My house is my only sanctuary; my only safe place. Below are
the rules for a chemical-free visit. If you have any questions, please ask.
1) No perfume, cologne, aftershaves or essential oils.
2) No smelly lotions, tanning lotions, sunscreens, or baby
oils.
3) No smelly shampoo or conditioner or hair products.
4) No smelly deodorant.
5) No mouthwash.
6) No smelly laundry detergent, fabric softener or fabric
sheets on your clothes. Clothes may be washed in "green" detergents
such as Seventh Generation or Planet, or vinegar or baking soda.
7) No gum.
8) No scented lip gloss or scented make-up.
9) No smelly soap.
10) No leather jackets or dry-cleaned clothing.
11) No cigarette smoke.
12) No dogs or cats.
13) No bug spray.
14) No bathing or showering the morning before the visit
unless with straight vinegar and baking soda. If you use smelly soaps or
shampoos, wash and rinse with hot water, baking soda and vinegar multiple times
until smells are gone.
15) Be prepared to take off your shoes in my house.
THANK YOU! I look
forward to our visit!
The visitors I have had who abide by all these rules never
fail to amaze me. I had one friend who was a perfume whore, a cosmetic junkie,
had very big hair and fancy clothes used to totally dress down for me for a
visit. As soon as we were within ten
feet of each other she'd start apologizing for the way she looked. "Oh my
hair is so horrible - it looks like I haven't brushed it for a week! And my skin
looks so bad. Do I look sick? Can you smell my arm pits? I'm sooooooo sorry!"
This would go on for the whole visit. I felt really badly for her and as much
as she apologized, I thanked her. She didn't understand her non-chemical fresh
face and flat hair was absolutely beautiful to me and I was incredibly grateful. What a sacrifice she made to visit me! I try
to stress to visitors this is their chance to be natural women for a day, but few buy
into my propaganda.
These rules are based on years of learning through bad
experiences. I've actually only given this list out to people who I know don't
get it and who I don't trust will listen to me. I don't want anyone driving hours for a visit only to be told they stink even if it's their fault. That would make me feel awful. People who are naturally
fragrance-free in their daily lives don't make me feel so cautious. However, this list serves as a good reference and a reminder to me not forget anything should
anyone ask for more details.
How many visitors do you think one gets with a list like
this?
I hardly have visitors! We meet outside!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteSo that I don't need to clean up after them. Or suffocate in my own house.
Yeah, that's one reason I have people take off their shoes - I don't like to clean and I don't want them tracking in pesticides and herbicides. I had one visitor yell at me about the shoe rule claiming I was rude and inhospitable. I told her it was a Japanese custom and I doubted if a whole ethnic population is considered inhospitable. The problem with meeting outside is our weather isn't as good as yours. During the summer visitors stay outside. I have so few anymore...
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