Homemade Natural Deodorant pt 2

I am going to reference back to a post I wrote on natural deodorant (here). I have been using this stuff for two years now and still love it.

 I knew it wasn't as strong as I would have preferred, and I heard a rumor about Young Living Purification oil and how it can be used as a deodorant. I immediately went for my go to oil (coconut) and mixed 5 drops Purification with a half baby food jar of coconut oil. I layer that on first, followed by the natural powder I use from the above-mentioned post. It's now my daily routine and I love how it works!

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Homemade Natural Laundry Detergent | What I Use & Why

You've probably seen many different recipes for homemade laundry detergent, both dry and liquid. I have never used dry detergent myself, so I chose the liquid.

The most common recipe for the liquid world is a mixture of Fels Naptha, Borax and Super Washing Soda. I  used this my very first time making the detergent and made the whopping 5 gallons. After about 2 weeks, my  stored gallons became gloppy and disgusting. I didn't even end up using it all.

The next time I went to make the detergent, I had the Fels Naptha bar in my hand. A friend of mine interested in keeping things natural, said to me, "What's in that little bar you have there." I looked.

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A little vague and mysterious if you ask me- nothing I wanted on mine, or my son's skin. So I kicked the little 99 cent bar of soap to the curb and did some research. I wanted something that was safe for Hudson's clothes, yet strong enough to clean our clothes.

I came across the Dr. Bronner's bar soap recipe, the same, just with a natural bar of soap. I wasn't a fan of this- The soap was REALLY white and left big white marks on all of our clothes. I also didn't feel like our clothes were very clean. I did, however, make this in a one gallon batch and really liked that.

I have always wanted to try the Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castille Soap, but the price always deterred me. I saw it at Trader Joe's for  9.99 (Target 18.99- amazon was more expensive than Trader Joe's as well). I decided to give it a try.

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The recipe for this type was more simple and less time consuming. Win. It didn't leave white spots on my clothes. Win again. I used peppermint, and my clothes didn't smell like peppermint when they were done washing. Another win. Just fresh and clean!

**A tip I highly recommend- First turn the water on HOT in the washer and let it run into your measuring cup, then turn the temperature to what is recommended. The Borax and Super Washing Soda haven't stayed dissolved for me. They dissolve instantly in hot water.

Ingredients:
1/2 c Borax
1/2 c Super Washing Soda (Different from Baking Soda)
1/2 c Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap (Your favorite scent)
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If you like Essential Oils, Young Living's Purification is a great oil to add when it has cooled. 5 Drops should be sufficient for a gallon batch.
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In your desired container, pour in the Borax and Super Washing Soda. Mix the dry powders well. Add HOT tap water and stir vigorously until completely dissolved. Then add the Castile Soap. Stir. Makes about a gallon. ( I use an old laundry detergent container) Let it sit overnight.

Use 1/3 c of detergent per load.

Grandpa & Grandma's

We're visiting Grandma and Grandpa's new place this weekend. 

 It's on a small private lake, and Hudson loves every part of it.

It's our new home away from home! I will be sharing my mom's magazine worthy before and after photos of the home soon!

Homeward bound tomorrow!

{S}

Shower Cleaning Made A Little Easier

I stopped going on pinterest for a while. So much to do and so little time. I didn't have time to be sucked in to pinning a million different pins.

One day, I decided to make pinterest work for me, instead of against me. I decided that I would actually use the valuable information- not just place it on a back burner of my ever-growing boards. I came across this little treasure (might I add with the instructions IN the caption, my fav!) and decided to actually do it. I put it together, loved it, and ACTUALLY use it! I also added a young living essential oil twist. Getting excited to what it is?

Here is one of the many sites that provide this- I just had to share as well! I am TERRIBLE at routine cleaning outside of my kitchen. So when I saw this, it was a no brainer. Where has this been all of my life! You keep it in your shower. After each shower, wipe down the sides and the tub. Plus, my version is chemical free! I also use it in my bathroom sink. Works so well and so simple!

Here is what you need:

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Use a 1:1 ration with this and keep it in your shower! I promise you will love it! After trying this (yes, it works great without the oil too!) I had to, of course, incorporate young living oils! I added a couple drops of  lemon for the antibacterial properties and a great fresh scent! 

Happy cleaning!