Home by Natural Harry: DIY recipes for a tox-free, zero-waste life

by Harriet Birrell

Down-to-earth recipes for a resourceful, tox-free, and waste-free home life.

Home by Natural Harry is a compendium of DIY recipes, tips, tricks, and hacks for a calm, resourceful, and tox-free existence. It is a modern reference for anyone who wants to ditch their joyless supermarket habit, reduce plastic waste, and save money and the world. Home by Natural Harry considers every room of the house (stain remover for the laundry, shower cleaner in the bathroom, dish liquid in the kitchen) and presents alternatives to shop-bought cleaning products, as well as a comprehensive chapter on body care (from toothpaste to shampoo to foaming hand wash). Readers will also be treated to a handful of recipes for Harriet's favorite money-saving kitchen staples including oaty seed loaf, coconut yoghurt, and pickled veg. Home by Natural Harry celebrates a slower, more frugal and thoughtful life—the joys of which people the world over are learning to respect and embrace.

208 pages, Hardcover

Published November 17, 2020

Reviews

[Mel Sweeney (mels.bookshelf_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Home is a modern reference for anyone who wants to ditch their joyless supermarket habit, reduce plastic waste, save money and have a positive impact on the planet. Harry considers every room in the house, giving practical options to make the switch to low tox living easy and cost effective. Home also includes some of Harriet’s favourite staple recipes, nearly all of which I have tried. She’s a wizard!
Home by Natural Harry is a stunningly beautiful book that makes you feel like you’re having a chat with a good mate. Very practical tips and easy recipes for natural, low waste, and low-tox living.

[Deirdre · Rating 3 out of 5]

I begin to query the actual feasibility and zero-waste-ness of making all your own cleaning and body products: Mostly the idea that it will produce less waste, because all that stuff you make, say, your body lotion out of also comes in plastic packaging. (At least, it does in Ottawa.) Furthermore, it is not so cheap.

Also, this book is the most vibiest vibe that ever vibed. Everything about it is the most modern, hip, granola situation you ever saw. It is perfection in the realm of Aesthetic Secular Authenticity Culture (yes, Harry does describe herself as authentic in her author blurb). When I realized it was from Australia I understood some things. ;)

Having read these things you might think, but Deirdre, you gave this book 3 stars, it sounds like you hate it, but I don't hate it: I am going to try some of the ideas and I was happy to find some new ideas and recipes in the food department (that seed bread sounds delicious). Definitely a worthwhile read from the library.

[Melissa Cripps · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful book with a bunch of recipes for cleaners and personal care items. Lots of essential oils and simple ingredients that may be harder to source than the author makes it seem. It was interesting to look through, but I don’t think I’ll be trying any recipes.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of helpful tips and simple recipes to make cleaning, hair, and body products free of toxins, zero waste, and better for you and the environment!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book full of amazing ideas and recipes. However, I'm not quite sure how to sustainably get many of the materials suggested in my area.