I really wanted to make my own dryer sheet “alternatives” due to the things I’ve heard about chemicals in traditional fabric softner sheets that are emitted into the air from the vents when you run your drying cycle. The chemicals emitted can cause long-term health effects (hazardous air pollutants and carcinogens! No thanks!) So why not do something about it?  You won’t be able to find any of the VOC’s listed on the dryer sheets ingredient list, but DO look out for the ingredient “fragrance” which companies can legal label….and can contain up to 200 chemicals!  Also, the ingredients in dryer sheets can coat your clothing for up to multiple washes with residue of chemicals that come in contact with your skin all day long.

If you have to use dryer sheets, at least look for “frangrance-free” or “hypoallergenic”. An even better alternative would be to buy or make your own wool dryer balls. The concept behind these are that they contain no toxic chemicals, they soften your clothes and will cut down on the drying cycle (therefore saving you money on your electric bill!) It’s ideal to have 4-6 wool dryer balls to use in the dryer…and if you want to add some “fragrance”, I suggest Essential Oils as they are organic and won’t emit VOC’s!

Here’s how to make your own wool dryer balls:

-Wool Yarn

-Pantyhose

-Acrylic Yarn or Floss

-Essential Oil (if wanted for fragrance)

  
Wrap the yarn around your hand about 10 times, then wrap it around the other way 10 times. 
   
 
Keep wrapping the wool around in different directions about 5 times each until your wool ball is about the size of a tennis ball or baseball. 

  
Cut the wool and tuck the string end into the ball somewhere. 

It took me 2 skeins to make 4 wool balls. Each one took about 10 minutes to make. Once finished, you will put each ball into the pantyhose, tied apart from each other with acrylic yarn or dental floss (Not wool, since it will felt). 

  
You will put the pantyhose into your regular loads of laundry (give it 3-4 cycles ) on hot heat and even throwing them into the dryer to make the wool balls felt. You will know they are ready when you dont see the individual string fibers anymore. The wool will felt and not separate from the ball.  

Throw all of the dryer balls into your load and you’re ready to go! You can also add a few drops of essential oil to each wool ball if you’d like a hint of frangrance. I recommend Young Living Essential Oils.

 Stay tuned for my next “Little Changes” topic!

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When I say that I’m guilty, I literally mean it. I have had this 1/2 finished soap bottle in my bathroom, but have just been waiting for it to get all used before I tried my “Germ-buster” DIY soap!

So, finally I have an empty foaming soap dispenser. Now to make my first bathroom toiletry that is free of “fragrance”, “sodium lauryl sulfates”, “PEG’s”, and synthetic dyes. (Just to name a few).

*Fragrance can be literally hidden is hundreds of ingredients in “parfum” or “fragrance”:  a “trade secret”in the industry. More than 75% of the time if you have a fragrance, you have legally hidden phthalates (THAL ates), known endocrine disruptors, that are linked with birth defects, breast cancer, infertility, liver, cancer, diabetes, obesity and now with autism and ADHD in pregnancy by Dr. Philip Landrigon, Mt Sinai, Children’s Environmental Health Center. 

* PEG’s (polyethylene glycol) are petroleum byproducts. During manufacturing process, carcinogenic contamination is created: 1,4 dioxane, which is a known human carcinogen, with liver and kidney effects.

* Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are considered carcinogens. SLES is sometimes contaminated with 1, 4 dioxane (remember from above?). You will never see 1,4 dioxane on a label, as companies are not required to list carcinogenic contaminants. (CRAZY, right??!)

*Synthetic dyes/colors are made from coal tar, which is a mixture of many chemicals, derived from petroleum. These colors may be contaminated with low levels of heavy metals and some are combined with aluminum substrate. Aluminum compounds and many heavy metals are toxic to the brain. i.e. FD&C Blue 1, Green 3, Yellow 5 & 6, Red 33.

Like I mentioned above, until very recently, these were ingredients in my soap. It is a name brand that is not that expensive. Most people probably have used this handsoap in their homes.  This week, I made the switch to a “safer” soap option:

“FOAMING GERM-BUSTING HAND SOAP”:

(What you’ll need: a foaming hand soap dispenser, liquid Castile Soap, Thieves Essential Oil Blend)

1 part Castile Soap

+

4 parts Water

+

5-10 drops Thieves Essential Oil Blend

 (You can always tweek it if it doesn’t feel right to you. Be sure you’re using a foaming pump as the Castile soaps do not work well in a regular soap pump without clogging or shooting the soap sideways or up!! (I use Thieves Essential Oil blend because it is a blend of Lemon, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Cloves and Rosemary….talk about great a great safe-guard oil!) 

This DIY hand soap avoids dangerous chemicals AND saves money! What changes can you make?

Stay tuned to the next part of the series!
-Kim

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Soothe dry lips with this really great, simple DIY lip scrub recipe!

What you’ll need:

1 tsp jojoba or apricot kernel oil

4 tsp brown sugar

3 tsp honey

3 tsp organic coconut oil

2 drops of Orange or Peppermint Essential Oil (I used Orange in this one)

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl and stir until combined; transfer to an airtight container. To apply, scoop out a dime-sized amount with your finger. Rub over dry lips. Rinse with water.

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I’ve learned to look for ingredients like: fragrance (a phthalate, a known endocrine disruptor) , butylene glycol (a synthetic petrochemical mix known to cause allergic and toxic reactions) and PEG-100 Stearate (a petroleum byproduct) There are tons of fancy words here…. I’d much prefer to see a  simpler list. Wouldn’t we all?

So, again I found a great DIY recipe for a Lemon-Mint Sugar Scrub that I just had to try out! First off, lemon is such a great frangrance. It boosts your mood and has so many antibacterial properties. The peppermint gives it that refreshing kick! 

 In a bowl, mix together 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, 1/2 cup coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, zest from 1/2 lemon, 5 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil and 5 drops of Lemon Essential Oil (get them here) . The sugar and lemon juice and zest gently sloughs off dry skin, the coconut oil moisturizes and lemon and peppermint provide a mood boost.  
  

I really enjoy making homemade products now. Not only is it fun and inexpensive, you know what’s in it!  These would make a great gift as well! I probably filled up 3- 4oz jars of product with this recipe. I topped it with extra lemon zest for extra flare.
  

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