Eco-Friendly Home
By Cynthia Johnston - Herbalist & Owner of
MoonMaid Botanicals

While thinking about this topic, I realized that an “eco-friendly” home means many things.  It is the products we have for laundry and cleaning; the things we use to polish and wash down windows, doors and tables; the choices we make for body and skin care; the make-up we use; and even the insect repellents we use on our bodies or for our garden plants. 

One can then consider what one uses to contain trash, recycling or compost.  Is it really cleaner to use plastic garbage bags when one can reuse paper bags numerous times?  Is it kinder and gentler to the Earth to drive to many stores to acquire food and supplies or settle for something “less organic” rather then driving 40 miles for a substitute.  For some things I consider it a must, or I try to bundle my trip to accomplish everything I need to do that isn’t available close to home. 

Our food is one of the most important choices we make that directly effects our environment.  What goes in the body comes out as waste, and in many places goes directly into the water system.  This means pesticides, non-organic soaps and body care residue, as well as vitamins and prescription drugs.  A good reason to go “organic.”  But I digress.  There are many wonderful herbs that can, at the very least, make cleaning the house, taking a bath, gardening or doing laundry an aromatic experience that is uplifting as well as easy on the Planet.

A basic way to begin can be simply purchasing products that are labeled biodegradable. Include paper products in this category.  Stick with paper towels, toilet paper, and cotton that are unbleached.  This includes washcloths and towels.  White, unbleached organic cotton towels are a luxurious treat that you will have to have once you try them.  If you must use plastic bags for trash, poop, or food, choose those that are biodegradable as well.  They can be washed and reused.  There are also paper plates and plastic silverware available that are corn starched based and dissolve when wet.  You’ll find all of this at any natural food store. 

To scent your home naturally there is the obvious incense but one might also create a potpourri with flowers, herbs and essential oils are many.  A mixture of rose buds, lavender, and calendula are beautiful in a bowl or jar with the lid removed.  I often gather various seed pods from my yard, place those in a bowl, scent with a few drops each of geranium, clary sage and patchouli oils, mix well and then add the flowers and herbs, and mix well.  The essential oils bump up the scent, and the creation looks gorgeous.  You can use the same combination of essential oils to make a relaxing and non-toxic bath.  Mix equal parts of powdered milk, baking soda and Epsom salts together, then add the essential oils to your “scent” preference.

If you want to customize your cleaning soaps and home cleaning items, purchase an unscented soap base, also available in bulk at most large natural stores.  Choose essential oils like lavender, rosemary, geranium, lemon, or citrus. Citrus is great oil for cutting through grease, on furniture or in hair products.  Be it glass or wood, citrus will cut through grime and leave the surface gleaming.  Essential oils added to a scent-free laundry or body soap, allows one to personalize products to suit personal needs.  An effective bug repellent can be created by adding essential oils to water in a spray bottle and will be effective for both your body and your plants.

As you can see, the choices are many.  Though they may at first seem complicated, too hard, or too costly.  Certainly this positive effect on your home, on personal health, and on the health of our planet is worth it.  I challenge you to choose a day and make it “chemical free.”  I believe you will find that it is not quite as difficult as you might think.    

Big Blend Radio Interview
Discussing how to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle, as well as how to use herbs instead of chemicals, herbalist Cynthia Johnston was a featured guest on Big Blend Radio's 'Champagne Sundays' show, which aired live on April 18, 2010. To listen to her interview, please CLICK HERE!