🌿Laundry and Cleaning

Tending the Whole Body

In studying natural health, I’ve learned that wellness involves far more than food—it’s about caring for the whole body and environment. My laundry detergent, dryer sheets, household cleaning products, shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, etc. where laden with ingredients I would never touch on their own. But according to studies, our skin, the largest organ we have, not only secrets sweat and oils, but absorbs about 64% of what we put on it.

Learning Step by Step

Deviating from the way we've always done things can be overwhelming. My best advice, based on my own experience, is take it one step at a time. Make one change and let that become the way things are done now.

In Isaiah 28:10, the Bible speaks of line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little in learning the ways of the Lord. I believe that is the way of learning in all things. Learning of the Lord is the MOST important learning we can do. If that concept works for that learning, it will work for learning to be healthy, too.

The Bad Stuff

Ethanolamine is a commercial chemical used to remove carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from natural gas and other gases. It is used to make other chemicals, including detergents, soaps, surfactants and corrosion inhibitors. It is a component in machining fluids, hydraulic fracturing fluids used in natural gas extraction, and polishes. It is also a component in household cleaning products, hair coloring, and waving products.

According to hazard assessments from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), ethanolamine compounds are associated with respiratory irritation, skin sensitivity, and potential systemic effects. These findings highlight why ingredient awareness matters.

Safer Household Choices

Once I understood what was in my products, I began replacing them with simple, traditional alternatives:

• Vinegar – a natural cleaner and deodorizer

• Borax – helps lift stains and freshen laundry

• Baking soda – gentle abrasive and odor neutralizer

• Kosher salt – mineral‑rich scrubbing aid

  
  

There are many non‑toxic recipes online for laundry and household cleaning. If vinegar’s scent bothers you, add a few drops of essential oil. Oils such as lemon, peppermint, or clove are often used for freshness. Adding pine needles, orange, or lemon peels to a jar of vinegar helps as well. Allow the infusion to sit in a cool, dark place for 2 - 4 weeks, then use as desired.

Simple Cleaning Practices

• Laundry: 1 cup vinegar per load; add borax or baking soda for heavy soil.

• Floors: Mix vinegar, baking soda, and hot water for a gentle clean.

• Disinfecting: Use diluted vinegar for everyday surfaces.

• Room Spray: Combine baking soda, distilled water, and essential oil in a glass bottle.

  
  

⚠️ Safety Notes

• Never mix bleach and vinegar—it releases chlorine gas.

• Avoid airtight containers when combining vinegar and baking soda.

• Don’t mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.

• Skip vinegar on stone or marble surfaces.