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A Crazy Wonderful Life

wellness

3 Favorite Non-Toxic Cleaning Products

As a mom, I am very picky about what I use in my home. Since my struggle with infertility and the research I did during that time, I have found that many of the common household products that are available in stores contain harmful ingredients. Through several years of trial and error, I have finally found household cleaners that I am comfortable using in my home with my family that actually work well and get the job done! Below are my top 3 favorite non-toxic cleaning products.

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#1 Favorite Non-Toxic Cleaning Product:

Thieves Household Cleaner

Around eight years ago, I began researching causes for infertility during my long struggle to get pregnant. In my research, I found that many household products contained harmful chemicals that could have been contributing to my issues. One of the first products I switched out was my household all-purpose cleaner. Thieves Household Cleaner is my absolute favorite thing to clean with. It is formulated with the Thieves blend essential oil plus other plant-based ingredients. I love it because It is safe to use on all surfaces and around children and pets. It smells amazing and is actually good for you!

When I clean with this non-toxic household cleaner, I mix one to two capfuls with a splash of vinegar and around ten drops of lemon essential oil in a glass spray bottle. I then fill the bottle with water and shake it. The cleaner is super concentrated, so one bottle lasts several months, making it more cost-effective than other store-bought cleaners that are watered down in addition to containing harmful chemicals. This is why Thieves is my favorite non-toxic cleaning product.

#2 Favorite Non-Toxic Cleaning Product:

Force of Nature

Another of my top non-toxic cleaners is Force of Nature Disinfectant Cleaner. I was recently gifted this cleaner, and I really like it! It is an EPA-certified disinfectant that cleans and disinfects just as effectively as bleach without all of the harsh chemicals. The only ingredients in this cleaner are water, vinegar, and salt. This cleaner is concentrated, and you mix it with water and put in on a base that ionizes the solution to activate the disinfectant powers!

The cleaning package comes with a base, the cleaner concentrate, and a spray bottle. It is great to use after I have been preparing raw meat in my kitchen, cleaning my bathrooms, or spraying on surfaces when someone in my home has been sick. I also use it as a fabric refresher. I received my cleaning bundle in December (5 months ago), and I have not had to reorder yet. It lasts a long time and works really well, which makes it one of my favorite non-toxic cleaning products.

#3 Favorite Non-Toxic Cleaning Product:

Branch Basics

Lastly, my third favorite cleaner that I like to use is Branch Basics. I like this cleaner because it is so versatile. One bottle of plant-based concentrate can be used for all of your cleaning needs: all-purpose, bathrooms, glass, laundry, and even hand soap! Their starter kit comes with a bottle of concentrate and empty bottles for all your household cleaning needs! You just follow the directions provided and mix the recommended amount of concentrate for each cleaning need. I am confident this cleaner will become one of your favorite non-toxic cleaning products!

As a mom, I believe that I am the gatekeeper of my home. I decide what products we use, and I choose products that I believe are safe and healthy for my family. What are your favorite non-toxic cleaning products? I’d love to hear from you!

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5 Mom-Tested, Natural Remedies for Sickness

I don’t know about your family, but it seems like my family has been sick more this fall/winter season than we have in the past few years. When we are sick, I try to support our bodies by using natural remedies for sickness rather than go to the doctor for prescription medications. Don’t get me wrong; I am thankful for Western medicine. It definitely has its benefits, but for common illnesses, I prefer to support our bodies’ natural ability to heal by using natural remedies for sickness.

My Top 5 Natural Remedies for Sickness

#1- Detox Baths

As soon as I notice that one of my kids or husband is sick, the very first thing I do is put them in a detox bath. More times than not, this is the only natural remedy that I have to use. The combination of Epsom salts, baking soda, and essential oils in a lukewarm or hot bath (lukewarm if they are running a fever) helps to draw out toxins which helps my family get over sickness very quickly. If the sickness does persist, I will give them a detox bath everyday until their symptoms are gone. My go-to detox bath recipe is:

  • ½ cup of epsom salt
  • ½ cup of baking soda
  • 5-10 drops of essential oils (I use 5 drops for my kids and 10 for my husband. I typically use lavender, but for me or my husband, I will also use eucalyptus)
  • Add all to a lukewarm or hot bath and soak for at least 15 minutes.
  • Make sure to hydrate after!

#2- Elderberry Syrup

Another of my go-to natural remedies is elderberry syrup. Elderberry syrup is a powerful tool in my natural medicine toolbox. According to WebMd, “Elderberry syrup is known as a powerful cold preventative and remedy. Just one cup of berries contains about 40% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C. It’s also a great source of antioxidants — which may protect your cells from damage and help prevent heart disease and cancer.”

 I make a batch of this at the beginning of the fall, and we take a teaspoon every day to help build our immune systems. When sickness strikes, I up our dose to 1 tbsp three times a day for myself and my husband and one tsp three times a day for my kids. I had the flu a few weeks ago and took this three times a day. It really helped me recover quickly.  Go here for my favorite InstantPot elderberry syrup recipe.

#3- Cold/Wet Washcloth

This may seem like a silly one, but I promise it helps. Anything that my kids come down with, fever, tummy problems, snotty nose, they ask for a cold, wet washcloth. I just put a clean washcloth under cold water and then place it around the back of their neck. If they have a fever, it helps to keep them comfortable, and if they are nauseous, it helps to calm that as well. Sometimes the simple things can make a big difference.

#4- Cold/Wet Socks

Another remedy that I use is the cold/wet sock method. I saw this on a few holistic Instagram accounts that I follow, so I decided to try it out. Basically, you take a pair of cotton socks and soak them in a bowl or sink of ice water. While they are soaking, give your kids a nice, warm bath (maybe a detox bath). Make sure not to skip the warm bath step. It is an important step to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment. After their bath, put the cold, wet socks on their feet then cover with a pair of wool socks. Have them sleep in the socks and take them off the next morning. This article explains the why and how to correctly use the wet sock method. My kids beg for this treatment when they are sick. They love it, and I really can tell a difference in their condition after using this method. I used it on myself when I had the flu, and it really helped reduce my fever.

#5- Essential Oils

Essential oils are used in our house every day for everything, so naturally we use them when we are sick. When using essential oils, sourcing is very important. Using high quality essential oils can help support your body naturally when battling a sickness. My favorite oils to use for sickness are Thieves blend, Raven, R.C., lavender, lemon, frankincense, and eucalyptus. I dilute each with coconut oil and apply topically, and I also diffuse them into the air using an essential oil diffuser. My favorite night time blend for sickness is two drops each of lavender, frankincense, and lemon in a diffuser. All of these oils are safe for kids and can help to relieve congestion and promote restful sleep. 

Even though we try to live a healthy lifestyle, we still get sick from time to time. However, I have found that we recover more quickly using these natural remedies for sickness than we did when we only used prescription medications. I can also feel confident that I am supporting our bodies and helping to strengthen our immune systems so that, in the future, we won’t get sick as often. 

What are your favorite natural remedies for sickness? I’d love to hear from you!