Natural care is not a "new age" development, despite what the hype may have you believe. 100+ years ago, most families had no choice but to make their own body and home products. From lotion and soap to cleaners, these items were made utilizing natural, readily available ingredients that each family had access to. A few of my favorites, that I've used for many years are below. There are a great many resources available, blogs/forums, books, classes that can teach so much more than the few tidbits I've listed here. I have provided links below to a few sites I have used regularly in the last several years.
http://www.diynatural.com/
http://wellnessmama.com/
http://www.soap-making-essentials.com/
http://www.soapmakingforum.com/
While some things do require more time and attention than just utilizing the mass-marketed options of today, they're worth far more. There's nothing like knowing that not only are you caring for yourself and your home, but you are doing so in a safe and natural way.
http://www.diynatural.com/
http://wellnessmama.com/
http://www.soap-making-essentials.com/
http://www.soapmakingforum.com/
While some things do require more time and attention than just utilizing the mass-marketed options of today, they're worth far more. There's nothing like knowing that not only are you caring for yourself and your home, but you are doing so in a safe and natural way.
For the Body
Let's start with traditional soap. Yes, it involves using Lye, which can be very dangerous - but, so can just about anything that's used or handled improperly. If you have never made soap before, PLEASE take all precautions and directions seriously!
Basic Palm-Free Vegetable Oil Soap
This is the recipe I now use to formulate my recipes with. It is palm free and contains castor oil for extra creaminess, enough coconut oil for big bubbles and a good amount of shea butter and olive oil for a lovely stable, conditioning lather.
Coconut Oil - 225 g. | 7.9 oz. | 25%
Shea Butter - 225 g. | 7.9 oz. | 25%
Olive Oil - 360 g. | 12.7 oz. | 40%
Castor Oil - 90 g. | 3.18 oz. | 10%
Distilled Water - 342g. | 12.06 oz.
Lye - 123.75 g. | 4.37 oz.
Essential Oil - 61.38g | 2.16oz OR Fragrance Oil - 81.83g | 2.89oz
Lip Balm
1 tsp. beeswax beads
1 tsp. sunflower oil
1 tsp. coconut oil
2-5 drops flavoring extract (optional)
1 capsule Vitamin E
Heat oils and beeswax just until melted. Add the rest of the ingredients. Mix well.
Use a dropper or baby spoon to place in balm tubes or small jars/tins .
Sugar Scrub (sloughs off dead skin, helps heal wind-chapped hands and lips)
Use 1 tablespoon as needed in the shower or at the sink. Scrub skin with the mixture and rinse well.
Baby Powder (or scented adult body powder)
1/2 cup arrowroot powder
1 tsp chamomile or calendula flowers, powdered in the blender or food processorPowder the chamomile or calendula. Mix with the arrowroot powder and store in a glass jar or sugar shaker for easy use.
Use as you would any regular body/ baby powder.
Basic Palm-Free Vegetable Oil Soap
This is the recipe I now use to formulate my recipes with. It is palm free and contains castor oil for extra creaminess, enough coconut oil for big bubbles and a good amount of shea butter and olive oil for a lovely stable, conditioning lather.
Coconut Oil - 225 g. | 7.9 oz. | 25%
Shea Butter - 225 g. | 7.9 oz. | 25%
Olive Oil - 360 g. | 12.7 oz. | 40%
Castor Oil - 90 g. | 3.18 oz. | 10%
Distilled Water - 342g. | 12.06 oz.
Lye - 123.75 g. | 4.37 oz.
Essential Oil - 61.38g | 2.16oz OR Fragrance Oil - 81.83g | 2.89oz
- Put on your gloves and goggles. Never forget this step, when working with lye!
- Prepare your area; have all of your tools, colorants and fragrances close by, cover your surface with butcher paper or a smooth heavy cloth.
- Open a window or door, for ventilation - remember, mixing Lye always gives off caustic fumes.
- Weigh all of your ingredients and set aside.
- Melt the Shea butter, olive oil, castor oil and coconut oil together in a large stainless steel pot and remove from heat.
- Pour lye crystals into the distilled water (never water into lye) and stir until dissolved.
- When lye water and oil mixtures both reach 100 degrees F (use a cold water bath for your pot to help them reach this at the same time if necessary), pour the lye water into the oil mixture and whisk on and off until trace forms (when you can see a path left after drizzling the mixture over the top with a spoon).
- Mix in the Essential or Fragrance Oil and pour into mold.
- Incubate for 24 hours before cutting.
- Let air out for 4-6 weeks before using.
Lip Balm
1 tsp. beeswax beads
1 tsp. sunflower oil
1 tsp. coconut oil
2-5 drops flavoring extract (optional)
1 capsule Vitamin E
Heat oils and beeswax just until melted. Add the rest of the ingredients. Mix well.
Use a dropper or baby spoon to place in balm tubes or small jars/tins .
Sugar Scrub (sloughs off dead skin, helps heal wind-chapped hands and lips)
- Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub: 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup almond oil, 1/2 tsp Vitamin E oil and 1 tsp real vanilla extract
- Lemon Hand Scrub (for after washing dishes): 1 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 tsp vitamin E oil, 15-20 drops (or more) of lemon or orange essential oil
- Vanilla Lavender Relaxing Facial Scrub: 1 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup almond oil, 1/2 tsp Vitamin E oil, 1/2 tsp real vanilla extract and 15 drops lavender essential oil
Use 1 tablespoon as needed in the shower or at the sink. Scrub skin with the mixture and rinse well.
Baby Powder (or scented adult body powder)
1/2 cup arrowroot powder
1 tsp chamomile or calendula flowers, powdered in the blender or food processorPowder the chamomile or calendula. Mix with the arrowroot powder and store in a glass jar or sugar shaker for easy use.
Use as you would any regular body/ baby powder.
For the Home
All-Purpose Cleaner
Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store in a spray bottle and keep away from children and pets. Use: removes water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc.
Basic Laundry Detergent (yes, Borax is safe for septic systems, and this powder works well in front-loading washing machines!)
Easy-Peasy, and if you want to add a fragrance to this, add a few drops of your favorite skin-safe essential oil. That's it! Remember, this is a true detergent for your wash, so if you don't have handmade soap in your home, don't fret, simply use a castile soap bar from the store, such as Dr. Bronner's or Ivory. Don't use anything with a conditioner in it, as it WILL leave a filmy residue on your clothing as well as inside your machine!
1 bar (or 4.5 ounces) shaved bar soap (I use a small-hole cheese grater)
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda
Carpet Stain Remover
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on stain, let sit for several minutes, and clean with a brush or sponge using warm soapy water.
For fresh grease spots, sprinkle corn starch onto spot and wait 15 - 30 minutes before vacuuming.
For a heavy duty carpet cleaner, mix 1/4 cup each of salt, borax and vinegar. Rub paste into carpet and leave for a few hours. Vacuum.
Disinfectant
Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar and 3 cups hot water.
For stronger cleaning power add 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap.
Use: Wipe on with dampened cloth or use non-aerosol spray bottle. (This is not an antibacterial formula. The average kitchen or bathroom does not require antibacterial cleaners.)
To disinfect kitchen sponges, put them in the dishwasher when running a load.
Floor Cleaner/Polish
vinyl and linoleum: mix 1 cup vinegar and a few drops of baby oil in 1 gallon warm water. For tough jobs, add 1/4 cup borox. Use sparingly on lineoleum.
wood: apply a thin coat of 1:1 vegetable oil and vinegar and rub in well.
painted wood: mix 1 teaspoon washing soda into 1 gallon (4L) hot water.
brick and stone tiles: mix 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon (4L) water; rinse with clear water.
Most floor surfaces can be easily cleaned using a solution of vinegar and water. For damp-mopping wood floors: mix equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and water. Add 15 drops of pure peppermint oil; shake to mix.
Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store in a spray bottle and keep away from children and pets. Use: removes water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc.
Basic Laundry Detergent (yes, Borax is safe for septic systems, and this powder works well in front-loading washing machines!)
Easy-Peasy, and if you want to add a fragrance to this, add a few drops of your favorite skin-safe essential oil. That's it! Remember, this is a true detergent for your wash, so if you don't have handmade soap in your home, don't fret, simply use a castile soap bar from the store, such as Dr. Bronner's or Ivory. Don't use anything with a conditioner in it, as it WILL leave a filmy residue on your clothing as well as inside your machine!
1 bar (or 4.5 ounces) shaved bar soap (I use a small-hole cheese grater)
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda
- Thoroughly stir ingredients together for several minutes and enjoy the results! You can take this a step further and blend the mixture in a blender or food processor to create a finer powder that will dissolve easily, even in very cold water - be sure to let the dust settle before removing the lid of your blender or food processor so you don’t inhale the fine particles! Store in a sealed container with a small scoop.
Carpet Stain Remover
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on stain, let sit for several minutes, and clean with a brush or sponge using warm soapy water.
For fresh grease spots, sprinkle corn starch onto spot and wait 15 - 30 minutes before vacuuming.
For a heavy duty carpet cleaner, mix 1/4 cup each of salt, borax and vinegar. Rub paste into carpet and leave for a few hours. Vacuum.
Disinfectant
Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar and 3 cups hot water.
For stronger cleaning power add 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap.
Use: Wipe on with dampened cloth or use non-aerosol spray bottle. (This is not an antibacterial formula. The average kitchen or bathroom does not require antibacterial cleaners.)
To disinfect kitchen sponges, put them in the dishwasher when running a load.
Floor Cleaner/Polish
vinyl and linoleum: mix 1 cup vinegar and a few drops of baby oil in 1 gallon warm water. For tough jobs, add 1/4 cup borox. Use sparingly on lineoleum.
wood: apply a thin coat of 1:1 vegetable oil and vinegar and rub in well.
painted wood: mix 1 teaspoon washing soda into 1 gallon (4L) hot water.
brick and stone tiles: mix 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon (4L) water; rinse with clear water.
Most floor surfaces can be easily cleaned using a solution of vinegar and water. For damp-mopping wood floors: mix equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and water. Add 15 drops of pure peppermint oil; shake to mix.