DIY Foaming Hand Soap Tutorial

DIY Foaming Hand Soap Tutorial

You wouldn't believe how cost-effective it is to make your own foaming hand soap.  Plus, there's the added benefit of knowing that it isn't full of harmful chemicals, in particular triclosan. I'm a believer that all of the anti-bacterial soaps on the market actually do more harm than good.  Liquid castile soap is natural and concentrated and comes in many varieties.  My favorite brand is Dr. Bronner's.  To make foaming hand soap all you need is an empty foamer pump, soap, and water.

To make foaming hand soap you'll need:
1) An empty foamer pump bottle
2) Any type of liquid soap you prefer
3) distilled water
4) essential oils (optional)

Directions:
1) Fill the bottle 3/4 of the way full with water. 
2) Add 1 TBS of liquid soap.  
3) If you prefer extra scent add 3-5 drops of essential oils of your choice.  
4) Place the top back on the bottle and gently shake to mix and you're done.  

DIY Mosquito Repellent - Safe For Kids

DIY Homemade Mosquito Spray Repellent

Here's a DIY mosquito spray repellent that is both safe and natural to use for the whole family. This is a great toxin-free economical alternative to commercial sprays containing Deet and other harmful nasties! Just remember to shake it up before each use. **This recipe contains essential oils that aren't recommended for use during pregnancy.

Recipe:

Fill the spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of witch hazel and distilled or filtered water.  For a 26 oz spray bottle like I have pictured, I use 90 drops of essential oils.  (If you're using a spray bottle approximately half of this size, then reduce the recipe by half.)

25 drops - thyme oil

10 drops of each: catnip oil (not pictured), clove bud oil, rosemary oil, citronella oil, eucalyptus oil, and lavender oil

5 drops - cinnamon leaf oil

(optional not pictured) 1 TBS vegetable glycerin which helps to bind the oil molecules with the water - also safe (FYI key ingredient in homemade bubble solution for the kiddos!)

I buy my spray bottles in a 4 pack from my local wholesale club. I get all of my essential oils from puritan.com

Homemade Clarifying Baking Soda Shampoo

Homemade Baking Soda Shampoo

Here's a recipe to make your own toxin free & SLS free shampoo that will remove product build up and leave your hair shiny and full of volume.  You will want to follow up with an apple cider vinegar rinse to restore proper PH balance to your scalp.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup water (boil in the microwave)

1/3 cup castile liquid soap (I use Dr. Bronner's Lavender Castile Liquid Soap)

2 TBS baking soda

1 tsp jojoba oil

1 tsp extra virgin coconut oil (melted)

15 drops essential oils (optional)

    I use 5 drops of each: clary sage, chamomile, rosemary

Directions: 

Get a squirt bottle, reuse a water bottle, or use any container you like.  Allow the boiled water to slightly cool. Then add the baking soda and shake/mix it well.  Add the rest of the ingredients and shake the mixture up some more.  

Rinse your hair in the shower and massage some of your homemade shampoo into your scalp working through to the ends.  Leave on for 5 minutes and rinse.

Squeeze out excess water and spray hair with a 50/50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and distilled water.  Leave on for 5 minutes and rinse with cool water.

After towel drying hair I like to rub 3-5 drops of vitamin E oil into my hair.  I find that the added bit of oil conditions my hair nicely and I can then comb/brush my hair easily afterwards. I purchase all of my oils from puritan.com