Halle Cottis’s amazing book “Natural Solutions for Cleaning and Wellness” arrived in my life at just the right moment. This is a how to guide breaks down the formulas for many essential home and body care products. Halle Cottis herself was raised in close proximity to the Amish community and spent her childhood using the Amish methods for cleaning and healthy living. She is an active advocate for promoting wellness and sharing this valuable information. Back in the day every house wife made her own products at home. In our age of convenience we have forgotten these important recipes.
Recently I had started to buy my natural dish and laundry soap from the bulk section of my health food store. This meant that I brought in my own container and paid only for the soap. I had been thinking that it would be fun to learn how to make those things myself.
I have been reading this book every day, memorizing the recipes. I am motivated, as now I have ordered the ingredients and am embarking on replacing all of my store bought products with ones that I am making myself. Like the quest to rid myself of plastic (which is an uphill battle), I am trying to fill my house with products that support my environment and enhance my life.
I made some cost calculations. Halle’s recipes price out slightly lower than purchasing the bulk soaps, maybe about a dollar less for 16 oz. What is good about these recipes is you can make them as you need them, play around with the fragrance, and use them as a base for additional items you would want to include. Maybe you want to add charcoal to your toothpaste recipe? Or maybe you want to put calendula in your face cream? Now, with the knowledge of these recipes you can easily and cheaply create your own products.
If you try it out in your own home, or are already making your own natural cleaning products, tell me about it. Write into comments and let me know how it worked out for you.
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