Anyone else worry about the amount of chemicals...

[Nettac]

We use on a day to day basis? Not only from ia health perspective, but also from an environmental one.

I have PsA, and was suffering from really awful skin problems. My scalp was a mess. I was also getting really bad headaches. The shampoo, and creams I was given seem to make things worse.

I have since stopped using chemicals for household cleaning, and for personal care. I still get some headaches (I think inflammation) but my skin is much better, and my scalp is not so tender.

Just thought I'd share.

Oh...lsave a huge amount on products!

Below home made bath salts.

[helixhelix]

Stopped using them unless no alternative about 20 years ago! Now use minimal cosmetics, household products, garden products etc etc. White vinegar, bicarbonate of sodium, pure soap and shea butter cover most things.

[AgedCrone in reply to helixhelix]

Ditto HH..just about to use vinegar & water to remove a build up of beeswax from a coffe table! Never tried it before...hope the mixture doesn't ruin it!

[medway-lady in reply to AgedCrone]

The professionals use fire, white spirit and wire wool it does work or at least it did for the Ercol chappie ! x

[Eiram50 in reply to helixhelix]

In terms of garden products - I found a few ants in the kitchen yesterday. About five years ago, I woke up to find my counter tops were black - covered with them- it was terrifying! Don't want to go down the route of poisons etc ( have a cat and got little kitten yesterday) so , ant natural tips would be very much appreciated!

Marie

[Hidden in reply to Eiram50]

Eiram we have ants in the house too so I'll be interested in any suggestions as well.

[helixhelix in reply to Eiram50]

White vinegar and some water in a spray bottle....spray the zones where they creep in and normally deters them. If you spray them with it, it kills them.

[Eiram50 in reply to helixhelix]

On my way to get vinegar now. Thank you

[helixhelix in reply to Eiram50]

Did it work?

[Eiram50 in reply to helixhelix]

Hi HH

What a time I've had of it!

The vinegar seemed to be working at the back door. I sprayed frequently during the day ( house smelled like a chip shop !!). No more ants spotted.

I got up the next again day, and they were everywhere!

I traced them to their nest in the garden, which appeared to be just under the kitchen window and I sprayed there.

No joy- they seem many and determined to invade so I ended up having to use chemicals.

I really didn't want to, but they really freak me out!!

[helixhelix in reply to Eiram50]

Shame. Works on my ants, but perhaps a more feeble variety. I use the cheap white vinegar which doesn't smell as strong as other ones. Or maybe I've just got used to living in a chip shop?

[Eiram50 in reply to helixhelix]

Haha. I will keep this in mind and use before the army is just too big to exert any non chemical based control! It's unfortunate as I didn't want to go down this route but the thought and sight of them

In the house gave me palpitations !!

[Gnarli in reply to Eiram50]

A friend used borax to get rid of ants in the house and she said it worked. She also said it was not easy to get hold of but you can get practically anything online. I don't know how toxic it would be for cats or kittens - and I'm so jealous- but Google would know. I hope this helps

J

[helixhelix in reply to Gnarli]

It's toxic....

[Gnarli in reply to helixhelix]

Bother

[nomoreheels in reply to Eiram50]

Yes, spraying white vinegar works as does the traditional Spanish method of flowers of sulphur, the yellow powder you see everywhere there. Put it where their route in is, what you're trying to do is block the pheromones, that's their communication, so if you do that they can't all troop in. If you can't find flowers of sulphur try a little pile of talc. All these are non toxic to pets. Or bicarb, that works too. What they're looking for is anything sweet.

[Eiram50 in reply to nomoreheels]

Great, thank you

[nomoreheels]

I've been using more Method & Ecover products but my Nan's old favourite for glass cleaning, white vinegar is useful for many other things, bicarb too.

[Eiram50 in reply to nomoreheels]

Strangely I picked up method washing detergent and anti bacterial spray in Tesco last week. Love the smell - wild rhubarb

Marie

[nomoreheels in reply to Eiram50]

Yes, keep your eyes out for offers on Method at Tesco Marie. If you have a Booths supermarket near you too, they often have 1/3 off the range. The scents are all natural & do smell gorgeous. I love the clementine washing up liquid, it's an excellent dispenser for those of us with hand issues as well because it's a pump-type, just press the top & it dispenses a dose (if that makes sense?!), the refill bag works out cheaper too, to top up the dispenser. Both the grapefruit hand wash (for the kitchen) & French lavender (loo) are nice as well. Oh & the eucalyptus & mint bathroom cleaner is excellent. The granite cleaner too. I sound as though I sell the stuff!

[Nettac]

I use soap nuts for laundry. So.etimes add washing soda, or bicarb for really dirty stuff. I use white vinegar for conditioner. General cleaning I use pure castile soap, with bicarb and orange essential oils.

With regards to ants...try vinegar with a little bicarb?

I have a huge issue using chemical flea and tick repellent on my precious dog. He was very sick the other day after using. Anyone had success with alternatives? The chemical flea stuff is lethal for both animals and humans.

[Matilda7 in reply to Nettac]

Have you got a homeopathic vet nearby?

[Nettac in reply to Matilda7]

No, and usual vets are very anti. However a friend who shows Irish setters has given a recommendation. I'm really worried about lung worm, so dawg must have treatment. Lethal fir children not to treat dogs...blindness etc.

[Nettac]

Personal care wise I use castille soap, and chemical free shampoo. Coconut oil and shea butter for,skin.

[Nettac]

For those interested...

A neighbour gave me a massive amount of mint. I mixed it with epsom salts and cucumber skin (in blender) smells like heaven. If you can get in and out of bath, wonderful to soak in. Make sure you have slip mat.

If you can't get in bath, soak your feet in it. Very calming and soothing.

[LizzieR in reply to Nettac]

Ooh I'm going to try that Nettac- I have so much mint. My daughter has made ice-cream, sauce, tea... And we're still going strong! X

[Nettac in reply to LizzieR]

It's wonderful! I'll dtick photo up.

Epsom salts is brilliant for aches and pains. I have a load of sage too (good anti inflammatory) I'm going to make some of that too.

[LizzieR in reply to Nettac]

It looks wonderful- such a rich colour. Thank you! X

[Eiram50 in reply to Nettac]

Oh, this sounds good. I cannot get in and out of a bath, haven't had one in three years ( don't worry, shower every day!!) but the thought of soaking my poor feet in this, sounds bliss.

[Matilda7]

I've used Ecover products for years...good for us and the environment!

[GranAmie]

Really like these recipes, bless u all. At that conferenceon auto-immune diseases, diet, microbiome etc etc we were told of dangers from phthalates in plastics, chemicals in fruit/ veg etc. Tinfoil is toxic when heated so use it for fridge storing not cooking. wood, I have dumped most of my plastics .. boxes,bags, tools etc and have gone back to stainless steel, china etc casseroles - and JAM JARS. If wellwashed they are great to store bits in the fridge or freezer [leave headspace] and no more water etc in plastic bottles. Just found super ginger 'beer' in glass bottles which helps bad taste [still] from sulfasalazine. buying fruit / veg loose where i can, and if not organic a quick dip in water /white vinegar mix shd get rid of some of the chemicals.. but only when you are about to use th veg etc. Think i put this info in the posts i did ?June about RA, diet , environment etc. so maybe look at that. More and more info in the news now - and also in online [free] WDDTY. Hope this helps or interests some.

[Nettac in reply to GranAmie]

I use old fashioned stopper bottles for water too!

[GranAmie in reply to Nettac]

we bought a plumbed in water filter about ?15 years ago and it has changed our life so much. can't advertise but not v expensive - a co. called Pozz*** based in uk & ireland