Recipes

Here are a few of the recipes I use for my homemade cleaners and personal care items. Hope you enjoy!

Dishwasher Detergent – standard recipe (what you’ll find if you google)

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup borax

1 cup washing soda

1/2 cup kosher salt

1/4 cup citric acid

METHOD:

Place all ingredients in an airtight container and shake to combine. Use 1 heaping tablespoon per dishwasher load. Pour white vinegar into rinsing dispenser as a finishing agent (highly recommended).

Dishwasher Detergent – My preference – Washing soda leaves a white residue on glasses. Can also be used as scouring powder.

Combine and store in airtight container. If you have a leftover silica gel packet from a bottle of medicine or a shoe box, throw the packet in the container with the detergent – it will help prevent clumping!

Add 1-2 tablespoons per load along with a splash of white vinegar as a rinse agent to prevent spots. (Place a small cup half full of white vinegar on the top rack.) The vinegar makes a HUGE difference! Makes the glasses shine! I put vinegar in the rinse compartment.

The baking soda, washing soda, and borax are all natural disinfectants and mild abrasives. The lemon essential oil and citric acid also disinfect, and they smell so clean! The kosher salt is great for hard water, and the vinegar rinse makes glasses sparkle!

Yet Another Dishwasher Recipe (this is a new one that I am trying out.  I’m using the suggestion of adding oxygen bleach, and it seems to be working really well)

Ingredients

  • 4 cups washing soda
  • 15-30 drops grapefruit essential oil, optional
  • 5-10 drops lemon essential oil, optional

To Make

Combine ingredients and stir until there are no clumps. Pour into a jar, add clay pouch if desired, and seal tightly with a lid.

To Use

Use about 2 tablespoons per load. See instructions on the next two pages for information on using this formula with a homemade rinse aid.

Troubleshooting

My dishwasher detergent is clumping. Help! – Add two tablespoons of bentonite clay in a pouch or small sock. This prevents the dishwasher detergent from clumping in high humidity areas. It’s placed in a pouch because it’s not meant to mix with the formula, just absorb excess moisture. However, it’s very rarely necessary. I never use the clay in my home and I have no issues with clumping.

I tried the homemade dishwasher detergent and I’m still experiencing hard water deposits. What do I do? – Instead of 4 cups washing soda, use just 2 cups washing soda and add in 2 cups powdered oxygen bleach that contains no fillers. It says it’s 99% pure oxygen bleach (Sodium Percarbonate), but it’s totally pure, non-toxic sodium percarbonate with nothing added. The other 1% is moisture.

All-Purpose Cleaner – 

Ingredients

• 1 cup water (distilled water is best)

• 3/4 cup vinegar

• 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol

• 2-3 drops dish soap

• 5-10 drops each of lavender, orange, tea tree, and peppermint essential oils, optional (buy here or here)

• Fine-mist spray bottle (at least 20 oz capacity)

Instructions

• Add all ingredients to spray bottle and shake to combine.

• Wipe up with a microfiber cloth.

And it really is an ALL purpose cleaner!

• Floors – laminate, tile, linoleum

• Glass – Windows, mirrors, tables, etc.

• Cabinets and countertops (vinegar is too acidic for granite, so use this homemade granite cleaner instead)

• Stainless steel – appliances, faucets, sinks, etc.

• Walls, baseboards, window sills

• Porcelain and acrylic – toilets and sinks

Laundry Detergent – Standard recipe – what you’ll find if you google)

Ingredients

1 cup Washing soda

1 cup Borax

2 cups Bar soap, finely grated (one bar of Dr. Bronner’s equals almost 2 cups)

Method

1. Mix borax, washing soda and grated soap. You can find these items in the detergent aisle of most grocery stores and some hardware stores. You might want to call ahead first just to be sure, because they’re not always in stock.

3. Mix well and store. A re-sealable, airtight container works best. We chose an apothecary glass because sometimes we like to get fancy, but a simple mason jar works just as well!

4. Use 2 tablespoons per load. This detergent is low on suds, which is perfect for high-efficiency washing machines. Because of its low-suds count, you might be tempted to add more soap, but there’s no need! As long as you pre-treat tough stains before washing, you’ll do just fine.

Laundry Detergent – No-Grate

No-Grate Liquid Laundry Detergent

• 1/2 cup of Borax

• 1/2 cup of Washing Soda

• 1/2 cup of Liquid Castile  Soap

• 4 cups HOT water

Add the borax, washing soda, and Castile Soap to your container, then pour in the hot water to dissolve the ingredients.

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.)

For a regular load of laundry, a 1/4 cup of this detergent should be sufficient. If you’re doing a large or heavily-soiled load, use closer to 1/3 cup.

Gel Air Fresheners

INGREDIENTS:

1 oz Unsweetened, Unflavored Gelatin (equivalent To 4 Envelopes Of Knox Powdered Gelatin or 4 TBS.) 

2 cups Cold Water, Divided

1 tbsp Salt (or A Splash Of Vodka- To Deter Mold Growth)

20 – 30 drops Essential Oil

OPTIONAL: Food Coloring To Tint The Air Fresheners

METHOD:

Bring one cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Sprinkle the gelatin over the boiling water and whisk until smooth and all the gelatin is dissolved. Add the salt and the second cup of cold water and whisk. Set aside.

Add the desired amount of essential oil and food coloring, if using, to the jar(s). Quickly pour the hot liquid gelatin over the essential oil and food coloring. Stir until evenly colored.

Allow to cool, uncovered on a heat-proof surface. When it reaches room temperature, place wherever you want a lovely scent.

Sweet Basil and Lemon Air Freshener

* 20 drops Sweet Basil essential oil

* 8 drops Lemon essential oil

Rosemary Orange Air Freshener

* 25 drops Sweet Orange essential oil

* 5 drops Rosemary essential oil (the rosemary essential oil is mighty strong stuff—keep a light hand with this!)

drops Lemon essential oil

* 2 drops Sweet Orange essential oil

* 1 drop Bergamot essential oil

Pure Lavender Air Freshener

* 30 drops of Lavender essential oil

Essence of Provençe Air Freshener

* 20 drops Lavender essential oil

* 5 drops Thyme essential oil

* 2 drops Lemon essential oil

Snore Relief 

Add 5 drops each of marjoram, peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender essential oils, for a total of 20 drops

At bedtime, open the jar and hold it near your nose. Take a few deep breaths through your nose, then leave the jar open on your nightstand while you sleep.

Marjoram essential oil relieves tension and relaxes muscles, promoting restful sleep. Peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils are excellent at reducing inflammation in the nasal passages, which helps clear the airways and eliminate snoring. And finally, lavenderessential oil is very relaxing, helping to carry you off to a restful, snore-less sleep. 🙂

(As with all gelatin products, higher temperatures can cause this gel to liquify. If this happens, no worries! Just stick the jar back in the fridge until it has solidified again.)

Spray Body Wash

1 cup Dr. Bronner’s

1 cup Water

3 tbsp Sweet Almond Oil

2 tbsp Aloe Vera Liquid

1 tbsp Glycerin

Essential Oil as desired and water to make 2 cups

Deodorant

1/3 cup coconut oil (solid state)

1/4 cup baking soda

1/4 cup arrowroot powder

essential oils (optional)

METHOD:

Mix the baking soda and arrowroot powder in a glass bowl.

Add the coconut oil (do not warm or melt it) and use a fork or pastry blender to thoroughly blend it into the dry ingredients.

Add 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oils and blend completely. (this step is optional, but lovely)

Add more coconut oil or arrowroot powder/baking soda if needed until the texture is about the same consistency as commercial deodorant.

Scoop the mixture into a small jar or container and store at room temperature. (Refrigeration may be required during summer months and warmer weather because the coconut oil will melt at 76 degrees.)

To apply, use your fingers to scoop out a pea-size amount of the deodorant and massage it into your armpits daily or as needed. Allow a minute or two for the deodorant to set before getting dressed.

Facial Wash

4 tablespoons of pure aloe vera gel

2 ½ teaspoons of jojoba wax (also referred to as jojoba oil)

2 ½ teaspoons of liquid castile soap

1/2-1 teaspoon of white cosmetic clay

1 drop of lavender essential oil

A plastic bottle

Directions

Combine all of your ingredients except the clay in your bottle and shake well. Add the clay, and shake well again. For use, wet your face with water and pour a dime to quarter sized amount of cleanser into your hands. Use it like you would any other face wash-rub in gentle circular motions for a bit and then rinse clean. Follow up with a gentle moisturizer if your skin tends to feel dry after washing.

Facial Moisturizer

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup aloe vera gel (This bit is important. It has to be a gel.)

3/4 oz beeswax

1/4 cup almond oil

1/4 cup coconut oil

2 tbsp zinc oxide (optional – for sun protection)

10 drops essential oil

METHOD:

Start by melting the beeswax and coconut oil in the almond oil. 

Pour the melted oils into your blender and WALK AWAY. It is super-duper essential that that stuff get COOL before you start to blend. There is no getting around this.

Mix the essential oil into your cup of Aloe Vera Gel.

Fire up the blender. Slowly pour the aloe vera gel into the blender as it whips. It’ll transform from a thick oil to a light and fluffy white lotion texture. Add zinc oxide if using, and continue to mix thoroughly.

That’s it! You’ve made your own DIY facial moisturizer! Store some in a small container for your vanity, and put extra in the fridge. Keep in mind that lotion has a shelf life. Don’t use anything that looks/smells/feels wrong.

Makes about 10 oz. – two 4oz jars and one 2 oz jar

Magnesium Lotion/Cream

What You’ll Need

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• (1 heaping cup) Magnesium Chloride Flakes (this is *not* the same magnesium as you’ll find in Epsom salt. *Update: For double-strength magnesium lotion, use 2 cups.)

• (8 to 10 ounces) Filtered or Purified Water

• (2 cups) Coconut Oil, grape seed oil or a combination

• (3 to 6 tablespoons) Beeswax Pastilles, or grated Beeswax (If using coconut oil, use less, if using all grape seed or almond oil, use more.)

• (10 drops) Rosemary Essential Oil (Optional preservative, but I haven’t found it to be necessary. Avoid using if you are pregnant.)

What To Do

Bring the water to a simmer, remove from heat and pour in the magnesium flakes. Stir until the flakes dissolve. Now you have “magnesium oil”!

In a double boiler (or, like me, you can put a smaller saucepan inside a larger saucepan half-filled with water) stir the coconut oil and beeswax over medium-low heat until they are completely melted. Remove from heat and let cool until only slightly warm.

In a deep, somewhat narrow container, pour the oil/wax and the magnesium oil. Put an immersion blender all the way in and turn it on. Very slowly, lift the immersion blender towards the top of the liquid. Continue moving it up and down until the liquids are well blended. (*Note: If you do not have an immersion blender, put the magnesium oil into a regular blender or food processor and, while it’s running, very slowly pour in the coconut oil/wax mixture.)

Allow the mixture to cool for a few hours and then blend again. This is when to add the rosemary essential oil, if you’re using it.

I recommend putting about an ounce of the lotion/cream into a container and keeping the rest in the fridge. That way you can just refill your small container as needed and not have to bother with preservatives.

I find that using 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of my cream per day is a good amount for me, but everybody is different. It is recommended that people start with a small amount and work their way up until any magnesium deficiency symptoms are gone. I like to apply this recipe to my feet, because the soles of the feet are excellent for absorbing what we put on them. It is also very moisturizing and works wonders on dry, rough skin. ?

Topical magnesium takes 20 to 30 minutes to be absorbed, so don’t put it anywhere that you will be washing within half an hour. If you want, you can wash it off after this time.

*Update: I have had several questions about using magnesium lotion, so I thought I’d share some of our favorite ways we use it, in addition to or in place of our regular once-a-day applications.

• Rub into leg/foot to ease and prevent leg and foot cramps.

• Mix with a few teaspoons of almond oil and use as a back massage oil.

• Rub a pea-sized amount at the base of the skull and the back of the neck to relieve a tension headache.

• Massage into lower back to relax injured/sore back muscles.

• Rub onto stomach right before bed for deeper sleep.

• Use it daily to prevent/reduce morning sickness and pregnancy heartburn.

As with any natural product containing coconut oil and beeswax, the temperature will affect the texture. Cold will make it firmer and heat will make it softer. If it gets hot enough to melt, it may separate and need to be blended again once it’s cool. None of this will damage the effectiveness of the magnesium.

Shampoo

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup distilled water

3/4 cup liquid Castile Soap

1 TBS jojoba, grapeseed, or other light vegetable oil

METHOD:

Mix together all the ingredients. Store in a bottle. Shake before use.

This mixture isn’t as thick as commercial shampoos – you’ll need to just tilt the bottle over your head

My preference is half Jojoba Oil and half Sweet Almond Oil

Pain Relieving Cream

Melt the coconut oil and beeswax together. You can do this in the microwave, in a double boiler, or what I did was set a small saucepan on the stove for a minute or two and then turned the burner off and added the coconut oil and beeswax. Stir until melted.

Allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes, then add the camphor crystals or oil, the menthol crystals or oil, and the eucalyptus oil.

Put in a container and allow to cool completely. When it is completely cooled it will be a solid rather than liquid…but the minute it hits your warm skin…it will liquify again. That’s what coconut oil does, which makes it perfect for massaging onto sore muscles and joints.

Hand Sanitizer – No Alcohol

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup aloe vera gel (not juice or liquid)

1/4 cup witch hazel

6 – 8 drops tea tree essential oil

6 – 8 drops lemon essential oil

METHOD:

Measure the aloe vera gel and witch hazel into your measuring cup. Give it a stir and add a bit more witch hazel if it seems too thick.

Then add your essential oils. Start with six drops each and then add more of one or the other until you reach a scent combination/intensity you like.

Stir again and pour into your recycled pump bottle.

You don’t need too much–a dime-sized blob is enough. The aloe vera gel will moisturize your hands, and the witch hazel and essential oils will help fight germs.

Hand Sanitizer

• 1/3 cup of Aloe Vera Gel

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• 2/3 cup of Rubbing Alcohol

• 8-10 drops of essential oil (such as lavender, lemon, peppermint, etc. Whatever you have/like.)

• Recycled hand sanitizer or liquid soap bottle

Measure out ingredients into a bowl. Stir. Pour into empty bottle. Screw the pump back on. Shake.

Insect Repellant

Mix equal parts Water and Witch Hazel in a spray bottle.  Add essential oils as desired (mosquitos hate lavender, so thats a good choice, or try citronella).  

Spray on!