Our journey to being chemical-free began years ago.
I never would have thought I would be a crunchy mom, but I am proud!
We’re on a journey – often with baby steps, sometimes doing the cha-cha or completely backsliding (and regretting it), but we realize that we’re so much healthier now than we were just a year ago. We’ve come so far!
We’re making a synthetic chemical-free home for our children to grow up healthy.
Chemical Free Food
We first eliminated dyes and chemicals in our food about seven years ago to help our eldest daughter with her focusing problems.
We knew it was a good decision and saw immediate results. We learned how to eat better and our pantry looks very different than it did ten years ago!
It was a gradual process with many ups and downs. We had to learn a new way of life. Some days were really hard.
We often do a cleanse after holidays or trips with a Whole30.
We mostly drink water. The kids know any juice is a treat. Homemade soda (in our Soda Stream) is a very special treat. I am thankful that the German foods and drinks are less chemical than the American ones.
We eventually adopted a way of natural eating that works for us. I don’t freak out too much if someone hands my kids a fruit rollup or cup of Kool Aid.
My kids are learning better choices and often choose the healthier alternative without being prompted because they know how the dyes and chemicals negatively affect their bodies. They prefer to feel good in lieu of the instant gratification of the fun flavors. And they read labels. They’re learning to be good stewards of their bodies.
We’re getting into fermenting now with kombucha and kraut!
Chemical Free Cleaning
Most of the commercial cleaners available in stores are very unhealthy and exacerbate allergies and illness.
When we quit using those, we felt so much better!
We use natural cleaners for most of our home cleaning. We often make our own glass cleaner, laundry soap, and dish detergents.
Vinegar and baking soda are favorite cleaning staples. I add essential oils for extra clean scents.
We use fragrance-free and dye-free laundry detergent. We love Seventh Generation or the Costco alternative, but we need to make our own since I can’t find those here. I hang dry all our clothing – except underwear. We don’t use fabric softener.
We don’t use air fresheners, scented candles, wicks, wall plugs, or wax melts in our home, office, or cars. I diffuse essential oils. Diffusers are safer than hot wax or messy chemical liquids. My husband gets very irritated to the scents in chemical air fresheners but he loves the diffused essential oils! Check out these diffusers for under $50!
We also like having houseplants to freshen the air and make it pretty.
Chemical Free Body Care
This was our most recent change in our journey to being a chemical-free home.
We started using the natural laundry soap when our second child was born and had such sensitive skin.
We realized the chemicals we use on our skin can be just as harmful (or more so) as the chemicals we could ingest.
Several of us have suffered from dry and irritated skin for years with no explanation. Removing the chemicals from our body care helps.
We love natural products for hair, face, and body.
Liz and I use natural makeup from Cowgirl Dirt and Lemongrass Spa.
I make DIY products for skin and face with natural ingredients and essential oils for our family and friends.
Resources:
- Simply Clean: The Proven Method for Keeping Your Home Organized, Clean, and Beautiful in Just 10 Minutes a Day by Becky Rapinchuk
- How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind: Dealing with Your House’s Dirty Little Secrets by Dana K. White
- Cleaning House: A Mom’s Twelve-Month Experiment to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement by Kay Wills Wyma
- Unstuffed: Decluttering Your Home, Mind, and Soul by Ruth Soukup
- Say Goodbye to Survival Mode: 9 Simple Strategies to Stress Less, Sleep More, and Restore Your Passion for Life by Crystal Paine
- Love the Home You Have: Simple Ways to…Embrace Your Style *Get Organized *Delight in Where You Are by Melissa Michaels
- CHAOS to Clean: in 31 Easy BabySteps by Marla Cilley
- Having a Martha Home the Mary Way: 31 Days to a Clean House and a Satisfied Soul by Sarah Mae
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