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 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.

When it comes to getting your carpet clean, there are few things more important to consider than the cleaners you use.

Green cleaners not only help to protect the environment against the potential for harmful chemical pollution, but can also cause respiratory and skin irritation for your family and pets.

Chemical Exposure

Traditional carpet cleaners use a bevy of chemicals to remove stains and make your carpets smell good. While they are effective in cleaning your carpets, they have also been implicated in the contribution to a number of health conditions including asthma and various allergies. They have also been shown to cause certain neurological conditions, immunosuppression and even cancer. These conditions have been seen in both humans and many pets after prolonged exposure.

Steam Cleaning

Professional carpet cleaning services often use steam cleaning as a form of green cleaning solution. When using steam, most carpet cleaning professionals don’t use chemicals at all to clean your carpets. The higher temperature and steam infusion loosens dirt and debris, allowing it to be removed manually. Steam has also been shown to be highly effective in the removal of dust mites, which are often the culprit for triggering allergic reactions.

Green Cleaning Preparations

There are also a number of green cleaning solutions that are used in conjunction with traditional hot water carpet cleaning and low flow carpet cleaning solutions. These products aid in the removal of pet stains and other stains by using naturally occurring enzymes and other certified green cleansers. Both surface cleaning solutions and pre treatment solutions are available in green cleaning preparations in order to ensure that there is no harmful chemical residue introduced into your home during the carpet cleaning process.

It is important to understand what carpet cleaning preparations are being used in your home before the technicians begin work. For example, if you are looking for Green Choice carpet cleaning Brooklyn and the company wants to use a surfactant that includes harsh chemical ingredients, it is important to know this ahead of time and find another company.

No matter what type of carpet you have, getting it cleaned regularly is the key to ensuring that your home is as clean as it looks on the surface. However, in order to ensure that you are cleaning your carpets rather than contributing to your indoor air pollution, using green carpet cleaning techniques is a must. When deciding on what carpet cleaning service to use, make sure you inquire about the company’s green carpet cleaning services.

Did you know laminate flooring comes in wood or tile/stone? I love the looks and ease of it. When we buy a house after the Air Force has finished moving us around, I will look into this!

Laminate flooring is extremely popular in today’s décor world, and for many good reasons! Not only is laminate flooring a beautiful and less expensive alternative to hardwood flooring, but laminate flooring is also extremely durable and easy to maintain. It is always recommended to check your manufacturer recommendations before using cleaners on your laminate floor.

Below are a few helpful tips to keep your laminate flooring beautiful and shining:

• Avoid soap based detergents.
• Avoid “mop and shine” products, as they can dull the film on your laminate flooring, causing permanent damage.
• Never use abrasive cleaners or any material that can scratch your floor.
• Never use wax or polish on your laminate floor.
• You can vacuum your laminate flooring with the wand attachment.
• Regular cleaning with a dust mop is highly recommended.
• Spills should be wiped up immediately with a cloth or sponge.
• Damp cloths and mops can be used, but it’s important to not over saturate your floor.
• Use only recommended laminate floor cleaning products.

Laminate flooring is a great addition to any home, and can last a lifetime with very little maintenance. If you’re considering installing laminate flooring, consider visiting your local Flooring America and speaking to their flooring professionals.

I love to clean my floors with my spray mop and its Velcro pad using warm water and essential oils such as Thieves or Citrus.