Clean, Naturally

I got a lot of good from this book.The disinfecting spray is lovely to use.I actually enjoy wiping down a counter with it. I see people have a lot of problems with the SLS.I say simply substitute.I use a squirt of dish soap or castile soap instead of SLS (which I didn't have) in the recipes and it works fine. I also love her attitude towards homecare,very inspiring. A lovely book with useful recipes.

I'm so glad I didn't let the previous reviews keep me from purchasing this book. It is not intended to be a book on "soapmaking", but rather on natural homemade products for the home and body. With the utmost respect to previous reviewers, just reading the title "Clean, Naturally - Recipes for Body, Home, and Spirit" tells what the book is about. There is no indication that this would even be a "soapmaking" manual or why anything extrodinarly new would be in this book. Natural cleaning has few variations - that's why it's "natural". This is a lovely book and Sandy Maine did an excellent job in putting it together. It is practical, has easy to follow directions, and no-nonsense overly wordy approach. I love it!

Ah, I see much criticism of this lovely book -- folks want something new and exciting. This book clearly isn't an information about soapmaking book -- it is actually a bit more and a bit less than that. This book presents itself like a gift book -- remiscent of a table top gift book. Tucked into the pages are Maine's basic beliefs on the goodness of home recipes for soaps, shampoos. There are little bits on skin care and hair care. She provides her favorite recipes, using many of the same ingredients. Although she refers to the training received in the first chapters, it is less training than a lovely presentation -- for a how to of soap making, I'd use a more informational book or information from a class (for soaps made with lye, thank you very much, pretty pictures are not enough!) In addition to the interesting recipes (for Russian Dishwashing Disk, for example) there is a chapter on Toilet Bowl Cleaners, a Leather Care recipe, a chapter on Making Your own laundry supplies, another on Natural Pet Care and a section on her invention of the "soap tassels" line -- with a couple of recipes. The idea, I think, is to take her basic vegetable based recipes (CRISCO OIL!!!) and be motivated to make up some of your own, using the logic behind the percentages she uses and the combination of fragrances, seeds, herbs and such. An addition to the library -- still haven't found my basic must have can't do without soapmaking book!

This book was passed on to me from a friend and I am so happy it has come into my hands. Clean, Naturally is packed full of interesting, usefull information that is good for knowledge and functional purposes. The photography is exquisite and all the stories make each soap that more special. Wonderfully constructed! Now I have plenty of projects to do for the wintertime!

The author is well known up here and this new book of hers is a great for any one who wants to run a more eco-friendly and economical household. It gives recipes for safe house cleaning solutions, laundry cleaners (this is an excellent section), and personal soaps for adults. There are even recipes for homemade diaper rash cream for babies (which I used on my fourteen-month old) and an all-natural flea shampoo for pets (which I used on our standard poodle). It is also a great read--lots of good advice and ideas for cutting down on harmful products we routinely use on our selves and in our home. I plan to give this as part of a shower present to a cousin of mine who is getting married.