Herbal Homekeeping: Simple Recipes for a Naturally Clean Abode

Granted sodium lauryl sulfate, in concentration, can cause skin irritation. But, the recipes dilute SLS with other ingrediants or expect the user to be diluting it with water (e.i., in the laundry or when doing dishes). The current 'rage' that SLS causes cancer is also unfounded. The true facts are out there for anyone that does their 'homework' and finds out the facts for themselves. Seeing the use of SLS in the book and reading other reviews of the book, prompted us to doing our own checking, resulting in a true understanding of SLS. Nonetheless, no cleaner (chemical or 'green') should be left were children or pets could come in contact with it. While cow or goat milk soap is gentle and cleansing to the skin, it can still sting the eyes just like commercial soaps and one wouldn't recommend anyone ingest. These recipes are in fact for 'cleaners' and should be stored as such. Essential oils come from herbs. Whether the herbs are enfleuraged, steam distilled, expressed, ect., to make the essential oil, they still come from herbs. One just has to consult the dictionary for this. Thus, to call these 'herbal' recipes is not misleading. The benefit is that these essential oils leave the house, clothes, ect. with a harmless aroma that is soft, natural, and pleasant. And, they are a pleasing alternative to chemical smells while cleaning. We have many people interested in our cleaning supplies because of the aroma and the fact that they are effective. The recipes in this book offer a wonderful alternative to products that are truly all 'chemical' in make up. It also provides the industrious 'beginner' with a place to start and adapt recipes to suit themselves. This is how we used the book and as one 'tool' in learning to make our own cleaners, it has been extremely helpful. An example of adapting to suit ones self is that if a person does not want to use SLS the castile soap can be used, whether in solid or liquid form, in its place. But, if one isn't even sure where to begin for making their own cleaning supplies, one has to start someplace and this book provides it.

I just tried the toilet bowl cleaning recipe and it was wonderful. Feels great to empower yourself to make your own "green" housecleaning supplies!