Crunchy Aunt Links <3
I’m the crunchy aunt, of course I… won’t gatekeep where I got all my favorite nontox products.
Filtering tap water is an easy and cost-effective way to improve the taste and quality of your drinking water. By removing impurities such as chlorine, lead, and bacteria, a water filter can provide you with cleaner and safer water for you and your family. I use the Santevia Gravity filter - it filters out everything we don’t want in our drinking water and then the mineral stones on the bottom add in essential trace minerals and raises pH up to 2 points, creating the perfect alkaline spring water for you and your family.
Synthetic fragrances in commercial air fresheners can contribute to indoor air pollution, releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be harmful to health, especially for children and pets. These VOCs can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, trigger asthma symptoms, and even contribute to more serious health issues with long-term exposure.
To create a safer alternative, you can make your own air freshener using natural ingredients. In a 200 ml continuous spray bottle combine 1/4 cup of witch hazel or rubbing alcohol with water in a spray bottle, and add 15 drops of sweet orange and 15 drops of geranium essential oil. Shake well before each use, and enjoy a fresh, non-toxic scent in your home.
Air purifiers play a crucial role in maintaining healthy indoor air quality by filtering out pollutants, allergens, and other particles. They can help reduce the risk of respiratory problems and allergies, especially in homes with children, elderly individuals, or people with asthma or other respiratory conditions.
In addition to air purifiers, plants can also act as natural air purifiers by absorbing harmful gasses and VOCs through their leaves and roots. Some of the best air-purifying plants include the spider plant, pothos, peace lily, snake plant, and aloe vera. These plants not only enhance the aesthetic of your home but also contribute to a cleaner and healthier indoor environment.
Essential oils offer a natural and nontoxic way to create a fresh-smelling home. They can be used in a variety of DIY recipes for cleaning, personal care, and beauty products.
For cleaning, essential oils like tea tree, lemon, and lavender have antimicrobial properties that can help disinfect surfaces. In personal care products, oils like rosemary can help boost hair growth, sweet orange and frankincense can be added to your face moisturizer to boost collagen and glowing skin, and lavender can be used before bedtime for restful sleep.
When used properly, essential oils can provide a safe and effective alternative to synthetic fragrances, allowing you to enjoy a clean and fresh-smelling home without the use of harsh chemicals.
DIY Laundry detergent
Using nontoxic laundry detergent is important for several reasons. Traditional laundry detergents often contain harsh chemicals and fragrances that can irritate the skin, especially for those with sensitive skin or allergies. These chemicals can also be harmful to the environment, especially when they are washed down the drain.
Making your own nontoxic laundry detergent is easy and cost-effective. Simply mix 1 cup of liquid Castile soap with 2 cups of water and add 30 drops of lavender essential oil for a pleasant scent. This homemade detergent is gentle on clothes and skin, while also being environmentally friendly.
DIY Scent boosters
Grocery store-bought scent boosters often contain a cocktail of synthetic fragrances and chemicals that can be harmful to both your health and the environment. These ingredients can cause skin irritation, trigger allergies, and contribute to indoor air pollution.
A safer and more natural alternative is to make your own scent boosters at home. Simply mix 2 cups of Epsom salts with 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. This DIY version adds a fresh scent to your laundry without the use of harmful chemicals, leaving your clothes smelling great and your conscience clear.
DIY All Purpose Cleaner
Making your own DIY all-purpose cleaner is not only simple but also has many benefits. Mix 1 cup of water with 1 cup of vinegar and add 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Lemon oil is a powerful natural cleaner with antibacterial properties, making it great for killing germs and bacteria on surfaces.
This homemade cleaner is effective, non-toxic, and eco-friendly, making it safe to use around your family and pets. Plus, it leaves behind a fresh and invigorating scent, leaving your home clean and smelling great.
DIY Dish soap
Making your own dishwashing soap is not only simple and cost-effective but also as effective as store-bought alternatives. To make your own, you'll need 2 1/2 cups of filtered water, 1 1/2 cups of liquid Castile soap, 30 drops of lemon essential oil, and optionally, 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel for added skin-soothing properties.
Mix these ingredients together in a bottle and use it like you would any other dish soap. The Castile soap acts as a gentle cleanser, while the essential oils provide a pleasant scent and potential antimicrobial properties. The aloe vera gel can help keep your hands soft and moisturized, making this DIY dish soap a great alternative to store-bought options. Plus, you can customize the scent to your liking, making dishwashing a more enjoyable task.
DIY Hand soap
Making your own hand soap is a simple, nontoxic, and affordable way to ensure that you're using safe ingredients on your skin. To make your own, all you need is 3/4 cup of water, 1/4 cup of liquid Castile soap, and 10 drops of your favorite essential.
Simply mix these ingredients together in a foaming pump bottle, and you have a gentle and effective hand soap that cleanses without harsh chemicals. This DIY hand soap is not only better for your skin but also better for the environment, as you can reuse the same bottle and reduce waste from single-use plastic hand soap containers.
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