Swift Runner Ministries

Replacement Recipes for Personal Care Products and Cleaners

First just a few tips I found

6 Steps to Create a Healthier Home

We live in a very toxic world today from the air we breathe, the food we eat to the products we use everyday in our homes.  According to the Environmental Working Group, environmental toxins have been linked to increases in asthma, allergies, eczema, cancer, birth defects, auto-immune diseases as well as learning and behavioral disorders. One of the most pressing health concerns of the Environmental Protection Agency is indoor air pollution.

One of the easiest things we can do to decrease the amount of toxins in our environment and improve our health is to switch to environmentally safe products. Common everyday products like moisturizers, shampoos, sunscreens and shaving cream as well as household cleaning and laundry products usually contain toxic ingredients that are known carcinogens, endocrine disrupters and a host of other chemicals that have never even been tested for their safety. As consumers, we can make an impact by shifting our spending towards more environmentally responsible companies. If we educate ourselves, we can make better choices that are healthier and safer for us and the world we live in.

Here are 6 easy steps you can do to create a healthier home:

  Step 1:  Educate yourself

If you’ve read about the research on environmental toxins and  health then congratulations because you’ve already taken  this first step!  You are in charge of the health of  your home and family and  you  CAN make a difference.  Be aware that many of the chemical ingredients in consumer products contain known carcinogens and endocrine disrupters and many other chemicals that have NOT been tested for safety.  Current government regulations do NOT adequately protect the consumer and  health experts warn that asthma, allergies, eczema, cancer as well as learning and behavioral disorders are on the rise due to environmental toxins.

 Step 2: Create a Pesticide-Free Home

Pesticides are any ingredients designed to kill other living organisms.  Disinfectants including chlorine bleach and Lysol are included in this category.  Eliminate the use of pesticides in your home and garden and look for safer alternatives.  Avoid using chlorine bleach and Lysol.  Instead choose disinfectants that use natural ingredients that have been proven by the EPA to kill germs.  Choosing ORGANIC FOOD whenever possible is highly recommended because some pesticides can’t be washed off the food.  Check out the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” list of the fruits and vegetables that have been found to have the highest amounts of pesticide.

  Step 3: Avoid the use of Aerosol Propellants

Aerosols contain dangerous chemical propellants that contribute to indoor and outdoor smog and  health problems including lung irritations, asthma symptoms and even central nervous system damage.  These products include hair spray, aerosol deodorants, air fresheners like Glade and strong disinfectants.

 Step 4: Get Rid of Stored Toxic Products

Go around your house with a box labeled TOXIC and fill it with products you don’t use, don’t need and definitely don’t want including pesticides, harsh cleaners, solvents, paints, any aerosol can and even your air fresheners.  Remember, even while stored, products emit Volatile Organic Compounds which create harmful indoor air pollution.  Household cleaning products are considered HAZARDOUS WASTE and must be disposed of safely at  the Hazardous Waste Facility in your area.

 Step 5: Air It Out

The problem with energy efficient homes is that they keep air pollution inside.  The EPA estimates indoor air is up to 5 times more polluted than  outdoor air.  Just 15 minutes of open air exchange can change the air in your entire home.  Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) out-gas from dry-cleaned clothes, cleaning products, new carpet and new furniture causing respiratory and other illnesses.  The dishwasher is one of the biggest AIR polluters in your home; it strips chemicals in the water and detergent and puts them  into gas.  If you’re using chemical dish detergents containing chlorine, do not open while it’s running; ventilate while it’s running; and wait one hour to open after complete.  Reduce pollution with filtered water and try an environmentally safe detergent that’s phosphate and chlorine free.

Step 6: Use Safer Products

Look at the products you use every day and switch to non-toxic alternatives.  Get rid of household cleaners that have labels of DANGER or WARNING.  As a consumer, you do have a choice on what  types of products you bring into your home.  Choose non-toxic household and  personal care products that use naturally derived ingredients that are healthier and safer for you, your family and the environment.

 Taken from thepartnersfornaturalhealth.com

Also watch out for benzene and formaldehyde 

Personal Care Products

 Easy Beeswax Lotion

1 c. olive oil (I've heard of some people using almond oil also)

1/2 c. coconut oil

1/2 c. beeswax (I prefer the pastilles for easy melting, if using solid beeswax use 2 oz.)

1/2 t. Vitamin E oil (or about 5 capsules cut open and squeezed out) (optional, I left this out.)

20 drops (approximately) essential oil (optional, I left this out)

 Combine olive oil, coconut oil and beeswax pastilles into a pint sized canning jar. Put this jar into a saucepan and fill the saucepan with water until it comes 3/4 of the way up the canning jar, being careful not to get water into the oil mixture. Put on the stove over medium/low heat. Heat and stir occasionally until melted. Let cool to room temperature either by leaving out or quicken the process by putting into the refrigerator. During the cooling process, put a fork into the jar and stir vigorously every 15 minutes or so. Once at room temperature, add in the Vitamin E and essential oil. That’s it. You have lotion!

Note: We have really enjoyed this lotion.  It is a little greasier than traditional lotion, but is so good for your skin.  It has really help some people with peeling skin on their feet.  It also make a good lip balm which, of course, could be edible, but if you eat it you won't have any lotion.  I don't think we'd ever trade it for the old chemical kind.

 Easy Shampoo

You need:

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup liquid Castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)

1/2 teaspoon oil (like jojoba, olive oil, or grapeseed)

Mix all the ingredients into a plastic or glass bottle and you’re good to go!

We personally, have had a good experience with this shampoo.  It's not thick like regular shampoo, but it seems to work for all our hair types.  If you have oily hair you may have to wash it a little more often.  I have dry hair and have never been able to get away with not using conditioner, but I haven't had to use any since implementing this shampoo. 

Some people have told me they just use baking soda to wash their hair.  I personally did not find this to work too well because my hair was already dry.  A friend of mine uses baking soda and apple cider vinegar, and although I wouldn't eat this combination, it would definitely be preferable to cancer causing formaldehyde that is  in many of the commercial shampoos.

Baking Soda Shampoo

Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 3 cups water (this will make enough for several washings). Store in a plastic or glass container. You can also make it one serving at a time. Mix 1 Tablespoon of baking soda with 1 cup of warm water.

When you’re ready to use, shake and apply to your scalp, scrubbing it in.

After you’ve scrubbed your scalp with the baking soda, rinse with 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar. You can also use 1 Tablespoon of vinegar mixed with 1 cup of water for a lighter mixture.

The biggest benefit to using baking soda is that it really helps get rid of the buildup that settles on your scalp from other hair care products. But, you have to rinse with vinegar if you want your hair feeling as light and fluffy as it always does. Alone, baking soda has a tendency to dry hair out.

Homemade Coconut Milk Shampoo:

My sister-in-law had been swimming in a chlorinated pool three times a week and felt the plain castile soap shampoo did not rehydrate her hair enough.  She seemed quite pleased with this one, so you might used it for dry and damaged hair.

1/4 cup coconut milk

1/3 cup liquid castile soap

1 tsp vitamin E, olive or almond oil ( I think she left this out.)

10 to 20 drops your choice of essential oils (I think she also left  this out)

Combine all ingredients in a shampoo bottle or jar and shake well to mix.  You can keep it in the shower for up to one month…just shake before use.

Use about a teaspoon every time you shampoo. This shampoo lathers up well.

 Homemade Earthpaste- No Baking Soda

1/4 cup bentonite clay

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1/4 teaspoon RealSalt or other unrefined sea salt

6 drops peppermint essential oil *

3 drops tea tree essential oil ( I left this out)

Water

*(My change: Boil water with peppermint leaves for flavor. This will change the color of the paste, but was what I had, will work but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it if you want pretty paste)

Find a small, sturdy glass jar with an air-tight lid.  Add all ingredients except the water.  Mix in water (preferably filtered) one tablespoon at a time until a thick paste has formed–it won’t take much.   Brush!

 Cleaning Products

Goo Be-Gone

1 part coconut oil 

1 part baking soda

Mix together. This removes the sticky goo after you remove a sticker label off of plastic or glass.  Rinse with soap and water. 

 Glass cleaner

 2 cups water

¼ cup white distilled vinegar

Mix in a spray bottle and you will have a window cleaner that does not streak and is nontoxic.

White Vinegar as a Fabric Softener

 Distilled white vinegar can be used as a fabric softener. 1/4 to 3/4 cup to the final rinse cycle. If you have a liquid-fabric-softener dispenser feature on your washer, you can add it there. I use a refillable fabric-softener/laundry ball and add vinegar instead of retail fabric softener. Once the laundry is dry, you won’t smell the vinegar on your clothing. You’ll discover it also helps keep colors bright, prevents lint, aids in odor removal and fights stains. It is very good at removing a urine smell if you have potty training children.

Borax Free Homemade Laundry Detergent Formula

2 Tbsp Baking Soda

1 Tbsp Grated Castile Soap 

1 Tbsp  Citric Acid (if it's whites)

1 C Distilled White Vinegar in the Fabric Softener Compartment ( I just fill the little downy ball, just like fabric softener)

Again, I scoop the powder separately without mixing them since I want to make sure I am getting the right amount for each. (It's best to sprinkle this around, not dump it all in one place.  Also  the castile soap should be grated quite finely.)

 Toilet Bowl Cleaner

 2 cups water; 2 cups white vinegar (only use white do not use apple cider or other flavored vinegar)

 1 cup hydrogen peroxide (the kind that comes in a brown bottle and is commonly found in first aid kits)

 2 1/2 cups baking soda (generic brand baking soda will work just as well as name brand)

 You can also add 50 to 60 drops of a naturally antiseptic oil such as lemon, lavender, orange or grapefruit to add a pleasant scent to the blend and to boost the toilet cleaner's disinfecting power. (I haven't added this to mine, but it might keep the liquid from running down so quick.)

Yields 2 toilet bowl cleaner bottles approx..

Begin making this recipe by combining the water, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in the mixing bowl and stir it well with the wooden or plastic spoon. If you choose to use essential oil, add it at this time and then stir the blend again. Once the blend is thoroughly mixed pour it into the plastic bottle to store it and replace the lid.

Don't add the baking soda yet, because the baking soda will react with the vinegar and peroxide causing a great deal of fizzing. This fizzing reaction will help you clean the toilet so I suggest you add it as you are cleaning. Baking soda is also naturally abrasive, adding it last will ensure some of it is un-dissolved giving you more scrubbing power.

Note: When I followed this recipe I used old toilet bowl cleaner bottles for the liquid part and a large spice container with good sized holes to sprinkle the baking soda with.  Let this fizz a little while before scrubbing.

Homemade Soft Scrub for Bath and Tile

Make this in small batches because it can dry out and harden when stored.  Keep any remaining mixture in an air tight container. This scrub can also be used to clean the toilet.

Ingredients

3/4 cup baking soda (slightly heaped)

1/4 cup castile soap

1 Tablespoon water ( I think I used more)

Method

In a bowl, combine the baking soda and castile soap. Add the water and stir with a fork. Stir to make a nice soft, paste-like, consistency.

Scoop out the scrub with a sponge and start cleaning.  We have really enjoyed this cleaner.  It seemed to make a pretty nice laundry spot  remover also.

Homemade Dish Soap (No toxic foaming agent-If you want bubbles this soap is not for you)

1 1/4 C boiling water

1/4 C (tightly packed) grated (homemade) soap*

1/4 C castile soap

1-1.25 T super washing soda (adjust amount for thickness)

10-30 drops essential oils (optional)

Good choices for this are always of the tea tree-sweet orange-lemongrass-lavender-eucalyptus-pine-rosemary-peppermint varieties. 

In a pint jar, (with a homemade dispenser top), combine soap flakes, (an old-fashioned lye soap works well), and boiling water.  Stir with a fork until all flakes are dissolved.  Add soda and stir.  Add castile soap.  Stir.  Allow to cool and add essential oils of your choice.  I like to give it a shake or a stir every now and again as it sometimes has a tendency to separate. You also may have to add more water if it get's too stiff. 

  (*sometimes I just double the liquid castile soap and eliminate the grated soap.)

 We will add more recipes as they are tested and approved.