Laundry Soap
grate a half bar of soap (I like to use a vegetable based soap)
put it in a pan with just enough water to cover it.
On low heat, until it melts
Or you can find microwaveable meltable pieces of laundry soap online
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...s/laundry1.jpg http://www.mothering.com/discussions...s/laundry2.jpg http://www.mothering.com/discussions...s/laundry3.jpg
In a gallon bucket (ice cream pails work nicely!)
Fill with Hot water, mix in 1 Cup of Washing Soda (or baking soda, but baking soda won't give you the Gel like consistancy)
Mix well
Then add soap, stir, let sit overnight and viola!
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...s/laundry4.jpg
I've tried this both ways, adding the soap first vs adding the soda first, and I like the gel I get from adding soda first. Play with it and let me know what you like! Also, different bar soaps make for a different consistancy.
My favorites so far have been Bean Tree Lavender and Earth Friendly Baby Lavender and Dr Bronners
Pictures curtosy of
Bean Tree Soap
Dry Laundry Soap
by Simply Nurtured
2 cups castile soap flakes (you can grate a bar to get flakes)
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax
3 - 6 drops essential or fragrance oil
Mix all igredients, store in sealed container. Use 1/8 - 1/4 cup per load.
Recipe doubles fine.
Dish Detergent
1/4 Cup warm water mixed with 1 tsp of Baking soda
or
1 Tbpn Baking soda and 1 Tbpn Borax
Bathroom Spray
Make a spray of 50 -50 vinegar and water, spray down, and wipe dry your bathroom. It will look great, it non-toxic, and cheap.
Baby Wipe Solution
2 drops of Tea Tree Essential oil or Lavender Essential oil added to 1-2 Cups of distilled water
Anti Mildew Spray
1 gallon water,
2 tsp. tea tree oil and
1 tsp. castile soap or liquid detergent.
Spray it on and don't rinse.
Carpet freshner
Sprinkle Baking soda onto carpet. Let sit, then vacuum!
Cream Cleanser
Baking soda mixed with Water.
Cleans sinks, floors, almost anything! Rinse well!
Freshen Washing machine
Add 3-5 Drops of Tea Tree Oil to your rinse cycle
Window/All Purpose/Deoderizer
by heldt123
I use this both at home and when cleaning timeshares. It is great for windows, mis. light cleaning, and deoderizing stale air (especially if there is smoke smell). The vinegar in there helps disenfect and eliminate odors. Once its dry...the vinegar smell is gone too.
2 cups water
1/4 cup vinegar
1/2 tsp dish soap or concentrated natural all purpose cleaner
Mix in a spray bottle
For tougher jobs like showers, just increase the amount of vinegar to 1/2 -3/4 cup
Burnt Food on Pans
Let soak with Baking soda and a little Water for 10 minutes, then scrub off!
===============================================
BODY CARE RECIPES
===============================================
face and body scrub
by: Moss's Mommy
Here's a good face and body scrub:
half a cup of blue or yellow cornmeal
4Tbs. sw. almond oil
1/4 tsp of Lavender eo
1/4 tsp of patcholi eo
1/4 tsp of tea tree eo
1/8 tsp of vitamin e
Super Sweet Scrub
by: tibdoml
granulated sugar (1/4 cup pr more)
fav. essential oil (1 drop) or lemon juice ((optional))
enough water to make sugar hold together or a paste
Mix
scrub on legs or arms. rinse well (or you'll be sticky)
I store in a tupperware dish in the bathroom. It'll hold up for a week or so.
I love this scrub b/c I don't have to worry about little beads that stick around. works wonders after shaving! my legs have never been smoother
change it around as you wish
After-Shave Balm
by tsfairy
2 tbsp Almond Oil
1 tsp Witch Hazel
a few drops of essential oil of your choice (peppermint or eucalyptus is more cooling, patchouli is a nice scent for men)
Mix together and massage a few drops into freshly-shaved skin. Makes enough to last for a couple of weeks. Store in a squeeze-bottle, or a pretty glass bottle with a lid.
I created this using peppermint oil to soothe a bad razor burn on my legs. I had tried DH's after shave, which did nothing. DH got interested and has been using it for himself ever since.
Deodorants
Cream Deodorant
by Simply Nurtured
1/2 ounce cocoa butter
1/2 ounce beeswax
1 Tbsp glycerine
1 Tbsp rosewater
Melt cocoa butter and beeswax in double boiler. Remove from heat, mix in glycerine & rosewater. Add several drops of one or more of the following deodorizing esssential oils: calendula, clary sage, coriander, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, myrrh, myrtle, rosemary, sage, or thyme.
Also, another easy deodorant is witch hazel, you could spray it lightly on under arm pits using a small spray bottle, then rub in.
Several Deodorant Options by JLav
Deodorant Powder
1 cup cornstarch
1 Tbs. baking soda
1 tsp. liquid chlorophyll (can be purchased at some natural food stores or can easily be made: Fill a clean, wide-mouthed jar with finely cut lawn clippings and pur 1 cup of vodka over the top. Place the lid on the jar tightly. Set the jar in a cool, dark place for 1 week. Strain off the liquid and discard the clippings. You now have liquid clorophyll to use)
There are two methodes to choose from to make this powder:
BLENDER METHOD: Place the cornstarch and backing soda in the blender and blend the mixture on low. With the blender still running, slowly add the chlorophyll. When well mixed, pour into a clean container
CONTAINER METHOD: Place the cornstarch and baking soda in a resealable jar, plastic bag or other container. Add the chlorophyll. Seal the container and shake gently until the powder is well mixed and the chlorophyll is well dispersed.
Use a shaker-type container or powder puff to apply. Can be used anywhere on body to keep dry and help prevent odor causing bacteria.
Antiperspirant Spray
1 cup water
1 1/2 tsp alum powder (USP grade for cosmetic use)
1/4 cup vodka
Mix together until alum is dissolved. Pour into a spray bottle or container with a tight fitting lid. Spray on body or apply with clean cotton pads.
Natural Deodorant Cream
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
1 tbs. cornstarch
2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp tincture of benzoin
1 tsp. fragrance (optional)
Blend all ingredients together into a smooth cream. Place in a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid. To use, rub a small amount of cream under your arms.
Botanical Deodorant
1 tbs glycerine
2 tbs vodka
1/2 cup witch hazel
1/2 tsp liquid chlorophyll
Mix together all ingredients. Pour into a clean container or spray bottle. To use, spray under your arms or use clean cotton pads to apply.
Citrus Deodorant
1 tbs lemon zest
1/4 cup vodka
1/4 cup water
1 tsp liquid clorophyll
3 drops bergamot oil
Mix together all ingredients in a ceramic or glass bowl or jar. Let the mixture sit for one day, then strain off the liquid and discard the zest. Pour into a clean container or spray bottle.
Honey Carrot Facial
by Simply Nurtured
2 raw clean, unpeeled, organic carrots
2 Tablespoons honey (yes, preferably raw)
Boil carrots in warm water then
mash in the honey, until smooth.
Apply to facial area
LLeave on 20 minutes and rinse.
Lip Balm
BY willow83
1 1/2 Tablespoons Beeswax
3/4 Tablespoons Cocoa Butter
1 1/2 Tablespoons Almond Butter (or other liquid oil)
3 Tablespoons Shea Butter
2 1/2 Tablespoons Mango Butter
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon Candy Flavoring Oil or Essential Oil
Directions
1. Melt Bees Wax, Shea Butter, Mango Butter and Cocoa Butter on stove over low to medium heat. Make sure temperature gets over 180° F.
2. Remove from heat , add oils.
3. Stir. Fill lip balm tubes or pots.
Makes about 13 lip balm tubes.
Feel free to add recipes to the list!!!
grate a half bar of soap (I like to use a vegetable based soap)
put it in a pan with just enough water to cover it.
On low heat, until it melts
Or you can find microwaveable meltable pieces of laundry soap online
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...s/laundry1.jpg http://www.mothering.com/discussions...s/laundry2.jpg http://www.mothering.com/discussions...s/laundry3.jpg
In a gallon bucket (ice cream pails work nicely!)
Fill with Hot water, mix in 1 Cup of Washing Soda (or baking soda, but baking soda won't give you the Gel like consistancy)
Mix well
Then add soap, stir, let sit overnight and viola!
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...s/laundry4.jpg
I've tried this both ways, adding the soap first vs adding the soda first, and I like the gel I get from adding soda first. Play with it and let me know what you like! Also, different bar soaps make for a different consistancy.
My favorites so far have been Bean Tree Lavender and Earth Friendly Baby Lavender and Dr Bronners
Pictures curtosy of
Dry Laundry Soap
by Simply Nurtured
2 cups castile soap flakes (you can grate a bar to get flakes)
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax
3 - 6 drops essential or fragrance oil
Mix all igredients, store in sealed container. Use 1/8 - 1/4 cup per load.
Recipe doubles fine.
Dish Detergent
1/4 Cup warm water mixed with 1 tsp of Baking soda
or
1 Tbpn Baking soda and 1 Tbpn Borax
Bathroom Spray
Make a spray of 50 -50 vinegar and water, spray down, and wipe dry your bathroom. It will look great, it non-toxic, and cheap.
Baby Wipe Solution
2 drops of Tea Tree Essential oil or Lavender Essential oil added to 1-2 Cups of distilled water
Anti Mildew Spray
1 gallon water,
2 tsp. tea tree oil and
1 tsp. castile soap or liquid detergent.
Spray it on and don't rinse.
Carpet freshner
Sprinkle Baking soda onto carpet. Let sit, then vacuum!
Cream Cleanser
Baking soda mixed with Water.
Cleans sinks, floors, almost anything! Rinse well!
Freshen Washing machine
Add 3-5 Drops of Tea Tree Oil to your rinse cycle
Window/All Purpose/Deoderizer
by heldt123
I use this both at home and when cleaning timeshares. It is great for windows, mis. light cleaning, and deoderizing stale air (especially if there is smoke smell). The vinegar in there helps disenfect and eliminate odors. Once its dry...the vinegar smell is gone too.
2 cups water
1/4 cup vinegar
1/2 tsp dish soap or concentrated natural all purpose cleaner
Mix in a spray bottle
For tougher jobs like showers, just increase the amount of vinegar to 1/2 -3/4 cup
Burnt Food on Pans
Let soak with Baking soda and a little Water for 10 minutes, then scrub off!
===============================================
BODY CARE RECIPES
===============================================
face and body scrub
by: Moss's Mommy
Here's a good face and body scrub:
half a cup of blue or yellow cornmeal
4Tbs. sw. almond oil
1/4 tsp of Lavender eo
1/4 tsp of patcholi eo
1/4 tsp of tea tree eo
1/8 tsp of vitamin e
Super Sweet Scrub
by: tibdoml
granulated sugar (1/4 cup pr more)
fav. essential oil (1 drop) or lemon juice ((optional))
enough water to make sugar hold together or a paste
Mix
scrub on legs or arms. rinse well (or you'll be sticky)
I store in a tupperware dish in the bathroom. It'll hold up for a week or so.
I love this scrub b/c I don't have to worry about little beads that stick around. works wonders after shaving! my legs have never been smoother
change it around as you wish
After-Shave Balm
by tsfairy
2 tbsp Almond Oil
1 tsp Witch Hazel
a few drops of essential oil of your choice (peppermint or eucalyptus is more cooling, patchouli is a nice scent for men)
Mix together and massage a few drops into freshly-shaved skin. Makes enough to last for a couple of weeks. Store in a squeeze-bottle, or a pretty glass bottle with a lid.
I created this using peppermint oil to soothe a bad razor burn on my legs. I had tried DH's after shave, which did nothing. DH got interested and has been using it for himself ever since.
Deodorants
Cream Deodorant
by Simply Nurtured
1/2 ounce cocoa butter
1/2 ounce beeswax
1 Tbsp glycerine
1 Tbsp rosewater
Melt cocoa butter and beeswax in double boiler. Remove from heat, mix in glycerine & rosewater. Add several drops of one or more of the following deodorizing esssential oils: calendula, clary sage, coriander, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, myrrh, myrtle, rosemary, sage, or thyme.
Also, another easy deodorant is witch hazel, you could spray it lightly on under arm pits using a small spray bottle, then rub in.
Several Deodorant Options by JLav
Deodorant Powder
1 cup cornstarch
1 Tbs. baking soda
1 tsp. liquid chlorophyll (can be purchased at some natural food stores or can easily be made: Fill a clean, wide-mouthed jar with finely cut lawn clippings and pur 1 cup of vodka over the top. Place the lid on the jar tightly. Set the jar in a cool, dark place for 1 week. Strain off the liquid and discard the clippings. You now have liquid clorophyll to use)
There are two methodes to choose from to make this powder:
BLENDER METHOD: Place the cornstarch and backing soda in the blender and blend the mixture on low. With the blender still running, slowly add the chlorophyll. When well mixed, pour into a clean container
CONTAINER METHOD: Place the cornstarch and baking soda in a resealable jar, plastic bag or other container. Add the chlorophyll. Seal the container and shake gently until the powder is well mixed and the chlorophyll is well dispersed.
Use a shaker-type container or powder puff to apply. Can be used anywhere on body to keep dry and help prevent odor causing bacteria.
Antiperspirant Spray
1 cup water
1 1/2 tsp alum powder (USP grade for cosmetic use)
1/4 cup vodka
Mix together until alum is dissolved. Pour into a spray bottle or container with a tight fitting lid. Spray on body or apply with clean cotton pads.
Natural Deodorant Cream
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
1 tbs. cornstarch
2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp tincture of benzoin
1 tsp. fragrance (optional)
Blend all ingredients together into a smooth cream. Place in a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid. To use, rub a small amount of cream under your arms.
Botanical Deodorant
1 tbs glycerine
2 tbs vodka
1/2 cup witch hazel
1/2 tsp liquid chlorophyll
Mix together all ingredients. Pour into a clean container or spray bottle. To use, spray under your arms or use clean cotton pads to apply.
Citrus Deodorant
1 tbs lemon zest
1/4 cup vodka
1/4 cup water
1 tsp liquid clorophyll
3 drops bergamot oil
Mix together all ingredients in a ceramic or glass bowl or jar. Let the mixture sit for one day, then strain off the liquid and discard the zest. Pour into a clean container or spray bottle.
Honey Carrot Facial
by Simply Nurtured
2 raw clean, unpeeled, organic carrots
2 Tablespoons honey (yes, preferably raw)
Boil carrots in warm water then
mash in the honey, until smooth.
Apply to facial area
LLeave on 20 minutes and rinse.
Lip Balm
BY willow83
1 1/2 Tablespoons Beeswax
3/4 Tablespoons Cocoa Butter
1 1/2 Tablespoons Almond Butter (or other liquid oil)
3 Tablespoons Shea Butter
2 1/2 Tablespoons Mango Butter
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon Candy Flavoring Oil or Essential Oil
Directions
1. Melt Bees Wax, Shea Butter, Mango Butter and Cocoa Butter on stove over low to medium heat. Make sure temperature gets over 180° F.
2. Remove from heat , add oils.
3. Stir. Fill lip balm tubes or pots.
Makes about 13 lip balm tubes.
Feel free to add recipes to the list!!!