Homemade Recipes For the Home and Body

Save money, live wisely. Be environmentally friendly and clean your home without chemicals!

By

Rebecca Cashman

Recipes have been taken from online searches and are scattered about everywhere on the web. I do not know of any copyright on these recipes, but if there exists any, the recipe belongs to its rightful author and owner. Thank you.

2012

Preface
We have been conditioned as consumers in our society to believe a few fallacies: 1. That our house isnt clean unless it smells like chemicals (bleach, Lysol, Windex, etc.) 2. That our shampoo isnt working unless it creates a thick lather 3. That our toothpaste doesnt work unless it foams. Because of what commercialization does to us, and our thinking, and eventually our habits, it is hard to break out and think for ourselves. But we can do it. We can get our homes clean, our bodies clean and our teeth brushed and smooth, without the chemicals, toxins and foaming agents created to give us that false sense of clean. And, we can do it for a mere fraction of the cost of what we were spending on chemical products. So, next time you pick up that bottle of chemical cleaner, or the tube of toothpaste, think of how much money you could be saving, and how many fewer toxic substances you could be exposing your family to, if you made these products yourself. Most recipes are simple, the ingredients easy to find, and not time consuming at all. Start off by making one or two, and then adding to it as time goes on. It is easier to stick with something and change habits if you do it slowly but surely.

Best of luck to you.

Rebecca Cashman

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipe (Powder)

Deceptively simple, this homemade dishwasher soap cleans without toxic chemicals. It works best if you rinse the heavily soiled dishes first. Ingredients 1 cup baking soda 1 cup borax 20 drops lemon or clove essential oil (or a combination of both) Directions 1. Combine the baking soda and the borax in a plastic container. Stir in essential oils 2. Store covered, in a cool, dark place 3. To use: add 2 to 4 tablespoons homemade dishwasher detergent to your dishwashers soap compartment. Notes: This recipe works best with soft water in your home, not as great with hard water. Also, I definitely recommend using vinegar in the rinse cycle even if your water is good. If you have extremely hard water, please try the liquid recipe on the next page.

TIP #1: The Worlds Simplest Rinse Aid Boost your dishwashers cleaning power by adding white vinegar to the rinse compartment before you run your dishwasher. Not only does it reduce spotting, but it also helps prevent odors and mineral build-up in your dishwasher. If you want to get rid of residue in your dishwasher, fill the detergent compartment with pure vinegar and run the dishwasher on a normal cycle. You can even use vinegar to rinse hand washed dishes. Just add a couple tablespoons of vinegar to your rinse water, along with one drop lemon essential oil. Your glassware will sparkle!

Homemade Liquid Dishwasher Detergent Recipe

This recipe is kind of cheating because you still use store-bought dishwasher soap, but its better than expensive, toxic name brands. Look for phosphate free dish soap for a more earth friendly option. Or, see the next recipe to make your own to avoid even the minor amount of chemicals in liquid dishwashing soaps. Ingredients 1 cup baking soda 1 cup borax 1 cup boiling water 1 cup store bought liquid dishwashing soap (like Dawn, or see next recipe to make your own) 10 drops grapefruit essential oil 10 drops lemon essential oil 10 drops orange essential oil Directions 1. Dissolve the baking soda and borax in the hot water. 2. Stir in the liquid dishwasher detergent. 3. Add the essential oils, stirring the mix well. 4. Pour into an old dishwasher detergent bottle. 5. Use 2 to 3 tablespoons per load.

TIP #2: The Best Cleaner For All Your Household Needs A vinegar and water solution work the best for cleaning and disinfecting bathrooms, kitchens, floors, mirrors, walls and more. 100% completely non-toxic, you can mix 1 cup vinegar to a gallon of water. Pour it into a spray bottle and keep handy under your sink. Spray surfaces and wipe down. It also works on mold and mildew in showers.

Homemade Dish Soap Recipe

This is an easy recipe for homemade dish soap; it cleans your dishes and smells great. It also cuts grease and kills germs, too! Ingredients cup soap flakes (see directions below) 1 cups boiling water cup vegetable glycerin Essential oil blends (see options below) Directions 1. To make soap flakes, grate a bar of unscented natural soap using the coarse side of your cheese grate. You can use Ivory or Fels Naptha or another of your choice. 2. Put the soap flakes in a large glass pitcher and add the boiling water. Stir until the soap is dissolved. 3. Let sit 5 minutes. 4. Stir in the glycerin, then add the essential oils, stirring the mix. 5. A loose gel will form as the mixture cools. Use your hands to break up any lumps. Pour into a squirt bottle and use the homemade dishwashing soap as you normally would.

TIP #3: Scenting Your Homemade Dish Soap Here are some scent variations you can try, depending on what you have on hand and what your preferences are. All these blends are disinfectant, immune boosting and smell great! Citrus Blast: 10 drops each of grapefruit, lemon and orange essential oils, plus 2 drops rose geranium (optional) Lavender Lift: 15 drops lavender, 10 drops clove, 5 drops cinnamon OR orange essential oil Tea Tree Refresher: 10 drops each of tea tree oil, lemongrass and lemon essential oils, plus 1 drop ylang ylang (optional)

Homemade Toothpaste Recipe

This is a recipe that I use every day. It is super easy to make and takes about 5 minutes. I use extra virgin coconut oil that has the nutty, coconut flavor. If you do not like that smell/taste, then you can use expeller pressed coconut oil which has no flavor but still has the antibacterial, anti-microbial benefits. It makes about 2 weeks worth of toothpaste for 1 person. Ingredients 2 tablespoons coconut oil 2 tablespoons baking soda 1 packet Stevia powder 30 drops peppermint oil (or spearmint oil, or a mixture of both) Directions 1. Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl, using a fork. 2. Put in small container and keep in your bathroom to brush your teeth. Notes: You can add more or less coconut oil, Stevia and baking soda. The original recipe called for more baking soda and less Stevia, but I didnt like the taste. I also like it with half spearmint and half peppermint oils. I use Young Living Essential Oils because I have used them forever. You can get Stevia packets at the grocery store or WalMart. Avoid using Truvia, as it is chemically processed.

TIP #4: The Amazing Benefits of Coconut Oil Coconut oil will turn to a liquid at temperatures above 76 degrees, and will be a solid at temperatures cooler than 76 degrees. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and improves nutrient absorption. It is super tasty to eat just plain, or use in cooking, stir fries, in place of butter, and in smoothies. Coconut oil boosts your metabolism. It is one of the most abundant sources of medium-chain fatty acids, which work wonders on boosting the speed of your metabolism. Coconut oil also balances your blood sugar levels, and helps cure Candida and yeast overgrowth.

Homemade Laundry Soap Recipe

This recipe works well on ordinary laundry. You will still need to pre-treat stains, however. I use it for both whites and colors, and have never had a problem with anything. Even sweaty gym clothes get clean with this stuff. Ingredients 1/3 bar Fels Naptha soap, or one whole bar of Ivory soap (I use Fels Naptha) cup Washing Soda cup borax powder Water 2+ gallon bucket, for storing Directions 1. Grate the soap and place in a sauce pan. 2. Add 6 cups of water and heat until the soap melts. 3. Add the washing soda and borax and stir until it is dissolved. Removed from heat. 4. Pour 4 cups of hot water into the bucket. 5. Add the soap mixture and stir. 6. Add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of water and stir. 7. Store your laundry detergent in the bucket, covered. (I put plastic wrap on the top of mine, and I also left my long plastic spoon in the soap to stir it briefly before each use). 8. Use cup per load of clothes. (For large loads or dirtier laundry, you can use up to 1 cup per load).

TIP #5: The Best Fabric Softener Commercial dryer sheets and liquid fabric softeners are some of the most toxic stuff found in homes. Some of the chemicals include benzyl acetate (linked to pancreatic cancer); benzyl alcohol (upper respiratory tract irritant); ethanol (on the EPAs Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders); A-terpineol (central nervous system damage, and can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema); Ethyl Acetate (a narcotic on the EPAs Hazardous Waste list). And we are using this stuff all the time? STOP! A great alternative is distilled white vinegar. to 1 cup can be poured into the wash during the rinse cycle. In the dryer, look into dryer balls that can be purchased inexpensively and used indefinitely. You will not only save money, but your household will be so much healthier as a result!

Homemade Natural Bleach Alternative Recipe

This stuff actually works! I am able to keep my whites clean and not dingy. Of course this doesnt work as well as bleach, but it is non-toxic to adults, children and pets. You can also use this to scrub grout and other household areas that are dingy. Ingredients 1 cups 3% hydrogen peroxide cup lemon juice Distilled water to fill a gallon jug (or soft water) 10 to 12 drops lemon essential oil Directions 1. Mix all ingredients together in gallon jug. Gently shake to combine. 2. Use one cup of homemade bleach in your washing cycle to whiten clothes. Please note that because this contains hydrogen peroxide, it should be stored in a dark place, or in a dark bottle/jug. I keep mine in my dark laundry room with a towel over it.

TIP #6: Natural Stain Removers Distilled white vinegar makes a great stain remover, and works especially well on perspiration stains and odors. You can rub the vinegar directly onto the clothing before washing. Another great stain remover is baking soda. Mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda to cup of water to form a paste that acts as a general stain remover. Treat stains by rubbing paste over them prior to washing.

Homemade Deodorant Recipe

This recipe is completely natural, and super inexpensive. Reports from users have said that this works great for their needs. Ingredients cup baking soda cup arrow root powder (OR cornstarch) ~ 5 tablespoons coconut oil Directions 1. Combine baking soda and arrow root powder (or cornstarch) in a bowl and mix with a fork. 2. Start with about 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) of coconut oil and add the coconut oil to the baking soda mixture, working into a paste. Add more of you think you need it. 3. The deodorant will have somewhat of a play-dough consistency, and will be softer or harder depending on its temperature. You can put the deodorant into a small container with a lid, or into an empty stick deodorant dispenser if you have one. My deodorant hardened somewhat after I put it into a container.

TIP #7: Anti-perspirant vs. Deodorant If you do decide to use commercial products, consider using just a plain deodorant, vs. one with an anti-perspirant in it. The ingredients to be most concerned with are aluminum, triclosan and disodium EDTA, which can all be found in the commercial anti-perspirants at the store. It is unnatural and unhealthy to force your body NOT to sweat. Sweating is one of the ways your body releases toxins. Another option is to use a crystal deodorant, which is mineral-based and all natural. A single stick of crystal deodorant lasts for years. I have not used commercial deodorant or anti-perspirant for years and no one has noticed. My husband would be the first to tell me if I smelled!

Homemade Baking Soda Shampoo / Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse Recipe

This is the easiest way to clean your hair. It is the cheapest, quickest to make and has none of the toxic ingredients in it that commercial shampoos and conditioners have. Ingredients 1 tablespoon baking soda 8 oz (1 cup) of distilled water OR soft water Directions 1. Youll need some type of container to hold the mixture, an old shampoo bottle will work fine, just be sure to rinse it out really well first. 2. Mix the baking soda and water, shake it up well and its ready to use. 3. Wet your hair and apply the baking soda shampoo to your hair, concentrating on the scalp. Work it in with your fingers. Dont worry about working it through your hair. Remember, the scalp is where all the oil originates. When you rinse the baking soda out, it will run through and clean your hair. You can add more or less baking soda depending on your own personal needs. Try different amounts to see what works best for you. Then, rinse with the Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse below. Dont worry, you wont smell like vinegar once your hair dries. This recipe should last you about a week. Ingredients 1 to 2 oz of apple cider vinegar 8 ounces (1 cup) distilled OR soft water Directions 1. Mix together the above ingredients in a bottle. 2. After using the baking soda mixture above and rinsing your hair well, condition with the vinegar rinse, working it in with your fingers. 3. Rinse well. Thats it! If your hair turns out too dry, youll need more vinegar. If it turns out too greasy, youll need less vinegar.

TIP #8: Smooth & Silky Natural Hair Remember, conventional shampoos and conditioners contain ingredients that coat your hair strands with chemicals to give the illusion of health. This simple way to keep your hair clean works well without chemicals or toxins, is super cheap and easy to make!

Homemade Coconut Shampoo Recipe

The baking soda shampoo and ACV rinse may not be for all hair types. If you have oily, coarse hair it should work well, but if you have fine hair, this recipe might work better. Also, the hard water many of us have in our homes may cause our hair to feel straw-like after using this shampoo, so if you have that problem, it is the hard water, not the recipe that is causing it. 10

Ingredients cup coconut milk 1/3 cup liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronners). You can use scented varieties if you want. teaspoon (or several capsules) of vitamin E oil. 20 drops of essential oils of choice (peppermint, lavender, orange, etc are good choices) For dry hair: add teaspoon olive or almond oil (optional) Directions 1. Combine all ingredients in an old shampoo bottle or jar and shake well to mix. 2. Keep in shower for up to a month. 3. Shake before each use 4. Use about 1 teaspoon each time you shampoo. You can make your own coconut milk, or buy it from the store. This shampoo will lather naturally, but it is a fallacy that you need the lather (in a soap, shampoo or even a foaming toothpaste) for the product to work. We are brainwashed in thinking that without the lather, without the

TIP #9: Deep Conditioner For Your Hair Rubbing coconut oil on the ends of your hair a few times a week gently conditions your brittle ends. For a deeper conditioning treatment, run the coconut oil through your hair and leave on for a few hours before shampooing out. I normally put my hair up in a bun once I put the coconut oil in my hair, and leave on for 1 to 3 hours before showering and shampooing like normal. (I use the above recipe for shampooing, as I have a water softener in my home).

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Homemade Avocado Shampoo Recipe

This is another good homemade shampoo recipe that works best with soft water in your house. There are a lot of good options when finding a way to shampoo and clean your hair naturally. With all these natural recipes you can use the ACV rinse after, or another homemade conditioning recipe of your choosing, or you can skip conditioning altogether. Ingredients cup distilled water cup liquid castile soap 2 teaspoons avocado oil 1/8 teaspoon peppermint essential oil 1/8 teaspoon tea tree oil 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin (optional, gives the shampoo a little more body) 10-15 drops of essential oils if you want to give it a stronger scent Directions 1. Put the above ingredients in a bottle and mix well. 2. Shake well before each use. 3. Pour a little over your head. Lather well and gently massage into scalp. Rinse completely.

TIP #10: Homemade Facial Toner Use cup witch hazel and add 10 drops sweet orange essential oil. Then mix well. This makes a very refreshing facial toner. Use with a cotton ball or cotton pad on your face morning and night.

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Homemade Body Butter Recipe

This is a very luxurious body butter that makes your skin feel soft and silky. It is pretty simple to make and also makes amazing gifts. The key is using 75% solid oil ingredients to 25% liquid oil ingredients. Once you get comfortable making this, you can experiment with other oils and butters to find the perfect ones for you. Ingredients 1 cup shea butter (solid) cup coconut oil (solid) cup almond oil (liquid) Essential oils of your choice Directions 1. Melt shea butter and coconut oil in the top of a double boiler, remove from heat and let cool for 30 minutes. 2. Stir in almond oil and all the essential oils you want 3. Wait until oils start to partially solidify (you can use your freezer or fridge to get it cooled faster, once the mixture starts to harden you know you are good to go), then whip with a hand mixer until a butter-like consistency is achieved. The actual mixing should only take a few minutes. It looks like frosting to me! 4. Place in a clean jar and enjoy! A little goes a long way. The hardest part is waiting for it to partially solidify to the right consistency before whipping. If you start whipping too soon, it wont fluff up, so just put it back into the freezer or fridge for another 5 minutes and then try again. My favorite scents for this vary between plain jasmine essential oils, to a lavender and lemongrass blend. I also enjoy the citrus blends of lemon and orange.

TIP #11: Our Skin Is Our Largest Organ Our skin is the largest organ in our body and absorbs what we put on it. If you are using lotions and body butters with chemicals in them (fragrances, preservatives, color additives, etc.) be aware that your skin is absorbing the chemicals, too.

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Homemade Vapor Rub Recipe

This recipe is not to be used on children under 2 years of age, as some of the essential oils are pretty strong. You can use this on your nose/cheekbones/temples or you can use this on your feet/chest to provide strong relief of colds and congestion. Ingredients 4 teaspoons grated beeswax or grassfed beef tallow 2 tablespoons shea, cocoa or mango butter 8 tablespoons coconut oil 60 drops therapeutic grade essential oils (see list below for options) For nose/cheekbones/temples use 20 drops each of: rosemary, lemon and eucalyptus For chest/feet use one of the following combinations: 20 drops eucalyptus and 10 drops each of: rosemary, lavender, tea tree and lemon 20 drops each of: rosemary, lemon and eucalyptus 20 drops each of: rosemary, peppermint and eucalyptus 20 drops each of: eucalyptus and peppermint, 10 drops each of: basil and pine needle 15 drops each of: lavender, rosemary, tea tree and eucalyptus Directions 1. Melt beeswax/tallow and shea/mango/cocoa butter in a double boiler. 2. Once melted, turn off the heat and add coconut oil and essential oils. 3. Pour in a clean glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Makes about cup. 4. Can be stored at room temperature for up to a year.

TIP #12: Essential Oils That Soothe Congestion Eucalyptus Potent antiseptic, anti-viral and decongestant. Tea tree An effective antimicrobial, expectorant and antiseptic. Peppermint Helps to open nasal passages. Lavender Antihistamine, antiseptic and antimicrobial. Lemon Stimulates immune function Sweet orange Helps with detoxification Thyme Powerful antiseptic that helps boost immune function Basil Helps open nasal passages. Antiseptic. Rosemary Antiseptic, helps open nasal passages. Pine Great for colds and sinuses Marjoram Antimicrobial. Helps with breathing. Chamomile Relieves congestion and helps calm cranky patients.

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Resources I do have some favorite places that I get my ingredients, but you can get them anywhere. I will list my favorites, but you can find many of these ingredients almost anywhere. For baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, distilled white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, washing soda, borax, and Ivory/Fels Naptha soap, I just get them at my local WalMart store. Coconut oil I get from www.nutiva.com. I have also purchased it from www.swansonvitamins.com but I have also seen it at WalMart in the baking aisle, the organic Spectrum brand. These are all organic extra virgin coconut oils. If you dont want the nutty flavor/taste, then look for an expeller pressed oil. For external use, I go to www.soaperschoice.com to get a less expensive variety, but I would not eat this type of coconut oil. Soapers choice also has inexpensive shea butter, almond oil, etc. www.mountainroseherbs.com has higher quality ingredients at a fair price, but still more expensive than Soapers choice. I also use www.savvyteasandherbs.com for many bulk herb and powder purchases. I use Young Living Essential oils because I have used them forever, but you can find other sources of them that are less expensive. For external use I am not picky about the brand, however unless I truly trusted the company and the brand, I would not use any of the essential oils internally. (i.e. for the toothpaste, get a high quality peppermint or spearmint). Ebay is always a good place to look for your ingredients, as is Amazon.com.

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