbye to dry, flaky skin!), non-toxic cookware, alternative to aluminum foil and more in this online course.

It includes resources and products to make your kitchen, bedroom and bathroom (and all the products we use and absorb there), as clean and as simple as can be. No harmful ingredients allowed! :)

And, everything is linked to products available on Amazon - super easy! The course also includes oil free, gluten free, and dairy free recipes so you can be giving your body the least mucus forming and clean foods possible!

CLICK HERE to check it out!

Psssst - And more non-toxic options are available on this blog under the “natural products” category. Please let me know if you have any questions or how I can help! :)

Non-toxic Laundry Detergent

This homemade laundry detergent is easy, non-toxic, and will save you tons of MONEY!  Plus, it eliminates buying those big, single-use plastic tubs.  This recipe is safe for you and your family (our skin is our largest organ and chemical filled detergents means your body is absorbing harmful toxins daily from pjs to jeans and workout clothes!). 

Plus, this laundry detergent lasts forever (I've reduced it twice and it still lasts me over 1 year!)

Use 1/8 cup per load.  I store this in glass Ball jars I bought at Bed, Bath & Beyond.  

You can buy washing soda on Amazon (it comes in a big box, just like baking soda) or you can make your own --------> Spread baking soda on a sheet pan and bake in the oven for 1 hour at 400 degrees.  Viola!  You have washing soda.

For the grated castile soap, 1 bar is a little less than 1 cup.

If you don't want to make your own laundry detergent, you can buy this same mixture (in a glass jar), from The Simply Co. 

Do you make your own laundry detergent or other home products?  I'd love to hear what's worked for you!  Please let me know in the comment section below. 

I think every step in the right direction is building a new kind of world - one where we can get back to the simple, non-toxic items that worked.  Mother Nature is pretty powerful.  :)

*  This recipe was originally posted by Organic Olivia.  She is an amazing resource for all things healthy and getting to the root cause of illnesses.  Please check her out on the web, Instagram and Snapchat!

I Can Eat My Deodorant!

Really!  I can!  I've been making my own deodorant for a few years now (actually my mom makes it and we split it), but this is a great thing to do for many reasons. 

I opted to make my own because, well, I don't want them finding aluminum in my brain (linked to several illnesses). 

It's also better for your clothes since it's a natural substance.  It isn't as harsh on the fibers and, it really works!  (Trust me, I do Cheerobix, which burns 600 calories/hour, and I don't stink after class :).  It's also inexpensive and lasts for several months.

Here's the recipe.  This calls for grapefruit essential oil, but you can add whatever you like - lavender, lemon, or leave it out completely. 

And remember, coconut oil should be unrefined - not refined.  Refined is processed and can be too hard on the liver.  As for essential oil, make sure you're buying the good stuff, i.e. 100% pure.  You don't want to be putting synthetics into your body, especially through the skin when there is no filter.

Just like the recipe states, I keep mine in a glass jar.  It will get softer in the summer months, and in the winter, your body heat will help it melt and glide on easily. 

This is a great deodorant recipe for both genders and if you're interested in how I've removed all the chemicals from my beauty routine, please subscribe to my blog, sign up for my free monthly newsletter (see the margin to the right :), or check back. 
 

Men - you might not use as many "beauty products" as women, but it's still a good idea to remove chemical-filled products from your life.  There's no way our bodies (and poor liver!), can filter everything!  A good place to start is Dr. Bronner's.  This is a picture I took of their shaving cream at Whole Foods.  Their products are organic, certified fair trade and non-toxic. 

I've spent 4 years figuring out what brands are easy to buy, find, and what I can make on my own that doesn't take up tons of time (or money). 

From shampoo to laundry detergent to lotion, lipstick and more, it's been an interesting journey and I'm thrilled to help others live a healthy, toxic-free life!

Here's my favorite account to follow on Instagram regarding natural health, including a recipe for homemade laundry detergent (that last 1 year! - talk about inexpensive :) and other recommend brands.  (And yes, washing soda is a thing -- that's not a typo :).

This girl really knows her stuff!  The things she posts, blows my mind (be sure to check out the Instagram post about music - the vibration has been lowered from 432 hz to 440 hz!).  Even if you're not on Instagram, you can still check out her blog (just Google, 'Organic Olivia').

Here's a blog post I wrote about toxic-free, 100% natural moisturizer, night cream, blush, foundation, mascara and more.

I'd love to know what products you use that are non-toxic and easy to find or make.  I believe we can get back to how nature intended and away from so many chemicals.  Our bodies, our planet and the future is depending on it.  :)