Laundry Maid Status: Dryer Balls

This post is brought to you by Bon Iver. Listen with me.

I don't know about you, but I like my laundry to smell fresh and clean. It lets me know that my laundry is, well, clean. Like many of us, we use scented laundry detergent, fabric softener and dryer sheets to get 'that clean smell'.

Well, here's the sad part . . . 'that clean smell' can be one of the most toxic things you are bringing into your home.

Unlike food, there are no laws in place which require manufacturers of these products to list all the chemicals used. *red flag*
You'll see something along the lines of, 'biodegradable catatonics softeners". Basically the stuff that makes our laundry static-free and fluffy. A.k.a toxic chemicals.

"When people use dryer sheets, they are coating their cloths with a thin film of artificial chemical perfumes. Just like other perfumes, a person’s sensitivity to these perfumes decreases over time to the point where they don’t even notice how potent these artificial fragrance chemicals are. None of this would be interesting if it weren't for the fact that these fragrance chemicals are extremely toxic. They are known carcinogens. They cause liver damage and cancer in mammals.” Mike Adams

Read more from Mike Adams' article here. 


Here are the most common chemicals found in dryer sheets: (and this is just dryer sheets! Detergent and fabric softeners are just as bad!) 

• Alpha-Terpineol causes central nervous system disorders. Can also cause loss of muscular coordination, central nervous system depression, and headache.
• Benzyl Alcohol causes central nervous system disorders, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, central nervous system depression, and, in severe cases, death.
• Camphor on the US EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Central nervous system stimulant, causes dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles, and convulsions.
• Chloroform on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Neurotoxic and carcinogenic.
• Ethyl Acetate on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Narcotic. May cause headaches and narcosis (stupor).
• Linalool causes central nervous system disorders. Narcotic. In studies of animals, it caused ataxic gait (loss of muscular coordination), reduced spontaneous motor activity, and depression.
• Pentane causes headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and loss of consciousness. Repeated inhalation of vapors causes central nervous system depression.

Every chemical that touches the skin finds it's way into the body and eventually the bloodstream.
You can read so much more about it here, so I won't go into any more details. Seriously. Read this.

I have sensitive skin and skipped fabric softener completely, just relying on dryer sheets for smells and softens. My bad. I am changing my ways.

While we can't control every toxin in our house, we sure can control this one.


Here is the solution to dryer sheets . . . dryer balls!

Dryer balls are small balls of wool (about the size of a tennis ball) that you put in the dryer along with your laundry. Dryer balls can help your dryer run more efficiently. They fluff up your laundry, prevent clothes from clumping and increase air circulation which means that will cut down on the time it takes your clothes to dry! Dryer balls also replace dryer sheets and liquid fabric softener, which, over time, saves money. Dryer sheets and fabric softener aren't very expensive, but the same set of dryer balls can be used for years! Fabric softener makes your towels less absorbent. The chemicals in fabric softener products leaves a film behind on your clothing. It feels nice, but it actually makes your towels less effective. This isn't an issue with dryer balls. Dryer balls are biodegradable. Dryer sheets aren't. Because you'll probably never throw away your dryer balls (which are 100% wool, by the way, not a plastic-y mesh sheet) you'll use them for years. And, in the event you want to make new ones, these make fun cat toys. Or, pick them apart and spread the fibers outside so the birds can use them to build nests. Boom. Biodegradable.

Make your own!

• fiber (I used a total of 3 oz of merino wool. The brand is Lunabudknits; I found mine at Kanawha City Yarn Company.)
• pantyhose or a sock (I used an old pair of tights from my dancing days!)
• scrap yarn

YOU CAN ALSO used yarn wound into balls, just make sure it is 100% wool. If it is a blend, i.e. wool/acrylic, it will NOT felt. Excellent tutorial for felted yarn balls here.

1.) Unwind your roving and cut in half.






































2.) Tightly wind into balls.

3.) Using scrap yarn, fasten off each ball into a pair of hose/tights/socks.

4.) Throw into your next load of laundry. Wash and dry.

To use, sprinkle a few drops of essential oil on each ball and throw it in with your next load.

Aaaaand done.

If you prefer to just purchase your own, this brand is the best that I've found.

Quick impressions: Fluffy and dry! Check. I can definitely smell the essential oils on my clothes much more than when I just use essential oils in my detergent. The scent does linger longer. However, the static still remains. I recently washed a blanket and noticed how that static was not quite eliminated.Hmm.

Have you ever used dryer balls before? What did you think of them?

OMG...CSA!

Saturday was a day full of fun!
Guess what I joined? Hint: not a gym.

Months ago, with the recommendations of many friends, I started to follow Twin Maples Farm on Facebook. In my effort to supplement our grocery shopping with fresh, organic food, one of my goals this year was to join a Farm to Family CSA. What's a CSA you ask?

Here's Twin Maples's description:

Community-supported agriculture (CSA; sometimes known as community-shared agriculture) is an alternative, locally-based economic model of agriculture and food distribution. A CSA also refers to a particular network or association of individuals who have pledged to support one or more local farms, with growers and consumers sharing the risks and benefits of food production. CSA members or subscribers pay at the onset of the growing season for a share of the anticipated harvest; once harvesting begins, they receive weekly shares of vegetables and fruit, in a vegetable box scheme. Many CSAs also sometimes include herbs, cut flowers, honey, eggs, dairy products and meat. In theory a CSA can provide any product to its members, although the majority of CSA tend to provide produce and other comestibles. Some CSAs provide for contributions of labor in lieu of a portion of subscription costs.

Twin Maples Farm is a local farm located about 20 minutes from me. There are several folks that I know that are part of TM's CSA  and it was definitely something I wanted to be a part of, too!So Saturday, not three days into the New Year, up pops into my newsfeed that there was an extra share (box of food) this week that was up for grabs. First come, first serve. So I thought, well why not? It's something I want to try and why not give it a test run. When I checked the pickup locations, you'll never guess where one of the drop offs are. My neighborhood.I squealed.She even offered to deliver to my door!OMG!
I was so excited! And for good reason, because I am very impressed with these boxes.

Here's a peek into the box:

I got the half share which is just perfect for us two. (Note: since this was a trial run for me, they just gave me a cardboard box. If I were to purchase a subscription, I would get a sturdy, plastic box that I would exchange weekly.)

This week's box included:

• half dozen brown eggs
• 1 lb ground beef
• loaf of homemade bread
• bag of spinach
• bag of chard & kale
• a few cookies (peanut butter)

The  meats and produce varies according to what is in season. Also, from what I've read on the Facebook group, sometimes a jar of honey, bar of goat's milk soap or a jar of salt is thrown in.

The full share is more appropriate for a family; full dozen eggs, more meat, bigger variety of produce, etc.

I froze the meat, but have used everything else in my box. Very tasty, very fresh :)

If you are interested in Twin Maples Farm, here is their info:

• Twin Maples website
• Twin Maples Facebook page (note: there is also a closed group that you can request to join through this page)

If you are interested in finding a farm co-op in your location, go here:

• Local Harvest

Are you part of a farm co-op? Is this something that you find beneficial to your family? I would love to hear your experiences!

Healthy Home: All-Natural Dishwasher Pods

As part of my Healthy Body, Mind and Spirit makeover, I am adding a sub category: Healthy Home! Each of my endeavors will have two phases. For example, let's say if I was using a generic brand of dish detergent, my first phase would be to convert to an all natural, commercially available brand (i.e. 7th Generation) and the second phase would be to make my own detergent from scratch. In some areas, I already use an all-natural brand, so then my next step would be to jump in and make my own.

And that's the case here, so last night I got out all of my ingredients to make Citrus Dishwasher Pods! 

I am not a fan of powdered dish detergent because I am guilty of (more than once!) spilling it all over the kitchen floor. The pods keep it all intact and are pre-measured for easy-peasy dish cleaning.

I found this particular recipe on Tammy's blog. I made a small test batch as seen here and halved her recipe. You could easily double or triple the recipe and make enough to last months!

Here's the deal:

Gather your ingredients. I found all of mine at Kroger.

Combine and mix to the consistency of thick frosting. You may need more or less lemon juice to achieve the consistency. (It smelled awful at this point.)

Using a teaspoon or tablespoon (be sure to check your dishwasher and see which size is best to fit your pod in the compartment; I used a tablespoon) scoop and tightly press onto a cookie sheet. If not tightly pressed, they will crumble.

Let dry completely overnight.

Store in an airtight container.

All-Natural Citrus Dishwasher Pods

Small Batch Version

1/2 cup of borax

1/2 cup washing soda

1/4 cup epsom salt

4-6 tablespoons of lemon juice

Mix, scoop, let dry.

Oh! And need a good rinse aid? Hydrogen Peroxide! I'm telling you it works better than vinegar! Just mix a little citrus essential oil with 1/4-1/2 of peroxide and pour in your dishwasher.  

My New Mantra

I can't really say I'm one for New Year's Resolutions. But I do have one for this year. Actually, I started thinking about changes I wanted to make back in November and mulled over it for quite a bit before I decided to go through with it. And by the time I got all of my thoughts together, my lists written and a ton of research in, the timing just seemed right to start in January.

You'll get the picture over the next few weeks of what I'm actually going to do, but here's my new mantra:

My Body is a Temple: Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Healthy Spirit.

I am printing this poster out and framing it, posting it on the refrigerator, writing it in lipstick on the bathroom mirror and tattooing it to my forehead. Well, probably just printing and framing. (Hey, you want one, too? Click here for a free printable!)

So here is my overview:

Healthy Body

• exercising for real (Phase 1: yoga/Zumba, Phase 2: running.)
• integrating organic foods into our diet (Phase 1: adjusting our grocery list, join a Farm to Table organization, Phase 2: start a small garden.)
• eliminating toxins in the home (Phase 1: use of oils and plants, Phase 2: use of salt lamps and homemade cleaners)

Healthy Mind

• strengthen the mind 
• expand the mind
• sharpen the mind

Healthy Spirit

• personal Bible study
• less screen time
• friends: toxic or no?

I think this will also help me to focus in on writing more on the blog, so please, ask me questions, keep me in line!

Wanna join me in a healthier new year? Let me know the changes you are making in your life!