Recipe

Forget pouring harsh chemicals down the drain to unclog it!

For toxin-free drain cleaner, mix:

• 1 cup of baking soda
• 1 cup of salt
• 1/4 cup of cream of tartar

Pour about a quarter cup of the mixed powder into the clogged drain, then pour two cups of boiling water into it. Let the mixture stand for about an hour, then run fresh water from the tap.

The classic recipes call for only corn starch or arrowroot powder, but if you have both, you can combine them to get 1/4 cup. Some people recommend lessening the amount of baking soda if skin irritation occurs

5-6 tablespoons coconut oil
1/8 cup arrowroot powder
1/8 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup baking soda
Several drops of essential oils (lavender, teatree, bergamot, or other fragrance)

Mix the powders together in a jar and slowly add the coconut oil until you have a stiff butter consistency and powders are mostly dissolved. It can help to soften the coconut oil gently in the microwave, mixing while soft, and then letting it firm up. Add a few drops of oil until it has the level of scent you enjoy. Although the coconut oil can liquify in the hot temperatures of summer, it typically stays firm throughout the year.