How to have a Low-Tox Home on a Budget

Low-Tox CLEANING on a Budget

vinegar, castile soap, and alcohol

DIY all purpose cleaner

16 oz spray bottle

1 c white vinegar 

1 c water

EOs of choice or lemon juice

DIY disinfectant

16 oz spray bottle

1.5 c rubbing alcohol 

3/4 c water

EOs of choice or lemon juice

DIY laundry detergent

• 1 part castile soap with 10 parts water 

• can add EOs for fragrance

• add 1/2 c baking soda for whitening and deodorizing 

• for stains apply a few drops Castile soap directly to stain

DIY dishwashing 

• 1 part castile soap to 10 parts water for handwashing

• for dishwasher:

  • 1c water, 1c castile soap, 1 TBSP lemon juice

  • add 1 TBSP mixture into detergent dispenser

  • can add 1c vinegar into “rinse aid” dispenser if applicable

Low-Tox CLEANING on a Budget

pure castile soap

handwashing dishes 

• 1 part soap to 10 parts water

stovetop cleaner

• 1/4 c soap to 4 c water in spray bottle

laundry

• 1 part soap with 10 parts water 

mopping (wood, laminate, stone)

• 1/2 c soap to 3 gallons hot water

all purpose cleaning spray

• 1/4 c soap in quart of water 

window cleaner

• 1 TBSP soap in quart of water; follow up with half water/half vinegar

toiler cleaner

• pre-dilute 1:4 water add 1/4 tsp tea tree oil; squirt in bowl, sprinkle baking soda on brush, scrub, let sit for 10 min

produce wash

• 1/4 tsp in bowl of water

makeup brush cleanser

• wet brush, add 1-2 drops soap, massage, rinse, repeat as needed

Low-Tox PRODUCE on a Budget

DIY vinegar produce wash

Place produce in bowl

1/2 c vinegar for every 2 c water

Soak 5-10 minutes 

Rinse

Air dry on dish towel 

DIY baking soda produce wash

Place produce in bowl

1 tsp baking soda to every 2 c water

Soak for 15 minutes

Rinse

Air dry on dish towel

shop in season

shop EWG’s annual clean 15 & don’t buy organic

(these are the least likely to have pesticide residue)

Low-Tox MEAT & DAIRY on a Budget

If you’re going to prioritize one over the other, prioritize meat over eggs. IMO there’s so many more benefits to cheaper, conventional eggs than meat.

While pricier up front, splitting a whole cow with a friend(s) typically brings your annual cost in meat down a significant amount.

Often times buying a whole, organic chicken will be cheaper than buying breasts. And then you can use the bones to make homemade bone broth. 

If you see organic, grass-fed meat on sale, buy in bulk and freeze.

If raw or 100% grass-fed milk/cheese is not in your budget, simple “organic” milk/cheese is at least partially grass-fed, and the rest of their feed is 100% non-GMO. And usually there’s non-name brand organic options that will be cheaper. AND did you know you can freeze milk? If you happen to see milk on sale, you can buy in bulk and freeze!

Low-Tox BODY on a Budget

COCONUT OIL body lotion (can also whip with shea butter)

• body scrub (when mixed with sugar)

• body wash/hand soap

  • 1/3 c liquid castile soap

    • gentle baby castile soap like Dr. Bronner’s best for sensitive skin

  • 1/3 c honey

  • 1/3 c fractionated coconut oil

  • ingredients may separate so shake before using

• facial moisturizer 

• shaving balm

• lip balm

• makeup remover

• hair mask

• diaper cream

• perfume roll on (fractionated oil + EOs)

• double plus, can also be used for cooking!

PURE CASTILE SOAP

• face wash 

  • 2 or 3 drops of soap on wet hands and apply to wet face

• body wash 

• makeup remover

  • lather several drops on wet face, massage into skin and rinse

• hand soap

• shampoo

  • couple drops up to 1/2 TBSP depending on length and thickness) diluted in 1c water followed with diluted apple cider vinegar rinse 

• shaving 

  • face 10 drops, underarms 3 drops, eggs 1/2 tsp

if going to use pure castile soap on the body, I would recommend Dr. Bronner’s baby unscented for a more gentle wash

Low-Tox HOME & KITCHEN on a Budget

• use EO’s and diffusers instead of candles. much more cost effective, and last a lot longer (Plant Therapy is high quality, very affordable, and available on Amazon)

• DIY room spray with 1c distilled water, 1/4c rubbing alcohol or witch hazel, 20-30 drops of EO

• to swap out plasticware, shop at thrift stores for stainless steel and glass. you might not find perfectly matching sets, but you can often find plates, bowls, cups, cooking utensils, etc., for well under $5. some thrift stores will even have discount days!

• if you don’t like to DIY then switch products as they run out. don’t feel like you have to swap everything at once.

• if a full blown water filtration system is not in your budget, a few high quality budget friendly filter dispensers are: Waterdrop, Epic Water, and Clearly Filtered. you can also consider filtered water bottles like Epic Water and Clearly Filtered. or if you need something truly free you can boil water and keep in a pitcher in the fridge (won’t remove certain elements like fluoride, but it’s better than nothing if that’s a battle you wish to choose. If boiling, I would also throw in an electrolyte like a high quality sea, Himalayan, or Celtic salt to replace lost minerals)

Low-Tox HEALTH Totally FREE!!!

• sunshine and fresh air - best form of vitamin D!

• open up your windows

• daily exercise - even just a walk around the block

• hydrate - can add a mineral salt for electrolyte

• prayer / meditate

• takes shoes off in the house

• breaks from screens / no screens 1-2 hr before bed

• stick to a sleep schedule / get adequate sleep

• minimize stress wherever and however you can

• grounding - get your bare feet on the earth

• read a book

• daily stretching

• reduce alcohol

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