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

by Annie Berthold-Bond

Natural living has reached the we are now far more concerned about the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the chemicals that surround us, and recognize that government regulations all too often fall short of safeguarding our health. Enter Annie Berthold-Bond, whose Better Basics for the Home is a compendium of practical information—recipes, tips, and guidelines—for creating a simpler, cheaper, and environmentally safer lifestyle. Packed with important information, including “Buyer’s Guide” tips to safe commercial products and a complete resource directory. Better Basics for the Home enables us to make home a healthy place to be.

“ Better Basics for the Home  is such a pleasure to read through and savor. I’ve never seen so many practical, healthy, and uplifting solutions for enhancing daily life included in one volume.”—Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of  Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom

“Annie Berthold-Bond’s Better Basic for the Home is an extraordinary work. Offering a wealth of recipes for living more lightly on the planet—and more healthily, too—it will be of immense practical value to anyone and everyone with an interest in rising above the pitfalls for consumerism.”—Carl Frankel, author of In Earth’s Business, Environment and the Challenge of Sustainability

“In a world full of dangerous and toxic chemicals you can count on Annie Berthold-Bond to clearly and safely guide you to products that will protect your health and the safety of your family. This is a great book, and a wonderful investment in a healthier future for us all.”—Jeffrey Hollender, CEO, Seventh Generation

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Reference, Green, How To, Environment, Self Help

352 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1999

Reviews

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best collection of natural recipes I could find. Besides the obvious (cleaners, body care, etc.) there are interesting/unexpected things like mortar.

[Rebecca]

This is in my "to-read" shelf simply because I've been looking for easy ways to cut out having to buy lots of different--and expensive!--products. I just happened to be searching for homemade soaps & laundry detergent recipes online yesterday, so coming across this book was quite serendipitous! I'm eager to check out the recipes and suggestions. (After experiencing the joys that come with adding a little Borax to my toddler's potty-training clothes in the wash when I'm used to soaking them in half a bottle of Kids 'n Pets before washing them, I've realized that there really are easier, cheaper ways to do things that we've left behind thru the years.)

However, I must say I'm getting a little tired of hearing about this whole "EVIL CHEMICALS" thing, so I'm probably going to have to skip through many parts of this book. Just because something is a chemical doesn't mean it's dangerous, and just because it's natural doesn't mean it's not toxic. (I'm not so big on things that encourage mass hysteria, especially when the way it's discussed causes more problems than it solves.)

And, while I'm at it: 1) just because something happens to bother one person doesn't mean it's "dangerous" to everyone else, like lactose-intolerance, and 2) I must say that psychosomatic symptoms are much more real than any of us tend to think. . . . Does the phrase "placebo effect" sound familiar?

[Elissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The least wacko and nature-worshiping natural health/cosmetic/cleaning book I've read. There are hundreds of Excellent recipes, several of which I have already used. Altogether a very informative, very well written book!

[Jennifer Mordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple recipes with products that are easy to find.

[Mellow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books on homemade products and I still reference it on a weekly basis. The introductions to different ingredients (like essential oils, herbs, etc) & methods (soap making, etc) are very thorough and personal stories by the author are sprinkled throughout. The recipes for house cleaners and body scrubs, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners are my favorites that I still use today! :D

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is my goal for 2009 to eliminate unnecessary chemicals from my home and body. I picked up this book from the local library; inspired to create cleaning products without harsh chemicals. This books contains recipes for homemade antiseptics, air-fresheners, soaps, face cleansers, and body lotion to name a few. All are made from common ingredients found in the grocery store or health food store.I have tried several of the recipes and am very pleased with all. ( As an example I've been using cream of tartar as an AHA exfoliant-- my face is looking radiant!) I highly recommend this book to anyone trying to create a "green" home and body. I will be buying my own copy of this book for future reference.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I recognize this book is not for everyone, I've been thoroughly enjoying it. The recipes are clear, easy to follow, and (most) are quick and simple. While I am not yet ready to give up antiperspirant, I have made toothpaste, facial toners, laundry boosters, and an antiseptic bathroom cleanser. A friend an I are going to make soap this week. I even gave myself a natural facial...ahhhhh...divine!

For me, making my own stuff has all the appeal of baking, but without the calories. Plus, I feel like I am sticking a finger in "the man's" eye by making my own products.

This book is more of a reference manual than a book to pick up and read through. But if you're considering dabbling in kitchen cosmetics or homemade household cleaning supplies, I highly recommend it.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book based on recommendations from Amazon readers of Clean House, Clean Planet, which I was interested in picking up. They said that both books were great, but that Better Basics for the Home was more all-inclusive, with recipes for not just cleaning compounds, but also personal care products, paints, insect repellents and traps, chemical-free gardening tips, etc. I've been slow to incorporate many of the books suggestions into my routines, but have been referring to it a lot and looking for (and finding) ways to cut out damaging chemicals here and there. It's a really great reference.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love what I learned from this book about alternatives for petroleum-based products we use every day. I especially like the personal care products section, and my goal is to reduce the chemicals I put in and on my body (and in and on my kids). It covers a wide range of topics from green cleaning to household repairs, with the goal of reducing exposure to toxic chemicals in synthetic cleaning supplies, personal care products, paints, etc. However, reading this book is a bit dangerous, as you will never be able to paint a room or apply make-up without considering the toxins!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one reference book that I really want to buy. Annie Berthold-Bond gives simple and affordable green recipes for everything from household cleaning to toiletries to gardening and pest control. Unlike a lot of authors I've read, her recipes won't require you to buy oodles of essential oils and other expensive and sometimes hard to find ingredients. I can see myself saving money and also continuing to transition Ian and my home into a green one through her suggestions.

[Charlotte Dungan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this at the library and I'm planning to buy it for long-term reference. It is practical, easy, comprehensive and doesn't feel self-righteous or preachy (other than just a bit in the introduction). I particularly like how the author discusses what to look for in store bought items and sometimes even mentions specific brands by name. All of the ingredients are explained as well. I'm excited about putting some of these to use

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reference book for people wanting to use less toxic chemicals in their daily life. Berthold-Bond gives readers a solid foundation to understanding the scientific principles behind which natural alternatives work and why, e.g. using baking soda for an acidic stain versus vinegar for an alkaline stain.

Also includes a description of building materials and potential chemical exposures, homemade hygiene products, and a nice list of resources in the back.

[Camy An · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent recipes for natural cleaning products and personal care items. I have been making most of my own cleaning products for many years, yet I found a few new formulas in this book that worked well. I absolutely love the glycerin & aloe skin lotion! It has made my aging skin soft without the greasy feeling. I also love the information about harmful chemicals we should look for in the products we buy.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I haven't read this word for word, but really it's more of a reference book than a book you read cover to cover...

I love the ideas presented in this book. I've tried some of the ideas, and they seem to work well. I'm totally going to try making my own soap one of these days...

This book is a great resource for anyone who wants to live a more chemical-free/green life.

[Lollipopwater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Among many other things, this book contains non-toxic recipes for any household cleaner. I have used many of them, and I'm perfectly happy with the results. The tips are helpful, and I like the easy, personable approach of the author.

My one complaint is that, for me at least, the different sections are not clearly defined.

[Shawna]

My daily reference for home cleaning solutions and the inspiration behind the Happy Hearth & Home cleaning business I started this year. Best book ever to have on hand if you're wanting to have a less toxic home environment.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey! Super useful reference book for making so many household things from scratch (detergents, disinfectants, kid art supplies, garden stuff, etc.) I want to find a cheap copy somewhere to own. Just checking it out from the library doesn't cut it.

[Brandie]

Interesting read so far--though I haven't had the chance to try any of the recipes. I will update when I can.

[Cariann]

How to clean your house with less toxic substances and how to get rid of bugs without nasty pesticides.

[Jenny Bartoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is my new bible. Awesome recipes to make your own non-toxic, safe cleaning products, body care and skin care products, pest control products, etc.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to return to this one when I'm ready to make more than cleaning supplies. (Lotions and potions, etc.)

[Kerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference for homemade cleaning products

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential reference for every home -- how to live, work, and clean with fewer toxins at home. I refer to this a lot.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gem! Fun to read, packed full of wonderfully practical recipes. Love it!!

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

The housekeeping chapter was the one I had any use for. It was published in 1999 so I'll probably jot down a couple of ideas from it but wouldn't buy a copy of my own.

[Leli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfecto!

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some good science to explain the easy-to-make recipes. I only read the house cleaning part.

[chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference book! I use it a lot! Lots of homemade recipes for allergy sufferers, or anyone who wants to improve what they put on their skin, their pets, or air quality at home/office.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome reference book for remedies and recipes for less toxic living! Highly recommended!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely love this book!