About a week ago I was at our local library and stumbled across this book while I was looking for a decent sewing book. And over the years as I have learned more about natural cleaning products I’ve always thought how easy it seemed. Now I know it’s easy as I have dabbled lightly in it. And then I just decided to read more about the chemicals and what VOCs are and such. And I think I’ve decided to be done with things like Bleach and 409. I can’t believe I am saying this out loud (well, technically I’m typing it but you know what I mean!) as my mom is a professional house cleaner. She will have opinions and words to share about my desire to relinquish cleaning products that are staples in her line of work. But the more I read the more I am convinced of a different, better, healthier way.

There are probably a lot of good books out there and I have perused several. I like the layout of this one a lot. She also gives a list of websites and companies in the back where you can buy products. For me, buying something like Castile Soap is so strange that I need all the help I can get with regard to where to obtain some of this. The “crux” of the ingredients required seem basic enough. Things like Vinegar, Lemons, Baking Soda, Hot/Warm Water, Borax. And if you’re like me and you have a membership to a place like Costco – cha-ching – you can get some of those in bulk and be on your merry way to easy-peasy cleaning products.

Here are a few of the ones I am getting ready to try for the first time. I’ll be sure to report back on how it all goes!

The biggest thing to keep in mind is that you must, must, must do research. Don’t just jump on the bandwagon of the first thing that comes through town promising that it will solve all your problems. Do your research. There are plenty of website out there now to help you through this process. You also need to be careful about reading both sides of the story. Don’t just read information from people who sell the products or have some vest interest in your purchase. The author of this book went to great lengths to put together valid resources for her readers. One such resource is the information about the National Toxicology Program (http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov) who happens to be “a federal program whose mission is to evaluate agents of public health concern by developing and applying tools of modern toxicology and molecular biology. The NTP is attempting to identify what the effects of the more than 80,000 chemicals registered for use in the United States are and at what levels of exposure they may become hazardous to humans.” Pretty cool stuff, right? Okay, maybe cool isn’t the right word, but certainly good to have resources like them around!

I will let you know how it goes and Happy Cleaning!!