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The Naturally Clean Home
Keep Your Home Clean...and Green
Common, nontoxic kitchen ingredients such as baking soda, borax, lemon, and vinegar are wonderfully effective household cleaners. Pair them with essentail oils to disinfect and freshen every room. With 150 all-natural, easy-to-prepare cleaning solutions you can:
• Soften and whiten clothing
• Break up kitchen grease
• Polish wood floors
• Scrub the oven
• Brighten bathroom mirrors
• Scour porcelain and tiles
• Deodorize carpets
And much more!
Banish harmful chemical cleansers from your home;
clean it green for a healthier family, a healthier planet.
223 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1999
86 people are currently reading
822 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
October 14, 2019
My son and I have bad asthma. Cleaning with store bought cleaners has always made me wheeze. When it really started to effect my son(about 4 years ago) I starting looking into diy green cleaners. I have been using Easy to make all natural cleaners for years now. I'm no expert, but I'm not new to the game either. I have tried many things. Learned what works well, and what doesn't cut the grease. Still I am always reading up. Seeing if there is something new that might work better or be helpful that I haven't yet found. This book did have a lot of recipes, but they were complicated and a bit over elaborate. If someone followed this book they would have 90 different multi ingredient cleaners under the sink. A lot of the ingredients are not easy to find, and are really not needed. I read the whole book and only took one thing away from it to try. If someone is looking to start cleaning green this isn't the book for them. The complex recipes with over the top, hard to find ingredients would turn a beginner off. I'm not new to the game and it had my eyes glazing over. I don't recommend.
March 24, 2021
4☆ An Enjoyable and Informative Read!
The Naturally Clean Home was a very interesting and informative read.
It looks at Natural Solutions to cleaning around the home using essential oils and other natural ingredients.
It's broken up into chapters aiming for different parts of your home :-
The Kitchen, The Bath, The Laundry, Wood Care, Cleaning Metals, Walls and Carpeting, Clearing the Air, The Garage and Basement, The Garden and Landscape and The Home Office.
So as you can see no stone is left unturned. The book appears to be written based in America as some of the ingredients and terminology is a lil different from that of the UK.
However this didn't seem to be any problem at least nothing a quick Google won't sort out.
I definitely picked up some tips and providing I can get hold of some of the essential oils then I'm going to give them a try. Being in lockdown and shielding I'm not sure if will be anytime soon through!
Overall I really enjoyed reading this book, I have pets and allergies, so it's nice to come across natural ways to clean the house, keeping everyone safe.
The ingredients and methods are very simple and easy to follow. It basically uses cups and drops of essential oils.
It may end up being a lil costly whilst you stock up on the materials and ingredients, but once you have them it will be a worthwhile investment in the end.
Thank you to Storey Publishing and Netgalley for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
The Naturally Clean Home was a very interesting and informative read.
It looks at Natural Solutions to cleaning around the home using essential oils and other natural ingredients.
It's broken up into chapters aiming for different parts of your home :-
The Kitchen, The Bath, The Laundry, Wood Care, Cleaning Metals, Walls and Carpeting, Clearing the Air, The Garage and Basement, The Garden and Landscape and The Home Office.
So as you can see no stone is left unturned. The book appears to be written based in America as some of the ingredients and terminology is a lil different from that of the UK.
However this didn't seem to be any problem at least nothing a quick Google won't sort out.
I definitely picked up some tips and providing I can get hold of some of the essential oils then I'm going to give them a try. Being in lockdown and shielding I'm not sure if will be anytime soon through!
Overall I really enjoyed reading this book, I have pets and allergies, so it's nice to come across natural ways to clean the house, keeping everyone safe.
The ingredients and methods are very simple and easy to follow. It basically uses cups and drops of essential oils.
It may end up being a lil costly whilst you stock up on the materials and ingredients, but once you have them it will be a worthwhile investment in the end.
Thank you to Storey Publishing and Netgalley for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
September 24, 2020
This is an updated version of the original book. Goodreads wouldn't allow me to enter the publisher's description in the book description so I will add it here for those who want to know how it varies from the original:
In this updated edition of her best-selling book, Karyn Siegel-Maier brings together the formulas for home cleaning solutions that readers have trusted for years with new information and ingredients updated to today’s green standards. A new introduction shines a light on the antiseptic properties of essential oils, addressing different grades of oil and their effectiveness against bacteria and viruses, as well as updated safety precautions and cost. Updated recipes eliminate Borax (banned as a food additive in the U.S. and from cosmetic and cleaning products in the E.U.) from ingredient lists, replacing it with safe substitutes that include citric acid powder, hydrogen peroxide, diatomaceous earth, cornstarch, washing soda, and baking soda. New recipes show readers how to make easy, nontoxic, environmentally friendly substitutes for popular cleaning products, including molded laundry and dishwasher tablets. Packaging updates emphasize the use of glass containers for homemade cleaning products, to diminish environmental impact of plastic waste.
Many of the complaints that people had for the original have been addressed. It provides a variety of recipes, many of which are variations of vinegar and/or baking soda with some EOs added, but there is a wide range of recipes for a wide range of spaces including areas like the garage, yard, office, etc. It wasn't ultimately very useful for me since I already know how to make basic cleaners and don't use EOs that much in them. While I do use essential oils, I try to use them sparingly since they are not very sustainable (it takes many pounds of plant material for a few drops). It should be useful for those who aren't as familiar with basic nontoxic recipes and for the uses/fragrances of essential oils.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
In this updated edition of her best-selling book, Karyn Siegel-Maier brings together the formulas for home cleaning solutions that readers have trusted for years with new information and ingredients updated to today’s green standards. A new introduction shines a light on the antiseptic properties of essential oils, addressing different grades of oil and their effectiveness against bacteria and viruses, as well as updated safety precautions and cost. Updated recipes eliminate Borax (banned as a food additive in the U.S. and from cosmetic and cleaning products in the E.U.) from ingredient lists, replacing it with safe substitutes that include citric acid powder, hydrogen peroxide, diatomaceous earth, cornstarch, washing soda, and baking soda. New recipes show readers how to make easy, nontoxic, environmentally friendly substitutes for popular cleaning products, including molded laundry and dishwasher tablets. Packaging updates emphasize the use of glass containers for homemade cleaning products, to diminish environmental impact of plastic waste.
Many of the complaints that people had for the original have been addressed. It provides a variety of recipes, many of which are variations of vinegar and/or baking soda with some EOs added, but there is a wide range of recipes for a wide range of spaces including areas like the garage, yard, office, etc. It wasn't ultimately very useful for me since I already know how to make basic cleaners and don't use EOs that much in them. While I do use essential oils, I try to use them sparingly since they are not very sustainable (it takes many pounds of plant material for a few drops). It should be useful for those who aren't as familiar with basic nontoxic recipes and for the uses/fragrances of essential oils.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
October 12, 2020
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
The Naturally clean home is an easy to follow and use book of numerous different easy to make natural cleaning products to use in and around your home using simple and pretty much easy to find ingredients, all using essential oils.
I reviewed the 3rd edition which I couldn't find on goodreads so I have added my review under this one. The book contains many different cleaners from cleaners for doing laundry and dish washers, to carpets and hand soaps.
Many of the recipes sound great and easy to make and use and the book tells you a list of items you will need to make the products within this book at the beginning along with a warm welcome.
The Naturally clean home is an easy to follow and use book of numerous different easy to make natural cleaning products to use in and around your home using simple and pretty much easy to find ingredients, all using essential oils.
I reviewed the 3rd edition which I couldn't find on goodreads so I have added my review under this one. The book contains many different cleaners from cleaners for doing laundry and dish washers, to carpets and hand soaps.
Many of the recipes sound great and easy to make and use and the book tells you a list of items you will need to make the products within this book at the beginning along with a warm welcome.
July 9, 2022
Love it. I want to replace all of my cleaning supplies with the recipes in this book!
September 14, 2009
I read the 2nd edition (which seems from what I could see of reviews)has more recipes. I am not sure what else is different though. So far in all the books I have read on natural cleaning, this one has been the most easy to understand, filled with a lot of useful information and tips. If I had to get one book on natural cleaning, this would be it.
This year one of my goals was to expand my natural cleaning products. And this book gave me plenty of recipes to use and try. Often I see recipes on the web and other resources that use the same 3 ingredients over and over - baking soda, borax and vinegar which are all great ingredients but I wanted something to smell good but have properties that clean and disinfect. And this book gave me those options. MANY options. It includes those basic ingredients you see everywhere but also introduces herbs and essential oils and that was just what I was needing.
This book includes an introduction section that includes benefits of natural cleaning, safety issues, which herbs to use, how and why, how to get started (supply lists) and then a chart of herbs and the beneficial properties. After the introduction the book is divided into section on what to clean and then many many recipes to go with each section. Such as it has a section on the kitchen so has dish soap, automatic dishwasher soap, sink clean, de-greaser (which is something I have been looking for), all-purpose cleaner and so on. Another section is just on floors and carpet which includes an all-purpose citrus wall cleaner and simple rug and carpet deodorizer. In between all the recipes there are many cleaning tips.
Other sections:
The Bath, the laundry, wood care, cleaning metals, clearing the air, the garage and basement, the garden and landscape and the home office.
It also has a resource list.
Some favorite recipes:
Lavender Lift Automatic Dishwasher Powder
Country Spice Scrubber
Herbal De-greaser
Mold and Mildew Prevention Formula
Lavender Soft Scrubber
Some other recipes I want to try:
Thyme Carpet Steamer Shampoo
Herbal Mists - Air Fresheners
Floor wipes and all purpose wipes that use cloth wipes so they can be recycled (washed and then reused)
Laundry soaps
I would start out with just a few recipes that use the same oils so you aren't investing in lots of oils. They are expensive but I do need to say they go a LONG LONG way. The only oil I had before getting this book was tea tree oil. I have used it in a cleaner for my bathroom for the last 2 years and you can't even tell from the bottle that I have used any. So just start out with a few and then build up and they will last you a long time.
** I read a few reviews saying they were the same recipes over and over again just changing the essential oils and herbs. And that is probably accurate. But I didn't know anything about essential oils and herbs so this helped me know which would give me the properties I needed in cleaning. It gave a combination of oils and herbs and how to use them - which I would have never known without reading this book.
This year one of my goals was to expand my natural cleaning products. And this book gave me plenty of recipes to use and try. Often I see recipes on the web and other resources that use the same 3 ingredients over and over - baking soda, borax and vinegar which are all great ingredients but I wanted something to smell good but have properties that clean and disinfect. And this book gave me those options. MANY options. It includes those basic ingredients you see everywhere but also introduces herbs and essential oils and that was just what I was needing.
This book includes an introduction section that includes benefits of natural cleaning, safety issues, which herbs to use, how and why, how to get started (supply lists) and then a chart of herbs and the beneficial properties. After the introduction the book is divided into section on what to clean and then many many recipes to go with each section. Such as it has a section on the kitchen so has dish soap, automatic dishwasher soap, sink clean, de-greaser (which is something I have been looking for), all-purpose cleaner and so on. Another section is just on floors and carpet which includes an all-purpose citrus wall cleaner and simple rug and carpet deodorizer. In between all the recipes there are many cleaning tips.
Other sections:
The Bath, the laundry, wood care, cleaning metals, clearing the air, the garage and basement, the garden and landscape and the home office.
It also has a resource list.
Some favorite recipes:
Lavender Lift Automatic Dishwasher Powder
Country Spice Scrubber
Herbal De-greaser
Mold and Mildew Prevention Formula
Lavender Soft Scrubber
Some other recipes I want to try:
Thyme Carpet Steamer Shampoo
Herbal Mists - Air Fresheners
Floor wipes and all purpose wipes that use cloth wipes so they can be recycled (washed and then reused)
Laundry soaps
I would start out with just a few recipes that use the same oils so you aren't investing in lots of oils. They are expensive but I do need to say they go a LONG LONG way. The only oil I had before getting this book was tea tree oil. I have used it in a cleaner for my bathroom for the last 2 years and you can't even tell from the bottle that I have used any. So just start out with a few and then build up and they will last you a long time.
** I read a few reviews saying they were the same recipes over and over again just changing the essential oils and herbs. And that is probably accurate. But I didn't know anything about essential oils and herbs so this helped me know which would give me the properties I needed in cleaning. It gave a combination of oils and herbs and how to use them - which I would have never known without reading this book.
January 3, 2014
There is a cleaner for everything in this book! I'm not really a DIY cleaner kind of girl, but this book makes me want to give it a try. I've marked all of the cleaner recipes I want to try as my current store bought ones run out.
One of the things about this book that made it appealing is that the recipes are simple. Home cleaners that I have seen on Pinterest or blogs often seem complicated and require products that need to be special ordered. This book makes cleaners from things you can buy at the grocery store, Target, or on Amazon.
She breaks the recipes down by room or cleaning area, and it makes it even easier to navigate the book. I especially liked the additional information she provides about how to use each cleaner. She also has great lists in the front of the book for what you need to buy to make the basic cleaners in the book.
I don't buy many books, but I am so glad I bought this one. I think it will become a well-loved book.
I'll update this review once I make some of the cleaners.
One of the things about this book that made it appealing is that the recipes are simple. Home cleaners that I have seen on Pinterest or blogs often seem complicated and require products that need to be special ordered. This book makes cleaners from things you can buy at the grocery store, Target, or on Amazon.
She breaks the recipes down by room or cleaning area, and it makes it even easier to navigate the book. I especially liked the additional information she provides about how to use each cleaner. She also has great lists in the front of the book for what you need to buy to make the basic cleaners in the book.
I don't buy many books, but I am so glad I bought this one. I think it will become a well-loved book.
I'll update this review once I make some of the cleaners.
October 18, 2020
So, I've read similar books before but I really liked this one, especially a lot of the recipes to make your own cleaning products, a cleaner by trade I found the book very interesting especially as chemicals though they may be made cheap and available often affect our health ranging from hands to asthma etc, so I was really interested in this book!
Though some of the recipes are very appealing and the want for 'clean and green' cleaning products which seems easy and straightforward in theory but it's rather a little more difficult in practice as I'm feeling you're going to need a bit more than a basic understanding in chemistry.
Although the recipes were very impressive, I also felt that some of them might not actually work or even be that effective and that made me feel a bit uncertain about trying them out myself, the last thing I want to do is try out a recipe that ruins something in my home or anyone elses! Particulary the vinegar and castile soap - I'm not sure if that one will work and don't have high hopes but most of the others just seen to be baking soda and essential oils either that or follow complicated recipes with multiple ingredients.
This book isn't for a new starter to green cleaning or a beginner as it is quite advanced and would probably be too much for someone getting into this kind of book.
It was an okay read but it just didn't hit the right places for me to give it more stars!
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange an honest review! All opinions are my own.
#NetGalley #TheNaturallyCleanHome3rdEdition
Though some of the recipes are very appealing and the want for 'clean and green' cleaning products which seems easy and straightforward in theory but it's rather a little more difficult in practice as I'm feeling you're going to need a bit more than a basic understanding in chemistry.
Although the recipes were very impressive, I also felt that some of them might not actually work or even be that effective and that made me feel a bit uncertain about trying them out myself, the last thing I want to do is try out a recipe that ruins something in my home or anyone elses! Particulary the vinegar and castile soap - I'm not sure if that one will work and don't have high hopes but most of the others just seen to be baking soda and essential oils either that or follow complicated recipes with multiple ingredients.
This book isn't for a new starter to green cleaning or a beginner as it is quite advanced and would probably be too much for someone getting into this kind of book.
It was an okay read but it just didn't hit the right places for me to give it more stars!
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange an honest review! All opinions are my own.
#NetGalley #TheNaturallyCleanHome3rdEdition
January 8, 2019
Full of bad chemistry
Vinegar + baking soda = salt water. Borax + vinegar = salt water. Borax = unsafe for skin contact and anything that touches food. Vinegar + castille soap = pool of curdled oils. Also will literally add any essential oil to any recipe for no reason. Uses essential oils in unsafe ways. Gives no reason why you should choose one recipe or another when several recipes are suggested for the same problem- which tells me the author didn't actually test these at all. Wish I could get a refund but unfortunately I took like a year to get around to reading this.
Vinegar + baking soda = salt water. Borax + vinegar = salt water. Borax = unsafe for skin contact and anything that touches food. Vinegar + castille soap = pool of curdled oils. Also will literally add any essential oil to any recipe for no reason. Uses essential oils in unsafe ways. Gives no reason why you should choose one recipe or another when several recipes are suggested for the same problem- which tells me the author didn't actually test these at all. Wish I could get a refund but unfortunately I took like a year to get around to reading this.
January 14, 2023
An acquaintance recommended this book and I'm so glad she did! It was exactly what I was looking for to help me step up my cleaning game. I've made some of my own in the past and relied on green companies for the others, but was looking to step things up. That being said, I did get a little overwhelmed thinking about all of the changes I could make. So I'm just going to start with one and then gradually work my way up to more and more as I feel more comfortable with making the changes. I'm feeling particularly anxious about figuring out where to acquire some of the ingredients although I'm sure the internet will be a help with that.
October 25, 2018
I had higher hopes for this one! I'm a big fan of using natural cleaning methods wherever possible, and I was hoping to learn some new tricks from this book. But concocting cleaning products requires a solid understanding of chemistry, which was sorely lacking in this book. People seriously think you can concoct various mixtures of soap, vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils to clean anything. Think about it:
~Mixing baking soda and vinegar together in a cleaning product before using it neutralizes both ingredients and renders them ineffective. After the initial fizz, you are basically left with water and carbon dioxide. You might as well try to clean with seltzer. Any cleaning product that supposedly operates this way is bunk. There are certain instances in which you can use the actual reaction of these ingredients for their power (for example, pouring baking soda down a clogged sink and chasing with vinegar to lift the clog), but mixing them ahead of time will not work.
~Mixing vinegar and Castile soap together will de-saponify the fats in the soap and leave you with a sludgy, ineffective mess. Try it sometime; you will no longer have soap and vinegar, but an oily concoction with no cleaning power at all.
This book was full of cleaning supply recipes that have no regard for chemistry, which makes me wonder whether the author actually tested them out.
~Mixing baking soda and vinegar together in a cleaning product before using it neutralizes both ingredients and renders them ineffective. After the initial fizz, you are basically left with water and carbon dioxide. You might as well try to clean with seltzer. Any cleaning product that supposedly operates this way is bunk. There are certain instances in which you can use the actual reaction of these ingredients for their power (for example, pouring baking soda down a clogged sink and chasing with vinegar to lift the clog), but mixing them ahead of time will not work.
~Mixing vinegar and Castile soap together will de-saponify the fats in the soap and leave you with a sludgy, ineffective mess. Try it sometime; you will no longer have soap and vinegar, but an oily concoction with no cleaning power at all.
This book was full of cleaning supply recipes that have no regard for chemistry, which makes me wonder whether the author actually tested them out.
November 23, 2014
This was a pretty good book and very informative. I'm going with 3 1/2 stars overall but on the good side which I would be more likely to read. This was packed with tons of 'recipes' for all sorts of things and I definitely took plenty of notes. (I checked it out from the library) I didn't realize that essential oils could be more than just for the scent. I am seriously wanting to go on a sniff-hunt now and see what all these oils smell like so I could get my mad-scientist/witch brewing going. ;) This book mainly about homemade natural recipes for cleaners, polishers, and pretty much any chemical in your household that could be replaced using not only natural stuff, but the oils that aren't just for the smells. I loved the couple of charts that were included that clearly showed which oils did what and what kind of scent encouraged what. There's tons of information (that's why it took me so long to read...shhhh) but it would be great for pretty much anything. I was glad it covered so much area, kids, pets, indoor, outdoor, car, yard, etc. There's pretty much something for everything that has to do with taking care of your home and all around it. I'm glad I've read this book and hope to incorporate some of these recipes into my cleaning soon. Happy Senses Galore! Enjoy!
November 1, 2011
I am loving this book! She has really helpful suggestions for what essential oils to use where, and great recipes. Yes, I probably could have figured it all out on my own, but why re-invent the wheel? I love how fresh and clean my home feels with the all natural ingredients. Now when the kids walk in they say "the house smells so good!", where before they would open the windows and leave the room to escape the "cleaning" fumes!
February 1, 2009
This entire book could be summed up in 1 sentence: use baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils.
If you are looking for substitutes for household cleaners, this is a good starting point, but isn't very helpful for those moderately experienced with natural cleaners.
If you are looking for substitutes for household cleaners, this is a good starting point, but isn't very helpful for those moderately experienced with natural cleaners.
April 12, 2016
So simple to do. From home made fabric softener to oven cleaners!
October 11, 2020
To be published to my blog at release: Nonstop Reader.
The Naturally Clean Home is the reformatted third edition of Karyn Siegel-Maier's 1999 book on DIY green alternatives to harsh chemical cleaners for the home. Due out March 30th 2021 from Storey, it's 224 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
The introduction contains some very basic info about the science of soap and cleaning, concerns with bleach (and alternatives) and how and why to adopt more earth-friendly alternatives. The following chapters are grouped thematically: kitchen, bath, laundry, wood care, cleaning metals, walls & carpeting, cleaning the air, garage & basement, garden & landscape, and the home office. There are many (many) recipes and tips and tricks in this volume. Recipes are listed by category. Ingredients are listed bullet style in a sidebar with American standard measurements (no metric). Most of the ingredients will be readily available at a well stocked grocery store or co-op/health food store. Some few ingredients will need to be sourced at a pharmacy or online. The layout is easy to read and has good text contrast. There is very little photography, but recipes are enhanced by small line drawings. The recipes are not very involved, so tutorial photos weren't necessary.
Most people are becoming more aware of the desirability of reducing our plastic waste and our impact on the environment. This book contains a lot of good tips for making cleaning products with less waste, much less packaging, and fewer harsh chemicals.
I would recommend this one for smallholders, off-grid folks, people trying to live healthier lives with less detriment to the environment, money-savers, and the like. Five stars - basic info, but it's very convenient to have it collected and arranged in a logically accessible volume together.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Naturally Clean Home is the reformatted third edition of Karyn Siegel-Maier's 1999 book on DIY green alternatives to harsh chemical cleaners for the home. Due out March 30th 2021 from Storey, it's 224 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
The introduction contains some very basic info about the science of soap and cleaning, concerns with bleach (and alternatives) and how and why to adopt more earth-friendly alternatives. The following chapters are grouped thematically: kitchen, bath, laundry, wood care, cleaning metals, walls & carpeting, cleaning the air, garage & basement, garden & landscape, and the home office. There are many (many) recipes and tips and tricks in this volume. Recipes are listed by category. Ingredients are listed bullet style in a sidebar with American standard measurements (no metric). Most of the ingredients will be readily available at a well stocked grocery store or co-op/health food store. Some few ingredients will need to be sourced at a pharmacy or online. The layout is easy to read and has good text contrast. There is very little photography, but recipes are enhanced by small line drawings. The recipes are not very involved, so tutorial photos weren't necessary.
Most people are becoming more aware of the desirability of reducing our plastic waste and our impact on the environment. This book contains a lot of good tips for making cleaning products with less waste, much less packaging, and fewer harsh chemicals.
I would recommend this one for smallholders, off-grid folks, people trying to live healthier lives with less detriment to the environment, money-savers, and the like. Five stars - basic info, but it's very convenient to have it collected and arranged in a logically accessible volume together.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
September 26, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the digital review copy.
There are few books that I keep, whether for reference or to re-read once I’ve finished, but this book will stay around for years to come, I’m sure. I’ve always had smell sensitivities (migraines), but until the last couple of years, I’ve just experimented with store bought products with lighter or no scent. Unfortunately, even those things have all sorts of chemicals in them. The last year or two, I’ve branched out in my research and experiments, and I love using essential oils. I now make my own lotions and candles with lighter scents that are more gentle on my sensibilities. This book will help me take that one step further to introduce them into my cleaning products.
I already make my own room and fabric fresheners, and I’m looking forward to experimenting more with the recipes in this book to create useful, effective, and natural cleaning products. My cat is getting old as well, and I worry about harsh chemicals around her, as she gets into everything. I learned a lot about the properties of some common, natural cleaners in these pages, and adding essential oils to them can boost their power and make them smell nice.
If you too are looking for more natural alternatives to households products, definitely give this book a go. It’s a handy reference to have no matter what type of cleaning you’d like to tackle. The third editon is out in March, just in time for a good spring cleaning!
There are few books that I keep, whether for reference or to re-read once I’ve finished, but this book will stay around for years to come, I’m sure. I’ve always had smell sensitivities (migraines), but until the last couple of years, I’ve just experimented with store bought products with lighter or no scent. Unfortunately, even those things have all sorts of chemicals in them. The last year or two, I’ve branched out in my research and experiments, and I love using essential oils. I now make my own lotions and candles with lighter scents that are more gentle on my sensibilities. This book will help me take that one step further to introduce them into my cleaning products.
I already make my own room and fabric fresheners, and I’m looking forward to experimenting more with the recipes in this book to create useful, effective, and natural cleaning products. My cat is getting old as well, and I worry about harsh chemicals around her, as she gets into everything. I learned a lot about the properties of some common, natural cleaners in these pages, and adding essential oils to them can boost their power and make them smell nice.
If you too are looking for more natural alternatives to households products, definitely give this book a go. It’s a handy reference to have no matter what type of cleaning you’d like to tackle. The third editon is out in March, just in time for a good spring cleaning!
November 18, 2020
I grew up in a very green home, but swayed away from it as an adult because lets be honest, its WAY more convenient to just buy some Lysol wipes and call it a day. But now that I'm settling into my thirties, with a couple of kids, I realize why going natural is just so important. In 2020 I have spent a good deal of time reading books about natural lifestyles and cleaning and this book was a wonderful addition to that.
This book is very logically laid out starting with a chapter on the science behind the natural cleaning products that are going to be used and then flowing into chapters such as Kitchen and Bath. I loved how it includes the garage and the garden as well. Very thorough cleaning guild to your WHOLE home not just the typical Kitchen/Bath.
My biggest complaint about this particular book and its recipes is the ingredients used vary widely. It uses the usual baking soda, citric acid, essential oils and castile soap but also has many ingredients (like dried red clover flowers, linseed oil and pumice powder) that are not easily attainable items. Over all I would recommend, but likely wouldn't make several of the recipes simply due to the fact that I would need a large supply closet to keep the variety of items in and we are a very minimal family.
Thank you to NetGalley, Storey Publishing and Karyn Seigel-Maier for an ARC of this book
This book is very logically laid out starting with a chapter on the science behind the natural cleaning products that are going to be used and then flowing into chapters such as Kitchen and Bath. I loved how it includes the garage and the garden as well. Very thorough cleaning guild to your WHOLE home not just the typical Kitchen/Bath.
My biggest complaint about this particular book and its recipes is the ingredients used vary widely. It uses the usual baking soda, citric acid, essential oils and castile soap but also has many ingredients (like dried red clover flowers, linseed oil and pumice powder) that are not easily attainable items. Over all I would recommend, but likely wouldn't make several of the recipes simply due to the fact that I would need a large supply closet to keep the variety of items in and we are a very minimal family.
Thank you to NetGalley, Storey Publishing and Karyn Seigel-Maier for an ARC of this book
November 18, 2020
The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegel-Maier exceeded my expectations when it came to the various recipes included in this book.
I was astounded at all the different places that were listed along with items mentioned to clean. Some I would have never even thought of, but I am so glad they were included. I feel that the authour really thought of everything and was very thorough in including the entire home. I also appreciated that several recipes came with different variations or scents. For more experienced essential oil folks that might be silly, but for new people it is very helpful. My favourite section was the laundry section and all the different ways to remove stains.
I wish there had been more detail when it came to warnings. I know there was a brief one in the front. I wish I had seen more related to pets as I know that is a big issue. Lastly, it is not a huge deal, but the cover is gorgeous. I found the inside so simple compared to how nice the cover is.
Overall, I rate this book 4.5 stars. With a little more design in the book, and the pet toxicity warning, chart, guide, etc this book would be an easy 5 stars. I love all the attention to detail, variety, versatility, and research that went into this book.
I received an eARC from Storey Publishing through NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.
I was astounded at all the different places that were listed along with items mentioned to clean. Some I would have never even thought of, but I am so glad they were included. I feel that the authour really thought of everything and was very thorough in including the entire home. I also appreciated that several recipes came with different variations or scents. For more experienced essential oil folks that might be silly, but for new people it is very helpful. My favourite section was the laundry section and all the different ways to remove stains.
I wish there had been more detail when it came to warnings. I know there was a brief one in the front. I wish I had seen more related to pets as I know that is a big issue. Lastly, it is not a huge deal, but the cover is gorgeous. I found the inside so simple compared to how nice the cover is.
Overall, I rate this book 4.5 stars. With a little more design in the book, and the pet toxicity warning, chart, guide, etc this book would be an easy 5 stars. I love all the attention to detail, variety, versatility, and research that went into this book.
I received an eARC from Storey Publishing through NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.
April 1, 2021
Tl;DR -- A pleasantly laid out book that offers many a recipe for the ecologically friendly homemaker. Initial financial output substantial to make the suggested concoctions, however long-term likely cost savings.
My favorite bits of this book involved the typeface and layout. Like the subject, it's clean, fresh and uncluttered.
The meat of the book involves many an essential oil -based cleaning recipe, a handy reference tool for those wanting to create their own nontoxic offerings. The introduction bodes well too, with explanations of what each essential oil offers to clean, as well as which ones to avoid (or explicitly avoided in the book) because of higher costs.
There were two things that kept me from giving the book five stars: the availability of many said recipes on the internet, and the occasional preachy tone around choosing earth-friendly products over another. If I only chose a book based on whether I could do some research and find relevant Pinterest pins to give me advice however, I'd never use a library or reference material again. (And who really wants to take health-related advice from a stranger on the internet?)
My favorite bits of this book involved the typeface and layout. Like the subject, it's clean, fresh and uncluttered.
The meat of the book involves many an essential oil -based cleaning recipe, a handy reference tool for those wanting to create their own nontoxic offerings. The introduction bodes well too, with explanations of what each essential oil offers to clean, as well as which ones to avoid (or explicitly avoided in the book) because of higher costs.
There were two things that kept me from giving the book five stars: the availability of many said recipes on the internet, and the occasional preachy tone around choosing earth-friendly products over another. If I only chose a book based on whether I could do some research and find relevant Pinterest pins to give me advice however, I'd never use a library or reference material again. (And who really wants to take health-related advice from a stranger on the internet?)
November 7, 2020
This book is amazing! I have made and used a few natural cleaning items with essential oils and after reading this book I will definitely be expanding those items and making more. The recipes are laid out in a very easy to follow manner and utilize a minimum of ingredients. I appreciated the explanation and description of essential oils as well as the other ingredients in the beginning of the book including where to find them; many times people are intimidated on where to obtain ingredients so this was a very helpful section.
The recipes are simple, easy to flow and are laid out by rooms and items such as Kitchen cleaning products, car cleaning, bathroom, air cleansing, laundry, basement, wood cleaning and more. There are recipes for dishwashing soaps, carpet cleaners, glass cleaner, pot-purri and many many more.
This is a great resource for anyone wishing to go more chemical free in their home. I highly recommend it.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The recipes are simple, easy to flow and are laid out by rooms and items such as Kitchen cleaning products, car cleaning, bathroom, air cleansing, laundry, basement, wood cleaning and more. There are recipes for dishwashing soaps, carpet cleaners, glass cleaner, pot-purri and many many more.
This is a great resource for anyone wishing to go more chemical free in their home. I highly recommend it.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
November 16, 2020
I was super excited for this book. I started my "clean" living a few years ago after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and working on what goes in my body and what I surround myself with has been a journey! I recently began working with essential oils, originally to help with sickness but I was thrilled to see they had cleaning properties. I came across this book by Karyn Siegel-Maier and was absolutely thrilled to see the many cleaning possibilities of essential oils and other all-natural ingredients. From my own research I have come across many like recipes like the ones offered in the book so I'm aware of a few instances where some combinations may not work well or not at all. But there is still a wealth of information in this book, it is literally a treasure trove! It includes things from kitchen cleaning and sanitizing to managing and storing garden tools to homemade pest control. This book is awesome and I would highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for an alternative and all-natural way of life.
April 22, 2021
I really like this book. As a beginner to natural cleaning, I welcome any and all advice, and this book seems to have a formula for most everything I need. One feature I was really happy to see is the chart in the beginning of the book that offers a listing of several essential oils and whether they have antiviral, antifungal, antibiotic, and/or antibacterial properties. For example, Tea Tree and Lemon are all four of those qualitied. This would be extremely useful in concocting one’s own cleaners, even independent of the book.
There is also a small “glossary” of ingredients you may need and some even have suggestions of where you can buy them. This is useful for me because where I live, there are no health food stores nearby and some things can be hard to source.
All in all, I think this book is great to have on hand. I have made a couple of the formulas, and I feel good knowing that I am not contributing to putting poisons out into the environment. I think this would be a valuable asset to anyone’s bookshelf.
There is also a small “glossary” of ingredients you may need and some even have suggestions of where you can buy them. This is useful for me because where I live, there are no health food stores nearby and some things can be hard to source.
All in all, I think this book is great to have on hand. I have made a couple of the formulas, and I feel good knowing that I am not contributing to putting poisons out into the environment. I think this would be a valuable asset to anyone’s bookshelf.
November 9, 2020
A lovely book about natural cleaning. Divided into rooms of the house (and car), it gives a variety of recipes for different cleaners. I've only tried some of them so far, some worked really well, others not quite as well as I'd hoped. I think I will be using some of them to replace my everyday cleaners, so that there are less manmade cleaners (and their residue and fumes) in my home. the removal of borax from this third addition is a warning that not all natural cleaners are completely safe!
A warning - all the suggested essential oils can mean quite an outlay at the start, along with the other ingredients and equipment, so I doubt this will work out cheaper than using regular cleaning products.
A warning - all the suggested essential oils can mean quite an outlay at the start, along with the other ingredients and equipment, so I doubt this will work out cheaper than using regular cleaning products.
November 16, 2020
There are so many books already about natural cleansers that I have read. They are promoting how healthy to use DIY natural cleaning products, which I agree with. They are also convincing you that the methods are easy to follow, I also agree. So what makes this book stands out? I guess by using many kinds of essential oils for your purposes. The good thing is that she provides you with tables, what oils, and for what. Very easy to follow the instructions. The ingredients might be not all accessible for everyone. In my case, liquid Castille soap is not so common where I live. Anyway, if you never read a book like this, it has so many recipes you can try out and have fun.
March 23, 2021
Every household should have a copy of this book. Part science lessons (that you can actually understand) and part how to. I have a friend that has been trying to get me into essential oils forever, but I always thought making my own products would be too much trouble, that is until reading this book. I really want to make a lot of the cleaning and household products mentioned. I think this is the perfect read for a newbie looking to start creating safe natural cleaners and products.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for allowing me to review this title.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for allowing me to review this title.
September 29, 2020
There’s no need to head to the store for cleaning products anymore! All you’ll need from here on out is some essential oils and a few common household ingredients and you’ll have a sparkling clean house in no time!
Books like this are a great resource to have on hand for the duration and can often be shared with friends and family too!
Thank you Netgalley, Karyn Siegel-Maier, and Storey Publishing for the ARC!
Books like this are a great resource to have on hand for the duration and can often be shared with friends and family too!
Thank you Netgalley, Karyn Siegel-Maier, and Storey Publishing for the ARC!
February 17, 2023
I was hoping I would find this more exciting, but the content (and the digital book layout) is so basic... I guess that is a part of its charm. Beautiful cover.
Included are many easy-to-follow recipes. The #1 secret ingredient in most of these formulas is white vinegar. And then the essential oil(s). There's an index in the back. It's a quick read and because the intent of this book is a good one, it's hard to rate anything lower than 4 star.
My hyper-critical rating is a 2.5? P.S. I've tried zero of these recipes so I have no room to judge on them.
Included are many easy-to-follow recipes. The #1 secret ingredient in most of these formulas is white vinegar. And then the essential oil(s). There's an index in the back. It's a quick read and because the intent of this book is a good one, it's hard to rate anything lower than 4 star.
My hyper-critical rating is a 2.5? P.S. I've tried zero of these recipes so I have no room to judge on them.
October 12, 2020
The Naturally Clean Home is a great resource for natural, effective ways to clean without harsh chemicals. Easy to find ingredients and easy to make! Definitely a must if you are looking to switch to natural/green products in your home.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
February 15, 2021
Super helpful for those of us that want to cut back on harmful chemicals in our household. There are plenty of different options given in this book if say one scent isn’t for you. Easy to follow with easy to find ingredients. So Whether you are going completely homemade cleaning supplies ,or just replacing a few, this book is great for you.
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