My rating:
add to my books
Loading...
Better Basics for the Home: Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living
These days, more and more people are saying no to "better living through chemistry" and yes to a lifestyle that is less toxic and more environmentally friendly. This trend toward a more natural lifestyle has become something of a crusade for Annie Berthold-Bond, author of Better Basics for the Home. After developing hypersensitivity to even very low concentr...more
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
June 1st 1999
by Three Rivers Press
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
sign in »
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
201)
Rebecca
marked it as to-read
This is in my "to-read" shelf simply because I've been looking for easy ways to cut out having to buy lots of different--and expensive!--products. I just happened to be searching for homemade soaps & laundry detergent recipes online yesterday, so coming across this book was quite serendipitous! I'm eager to check out the recipes and suggestions. (After experiencing the joys that come with adding a little Borax to my toddler's potty-training clothes in the wash when I'm used to soaki...more
view all 3 comments
It is my goal for 2009 to eliminate unnecessary chemicals from my home and body. I picked up this book from the local library; inspired to create cleaning products without harsh chemicals. This books contains recipes for homemade antiseptics, air-fresheners, soaps, face cleansers, and body lotion to name a few. All are made from common ingredients found in the grocery store or health food store.I have tried several of the recipes and am very pleased with all. ( As an example I've been using crea...more
This is one of my favorite books on homemade products and I still reference it on a weekly basis. The introductions to different ingredients (like essential oils, herbs, etc) & methods (soap making, etc) are very thorough and personal stories by the author are sprinkled throughout. The recipes for house cleaners and body scrubs, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners are my favorites that I still use today! :D
Among many other things, this book contains non-toxic recipes for any household cleaner. I have used many of them, and I'm perfectly happy with the results. The tips are helpful, and I like the easy, personable approach of the author.
My one complaint is that, for me at least, the different sections are not clearly defined.
My one complaint is that, for me at least, the different sections are not clearly defined.
While I recognize this book is not for everyone, I've been thoroughly enjoying it. The recipes are clear, easy to follow, and (most) are quick and simple. While I am not yet ready to give up antiperspirant, I have made toothpaste, facial toners, laundry boosters, and an antiseptic bathroom cleanser. A friend an I are going to make soap this week. I even gave myself a natural facial...ahhhhh...divine!
For me, making my own stuff has all the appeal of baking, but without the calorie...more
For me, making my own stuff has all the appeal of baking, but without the calorie...more
The housekeeping chapter was the one I had any use for. It was published in 1999 so I'll probably jot down a couple of ideas from it but wouldn't buy a copy of my own.
Elissa
rated it
Recommends it for:
Those interested in natural health and cosmetics
Recommended to Elissa by:
Heather
Shelves:
non-fiction,
natural-health-and-cosmetics
The least wacko and nature-worshiping natural health/cosmetic/cleaning book I've read. There are hundreds of Excellent recipes, several of which I have already used. Altogether a very informative, very well written book!
I bought this book based on recommendations from Amazon readers of Clean House, Clean Planet, which I was interested in picking up. They said that both books were great, but that Better Basics for the Home was more all-inclusive, with recipes for not just cleaning compounds, but also personal care products, paints, insect repellents and traps, chemical-free gardening tips, etc. I've been slow to incorporate many of the books suggestions into my routines, but have been referring to it a lot an...more
An essential reference for every home -- how to live, work, and clean with fewer toxins at home. I refer to this a lot.
Awesome reference book for remedies and recipes for less toxic living! Highly recommended!
Some good science to explain the easy-to-make recipes. I only read the house cleaning part.
I love what I learned from this book about alternatives for petroleum-based products we use every day. I especially like the personal care products section, and my goal is to reduce the chemicals I put in and on my body (and in and on my kids). It covers a wide range of topics from green cleaning to household repairs, with the goal of reducing exposure to toxic chemicals in synthetic cleaning supplies, personal care products, paints, etc. However, reading this book is a bit dangerous, as you wil...more
great resource for DIY non-toxic living. easy, accessible. I need this as a reference.
What a gem! Fun to read, packed full of wonderfully practical recipes. Love it!!
Becca
marked it as to-read
I want to look at her recipes for making my own cleaning products, etc.
Great reference for homemade cleaning products
This is one reference book that I really want to buy. Annie Berthold-Bond gives simple and affordable green recipes for everything from household cleaning to toiletries to gardening and pest control. Unlike a lot of authors I've read, her recipes won't require you to buy oodles of essential oils and other expensive and sometimes hard to find ingredients. I can see myself saving money and also continuing to transition Ian and my home into a green one through her suggestions.
Great reference book! I use it a lot! Lots of homemade recipes for allergy sufferers, or anyone who wants to improve what they put on their skin, their pets, or air quality at home/office.
Okay, I haven't read this word for word, but really it's more of a reference book than a book you read cover to cover...
I love the ideas presented in this book. I've tried some of the ideas, and they seem to work well. I'm totally going to try making my own soap one of these days...
This book is a great resource for anyone who wants to live a more chemical-free/green life.
I love the ideas presented in this book. I've tried some of the ideas, and they seem to work well. I'm totally going to try making my own soap one of these days...
This book is a great resource for anyone who wants to live a more chemical-free/green life.
I loved this book. It is my new bible. Awesome recipes to make your own non-toxic, safe cleaning products, body care and skin care products, pest control products, etc.
I need to return to this one when I'm ready to make more than cleaning supplies. (Lotions and potions, etc.)
Brandie
marked it as to-read
Interesting read so far--though I haven't had the chance to try any of the recipes. I will update when I can.
Cariann
added it
How to clean your house with less toxic substances and how to get rid of bugs without nasty pesticides.
One of my favourite reference books for natural, toxic-free living.
Great reference book. Thanks for the rec Cathy!
A must have "pantry" book. I make ALL my own cleaning supplies and some basic facial products from recipes in this book. Excellent resource.
Caitlin
marked it as to-read
Karen
marked it as to-read
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
