Homemade Bar Keepers Friend - Kitchen, Bath, and Sink Cleaner

I love the BAR KEEPERS FRIEND cleaner. But got tired of paying the price for it. I looked of directions (here) to make me some of my own and realized that I already had all the ingredients. Been Using it for about 6 months now for cleaning pots, sinks, toilet, and the shower. Love its cleaning power. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup baking soda
• ½ cups salt
• ½ cup borax powder
• 15 drops Lemon Essential Oil *

*Lemon Essential oil - Lemon is a powerful cleansing agent that purifies the air, disinfects surfaces, and can be used as a non-toxic cleaner throughout the home.

Instructions

1. Pour ingredients into jar or bowl.
2. Mix or stir until well mixed.
3. If you want to make a shaker, put in a pint or quart mason jar (I used some cleaned out sauce jars) and poke some holes in the top (carefully) with nail and hammer.

Notes

To Use:
Lightly wet surface with water or undiluted white vinegar (for really bad messes)
Sprinkle powder on and let sit 5 minutes
Scrub with sturdy brush until clean
Rinse with water or vinegar (for really bad messes)

DIY Powdered Laundry Detergent

I decided to try some powdered laundry detergent. It is basically the same ingredients as my Liquid Detergent Recipe but concentrated. Decided that I needed to make more space in the laundry department, instead of having all these gallon jugs around. Don't get me wrong I still like my other detergent recipe (used it for 19 months). But we found we like the smell of our clothes better with this powdered detergent.   

DIY Powdered Laundry Detergent 

Ingredients

• 1 bar (or 4.5 ounces) shaved or blended in blender (a homemade laundry bar, Dr. Bronner’s, Ivory, ZOTE, or Fels-Naptha)
• 1-2 cups of Borax
• 1-2 cups of Baking soda or Washing Soda
• 30-40 Drops of Lemon Essential Oil or Purify Essential Oil (I did 50:50)

Directions

Thoroughly stir together for 5 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 powder that will dissolve easily even in cold water. (Just 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.

Lemon Essential oil - Lemon is a powerful cleansing agent that purifies the air, disinfects surfaces, and can be used as a non-toxic cleaner throughout the home.

Purify Essential Oil - Purify can eliminate foul odors quickly and be an effective cleaner throughout the home. Purify contains Lemon, Lime, and Pine essential oils, known for their powerful cleaning properties, along with Siberian and Austrian Firs to purify the air and protect against environmental threats. The addition of Citronella, Melaleuca, and Cilantro give this blend an enticing aroma that’s uniquely dōTERRA and unmatched in purification properties.

To Use

Use 1/8-1/4 cup per load (depending on the size or soiled level).

DIY Moon Sand Tutorial - Baby Safe

In Maryland we have been hit with storm after storm, so we have had a lot of inside time. Plus morning sickness has taken all my energy. I was looking for something fun and safe for my 18 month old and saw this idea here. I used coconut oil and arrowroot powder both amazing for the skin and safe if consumed. The perk of using these ingredients is that they helped with my dried and crank skin from this harsh winter. I also rubbed it all over my toddlers dried spots, he thought that was fun. Love multipurpose activities. Plus adding Wild Orange Essential oils helped with my nausea (at least for a little bit).

Moon Sand Recipe

Ingredients

• 2-4 cups cornstarch or arrowroot powder 
• 1/2-1 cups coconut oil, melted 
• food coloring, if desired*
• Doterra Oils for scent, click here for more information
  
  

Directions

Step One: Add arrowroot powder or cornstarch to a medium/large bowl. I used arrowroot and only 2 cups. 

Step 2: Melt coconut oil in microwave (I started with 1/2 cup). If you’re using food coloring, now is the time to add it to your coconut oil.

Step 3: Mix all together. I kept adding more oil to make the mixture more play dough like, because I thought my toddler might like that consistency. You do what works for you. Add essential oils. 

Step 4: Play time!!! I laid out a old curtain that had a semi water proof side to help contain the mess. Clean up was a breeze. I first stored the moon sand in a jar, shook off the play mat, and then swept the floor. DONE! 

Rose and Oil Sugar Body Scrub

Was looking for something fun to do with my sisters when I was visiting in Oregon in November. This is what we came up with with the things that we had on hand. Found the idea here. WE LOVED this scrub!!! We used in the shower as a body and face scrub, left our bodies feeling healthy and smooth.

Rose Sugar Scrub 

Ingredients:
12 Rose Petals (we got ours on our mother rose bush)
1/4 cup Oil (almond, coconut, or olive oil, we used olive oil)
1 1/2 cups Sugar
10 drops Essential oils (optional, we used lavender and geranium Doterra oils)

Directions:
Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend till fluffy.

We did not have a food processor at my parents. First we tried a blender (did not work) and next we did it by hand. Cut the rose petals in small pieces and mix in everything else.  

Collecting the Rose Petals 

Cutting the Rose Petals 

Adding the other ingredients.

Blender did not work. We mixed by hand. 

We made a double batch. Three of us girls.

Homemade Peppermint (Mint Chip or Candy Cane) Ice Cream - With No Machine

As requested here is my Candy Cane Ice Cream recipe. Be sure to also check out my Rocky Road Chocolate Ice Cream recipe. 

The base for this recipe is vanilla recipe from this site. So you can get creative with it and add whatever flavor you want. I have made both Mint Chip Ice Cream and Candy Cane Ice Cream

Peppermint Ice Cream Recipe

·       1 cup Whole Milk

·       A pinch of salt

·       3/4 cup Sugar or Honey (the honey adds a bit for flavor and even creamier texture)

·       2 ½ cups heavy cream

·       5 large egg yolks

·       10 drop Peppermint Essential Oil

·       2 PEPPERMINT Tea bags or Fresh Peppermint leaves (optional)

·       For MINT CHIP add either chocolate chips or melted chocolate

·       For CANDY CANE add 10-12 crushed candy canes

·       For richer custard, you can add up to 3 more egg yolks. For less-rich custard, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, realizing that the final texture won’t be as rich or as smooth as if using cream.

Step 1: Heat the milk, salt, and sugar (or honey) in a saucepan.

Step 2: (OPTIONAL) Add the tea bags or peppermint leaves to the milk. Cover, remove from heat, and infuse for one hour.

Step 3: Pour cream into a freezer safe bowl and set a strainer over the top.

Step 4: In a separate bowl, stir together the egg yolks. Re warm the milk and remove tea bags or leafs then gradually pour some of the milk into the yolks, whisking constantly as you pour. Scrape the warmed yolks and milk back into the saucepan.

Step 5: Cook over low heat, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom with a heat-resistant spatula, until the custard thickens enough to coat the spatula or temperature reads 170 F on a candy or instant read thermometer.

Step 6: Strain the custard into the heavy cream. Stir and add the peppermint oil, then refrigerate to chill thoroughly. Preferably overnight.

Step 7: Freeze the custard in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. From here you have two options to use an ice cream machine or to not. I do not have a machine yet, so the first option you have is without the machine.

Step 8 (option 1): Remove mixture from the refrigerator and stir with a rubber spatula. Transfer the mixture to a deep freezer-safe bowl or container and place in the freezer for 45 minutes. As it starts to freezer near the edges, remove from the freezer and stir vigorously with a fork or whisk, being sure to break up any frozen sections. Return it to the freezer. Continue to check every 30 minutes, stirring vigorously as it’s freezing. When it starts to thicken either add candy canes or chocolate (the candy canes will turn the ice cream red). It is estimated that it will take 2-3 hours for the ice cream to sufficiently frozen and ready.

Crush the candy canes with a little help.

When it starts to thicken add the candy canes.

Step 8 (option 2): Then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. At some point add the candy canes or chocolate (If the cold mixture is too thick to pour into your machine, whisk it vigorously to thin it out.)

DIY Natural Foundation - Treat Your Skin Right

I am really excited but this new skin care foundation. I have battled with acne all of my young adult and adult life. I have used large amount of foundation during this time to cover it up, which in reality make it worse and clogging more pores.

I enjoyed clear skin once in my adult life when I went on the prescription drug, Accutane. I finally had the clear skin I always wanted but at a price. There is the list of the $price$; having to be on birth control (my body hates it, make me moody, I bleed daily for months, breast soreness, etc.), excessive dry skin (chap lips constantly, very painful hemorrhoids, and dryness in the female region), COST (visits to dermatologist, lotion, hemorrhoid cream, feminine hygiene products, and buying the drug itself) time (three months of taking Accutane, doctor visit, and taking care of side effects), and then after about a year of having clear skin my acne came back. 

After not having to wear foundation for about a year, I came to loving having a make-up free face and saving money. When my acne came back I did not feel this great need to wear makeup to cover it up as i did before (I did and still occasionally wear foundation and other makeup when I feel like it, but it is not that often. The most is once a week.) I made this about 2 weeks ago and I have not wore it every day (still not in habit of putting on foundation), but I want too because everytime I wear it my skin feels so loved. 

I am not saying this foundation powder will clear up acne, but it will do a lot of good for the skin. Whenever I wear it my skin feels amazing, so I feel amazing. ANOTHER PLUS IS THAT IT IS THE SAME INGREDIENTS USED TO MAKE HOMEMADE DRY SHAMPOO! 

My sources for this recipe came from the following sites; MommyPotamus and Thank Your Body.

Homemade Foundation Powder

I created link for each of the ingredients to sites that share the benefits of that ingredient for the skin. 

Ingredients:

For the base:
Arrowroot Powder

Add one or a combination of:
Cocoa Powder, all skin tones
Ground Cinnamon, warm skin tones

Bentonite clay for cool skin tones

French green clay, minimizes redness

Add one or a combination of (optional):

Jojoba

Almond Oil

Lavender Essential Oil

Frankincense Essential Oil

Melaleuca Essential Oil

Roman Chamomile Essential Oil

Geranium Essential Oil

My Doterra Esstentail oil site is http://www.mydoterra.com/rachellewman/

The Recipe combo that I used (BASIC)

2 tablespoons Arrowroot Powder

2 tablespoons Cocoa Powder

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

3-5 drops LavenderEssential Oil

3-5 drops Geranium Essential Oil

Directions:

Step 1: Blend 1 tablespoon cocoa powder and one tablespoon arrowroot, then check color intensity against your skin. Add additional arrowroot if a lighter color is desired, additional cocoa if a darker color is desired.

Step 2 (optional): To add warm tones to your powder foundation: Mix in 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Add additional cinnamon in 1/4 teaspoon increments until the desired hue is reached.

Step 3 (optional) : To add cool tones to your powder foundation: Mix in 1 teaspoon bentonite clay. Add additional clay in 1/2 teaspoon increments until the desired hue is reached.

Step 4 (optional): To reduce reddish undertones: Mix in 1 teaspoon French green clay. Add additional clay in 1/4  teaspoon increments, testing as you go.

Step 5 (optional): Add essential oils. Stir till combined.

Step 6 (optional): If you want more of a “compact” foundation, add some jojoba/olive/almond oil to the mixture and press down into a compact. (Start with 5 drops and keep adding until it reaches your desired texture)
Step 7: To apply use a brush. Make sure to tap off excess before swiping face.

DIY Non-Toxic Household Cleaners (All-Purpose, Window, Dusting, Air Freshener)

I love having a clean house. Here are the Recipes that I use to keep and get my house clean. Using only the ingredients you see below.

"There is no need to pull out your rubber gloves and surgical masks when you clean your home. It might surprise you to know that you can concoct simple and inexpensive non-toxic cleaners from ingredients already lying around your house. Using essential oils to create  your own cleaning spray is not only safe on the environment,  but is safe for your family as well." Doterra Blog

Cleaning Benefits Links:
Borax
White vinegar
Dawn dish soap
Lemon Essential oil
Lime Essential oil
Wild Orange Essential oil
Peppermint Essential oil
On Guard Essential oil
Grapefruit Essential oil
Lavender Essential oil
Eucalyptus Essential oil

I still encourage others to do their own research to make sure that this is the right change for your family.

If you wish to purchase and/or learn more about Doterra essential oils visit my site.  http://www.mydoterra.com/rachellewman/ 

All Purpose Disinfecting Spray

What You Need:

16 oz. glass spray bottle

1/4 cup white vinegar

1 3/4 cups water

30 drops dōTERRA essential oil

1 teaspoon borax

1 tsp dawn dish soap

Essential Oils to try:

15 drops each of Lavender and Lemon

10 drops each of Eucalyptus, Peppermint, and Wild Orange

30 drops On Guard blend

15 drops each of Grapefruit and On Guard

Directions:

Add all ingredients to spray bottle. Shake thoroughly. The essential oils that I used were peppermint and wild orange, I love the smell of the two. Recipe used was based off site.

Uses:

This spray is perfect for cleaning hard surfaces in the kitchen, bathroom, etc.

Window Cleaner

What You Need:

16 oz. Spray Bottle

1 1/2 cup white vinegar

1/2 cup distilled water

1 tsp dawn dish soap

8 drops of any citrus oil of your choice (could use Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Wild Orange, or a combination)

Directions:

Add all ingredients to spray bottle. Shake thoroughly.The essential oils that I used was Lime. Recipe used was based off this site.

Uses:

This spray is perfect for cleaning mirrors, windows, sinks, and faucets. To achieve a streak free surface either use old newspapers or paper towels.

Spray Air/Linen Freshener

What You Need:

8-ounce glass spray bottle

1/2 cup distilled water

1/2 cup rubbing alcohol, vodka, or witch hazel

20 drops essential oil

Essential Oils to try:

15 drops each of Lavender and Lemon

10 drops each of Eucalyptus, Peppermint, and Wild Orange

30 drops On Guard blend

15 drops each of Grapefruit and On Guard

Directions:

Add all ingredients to spray bottle. Shake thoroughly.The essential oils that I used was Peppermint and Wild Orange, I love the smell of the two. Recipe used was based off this site.

Uses:

This spray is perfect for freshening up linen, trash pails, bathrooms, or any room in the house. 

Dusting/Surface Cleaner

What You Need:

16-ounce glass spray bottle

2 cup distilled water

1/2 cup white vinegar 

2 tsp olive oil

1 tsp dawn dish soap

15 drops essential oil

Essential Oils to try:

15 drops each of Lavender and Lemon

10 drops each of Eucalyptus, Peppermint, and Wild Orange

30 drops On Guard blend

15 drops each of Grapefruit and On Guard

Directions:

Add all ingredients to spray bottle. Shake thoroughly.The essential oils that I used was Lemon. Recipe used was based off this site.

Uses:

This spray is perfect for dusting and cleaning wood surfaces, blinds, window seals, stainless steel appliances, stoves, etc. Use cotton or fleece rag.