| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Libbie |
Posted - Jul 30 2006 : 07:51:22 AM
I was just thinking that since I have moved to much more natural and safe cleaning ways and means over the last almost ten years, I have a few favorite housekeeping/cleaning resources that I go back to over and over - in combination, of course, with all of the tips I get here!!!
The books I go back to are:
The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegel-Maier
Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan
Herbal Homekeeping by Sandy Maine
What resources do YOU use?
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| small graces |
Posted - May 07 2007 : 1:34:33 PM
Colgate also ownes Tom's of Maine, toothpaste. Maybe they are following the healthy green trend with their company.
I use Young Living Essential oils for disinfecting. I love their "Theives" cleaning stuff. Don't get me started! We used nothing else this year, and it was our best winter, as far as illness goes. That really says something, since we had just adopted two teens from Africa. I wasn't sure what that would do to everyones immune system, especially theirs.
"Think about this day for a moment, Charlie Brown..." smallgracesatforgetmenot.com |
| gardengirl |
Posted - Jan 25 2007 : 6:58:35 PM
Hi, Libbie thanks for all the support! .... all I can find is that Murphy's is now owned by Colgate. I search 3 web pages so maybe it is ok? Best wishes Nicci
Together we make a difference! |
| Libbie |
Posted - Jan 25 2007 : 08:30:51 AM
Hi, gardengirl! I'm curious about Murphy's Oil Soap, too. I just love the smell - but I've never heard that it's toxic. I'd sure like to know for sure!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| gardengirl |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 07:06:39 AM
Hi I am hearing many speak of Murphy's soap ....I was told it is toxic... does anyone have facts about it ...thanks Nicci
Together we make a difference! |
| Libbie |
Posted - Jan 18 2007 : 7:06:41 PM
I love that quote, Sandy - thanks! It really rings true for me...
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| ponyexpress |
Posted - Jan 15 2007 : 12:32:41 PM
I just picked up this book at Borders ( I had a coupon!) Clean, Naturally: recipes for body, home and spirit. The author, Sandy Maine, is a soapmaker by trade, but includes recipes for house and home, body and bath, healthy skin. Not all are soaps, many use common ingredients with the addition of essential oils. She offers soap recipes from a glycerin base for those of use who are timid about using lye.
She also has a project for making herbal sleep pillows, which I am desperately in need of. I sleep, but I don't think I sleep well -- head gets stuffy, and I wake several times during the night.
Here's a quote from the conclusion of her book:
Simplicity and self-sufficiency represent the act of saying "no" to too much and "yes" to the matters of the heart and hands, the land, and the loved ones who surround us.
She sounds like a farmgirl to me!
I'd get a face lift - but then it wouldn't match my body! |
| Beemoosie |
Posted - Jan 14 2007 : 08:53:47 AM
I really love the borax! I just started using it last year and just try it everywhere! Vinegar is also a blessing in disguise...add to hot water and my old linoleum floor has never looked better!
My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Luke 1:46,47
www.beequilting.blogspot.com
http://beemoosie-picture-diary.blogspot.com/ |
| Libbie |
Posted - Jan 14 2007 : 08:30:05 AM
It was just occuring to me as I was cleaning last night that one of the most important resources for safe homekeeping is COMMON SENSE! If you or your loved ones cough when a certain product is used, common sense tells us to stop using it. There are so many great hints and instructions for using nontoxic and natural cleansers - and I just love them - but good ol' common sense can go a long way, especially in households that are just beginning to be interested in more healthy homekeeping. That being said, I've found that just a little bit of borax in a quart of warm water can clean all that "stuff" that gets on the handles of white appliances off quick as a wink!...just some thoughts...
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - Nov 22 2006 : 06:14:33 AM
I agree, Libby--it is a bit scary. I need to pull it out more often, though, and find out more that needs to change. Meanwhile, I've been using a lot of vinegar and borax around the house. The farmgirl ideas are always really helpful!
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
| Libbie |
Posted - Nov 21 2006 : 7:37:00 PM
Ann - I just received a copy of "Home Safe Home" (a used book on Amazon bargain! Yay!!!) that you mention and it is one interesting book - it really is opening my eyes to potential toxins and unhealthy things around the house. Good to know, and a little scary, to boot! Thanks for the recommendation.
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| Libbie |
Posted - Oct 18 2006 : 7:29:48 PM
Thanks again for the heads-up -- I can't wait for it to arrive!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - Oct 18 2006 : 05:27:29 AM
Libbie, you have a treat ahead of you! I looked through that book after giving the info and again thought how much I like it. There are lots of safe and natural tips from our French sisters in there. I also have lots of spiders--we live in the woods and bring wood inside for the woodstove, so spiders are always present. Yet.. adding them to my stored woolens hasn't been done intentionally! On the other hand, using lemon juice to make whites brighter is a welcome tip!
XO back to ya,
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
| Libbie |
Posted - Oct 17 2006 : 7:58:39 PM
Ann - nevermind!!! I just found it used on Amazon for $4.25. Yay!!!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| Libbie |
Posted - Oct 17 2006 : 7:55:51 PM
I'll check and see if I can get a copy of "A Well-Kept Home" throught inter-library loan - I have plenty of spiders here - some in the linen closet already, I'd venture to say - this could be my kind of well-kept home!!!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - Oct 15 2006 : 09:44:29 AM
Libbie, I also have "Home Comforts", by Cheryl Mendelson. I appreciate your comment-- I really enjoy reading it, but feel overwhelmed by her standards for a clean house.  ... and although she does comment on some unsafe practices, she isn't organic. Since you've mentioned her, I'd like to say that the French book, "A Well-Kept Home" is really good reading.... and interesting, as well. Laura Fronty and Yves Duronsoy wrote it, and the "Victoria" magazine excerpted from it in one issue. As I recall, spiders were the remedy for moths in woolens. Easy to see how different this one is!
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
| Libbie |
Posted - Oct 14 2006 : 11:09:16 PM
I'm ready to add a couple more new discoveries - "Home Safe Home" by Debra Lynn Dadd and "Organic Housekkeping," by Ellen Sandbeck. The two combined cover about anything I could possibly imagine asking or wondering about natural, safe housekeeping. Comprehensive seems like somewhat of an understatement...
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| Libbie |
Posted - Sep 13 2006 : 4:45:08 PM
I also like the two books by Cheryl Mendelson, "Home Comforts" and "Laundry." They aren't about non-toxic housekeeping per se, but she includes a lot of safety information on household chemicals and cleaners and very detailed information on housekeeping in general. Even if the thought of doing all of the housework that she recommends can sometimes make my head spin, I DO like reading about it!!!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - Aug 29 2006 : 2:44:38 PM
I like "HOME SAFE HOME" by Debra Lynn Dadd. I have a feeling I heard of it in a MJF magazine, however. If it isn't already known by everyone, I recommend it.
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
| Libbie |
Posted - Aug 29 2006 : 2:36:57 PM
Glad you're back and feeling better!...I'll check out the Welcome section!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| BettyWeeks |
Posted - Aug 26 2006 : 12:10:19 PM
Hi Libbie, sorry I haven't posted before now. Was pretty sick, thank you for your concern. Don't usually get this in the summer, but anyway I'm well now and glad to have had some time to read. It took awhile to get caught up at work and now I'm ready to start posting. Have been reading the posts and enjoy them so much. Am going to post the rest of my story in the Welcome section.
Betty
True Happiness: Something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. |
| Libbie |
Posted - Aug 21 2006 : 9:29:32 PM
Betty - are you feeling better? Bronchitis is no fun at all!!! Thanks for the link to half-price books - I know I'll be checking and comparing to Amazon all the time, now.
And, Susan - I DO love Murphy's oil soap, too. My mom used it for so long - still does - and that smell is just one of "clean" to me. It really is a good all-purpose one, too. I hadn't thought of baking soda in the laundry rinse water - how much do you put in per load? I've heard of the vinegar in the rinse water, but not baking soda until now.
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| BettyWeeks |
Posted - Aug 17 2006 : 8:02:22 PM
Hi Libbie: It is a great book. If you are interested, you can buy online from halfprice books at wwww.halfpricebooks.com They offer really good deals. Got bronchitis so haven't felt up to doing much. Will post again soon.
Betty
True Happiness: Something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. |
| Libbie |
Posted - Aug 16 2006 : 8:48:51 PM
Betty - that sounds like such a good deal - not to mention a great bookstore. That's one thing I really miss about living in as rural an area as I do. No bookstores. Not a-one.
I think you'll really like "Clean House, Clean Planet." I sure know that I do!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| BettyWeeks |
Posted - Aug 15 2006 : 2:40:20 PM
Hi Libbie:
I am new and erroneously posted your message again. I think I have it this time. I was looking for the books you mentioned and was so happy to find "Clean House, Clean Planet" by Karen Logan. And, I found it in my favorite bookstore, Half Price Books. I can't imagine that anyone would let go of the book, but they did. For anyone who doesn't have this bookstore in their town, it is a store that buys your used books and resells them. All books are half price of their original selling price and when on clearance, they go for one to three dollars. I got this book for 4.98. I love it. I haven't had time to read much of it but browsing through I already found a money saver for me, making scented baking soda. I buy scented powder and shake on my mattress pad and inside my pillow cases to have great smelling beds. Now I can make my own with baking soda and essential oils. Thanks for your post.
Betty
True Happiness: Something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. |
| mommom |
Posted - Aug 15 2006 : 2:35:33 PM
I have been a "housekeeper" for others for about 23 years now and I am not one to use a lot of smelly, strong, nasty cleaners. I use a lot of vinegar, baking soda, and Murphys Oil. These products are not irritants for my sinuses and I don't end each house with a headache. I use vinegar in my white laundry, also, and baking soda makes a very good conditioner in the rinse cycle. Murphys is great to use on furniture and just about anything. |
