Better Basics for the Home. Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living

Editorial Review
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 concentrations of chemicals, Berthold-Bond was forced to rid her life of as many toxins as possible. "It wasn't until I had to be away from chemicals that I began to realize how many we lived with. The extent of the contamination is startling--from hair spray and floor wax to dandelion killers and plastic shower curtains and other products that line our hardware stores and supermarket shelves."

This book represents the culmination of her search for a more sustainable lifestyle. Taking her cue from an earlier time, Berthold-Bond, former editor in chief of Green Alternatives for Health and Environment, offers more than 800 simple and practical alternatives to common household toxins, covering everything from skin care to gardening. And the good news is that adopting her suggestions and formulas isn't hard at all. "Mixing up face creams or wood stain isn't much different than cleaning the windows with vinegar, soap, and water instead of using Brand Name X, or making a cake with flour, eggs and milk instead of buying a mix," see asserts. "With a few simple staples we can clean our houses, wash our hair, rid the dog's bed of fleas, and do many other things as well." If you have your doubts, here is her formula for metal polish:

3 teaspoons salt, 1 tablespoon flour, and enough white distilled vinegar to make a paste. Scoop the paste onto a clean sponge, and polish the metal clean. Rinse with hot water and buff dry.

Sure, these days it's literally impossible to lead a life that is completely toxin-free. But you can significantly reduce your exposure, and picking up a copy Better Basics for the Home is a great way to get started.
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Customer Reviews

Hard to find items...

2007-06-19
I really enjoyed many of the household cleaning products in this book but when it came to purchasing the products needed for the skin care I found it really disappointing. The websites that are given to purchase products (soap bark, plumeria flower essence, powdered Vit A) cannot be purchased anywhere. There are no suggestions as to what alternatives can be used. I am really frustrated at having to spend hours and hours of research time trying to track down these items.

Great

2007-06-01
Thank's for all of the great reviews. Even though I read them I still checked it out at the library first. When it was time to return it, I knew I had to buy it. I love this book!

Better Basics for the Home: Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living

2007-05-12
It is a wonderful book with everything I was looking for!

Better Basics for the Home

2007-04-16
Great reference. Every healty thinking homeowner should have one. I go to it often for everything from cleaning tips to skin care and how to solve the ant problem I had in my kitchen every spring. "Organic Housekeeping" by Ellen Sandbeck is also another wonderful book to have on hand.

Great book

2007-03-30
If you want to clean your home naturally, I highly recommend this book. I also recommend the book "Clean Home, Clean Planet" by Karen Logan. If you own these 2 books, you will be able to clean anything and everything without using harsh chemicals. Even if you aren't interested in the environmental reasons to clean naturally, it is much more cost effective to make your own cleaning products.
This book also has sections on more than just cleaning. I think you will enjoy this book and it will change the way your view products at traditional stores.

Great Book!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-04-28
This is an absolutely great book for anyone interested in "greening" their home. Their recommendations are great for the enviornment, for your health, home and save you money!

Terrific better Basics

2008-03-10
This book is filled with natural and non-toxic cleaning products, personal care products and more. I have made a number of cleaning potions from Better Basics and am loving the way my house smells when I clean it! Meaning...instead of the old days using harsh chemicals, my home smells like almost nothing--just clean!

I was going to post a review for Annie Bond's Home Enlightenment: Practical, Earth-Friendly Advice for Creating a Nurturing, Healthy, and Toxin-Free Home and Lifestyle, but noticed it is no longer in print. Too bad, because it was good. However, if you want similar information, check out Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your PlanetBoth of these books deal with the next steps to take once your home is non-toxic, including ways to make your home your sanctuary.

Informative and useful!

2007-11-19
This is a great book. I got it not really thinking I would use it as much as I have. I use it for body creams, cleansers and moisturizers AND I use if for household cleaning, furniture polish, sachets, and more. And her explanations of how different ingredients work is also very helpful. I now buy very few commercial cleaners (Bon Ami, Ecover laundry detergent) mostly because I can't find washing soda anywhere locally.

less toxic living

2007-10-01
It's amazing all the products you can clean with that are already in your kitchen and, more importantly, not toxic.

Loved it!

2007-07-26
This is an excellent guide for a less toxic living approach. It provides you with 868 easy to make natural and chemical free formulas for Household Cleaners, Skin & Hair Care, Lawn and Garden Care, Paint, Art Projects and so much more. It's a great resource to have around. I really liked how most of the recipes only call for a couple of ingredients and are really easy to make. And best of all they work too. One of my favorites is the Aloe Vera Moisturizer with Avocado Oil. It's the only Moisturizer I still use for my face and it works great!

Highly recommend this book!