If you didn't know this already, Simple Apothecary started years ago when I was discovering the relationship between the chemicals in my home with health issues I was experiencing.
Back issues were leading to more medications; my asthma was progressing from exercise induced to almost daily issues; a rash around my mouth that wouldn't go away... all of these things happened around the same period of time, sending me on a quest to find alternatives.
Finding the Sources of my Issues
While I'm summing up these changes into a brief blog post, it was much longer and more involved than implied here. My back issues were helped with cannabis and hemp, but it took years to reach that state.
The progression of my asthma stopped with the removal of major chemicals in my daily life, especially fragrance. But it took me quite some time to figure out that was the source.
And the rash around my mouth? Turns out it was from a name-brand toothpaste I had been using. Switching to a natural one helped, but it wasn't until I started making my own tooth powder that I really noticed positive changes with my oral health.
If you are on a similar journey, it requires lots of patience and experimenting. Looking back on my progress, I realize had I kept a journal noting what changes I made and what the results were, my journey would have made a LOT easier.
DIY Recipes
My Pinterest feed is so incredibly full of homemade recipes for everything from the original magnesium cream I made, to various tooth powder recipes, DIY cleaning products, and homemade shampoo. It runs the gamut.
It took years of trial and error to find my favorites or to adapt what I found into a more useful recipe.
While vending in person, I've often been asked about some of the recipes I use. So I thought this would be a great time to share these recipes with you. These are some of my absolute favorites that I've been using for years.
I'll include them as a graphic to save on Pinterest or on your computer, as well as a PDF link to print out if you'd like.
A Few Notes on Ingredients
I tried a LOT of different versions of these recipes before settling on these ingredients. I chose them because they're non-toxic, easy to find for the most part, and environmentally friendly. If you can't find them in your local grocery stores, you can definitely find them online.
Vegetable Based Soap
You'll notice I reference Dr.Bronner's a number of times. While you don't need to use this brand, I find them to be reliable and well-priced. For the body wash, I tend to get the unscented liquid so I can can personalize it how I like. For the laundry soap, I usually make a double-batch and use one bar of lemon and one bar lavender. Trust me- it smells like sunshine!
Washing Soda
Not to be confused with baking soda! You can find washing soda in the laundry soap aisle, very near the OxyClean.
Citric Acid
Citric acid is actually quite versatile- it's used in canning, but its also what often gives the sour to a sour candy. You can find it in the canning section for smaller amounts. For larger amounts, you may need to look online.
Coconut Milk
Watch the ingredient list!! You only want to use full-fat coconut milk that ONLY contains coconut milk. You'll find all kinds of thickeners used or chemical preservatives in many of the common brands. Skip them. I love the coconut milk from Trader Joe's as it doesn't contain any extra ingredients.
Simple Body Wash
This body wash will make your skin sooooo happy! It cleans without stripping your skin of needed oils and is pH balanced. Keep in mind it does NOT contain any preservatives, so it's not going to last indefinitely in your shower. But in exchange, you'll have soft, nourished skin without any chemicals.
- 1 part liquid vegetable soap, such as Dr. Bronner’s
- 2 parts coconut milk (check the ingredient list for a chemical- free version)
- Optional: 5 drops of your favorite essential oil per tablespoon of body wash
Directions: Reuse an empty container to add all ingredients. My favorite is an empty, easy-use ketchup container (the kind meant to stand on the lid because it makes the body wash foam up). Shake well before use. For one person, I usually make this as 1 Tablespoon soap to 2 Tablespoon’s coconut milk- adjust accordingly for your household. As this is an all-natural and chemical free product, it will spoil! Only make enough to last a few days at a time. Keep in the refrigerator between uses if needed.
Simple Tip #1: Making a small amount? Freeze the leftover coconut milk in an ice cube tray before placing cubes in a bag or jar in the freezer. Each cube is about 2 Tablespoons.
Simple Dishwasher Powder
Have you looked at the ingredients for dishwasher detergent? Nasty stuff. Some of it even causes cancer and hormone disruption, no joke. Here is a chemical free alternative that works as well as anything store bought.
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup citric acid
- 1 cup washing soda
- Optional: 10 drops lemon or orange essential oil
Directions: Mix ingredients well in a bowl, breaking up any lumps. Add essential oil if using and mix again. Place into a glass jar with a plastic lid for storage. Add 3 Tablespoons of powder to the dishwasher detergent reservoir. Add 1/2 teaspoon liquid dish soap (yes, trust me) and close the lid of the soap reservoir. Pour 1/2 - 3/4 cup white vinegar in the bottom of your dishwasher before starting the cycle as usual, depending on how hard your water is.
Simple Tip: Looking for a chemical free way to clean? Add lemon, orange and grapefruit peels to white vinegar in a glass jar with a plastic lid. Allow to sit for at least 2 weeks before pouring straining the vinegar. Dilute by half with water before using for general cleaning. Makes an EXCELLENT degreaser and soap scum remover when used with baking soda. Use undiluted citrus vinegar in a spray bottle as an ant killer.
Simple Laundry Soap
I tried sooo many different laundry soap recipes. Either they contained chemical based ingredients (like Fels Naptha) or just didn't work well. This one does.
My favorite scent combo is lemon and lavender, so I make a double-batch of laundry soap using a bar of each. It leaves your clothes smelling like they were dried outside! You may expect your clothes to smell like vinegar, but they won't.
- 1 bar vegetable soap, grated (such as Dr. Bronner’s)
- 1 1/2 cups washing soda
- 1 cup OxyClean powder
- 2 Tbsp. citric acid
Directions: Place grated soap into a blender, or a food processor with the mixing blade. Process until a powder. Add rest of the ingredients and process until smooth.
Use 2-3 Tablespoons per load in the laundry soap reservoir of a front-loader, or 1/4 cup at the bottom of a top-loading machine. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the liquid softener reservoir, or add 1/2 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle on a top loading machine.
Simple Tip #1: Add 1/4 cup Borax and an extra 1/4 cup OxyClean to the washer basin for extra soiled or white loads.
Simple Tip #2: Make a paste of OxyClean and dye-free dish soap and allow to sit on stubborn stains. Works GREAT on blood and set-in stains! Safe for most colors.
Simple Tip #3: For stinky loads, add additional vinegar to the bleach reservoir.
I'd love to hear back in the comments how these recipes work in your house!
