Household

We live in a chemical age that is rapidly obliterating natural ways of keeping clean, not just for our bodies but our surroundings too. Below are products loved for their simpleness and effectiveness, without long ingredient lists of manmade compounds. Some are even created by our friends! Brett Thomas's hand-made bath soaps are his pride and joy, well worth the price and rich with moisturizers and essential oils (see Sun & Skin page for his soaps). Try Brett's linseed oil multi-use home cleaner if you ever used Murphy's oil soap and miss the original formula.

MENTHOL CRYSTALS! Highly recommended. If you've never used these for relief of sniffles or congestion, or just to open your airways and refresh yourself, give them a try! Made of 100% peppermint oil, put them in a sachet and keep near your pillow in bed for an antibacterial whiff or two before you go to sleep. Also good to scatter to repel bugs or ants, or diffuse in a room to get rid of odors. And check out our full-spectrum LED light bulbs -- vision- and mood-friendly, unlike the ones you buy in stores which confuse your body rhythms and metabolism.

Menthol Crystals

Derived from peppermint oil, menthol crystals have been used since ancient times for health benefits. Once you take a whiff, you won't want to do without them! Their pungent scent opens your airways -- tie some in a cloth sachet and keep handy to inhale for quick congestion relief. Peppermint is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory: apply sachet briefly to insect bites or minor itchy skin irritations, or use some in a foot soak for achy, swollen feet.

Menthol crystals can also be scattered in cupboards to clear odors, or vaporized in a diffuser to freshen rooms (please study up on this; close room entirely and do not access while diffusing).

7-ounce jar, with muslin sachet $23

Wiley's Wash Soap

A natural country-style laundry product made from castile soap flakes, baking soda, borax and washing soda. No additives, leaves no residue in your washer; softens, brightens and deodorizes clothes and linens. Great for whites or colors; can be used in HE, front- and top-loading machines. Only one tablespoon needed for ordinary loads (use more for large or soiled loads). Named after and tested by our friend Wiley who lives on a farm complete with dogs and mud. Your clothes will come out nice and clean!

Regular strength or Robust (a little stronger)

1-pound bag $12 $14 Robust

2-pound bag $20 $24 Robust

Linseed-Oil Whole House Concentrate

Remember Murphy's Oil Soap -- the brown liquid that you added to a bucket and cleaned the whole house with? This is soapmaker Brett Thomas's version of a thick all-purpose household soap you can dilute 60:1. Made from raw organic linseed oil with natural pine rosin for lather, you can use it by the teaspoon or make a 15:1 concentrate to keep on hand; dilute further as needed. Bring that old-fashioned clean-soap smell back into your home! Click here for package label.