August 17, 2011: Liquid Facial Cleanser Recipe

I recently ran out of facial cleanser I’d bought at the store. But rather than replenish the store bought cleanser, I saved the dispenser, which was fitted with a foaming gel pump, and mixed up my own recipe. This one is great for aging or dry skin since it the ingredients are naturally moisturizing. The peppermint oil gives it a bit of a zing but you could also substitute other scents of your liking. It leaves your skin feeling amazing!

The beauty of this formula, unlike many others you’ll find online, is that it doesn’t require refrigeration. Who washes their face in the kitchen?

Liquid Facial Cleanser

3 ounces castile soap (I used 18 in 1 Hemp Lavender)

2 T. honey

1 t. almond oil

6 drops peppermint oil

Combine all ingredients. You don’t have to measure them exactly; instead you can look at the volume of your container and eyeball it to get an approximate ratio.

Shake well before using.

March 4, 2011: The Many Uses for Baking Soda

One thing I do not like is using harsh, toxic, strong-smelling cleaners in my home. And there’s really no need to use them. Not only do natural products cost less, they work just as well – and sometimes better – than their commercial counterparts.

Take baking soda, for instance. I buy it in the largest box available because I use it constantly. It’s great for deodorizing, cleaning, and a whole lot more. Just take a look at all the ways you can use baking soda around your house:

Baking Soda Deodorizer:
• Place a small, opened carton in the refrigerator and freezer.
• Sprinkle in the bottom of your garbage can before adding a trash bag.
• Sprinkle in the bottom of the baby’s diaper pail.
• Add to kitty litter.
• Pour a bit into a pretty dish and leave it next to the stove to absorb cooking odors.
• Sprinkle over the carpet a half hour before vacuuming.
• Use a small, opened carton or a can filled with baking soda on the floor in a corner of your closet to absorb shoe odors.
• Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with water and pour it into dirty baby bottles. Leave it overnight then wash as usual – gets rid of sour milk smell.
• Make a paste of baking soda and dishwashing liquid to clean spots on upholstery and carpet (test a small area first to make sure it doesn’t bleach the fabric).

Baking Soda in the Bathroom:
• Use in place of a powdered cleanser, such as Comet, to scrub the sink, bathtub and shower.
• For stubborn rust stains, make a paste with a bit of water and let it sit for about an hour before scrubbing, then rinsing.
• Clean the shower drain by pouring in a cup of baking soda. Let it sit for a few minutes, then add a cup of vinegar. Let it sit for about half an hour, then pour a half gallon of boiling water the drain to get rid of hair buildup (especially good for sensitive septic systems).

Baking Soda for the Laundry:
• Fill a small spray bottle three-quarters of the way full with water, add baking soda to the top. Keep it in your baby’s room and spray it on clothes to clean spit-up.
• Use it as a fabric softener by adding a half cup to the rinse water in your washing machine.

You can pretty much use baking soda for any type of cleaning – I’ve used it to scrub the pans underneath the burners on my electric stove before and it left them nice and shiny. Do remember that baking soda is an abrasive, though, and don’t use it on painted china or other types of decorative objects.

February 9, 2011: Homemade Facial Cleansing Cream

If you’ve been shopping for beauty products lately you know the stuff is priced like it’s made out of platinum. Sure, those expensive creams and cleanser have all sorts of chemicals added that supposedly tighten your skin and take years off your face. Personally, though, I’ve yet to notice a difference other than a lightness in my wallet.

Here’s a recipe I adapted from one I found in the book, Back to Basics Natural Beauty Handbook by Alexandra York, published in 1977. Because some of the ingredients the author includes in her beauty product recipes are not easy to find, I used a couple different recipes and substituted ingredients I always keep around the house to make this version.

Moisturizing Cleansing Cream

3 T. coconut oil
1/8 t. borax
1 T. almond oil
1 T. castile soap
½ t. essential oil in scent of your choice
1 T. witch hazel

Melt the coconut oil in a saucepan or using a glass bowl in the microwave (it melts much like butter so it only takes about half a minute or so, depending on the wattage of your microwave). Stir in the borax and continue stirring until is dissolved. Use a small whisk or whip to beat in the almond oil and castile soap, followed by the essential oil and the witch hazel. Let cool and store in covered container.

To use: dip your fingertips into the cleanser (it will be goopy) and slather over your face. Wipe off with a warm, wet washcloth (no need to rinse).

Tip: I use lemongrass essential oil because it’s a clean scent and refreshing yet calming. For a container, a small, clean, plastic margarine tub works great!