What is Clean Living? By definition it is living life without harsh chemicals. Clean living feels almost unachievable these days. But with a little patience and a lot of research, it is possible! Removing chemicals from your life, once you realize just how many you come in contact with every day, can seem daunting. But if you remove one thing at a time, eventually it becomes a smooth process. The more natural the better; and that goes for every category we will be discussing.
One thing you will notice as you eliminate the chemicals from your life, you will unearth inflammation and inflammatory responses that you did not realize were going on. For example, once you stop using store-bought deodorant, if you ever use it again you may have a reaction that you never had before. You may also notice your pits feel different…on the inside! This is because, just as with our diets, as we peel back the layers of chemicals, thereby clearing out the inflammation caused by those chemicals, symptoms may manifest that have been there all along but were unable to be noticed because of all of the “competition”.
The thing to keep in mind with clean living is removing as many chemicals as possible and keeping things as close to the original or as close to natural as possible. So hand-making your items is an excellent choice. I have included recipes in this article that I use for my home-made products. A happy side effect of doing this, is you can save tons of money and produce things in bulk.
Areas of Clean Living we will address in this article:
I: Personal Hygiene pg. 2-8
II: Makeup pg. 8-11
III: Home Cleaning pg. 11-16
IV: Home & Personal Protection against Pests pg. 16-19
V: Filtration pg. 19-21
I: Personal Hygiene
Hair
There are so many wonderful smelling shampoos, body washes, perfumes and fabric softeners out there. Did you know that the word ‘fragrance’ included in the ingredients for almost all of those products is a word that refers to a grouping of chemicals that can also be found in pesticides? What a difference ridding yourself and your home of these chemicals can make. For those suffering with chemical induced asthma, it can bring incredible relief; the same for those with some chronic skin conditions.
Everyone's hair is a little different…so it is a matter of trying things until you find what works for you. For oily hair, dry shampoo may be a better option for you, washing your hair only once a week or every few days. For dry hair, washing your less often and conditioning may be the answer for you. There are many recipes you can find online. Below are some of my recipes. I also make and sell other items. *Add scented oils if you so desire*
Dry Shampoo | 1 Ingredient
Arrow Root Powder (Bob’s Red Mill)
Massage into scalp or “paint” on with blush brush
Wet Shampoo 1 | 1 Ingredients
Castille Soap (liquid)
*Test this on your hair once. It is not for all hair types. If it works for you, use only once every 3-4 days. Any more than that, and your hair may become brittle and break off.*
Wet Shampoo 2 | 2 Ingredients
Goat milk soap
Water
Grate the soap and boil down in water on the stove. Once well integrated, add scented oil if desired. Store in a jar.
Conditioner | 2 Ingredients
Apple Cider Vinegar
Honey
Mix one tablespoon of honey to ½ cup ACV. Add scented oil if desired. Once hair is washed, poor over hair and scalp and massage in. Allow to set while you finish showering then rinse thoroughly.
Bringing out the Highlights
Red: Hibiscus Tea | Cranberry Juice | Beet Juice
Blonde: Egg Yolk | Lemon Juice | Chamomile Tea
Brown/Black: Henna | Dark Tea
Repeat your highlighter of choice several times. Because it is natural, it will take longer to get desired results.
*Remember, citrus can dry out hair so allow a few days in between before your next application*
Skin
Finding the right moisturizer can be almost impossible without spending $15 or more per tube. Our skin is the largest organ we have and it absorbs very well. So not only do we need to care properly for it, but we also need to make sure the things it absorbs are good for it and for us. Again, this will be trial and error for what works for you. Browse online, and try the recipes below. *Add scented oils if you so desire*
Body Rinse | 2 Ingredients
Baking Soda
Water
Mix in an empty bottle and poor over body in the shower. Rinse off.
Moisturizer 1 | 1 Ingredient
Coconut Oil
One benefit of moisturizing with coconut oil is that once you have been using it for a while, it can have a sun-protecting effect. That does not mean you can go lay in the sun for 6 hours, but you may notice that you can be in the sun a little longer without requiring some sort of sun-block. *Tropical Traditions sells Coconut oil in bulk and they have fantastic sales all the time*
Moisturizer 2 | 1 Ingredient
Goats Milk
Add powdered goats milk to your bath for a softening experience.
Moisturizer 3 | 2 Ingredients
Oatmeal
Water
This is not only a fantastic moisturizer, but it is also a go-to for hives and/or eczema. Boil the oatmeal in extra water and once the oatmeal is done, poor off the remaining water into a jar or pump bottle. It will be sticky until it dries, but if you can handle that, it is excellent ‘spot’ care.
*You can also buy muslin sachets, add oatmeal, tie off and use in the bath or as a body scrubber!*
Oily Skin/Acne | 1 Ingredient
Witch Hazel
There are so many wonderful external uses for witch hazel; way too many to list!
Skin Tags | 1 Ingredient
Apple Cider Vinegar
A dab of this on a bandaid covering the tag and after a few days it should fall off.
Puffy Eyes | 1 Ingredient
Cucumber Slices
Minor Cuts | 1 Ingredient
Honey
Honey has many antibacterial properties. Just apply after properly cleaning, and bandage.
Scars/Stretchmarks/Burns | 1 Ingredient
Aloe
Aloe is a natural remedy for burn treatment as well as scar removal due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Apply directly from an aloe plant twice daily; leave on for 30 seconds after applying then rinse.
Baby Wipes | 7 Ingredients
Paper Towels
Water - 3 Cups
Aloe - 3 Tbsp
Witch Hazel - 3-4 Tbsp
Castile Soap - 1 Tbsp
GSE - 3 small drops
Almond Oil - 1 Tbsp
Mix and combine all ingredients in the water, boil, allow to cool, cover roll of paper towels and keep in a box. Alternatively, add mixture to a spray bottle to spray on paper towels as needed. Add scented oil as desired.
Teeth
There are so many ways to make toothpaste! You will have to decide on a base and if you want to flavor it or not, there are natural essential oils you can add, natural sweeteners that are okay and even good for your teeth and you will need to decide if you want the paste to be restorative. The important thing to remember with pastes is you want something abrasive, not abusive. Oral rinses are easy, they just do not keep very long. As always there are many recipes online, here are some of mine.
Bad Breath Gone Tea | 2 Ingredients
Cloves
Water
Steep together to make a tea, allow to cool. Use as a bad breath rinse to kill bacteria naturally. Store in the fridge up to 3 days.
Cavity Fighting Rinse | 1 Ingredient
Plain Coconut water
Coconuts have so many healing properties. It is another way of utilizing its amazing strengthening and cavity protecting abilities.
Licorice Root | 1 Ingredient
Licorice root stick
Native Americans exclusively chewed on the root. It is purported to not only have cavity fighting properties, but also potential reversal properties. Buy Licorice root online or at a local herb store and just chew on one until it becomes bristly and use it as a toothbrush.
Toothpaste 1 | 2 Ingredients
Baking Soda
Water This is the most basic tooth paste recipe out there. It works just fine. Just mix baking soda and water into a paste.
Toothpaste 2 | 2 Ingredients
Baking Soda
Coconut Oil
Another very basic recipe. There are many ways to “dress this up”, making it taste better, enamel restorative, cavity fighting and tooth whitening.
Tooth Whitening | 2 Ingredient
Activated Charcoal
Water
You may look like something from a scary movie while brushing with it, but after several uses, you will have a whiter and brighter smile.
Deodorant
Antiperspirants are commonplace, but they are very unhealthy. Their main ingredient is Aluminum. If you ever experienced sore armpits, there is a chance it is because of the aluminum. Aluminum essentially clogs or blocks your sweat glands in your arm pit. This can have an irritating or sore effect.
Almost every store-bought ‘deodorant’ is an antiperspirant. That means, its purpose to prevent you from perspiring or sweating. Perspiration is the body’s natural way of decreasing body temperature and releasing toxins; preventing that process is not good for you. Conversely, no one wants to go around smelling like an onion all day. Thus, we have (de-odor-ants) deodorants…which allow you to sweat, without being so stinky. I make a deodorant that works just fine and I feel confident when I leave the house.
The main components are a base and antibacterial properties. Scented oils are optional but also help your arm pits smell nice. There are various renditions online and many ways you can adapt and make them your own. Store alternatives and recipes below.
Himalayan Salt Stick | Store-bought
One of the few store-bought options I have tried that may work for you. Buy a hunk of Himalayan pink salt and wet the bar and apply to your underarms. Its primary function is antibacterial thus preventing you from becoming too stinky.
Tom's of Maine | Store-bought
A pre-made store-bought option. It comes already in a standard deodorant applicator.
Coconut Oil | 3 Ingredients
Coconut Oil (Base)
Arrow Root Powder/Baking Soda (Thickener)
Apple Cider Vinegar/Lemon Juice/Witch Hazel (Antibacterial)
Whip coconut oil, add l thickener, add 1 antibacterial agent of choice, add essential oil as desired. Store in a cool, dark place.
*Coconut oil melts in the heat and light. If it melts, simply put in dark place again to firm. The shelf life is essentially until it is used up.
**A small finger full is all you need under each arm.
***Wash armpits daily and moisturize as bacteria will build up and pits can become raw if not properly cleaned
II: Makeup
Let’s face it, as women we like to look nice. But those store-bought eye shadows, mascara’s, lipsticks and foundations are terrible for our health. I personally cannot wear most eye makeup – liner or powder, as it dries out and burns my eyes and gives me a headache. By the end of the night, my eyes are all blood shot and I look, well…I look like I had too good of a time. Never fear, there are plenty of alternatives out there to enhance your natural beauty.
Foundation Powder | 3 Ingredients
Cacao Powder
Cinnamon Powder
Arrow Root Powder The important thing is to start adding small amounts of the Cacao and Cinnamon powders, mix thoroughly each time you add and add a little at a time until you reach the desired color. Add shea butter and coconut oil to make more of a liquid foundation.
Blush | 2 Ingredients
Beet Root Powder
Arrow Root Powder
Again, add a little at a time – mixing thoroughly after each add until you reach the desired color.
Eye Shadow | 2 Ingredients
Arrow Root Powder
*Color
The Arrow root powder is your base; you simply add powder of the corresponding color you want until you get the desired shade. Make sure when selecting fruits/veggies/spices/herbs you select things that will not irritate your skin or eyes. Discontinue use if you have any adverse reactions. Chose from the following and mix and match as you figure out what colors you like best. Making your own colored powder is easy, more cost efficient…and fun! The colors will be more earth-toned. Add things like shea butter or coconut oil for a more liquid application, beeswax for a more cream application, and aloe for a gel application:
Red | Paprika, Beet Root powder, Allspice or Hibiscus Powder
Pink | Beet root powder & cacao
Orange | Turmeric & cacao
Yellow | Nutmeg or Turmeric
Green | Spirulina Powder or Green Tea Matcha
Blue | Mica Powder
Purple | Blueberry Powder, Purple Potato Powder
Black | Activated Charcoal
Mascara | 5 Ingredients
Coconut oil
Shea Butter
Beeswax
Aloe Vera
Activated Charcoal
Combine the first 3 ingredients until melted and thoroughly mixed, add last two and allow to cool. Purchase empty mascara tubes online on ebay or amazon or some container stores.
Lip Gloss | 2 ingredients
Vitamin E oil
*Color J
ust like the eyeshadow, combine the ingredients, adding a little at a time, until you reach the desired shade. You can add things to flavor as well.
Lip Stain | 3 Ingredients
Vitamin E Oil
Beeswax
*Color
Melt the Beeswax and combine with the Vitamin E oil. Add color until desired shade is reached. Store in a tin or small container.
Makeup Remover | 3 Ingredients
Rose Water
Witch Hazel
Distilled Water
Combine all three ingredients and store in a cool, dark place. Play with the measurements until you reach a mixture that works with your skin. If your skin is naturally dry, add Vitamin E oil to the mix, or apply after cleansing.
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