Since this is the name of my Pinterest board with the recipes, I thought I'd call the thread the same. If you can't find them here, you can probably find them on the "Going Green" board.
I'll put them in different replies so they might be easier to find. Many of the recipes come from One Good Thing by Jillee --------------------  | |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Oct 2 2013, 08:13 PM
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 mail8d  Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07  |
No-Grate Liquid
 DetergentIn a gallon container (or slightly smaller - Jillee used an 89 oz container) Add: 1/2 cup of Borax 1/2 cup of Washing Soda 1/2 cup of Dawn Dishwashing Liquid (I have used both the Original and the Ultra and haven’t noticed any difference between the two) Add to that: 4 cups HOT water to dissolve the ingredients, then fill the container the rest of the way with cold water. The ingredients do tend to settle at the bottom between uses, but I just give the bottle a good shake before adding it to the washer. The ingredients in this recipe are a little more than double the amount from the original. Combined with 30% less water I decided 1/4 cup per large load of clothes should be sufficient. *Since Jillee used a smaller container, fill a gallon milk jug to approximately 1/3 from the top of the jug. You can also use a small amount of lemon, lavender or other essential oil if you prefer fragrance. I prefer this over the grated version. The Fels-Naptha soap doesn't dissolve completely in water and it is more trouble to make.* -------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Oct 2 2013, 08:17 PM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
Homemade Fabric Softener
Ingredients: 6 cups water 3 cups white vinegar 2 cups hair conditioner Directions: 1. Mix water, vinegar, and hair conditioner in a 1 gallon container; stir. Do not shake it; it will cause foaming. 2. Use the same amount you normally use in a rinse cycle or spritz it on a wash cloth and throw in dryer. -------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Oct 2 2013, 08:30 PM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Tabs
Ingredients: 2 cups Washing soda or Baking soda (cuts grease, great all-purpose cleaner) 2 cups Borax (natural cleaner and disinfectant) 1/2 cup Kosher salt or Epsom salt (reduces the effects of hard water) 1/2 cup vinegar (added cleaning power, liquid to help bind the ingredients) 15-20 drops of Lemon essential oil (added cleaning power, antibacterial properties, smells great!) Directions: Mix all the ingredients together with a spoon. (The addition of the vinegar will cause a little fizzing, but not much.) Once all the ingredients are well combined you will notice it actually will start clumping all by itself. Transfer the mixture into two ice cube trays and press down until each ice cube compartment is hard packed with detergent. If you packed them all down really well, you should use all of the mixture in those two trays. Now the hardest part for me….waiting. These babies need to DRY good and hard before you use them. Put them in a dry, sunny spot (preferably one you won’t see so you won’t be tempted to touch them before they’re good and dry) and let them sit for at least 24 hours. When they are good and hard and DRY, unmold them from the trays and store in a container with a tight-fitting lid. To Use: Add 1 tablet to your dishwasher detergent compartment along with 3 drops of dishwashing liquid. (This is optional…I just think it gives my homemade stuff a little extra cleaning/grease-cutting kick.) Do not use more than three drops. The dishwasher will overflow if you use too much dish soap! (It doesn’t have to be Dawn…that’s just what I had.) Then splash 1/2 to 1 cup of white vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher (or put it in a cup on the top rack of the machine) and start the machine. NOTE: IF YOU HAVE HARD WATER (like I do) A VINEGAR RINSE AGENT IS CRUCIAL TO AVOID CLOUDY GLASSES AND DISHES. *Here are my tips: Instead of lemon essential oil, you can use 2 teaspoons Lemi-Shine or 2 unsweetened lemonade Kool-aid packets. *Make sure your molds or ice cube trays are not too tall for your dishwasher detergent compartment. You may need to fill them only half full, otherwise, the compartment doesn't close. I also dropped 2-3 drops of Dawn onto each tab so that it is already in the detergent tab when I use it. I use these at my home and at Kimmie's. She had cloudy dishes once, when her Jet-Dri was empty. My dishes always look good. I do not use the vinegar rinse since I have the generic Jet-Dri. If I had to pour vinegar in the dishwasher every time, I wouldn't use these! Also, when I let my mixture sit in the ice trays for about 3 or 4 hours they are hard and will pop right out of the trays. These might sound complicated, but are super easy to make and really cheap to make.* -------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Oct 2 2013, 08:43 PM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
Reusable Dryer Sheets with Fabric Softener DIY
I had a whole bunch of OLD dishcloths to get rid of, so I decided to cut them up into small squares and toss them in a container with some fabric softener to use as dryer sheets. I had a bottle of Febreeze scented Downy hanging around, so I used that. Now each time I put a load of clothes in the dryer, I just grab one of the little DIY dryer sheets out of the container, wring it out little bit, and throw it in with the load. When the load is dry (including the dryer sheet) I just drop it back in the container. No need to even wash these babies. *This actually sounds easier than what I did the last time. I cut up sponges and an old washcloth and soaked, then dried them for fabric softener sheets. Taking them out of the container wet sounds much easier and you could still use home made fabric softener.* -------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Oct 2 2013, 09:08 PM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
Natural Spray deodorant
10 – drops frankincense essential oil (anti-cancer properties…helpful when applied to an area of the body with so many lymph nodes) 10 – drops melaleuca or lemon essential oil (anti-fungal, anti-bacterial) 10 – drops lavender essential oil (eliminates waste, anti-inflammatory and calming) Add the Essential Oils to a small spray bottle and top it off with Witch Hazel. Witch Hazel is a natural toner and cleanser, it’s cooling and evaporates quickly and soothes irritated skin. *Frankincense essential oil can be pretty expensive (most essential oils are pricey). I ordered from Bulk Apothecary because their prices seemed to be fairly reasonable, but I'm sure there are plenty of other sites to choose from.* -------------------- |
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| Becky |
Posted: Oct 2 2013, 09:45 PM
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Co-Admin Group: co-admin Posts: 14,360 Member No.: 17 Joined: 1-April 07 |
Thank you, Sandra!
I made this a sticky so we don't lose it....  |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Oct 2 2013, 10:51 PM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
Homemade Lotion Bars
found on: http://myellowumbrella.com/2012/02/07/home...s-and-lip-balm/ Original recipe: Beeswax (I picked mine up at Hobby Lobby since it was convenient and I had a 40% off coupon, which made it $8.99 for the 1-lb. block) Vegetable shortening Canola oil Essential oil, of your choice (this is optional, but you can really customize these to your liking with just a few drops of essential oils) Form/mold (I used a soap mold, also from HL, as it was also on sale, but you could use really anything you want. Try a silicone pan/mold for some fun shapes!) Homemade Lotion Bars (2 Recipes!) and Lip Balm by Alina on February 7, 2012, 121 comments UPDATE 12/27/12: I’ve been using an alternate recipe since my second batch of lotion bars. See the alternate recipe below! Hello, friends! The good news is we survived Monday. The bad news is we have four days to go (unless you love your job, in which case you’re probably peachy right about now). I do love my day job, but I also love my weekends. It’s my time to really focus on projects, get things accomplished and cross things off of my ever-growing to-do list (this is self-inflicted, though). This weekend, I made my own lotion bars and lip balm! The lotion bars were inspired by this blog, which I encourage you to visit. Her post is pretty compelling on why you should think twice about what’s in store-bought lotions. I tweaked her recipe just a bit and went with canola oil instead of vegetable oil. I used bergamot essential oil because I LOVE the smell of bergamot. It reminds me of a nice cup of hot earl grey tea, so it brings a slight smile to my face every time I use the lotion bars! What You Do: Both recipes: Melt a 1:1:1 ratio of all three ingredients (you’re going to add the essential oils at the end, if you’re using them) in a double boiler or a small pan inside of a larger pan of boiling water. (NOTE: I did try to melt these together in my microwave, but the beeswax started sparking. Apparently this will happen in some microwaves and will be fine in others, so be careful if you try this!) Once everything is melted together, stir well, remove from heat and, if you’re going to use them, add the essential oils. (And if you’re using them, pour in 2 teaspoons of vitamin E oil and 2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil.) I used around 25 drops of bergamot for 4 bars in the original recipe. Pay attention to any directions that come with your mold…for example, mine specifically noted that anything above 150 degrees could melt the mold. Since my mixture was closer to 165 degrees, I let it cool in the pan on my counter before pouring it into the mold. Nothing would be worse than pouring your mixture into the mold, just to watch the mold melt away! If you’re using silicone, you shouldn’t have to worry about this. Once the bars have cooled, pop them out of your mold and enjoy! To use, rub them between your hands and your body heat will soften the bar enough for you to get what you need. It WILL be extremely oily at first, but it WILL soak in after a couple of minutes. *I used the first recipe and used coconut oil instead of vegetable oil. You can find coconut oil beside the Crisco and you can use it for tons of different things. I like using the lotion bars better than the body butter I made because the lotion bars soak into your skin so quickly. No standing around and waiting to "dry".* -------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Oct 2 2013, 10:59 PM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
Homemade Lip Balm
Melt together a 1:1 ratio of beeswax and olive oil (you really could use any oil you want, but olive oil is awesome for your skin. I think I might add in some coconut oil next time, too!), stir in your essential oil (I used 2-3 drops per jar) and pour into a container of your choice! *My note: Don't add coconut oil instead of olive oil. Coconut oil is a solid at 76 degrees and it makes the lip balm too hard. I ended up re-melting and adding additional olive oil to soften it.* *Containers: You can use empty trial size makeup containers, Altoid tins (watch the holes in back), small jars, even contact lens cases. I used small jars to use in the bathroom but they are too big for purses.* -------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Oct 4 2013, 07:52 AM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
Easy-Peasy Homemade Wood Polish Recipe
( recipe from http://www.crunchybetty.com) Here’s what you need: 2 Tbsp finely grated beeswax or beeswax beads 6-8 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (6 if you want a firmer polish, 8 if you want your polish to be a little squishier) A small glass container A pot with about 2 inches of water in it A spoon First, you want to heat up your water to steaming (not boiling). Once the water is pretty warm, put your beeswax in the glass container and then set the glass container gently into the warm-hot water, making sure the water does NOT sink into the beeswax or overflow in any way, shape or form. Next, melt the beeswax completely. Once the beeswax is melted, pour in the 6-8 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil and stir very, very well until everything is melted. If you want to add 10-15 drops of a lemon, tea tree, or woody – like pine or cedarwood – essential oil' do that now and stir well. And then leave it alone. To set up. To get firm. How to Use Your Wood Polish First, whatever wood things you want to clean, make sure they’re lightly dusted and free of any major gunk and stains. You don’t want to trap any of that in there. Next, you just dip your fingers or a very clean rag into the polish and scoop out a little bit. Massage it into the wood, being careful not to miss any spots. Though you WILL be able to tell if you miss a spot – the difference is that pronounced. You can either wipe it off immediately, if you’re in a giant rush, or – even better – after you’ve coated the wood with your wood polish, leave it alone for 20 minutes to an hour and then come back and wipe it all down again with a clean, dry rag. -------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Oct 6 2013, 10:05 AM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
Tub and Shower Magic
A repin by Jillee. Original post by Bobbin at Food.com: You will need: a 24 oz spray bottle 12 ounces of Dawn dishwashing liquid 12 ounces of white vinegar That’s it! Heat the vinegar in microwave until hot and pour into squirt bottle. Then add the Dawn soap. Put the lid on and gently shake to mix. Easy enough. Now time to get to work. I might have got a little carried away…because I ended up using the whole bottle! I let it sit for about an hour while I finished up some stuff…then I decided just to combine my morning shower with the scrubbing portion of this experiment. Sorry. No pictures are available. lol. A few thoughts about this “magical” stuff: it works! It definitely “ate through” the stubborn soap scum that was pretty much all over the enclosure. NOW when I rub my fingers over the surface, it’s once again smoooooth and clean feeling. *My thoughts: Everyone who tried this loved the results. Someone tried a few tablespoons of cornstarch and less Dawn, but it was too runny. The Dawn seems to make the mixture thick enough to stay on the shower wall without too much running. I'm going to try this next week, but I definitely think this is a winner. Although 24 oz is quite a bit of solution so a cup of each, or even 1/2 cup of each should be enough for one bathroom use. Jillee did caution that the smell is pretty strong so ventilation in the bathroom is a must. The before and after pics are amazing. Those bathrooms sparkle after using this mixture. Fixtures look brand new.* -------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Oct 6 2013, 10:10 AM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
"Fake" Clorox Cleanup, 2 Cents/Bottle!
Fake Clorox Cleanup 1 Empty and Rinsed-Out Bottle of Clorox Cleanup/Empty Plastic Spray Bottle 1/4 Cup Bleach 1 Teaspoon DetergentFill the rest of the bottle with Water and Shake! Just like my other Fake Cleaners, this one is mostly water, too. Doesn't it just make you crazy that we are all paying too much money for what is mostly water? To make this, I picked up a gallon jug of Bleach at the Dollar Tree, so with 16 Cups to a Gallon, that one jug could potentially make 64 Bottles* of Fake Clorox Cleanup! WOW! The detergent I had on hand, of course.The original called for combining Dish Detergent with Bleach and that is a big No-No. For some reason, many Dish Detergents contain Ammonia, and combining Bleach with Ammonia can literally kill you with a toxic fume. YIKES! It's best to stick with chemicals that you know are OK to combine, like Detergent and Bleach. Those are made to go together in the washing machine!The Fake-It Yourself Breakdown: Fake Clorox Cleanup (Bleach, $1.00/Gallon, Detergent, negligible)Total Fake-It Cost: $0.02/Bottle Compare to Real Clorox Cleanup: $4.99 Total Fake-It Savings: $4.97 *Just For Fun: 64 Bottles of Fake Clorox Cleanup: $1.00, 64 Bottles of Real Clorox Cleanup: $319.36, Total Savings: $318.36 Wow! Isn't that incredible? -------------------- |
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| Laurie |
Posted: Oct 6 2013, 10:15 AM
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,500 Member No.: 13 Joined: 1-April 07 |
Thank you Sandra!!!
I will try most of them over winter. I use the magic shower and it works so well. |
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| Becky |
Posted: Oct 22 2013, 10:31 AM
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Co-Admin Group: co-admin Posts: 14,360 Member No.: 17 Joined: 1-April 07 |
Was just browsing Pinterest and found this that I had pinned a while ago.
Homemade Cleaning A few samples. Window Cleaner 1 oz. of White Ammonia 4 oz. of Rubbing Alcohol 1 drop of DetergentFill remaining space with Water Blessing 'in a Bottle - also known as "kitchen Magic" This stuff will get through anything, make your sink and shower shine like new, and save you when just about nothing else works. The detergent is optional-I add it simply to cover some of the vinegar smell!12 oz. of White Vinegar 12 oz. of Dawn Dish soap 1 tsp. of Detergent |
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| Shell |
Posted: Oct 23 2013, 04:11 PM
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 Lost in a yarn Group: Admin Posts: 13,648 Member No.: 10 Joined: 1-April 07 |
I love homemade simple cleaners without all the added *poisons* they put in commercial cleaners. Can't beat the price either-many are much cheaper & do a better job.
I hope this thread gets added to a lot! --------------------  |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Oct 27 2013, 05:48 AM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
I told Kimmie she was almost out of fabric softener and she asked if I would make get some more so it looks like she is sold on the home made fabric softener, too.
By the way, I forgot and shook mine and it did foam. Also, I had a problem with Kim's fabric softener dispenser getting gunky and since I started using homemade, I don't have that problem any more. Maybe because it isn't as thick as the concentrate. The lint filter doesn't get sticky like it did with the Ultra Downey either. Becky - how strong is the ammonia smell in the window cleaner? I have a problem breathing with very much ammonia but this sounds like such a small amount. -------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Oct 27 2013, 08:52 AM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
Uses for Coconut Oil & Toothpaste Recipe
These are suggestions from Hybrid Rasta Mama. This is not a recipe but now that I have started using coconut oil, I love it. I bought LouAna oil, which is near Crisco and actually looks like Crisco. Some complain that this isn't the "natural" version but it's non hydrogenated and non-GMO so I'm fine with it. It's great for cooking and is a solid at 76 degrees. It cost about $6 and has no smell. Between my making stuff and cooking with it, I've used almost the entire 30 oz in the past 2 months. You can also buy the organic, more expensive version and it does smell like coconuts and is supposed to be better for you. People use it in coffee and swear by it. Check out the Personal Hygiene/Personal Care uses. I scrunch it into the ends of my hair as a moisturizer (don't use too much). I've also read where it's good for cellulite so I'm rubbing it on my stomach to test that theory. I also use it for a skin moisturizer because it soaks into your skin within a minute or two. A mixture of equal parts baking soda and coconut oil with some peppermint essential oil makes a natural toothpaste. I like it but mine needs more peppermint (I used 15 drops but I will use 25 next time). But I realized that I'm trying to be more "natural" and then putting chemicals on my toothbrush. Bill needs sensitive toothpaste and this seems to be very sensitive. Toothpaste Ingredients: 3 Tbsp of coconut oil 3 Tbsp of baking soda 8-15drops of essential oil (optional, I love peppermint) Directions: Mix the coconut oil, baking soda, and peppermint oil. Once it is well mixed put into a small glass jar with a lid. We like to use a baby food jar. In order to mix in the winter (under 76 degrees) you may have to warm up the coconut oil on the stove over low heat to bring it to a liquid state. In warm weather the oil and baking soda may separate, so mixing before using might be necessary. You can make a separate one for each family member to avoid sharing germs or simply use a small spoon to apply some “paste” to your brush. -------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Oct 27 2013, 09:00 AM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub
There is also a recipe for Lemon Sugar Scrub on this page. I made this a few weeks ago and I really like it. You can use it as a body scrub, or put it in a container by the sink and use it as a had scrub when you wash your hands. It smells great and makes your skin so soft. Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub You will need: 1 cup white sugar 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup-3/4 cups olive oil 1-2 tsp of vanilla (your preference) Mix sugars until well combined. Then slowly add oil, starting with smaller amount. If you need to add more then add all. Mix until well combined. Then add vanilla. Package. Make pretty. Use. Or giveaway. *My tip: If you use this in the shower/bath tub, be sure and clean afterwards because your tub will be slippery. But your skin will feel amazing after so it's worth it. As an added bonus, scrub your legs really well with it and then shave your legs and you don't have to shave again for a few days. The hair seems to scrub away and the hair on my legs is finer and softer for weeks.* -------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Oct 27 2013, 09:14 AM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
Homemade Wipes for Baby, Makeup Removal, and Cleaning
Directions: Cut a roll of paper towels in half, place each half in a container with a tight-fitting lid, then soak each half with 2 cups warm water and the desired mixture (see below). The ingredients differ only slightly depending on what kind of wipes you’re making. After you have added the water, snap the lid on (you’ll have to smoosh it a bit to make it fit) and turn it upside down. Wait 5 to 10 minutes then turn the container right side up, take the lid off, and remove the cardboard tube in the center. It should come out easily. Now grab the first towel in the center of the roll and pop it up for easy dispensing! Recipe for baby wipes: 4 cups warm water (one reader recommends DISTILLED water to inhibit the growth of mold), 1-2 tablespoons Coconut Oil, and 1-2 squirts of baby wash, and/or 20 drops Lavender essential oil. Recipe for makeup remover wipes: 4 cups warm water, 1-2 tablespoons Coconut Oil, 1-2 squirts of baby wash or favorite face wash, and/or 12 drops Frankincense, 12 drops Melaleuca, 12 drops Lavender essential oils. Note: A couple of people who have tried this have said their wipes started developing mold within a couple of weeks. A couple of things to try are: Making smaller batches so you are using them up faster….OR….adding some Melaleuca essential oil, which inhibits the growth of mold. I haven’t had the mold issue…but I live in SUCH a dry state, that might have something to do with it. Recipe for cleaning wipes: 4 cups warm water, a few drops of your favorite concentrated cleaner, and/or 20 drops Lemon & 20 drops Lavender essential oil. *I made the baby wipes and cleaning wipes. I had a few containers I had saved from other cleaning wipes and a half roll of Bounty paper towels that are half sized. I boiled my water for 30 minutes and I added about a tablespoon of alcohol to the baby wipe mixture. It's not enough alcohol to burn delicate skin, but with alcohol, dry air, and the boiling, I shouldn't have a mold problem. Cutting the paper towels in half took about 30 seconds with a bread knife and after the paper towels sat in the solution for a few minutes, the cardboard tube came out easily. They are just as good as those personal hygiene wipes or baby wipes and I use them on me, the boys, and on the dogs to clean up dirty spots on them. The cleaning wipes are working great in the kitchen and I prefer them to the awful Spic and Span wipes I had that felt like netting. I'm not sure how expensive the makeup remover wipes are to buy (I use Avon Wash Off Water Proof Mascara and no foundation so my makeup comes off easily), but I think I would use those quilted round makeup cloths for the remover or even cotton balls. A wipe would be so much more than I need.* -------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Oct 28 2013, 09:22 AM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
Simple Homemade Deodorant
The Recipe To make your own natural homemade deodorant, follow these simple steps: 1. Purchase a bottle of grain ethyl alcohol, a.k.a. high proof liquor like Everclear, (we used to recommend isopropyl [rubbing] alcohol but do no longer because it can be toxic when used for long periods of time) 2. Purchase a small refillable spray bottle (we use the 3oz variety commonly found in the personal product travel section) – approximately $1.00/bottle (buy glass spray bottles here) 3. Pour the alcohol into the spray bottle 4. Spray on clean armpits for protection against body odor caused by bacteria. If you would like, add 10 drops of tea tree essential oil per 1 oz. of alcohol (4 oz. alcohol = 40 drops tea tree). *I think I'm going to try this. It's easy enough and it makes sense (but like I've said, my Crystal rock deodorant works great). Who knew that cleaning my face with alcohol all through high school and Jr high could be toxic. Just one more thing we thought was great but isn't... One of the comments on the site also said they use hand sanitizer during the day or when in a pinch. I guess it makes sense since alcohol kills bacteria.* -------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Oct 31 2013, 10:52 AM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
Ten Minute No-Sew Recycled T-Shirt
This isn't a cleaning/ product, but it is definitely "Green".This is a link to a tutorial on how to make an old t-shirt into a shopping bag. The idea is really cute and it's no-sew for those of us who don't like to sew. LOL Basically, cut out the arms of a t-shirt, then make strips from those arms. Pull the fabric strips to make them longer. Cut 1-3 slits in the bottom of the t-shirt hem and using a safety pin, thread the strips through the cut slits. If you just use one strip through the hem, you will have a larger hole in the bottom. If you use 3 strips through the multiple slits, you will have 3 smaller holes and you can tie those together for a closed bottom. Cut out the neck large enough to drop items into the bag, and you are finished. The blog shows how-to photos and it's much easier to follow than my steps. The pics are so cute, too. This would make a cute purse, especially for our like-to-sew members. Hem those edges and you would have an awesome purse. I'm tempted to try this and cover it with my comic strip fabric and my no-sew glue. -------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Nov 13 2013, 12:40 PM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
I thought I had posted Toilet Bombs before, but I guess not, and since I have made them twice, they are definitely worth posting.
WHAT I USE: (for approx. 24 bombs) --1 1/3 cup Baking Soda - amazing for all-natural cleaning AND deodorizing! --1/2 cup Citric Acid - (low-strength acid that exists naturally in fruits like lemons & oranges) - used in many kitchen & bathroom cleaners for its cleaning, whitening & deodorizing properties --30 drops Lavender Essential Oil*** --30 drops Peppermint Essential Oil*** --30 drops Lemon Essential Oil*** --Medical Mask *** All three oils I use have great antimicrobial properties and kill odor-causing bacteria PLUS this combo smells heavenly!!! WHAT I DO: Since I work with citric acid and baking soda, I always put medical mask first and then mix together soda and acid. After that I put oils in a spray bottle and spray little by little stirring the mixture at the same time in order to not let it fizz away. If the mixture isn't damp enough I add just A TINY BIT of water in my spray bottle and spray the mixture - but again, I try to prevent the acid from fizzing away, because bombs won't explode and will just sink without fizzing if they're too moist. After that I put the mixture in silicone molds and let them dry for about 6 hours. And then I store the bombs in a container with a lid - don't they look adorable?...I usually drop one in the toilet bowl whenever I feel like it;-) *My notes: After making them the first time with too much water, this time, I sprayed the mixed essential oils while mixing and then sprayed a few squirts of peroxide (instead of water) and mixed to make the mixture stick together. It will look dry, but when you push it into molds (I fill ice trays half full or use the small candy molds from the Dollar Tree), it hardens and will stick together. I don't use a mask. This is the same stuff you use for canning and baking. I don't stick my nose in it, but I don't see a problem with it. If you use enough water that it looks and feels damp, it will erupt over the sides of your mold and won't fizz very much when you drop them in the toilet -------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Nov 21 2013, 03:52 PM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
How To Make Hairspray
Citrus-Lavender Hairspray 1 whole orange (for dark hair) or lemon (for light hair), preferably organic (to avoid having pesticides in your hairspray) 2 cups distilled or filtered water 2-3 tablespoons high proof vodka (or other clear grain alcohol) 6-8 drops of lavender essential oil Step 1 Cut a whole orange or lemon into wedges and combine with 2 cups water in a small pot. Boil over medium high heat until liquid is reduced by half. Step 2 Strain liquid through cheesecloth into a measuring cup. If you boiled too much liquid out add water until you have 1 cup. Allow citrus juice to cool. Step 3 Combine alcohol and essential oils in a small bowl, swirl to mix, then add to the cup of citrus juice. (Feel free to experiment with your favorite essential oil or leave them out altogether.) Step 4 Use a funnel to pour into a spray bottle with a fine mister and shake to combine ingredients. Shake before each use. A Few Things to Note This is not a maximum hold hairspray that will freeze a prom up-do or 80′s bangs. I can say with confidence that it’s a flexible hold formula. I was a loyal user of firm hold hairspray for years before trying this formula, now I PREFER this to my old sprays. This formula has been tested on my brunette hair. Use an orange for darker hair, and lemons only if your hair is light-colored. There is a chance the lemon can lighten your hair when exposed to sunlight. Grab the orange or lemon sitting in your fruit bowl and give this hairspray a whirl! -------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Nov 21 2013, 07:38 PM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
Furniture Dusting & Hardwood Floor Spray
You will need: 1/3 cup water 1/2 Tablespoon liquid castile soap 8 drops sweet orange essential oil 4 drops cedarwood essential oil 4 drops lemon essential oil 4 oz. spray bottle with fine mister - amber or cobalt glass bottles will prevent essential oils from degrading when exposed to light and won’t react with the oils like plastic can. Directions: Combine all ingredients in spray bottle and shake well to mix. To use: Shake well before spraying. Spray onto a soft dry cloth and wipe wood clean. My little disclaimer: test this dusting spray on an inconspicuous area of your wooden furniture before using it on the entire surface. *My thoughts: In reading the comments, I found that this works on hardwood floors with no slippery residue. Also, the essential oils are optional and for fragrance only. I would probably use lemon, orange, and/or tangerine oil. I'm allergic to cedar so I don't even own cedar essential oil. Another comment was for laminate flooring: For laminate flooring you’ll want to use equal parts water, white vinegar, and alcohol. The alcohol will speed drying and will eliminate streaking and residue you get from using other cleaners on laminate. You can add a few drops of essential oil of your choice too for a nice smell. -------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Jan 2 2014, 03:52 PM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 | Bombs -Bombs-31354476' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>Detergent Bombs What You'll Need: Small mixing bowl Grater 1 1/2 cup washing soda 1/2 cup Fels-Naptha 2 tablespoons Epsom salts 3 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide 1/4 cup vinegar 15-20 drops essential oil Sheet pan Parchment paper Measuring spoons Directions: Grate the Fels-Naptha into the mixing bowl and add the washing soda and epsom salts. Fels-Naptha is a bar soap that does a great job of attacking stains and cleaning your . The boost of all-natural washing soda softens water while washing clothes. And the Epsom salts cut down on static cling and also soften fabrics once clothes hit the dryer.Now add the hydrogen peroxide and give things a stir. Hydrogen peroxide naturally whitens clothes and keeps your colors fresh. Stir in the vinegar, which busts through stains while leaving clothes soft. Then scent with several drops of your favorite essential oil. Once everything's incorporated, the mixture should resemble wet sand and clump together when pressed. Cover a sheet pan with parchment paper and then use a rounded 1 tablespoon measuring spoon to scoop up the mixture, press against the side of bowl, then tap out onto the pan. Finish with a quick spritz of equal parts vinegar and water. Let set for eight hours before using. Your bombs are ready to toss in the washing machine! Use one round for small loads and two when washing lots of . You'll love how they refresh your clothing without all the extra cleaners!________________________________________ My thoughts: The directions and supplies make this look much harder than it actually is. You have to grate the soap, which took maybe 10 minutes. Then mix, form the half balls in your Tablespoon, put it on wax or parchment paper. The vinegar-water spray is to harden the balls to keep them together better. I really don't like the smell of Fels Naptha soap but I still had a bar (I did 1 1/2 recipe and still have 1/2 bar left) so I used it. But I added about 2 TBS of Purex Crystals to the mix and now it smells good instead of like FN and it has pretty blue specks in the tablets.-------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Jan 2 2014, 10:54 PM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
3 Ingredient Grated
Detergentfrom -soap-107987' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>Food.com 1 cup grated soap bar (most prefer fels naptha) 1/2 cup washing soda 1/2 cup borax Directions: 1. Mix all ingredients together. 2. Use 2 tablespoons per load of .____________________________________________ I'm adding this recipe because it is really easy to make and it seems to be the recipe I make the most. I do add about 2 TBS of Purex Crystals to cover the Fels Naptha smell. I don't need to add them when I use Castile soap instead. -------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Jan 18 2014, 02:03 PM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
Cold sore/fever blister remedy
I started getting a cold sore/fever blister a few days ago and I applied aloe from my aloe plant and later some Tea Tree essential oil. It's one of the few EO's that don't need a carrier oil to dilute it so it can be applied directly to the cold sore. That seemed to take care of the cold sore but it ended up popping up two days later (probably because I only used the tea tree oil once). I applied tea tree oil last night and it stopped the cold sore completely. It's tiny and dry like it's all healed. This has worked better than any remedy I've ever tried and tea tree oil can be purchased any place that sells EO's, including Amazon. I understand that tea tree oil is also good for acne, pimples, dandruff and other skin things, but believe me, tea tree oil doesn't smell very good. -------------------- |
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| mail8d |
Posted: Sep 28 2014, 10:22 PM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
Technically, this is a recipe but I consider it "green".
Does anyone like Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes? I do, but sometimes they taste a little bitter and I like mine sweet, so last year I decided to try making them homemade. The recipe was okay but since it had cream in it, it didn't last long. I tried a new recipe this year and I really like it. Here is the recipe. I make the big batch in the "Recipe Notes". Then I just mix the base with brewed coffee and some Pumpkin Spice creamer - or, I make cappuccino in the Keuring and add the base to that. I prefer the cappuccino since I like mine sweet and I don't drink a lot of coffee so I don't really want it strong. I skip the whipped cream, too. It's pretty, but it's more trouble to whip. Also, I've been reading about the ingredients in Starbucks PSL (and then again this morning in the Denver Post) and there is some really bad stuff in it. No real pumpkin in it, but there is caramel coloring, which has ingredients known to cause cancer. Since this is cheaper and healthier, I think I'll stick to the homemade stuff. If you make this recipe, it really does use 1 cup of vanilla and a teaspoon of black pepper. Sounds strange but it tastes great. How To Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Home Makes 2 drinks What You Need Ingredients 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more to garnish Freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract 2 cups whole milk 1 to 2 shots espresso, about 1/4 cup 1/4 cup heavy cream, whipped until firm peaks form Equipment Mixer, whisk, or hand blender, to whip cream Saucepan Wooden spoon Whisk Blender Espresso maker or coffee maker Instructions Heat the pumpkin and spices: In a small saucepan over medium heat cook the pumpkin with the pumpkin pie spice and a generous helping of black pepper for 2 minutes or until it's hot and smells cooked. Stir constantly. Stir in the sugar: Add the sugar and stir until the mixture looks like a bubbly thick syrup. Warm the milk: Whisk in the milk and vanilla extract. Warm gently over medium heat, watching carefully to make sure it doesn't boil over. Blend the milk: Carefully process the milk mixture with a hand blender or in a traditional blender (hold the lid down tightly with a thick wad of towels!) until frothy and blended. Mix the drinks: Make the espresso or coffee and divide between two mugs and add the frothed milk. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, or nutmeg if desired. Recipe Notes Make a big batch of pumpkin spice mix-in: If you like, you can make a big batch of the pumpkin spice base, and refrigerate. To make 8 full servings , cook 1 cup pureed or canned pumpkin with 4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 cup sugar. Stir in 1 cup vanilla extract. Refrigerate for up to 1 week and use as desired. To serve, blend 1/3 cup pumpkin spice mix-in with milk until frothy, and add 1 or 2 shots of espresso. Top with whipped cream and serve. -------------------- |
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| Becky |
Posted: Nov 26 2014, 06:38 PM
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Co-Admin Group: co-admin Posts: 14,360 Member No.: 17 Joined: 1-April 07 |
I somehow missed this. I'm going to try it. I don't like espresso or reg coffee, so I'm going to substitute with my flavored coffee, which is cinnamon vanilla nut, I think it'll go well with the rest of the ingredients.  for posting. | ||
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| mail8d |
Posted: Mar 5 2015, 11:38 AM
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mail8d Group: Members Posts: 4,519 Member No.: 5 Joined: 1-April 07 |
I haven't posted on this thread in a while, but
to the very progressive (and sometimes very shocking) FB group I'm in called Naturally - Crunchy Betty, my eyes have been opened to so many additives in food. I'm slowly starting to make some of these foods instead of buying them. I made chili seasoning and taco seasoning yesterday. It was easy, cost pennies, and no maltodextrin (made from GMO corn) or additives.Here are a couple of eye-opening links. Misleading Product Roundup Fifty Things You Should Stop Buying and Make Yourself I knew that Cool Whip was basically oil and not cream. I had no idea that Strawberries and Cream oatmeal is really apples or that there are no lemons in Crystal Light Lemonade. Another thing full of additives is chicken broth. How many cans have I used in the past 40 yrs of cooking? Somechicken broths contain soy (I'm allergic) or gluten (Reece is GF) or MSG (no way if I can help it). So here is my recipe for chicken/vegetable broth. It is so much better you wouldn't believe it. I take leftover chicken bones or carcass, pieces of chicken that we aren't going to eat - heart, necks, etc. I've heard you get more nutrients if you use raw bones but a cooked carcass gives it a better flavor. If you have beef bones you can use those for a beef broth. Since Kimmie doesn't eat beef or pork, I just used chicken. Chicken carcass - cooked or uncooked Any vegetables that have gone mushy, the root ends and peelings of onions, the root ends of celery, carrots, bell pepper insides (I remove the seeds), vegetable peelings, any vegetables that are past their prime. I put my scraps in a plastic bag or container and freeze it until I get enough to make a broth. When I was volunteering at Seeds, they constantly had a stock pot going for discards such as kale, tomatoes, etc. I put all of the scraps into my crock pot and fill with water to the top. This cooks on low for 48 hours (or on the stove on low for about 8-10 hours). Strain it through a strainer. Then strain it again, once or twice, through cheese cloth or a soft white cloth, until you have just liquid (maybe some tiny pieces of veggies with remain). Then I pour it into ice cube trays, freeze, and use the broth as needed. It is 100 times better than the store bought. Food just tastes better with the home made, and am I the only person that smells canned chicken broth and thinks it smells like oil? This recipe was adapted from a "Bone Broth" recipe. That is when you boil the bones, add a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and drink it. It's supposed to be very healthy and keep you from getting sick. The ACV pulls the nutrients out of the bones better than just boiling, but since I don't want ACV in my broth, I leave it out. -------------------- |
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| Shell |
Posted: Mar 6 2015, 01:55 PM
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Lost in a yarn Group: Admin Posts: 13,648 Member No.: 10 Joined: 1-April 07 | for the chicken broth recipe Sandra. That sounds easy. I am going to start a ziploc bag of bits & pieces of veggies so I can try it. Yes, I agree that canned broth is always oily. It even looks oily. I like that you don't have to add any salt to this. I stopped buying broth mostly because of being so high in sodium. I haven't given the sodium free chicken stock a try yet although I have seen it in a carton at the store. When I make chicken & stuffing casserole I just use the water I boiled the chicken in but it's not chicken broth. It's really just chicken flavored water. Chicken broth makes it taste even better, so now I can make my own! . -------------------- |
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| Laurie |
Posted: Mar 6 2015, 09:04 PM
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,500 Member No.: 13 Joined: 1-April 07 | Sandra! I will read the links in the next few days. |
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