Absolutely not! That's why MUD and Women's Voices for the Earth (WVE) offered a simple hands-on workshop on homemade cleaning products last week at MUD. Cassidy Randall spent an hour explaining some of the concerns associated with commercial cleaning products, and helping participants mix up their own cleaners. We all made a soft scrub cleaner - it looked like frosting and smelled like peppermints - and an all-purpose spray which smelled like fresh-squeezed lemons.

When you look at the ingredients on these cleaners, you realize that not only do they smell amazing, but you could safely EAT THEM! That's an amazing thing - edible cleaners. They don't taste as great as they smell, but you won't have to call poison control or rush to the emergency room if you happen to lick your fingers while scrubbing the tub. Just mix up some old fashioned ingredients: vinegar, baking soda, water and essential oils, add another old fashioned ingredient - elbow grease - and you can clean everything spic and span without worrying about residual chemicals or unattended toddlers.

Click on the links below to download the full hand-out from the workshop, or check out the other websites for more information about safe home and beauty products.