by Carla Ludington
A Big Shout Out to everyone who came to the Self Reliance Fair. It was fun to chat with everyone who came by the booth :0) I hope you learned a lot and found a lot of great resources. I was bummed I didn't get to go to the classes, I heard they had some great info they shared!
Here are links and info for all the items on my table yesterday. I hope you found something you would like to try, it is great to be able to make them myself when I am running low, especially when it saves money and the ingredient list is small and known!!
You could probably find most of the ingredients at any type of health food store, i.e. Vitamin Cottage (store and online), Whole Foods, Vita Cost, or Bulk Apothecary. Some of the items can also be found at your local grocery store.
Don't feel like you have to do them all!!!! It is so easy to get overwhelmed, just start where you are and do a little bit at a time. I started several years ago, and have really only done 1 things every couple months. Now, several years later, I have a lot under my belt lots but more to go!!
One last note, if you are using essential oils, it is best to store them in glass bottles, as the essential oils can deteriorate plastic, however re-purposing / recycling plastic bottles is a great way to keep them out of the landfill, and once they start deteriorating, you can consider another container.
If you have questions or suggestions, we'd love to hear about them in the comments, we are all learning together. Best of wishes on your journey, hope to see you again soon!!
Thanks again for stopping by!!
Tooth Soap is one of my favorite homemade finds. It is easy to put together, short ingredient list, and super healthy for your teeth. For more info you can check out "The Perfect Prescription for your Teeth" by K. "V" Van Cleef, or check out the Dr. Weston A. Price Foundation
Tooth Soap
2 Tbsp HOT water
4 tsp liquid castile soap
½ c melted coconut oil
2 tsp xylitol
20-30 drops essential oils (Oil of Oregano is super
powerful, Clove helps with gingivitis and sensitivity, or kids really like
Sweet Orange)
Boil a small amount of water. In a glass bowl, glass jar,
food processor, or blender, dissolve sugar in hot water. Add coconut oil, soap,
and essential oils. Blend until frothy. Scoop into an airtight container (can
put in a quart sized Ziploc bag, snip one of the bottom corners off, and just
“pipe” the tooth soap into a pump bottle).
Source: http://homesteadwannabes.blogspot.com/2010/11/homemade-tooth-soap-recipe-healthy.html
Deodorant
3 T Coconut Oil
3 T Baking Soda
2 T Shea Butter
2 T Arrowroot
(optional)
Essential Oils
(optional)
Combine shea butter and coconut oil in a double boiler (or a
quart size glass mason jar with a lid and place this in a small saucepan of
water) until melted. Add essential oils.
Remove from heat and add baking soda and arrowroot powder (can use
cornstarch or more baking soda instead of arrowroot powder). Mix well. Pour into a glass container for storage. It
does not need to be stored in the fridge.
You can let it cool completely and put it into an old deodorant stick
for easier use, however if it begins to melt, it will come out of the bottom of
the deodorant stick container (hypothetically, lol).
Don’t want to use shea butter? (it helps keep it firm in
warmer weather) try using 6 Tbsp coconut oil, 4 Tbsp baking soda, and 4 Tbsp
arrowroot powder, (also essential oils are still optional). Mixdry ingredients
together, then “cut in” or mash coconut oil int until well mixed. Add oils if
desired. Store in same manner as above.
The hand sanitizer is one of my favorite items (after the tooth soap!). My favorite scent is the combination of clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary. I keep it in my purse for times when we are out and about and need a little cleaning, changing diapers, public bathrooms, meals in public, zoo trips, etc. Hope you enjoy it too!
Hand Sanitizer Spritz/Spray
4 oz glass spray bottle
2 tsp aloe vera gel
8-10 drops vitamin E oil (optional)
30 drops total of
essential oils
(8 drops each of Lemon, Lime, Eucalyptus, and 6 drops Lavender
OR 10 drops Clove, 9 drops Lemon, 5 drops Cinnamon, 4 drops Eucalyptus, 2 drops
Rosemary)
Fill your glass bottle half-full with water. Add aloe vera gel, vitamin E oil, and
essential oils. Fill any remaining space
in bottle with water and shake well. To
use: spray liberally on hands and rub
together.
Hand Sanitizer Gel
1 c pure aloe vera gel
1-2 tsp witch hazel (add until the desired consistency is
reached)
25 drops tea tree oil (NOT for pregnant or nursing women or
children under 1)
OR safe for families:
lavender and pine (round out with citrus or rosemary)
Combine mixture in a glass bowl, shake or stir to combine.
Can re-use a small plastic hand sanitizer bottle . Shake before use to
distribute the oils.
Foaming Hand Soap
1 c water
2 Tbsp liquid castile soap (4 Tbsp for thicker soap)
8-12 drops of essential oils. (Our family loved lemon-grass)
Foaming hand soap bottle (recycled)
Add water, soap and essential oils to the foaming hand soap
bottle. Mix gently, and enjoy. If you have very hard water, the soap can
suspend in the water and will look cloudy (this didn’t seem to affect
usability).
Source: right here!!! well, on this post here to be exact: http://ourjourneytoselfreliance.blogspot.com/2012/04/homemade-foaming-hand-soap.html
Laundry Spot Remover
1 ½ cups water
¼ cup liquid castile soap
¼ cup liquid vegetable glycerin
5-10 drops of lemon essential oil
Glass (or plastic) spray bottle
Mix all ingredients together. To use: shake well and apply liberally to spots and
stains. Lightly rub mixture into fabric with fingertips. Works best if you treat spot immediately and
allow to soak before washing.
Another favorite at our house. (Please be careful not to leave this one down where little hands can get it as it does contain rubbing alcohol, even if it is in small amounts).
Alvin Corn Glass Cleaner
1/8 c rubbing alcohol
1/8 c white vinegar
½ Tbsp cornstarch
1 c hot water, filtered preferred
Boil your water and let it cool just a bit. Add cornstarch
to your spray bottle, and then the hot water.
Shake well to dissolve. Add the rubbing alcohol and vinegar, and shake
again. Every time you use this, you’ll want to shake it up to avoid clogging
the spray nozzle with un-dissolved cornstarch.
Use liberally and happily. Smile.
All-Purpose Orange Power Cleaner
1 quart sized mason jar
Repurposed spray bottle
1 quart White Vinegar
Orange, grapefruit, lemon, or lime peels (or any combination
of these)
Optional: 3-4 drops lemon, grapefruit, or orange essential
oil
Place 3-4 citrus rinds in a quart jar about half full of
citrus peels. Fill the rest of the way
up with white vinegar. Cover tightly
with a lid and shake. Steep peels and vinegar 2-3 weeks (the longer it sits,
the more potent it will get!) Remove peels and strain through a fine
strainer. Dilute 1:1 with water (one
part citrus vinegar to one part water) and place in a spray bottle. Optional: add 3-4 drops essential oil to
boost it’s cleaning power. Use as you
would your plain vinegar cleaner: on sinks, countertops, bathtubs, toilets,
floors, etc., and as the rinse aid in your dishwasher. (not recommended for
wood floors, granite, or marble)
Bathtub & Shower Cleaning Gel
1 cup white vinegar (hot)
½-1 cup blue Dawn dish detergent
Place both in a squirt bottle (or an empty shampoo bottle).
Shake to create a gel. Squirt the solution all over your tub, and allow to sit
for a few minutes (you can let it sit overnight if you have some really hard to
clean spots). Wipe off with a sponge or rag, then rinse. Works great with hard water :0)
