Why avoid commercial products? Well, for one they are not required to list the ingredients in their product. Take a look at your dishwasher detergent for example. It has warnings that it is toxic and maybe lists a single active ingredient. Thousands of chemicals are used in cleaning supplies, and only a fraction of them have been tested for their safety. With the following recipes, you will be using time-tested and well-known chemicals. Moreover, they cost a fraction of the price of their commercial counterparts.
All Purpose Cleaner
Mix the following in a spray bottle:
- 1/2 t. soda ash (also known as washing soda)
- 1/2 t. dish soap
- 2 T. borax
- 2 c. water
Dishwasher Detergent
I was skeptical at first that I could produce something that would wash my dishes effectively this easily, but I tried it out with a dishwasher full of problematic dishes: a bowl with the dried remains of oatmeal cakes on it, a spoon covered in peanut butter, and blueberry/chocolate/yoghurt stains. It all cleaned off and there was no soapy residue. The recipe is simple:
- 1 part borax, 1 part baking soda.
Shampoo and Conditioner
I was nervous to try this out at first, as it seemed quite strange to condition my hair with vinegar. Many people recommend apple cider vinegar, but the smell is very strong. I use distilled white vinegar instead, which is much less potent. It is true that apple cider vinegar contains more vitamins, but they both seem to have the same affect on my hair.
The baking soda cleans my hair without drying out my scalp. Since I started using it, my scalp has itched far less. And the vinegar is an excellent conditioner--my hair has never been softer. You can create a baking soda solution (be sure to shake it before applying it as the baking soda tends to settle) or you can apply dry baking soda directly to wet hair. I am currently using 5% vinegar solution, although I will probably dilute this in the future.
Cleaning my hair this way also controlled my dandruff.
- Shampoo: baking soda
- Conditioner: distilled white vinegar