Monthly Archives: April 2011
Homemade Bubble Bath
After thoroughly cleaning all the "kid grime" off my tub today, I realized how much I love to take bubble baths. Apparently, my children like to as well and all of my special bubble bath from my favorite store was gone! I've been on a "Can I make it at home?" kind of kick lately, so I googled homemade bubble baths. Below is a list of the wonderful sounding bubble bath mixtures I found. It appears that the three main ingredients are castille soap, glycerin soap and essential oils. Some of the recipes add honey, other's add coconut oil. All of them sound wonderful! Scent your bubbles with your favorite essential oils to fit your mood and you are all set! Enjoy, and let me know which ones you try!
Sweet Dreams Bubble Bath
This bubble bath has lavender and patchouli oils to relax you before bedtime. Use soft music and lighted candles in your bathroom for a soothing effect.
6 drops of lavender oil 3 drops of patchouli oil 1 quart of distilled water 1 bar of castille soap. (4 oz. Bar) 4 ounces liquid glycerin
Directions: mix the water, soap and glycerin together and stir. Now add your essential oils to the mixture.
This citrusy bubble bath will cheer you up and energize you. Perfect for a morning bath or use after exercising.
6 drops of orange oil 4 drops of grapefruit oil 3 drops of lemon oil 1 quart of distilled water 1 bar of castille soap. (4 oz. Bar) 4 ounces liquid glycerin
Directions: mix the water, soap and glycerin together and stir. Now add your essential oils to the mixture.
Love Potion Bubble Bath
This bubble bath will put you in a romantic mood. All of the ingredients are considered known aphrodisiac – so look out!
6 drops jasmine oil 3 drops rose oil 3 drops vanilla oil 6 drops ylang ylang oil 1 quart of distilled water 1 bar of castille soap. (4 oz. Bar) 4 ounces liquid glycerin
Directions: mix the water, soap and glycerin together and stir. Now add your essential oils to the mixture.
Cold Season Bubble Bath
This bubble bath will help you breathe easier, with eucalyptus oil to ease the cold congestion. This is perfect for the cold season.
6 drops of eucalyptus oil 3 drops of spearmint oil 3 drops of peppermint oil 1 quart of distilled water 1 bar of castille soap. (4 oz. Bar) 4 ounces liquid glycerin
Directions: mix the water, soap and glycerin together and stir. Now add your essential oils to the mixture.
Honey-Vanilla Bean Foam
For this luxurious lather, you will need: 1 Cup of sweet almond oil (or failing that, try sesame oil or light olive oil) ½ Cup of honey ½ Cup of liquid soap (preferably castile soap) 1 Tbsp. of vanilla extract To make this bubble bath: Measure and put oil in a bowl. Blend in the other three ingredients and stir until fully mixed. Pour into a plastic or glass bottle. Shake gently before using. (Makes: 4 Bubble Baths)
Relaxation Revelry Bubble Bath
For this sleep inducing soak, you will need: 6 drops of lavender oil 3 drops of patchouli oil 1 quart of distilled water 1 bar (4 oz.) of castile soap 4 oz. of liquid glycerin To make this bubble bath: As with the above bubble bath, simply combine all of the ingredients together and store in a glass or plastic jar with a tight-fitted lid. (Makes: Maximum of 2 bubble baths)
The Cold and Flu Bubble Bath
This bubble bath is perfect for those with a congested chest and sore throat. To create this fantastic decongestant, you will need: 6 drops eucalyptus oil 3 drops peppermint oil 3 drops of spearmint oil 1 quart of distilled water 1 bar (4 oz.) of castile soap 4 oz. of liquid glycerin To make this bubble bath: Add the water, soap and the glycerin together and mix. Once done, add the essential oils to the mixture. (Makes: Maximum 2 bubble baths)
With some castile soap, glycerin and essential oils, you can make any bubble bath concoction that comes to mind. Mix and match with your own favorite oils for a real treat!
Cited Websites:
http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/go/index.php/382/make-your-own-bubble-bath
http://www.naturalmomsblog.com/homemade-bubble-bath-recipes.html
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Natural Cleaning Products…A simple, but all inclusive list.
After a friend posted about making her own cleaner, I thought it appropriate to post a list of all the things that we can frugally use around the house to make not-so-toxic household cleaners. (Note the "Not-So" in that statement. BORAX and Bleach can be dangerous, but it's a TRADE-OFF with the chemicals you can unknowingly purchase in standard cleaners)
How to Make Your Own Dishwasher Detergent…And other household cleaners
Making your own cleaning products is super easy and super cheap. Here's what you need to make Dishwasher Detergent and a Rinse Aid:
2 cups of Borax
2 cups of Baking Soda
4 small packets of sugar-free lemonade Kool-Aid (you can also use 4 tablespoons of citric acid–if you can find it)
White Vinegar
Mix everything together by either dumping into a big bowl and stirring it really well or dumping it into a container with a lid and shaking it up. You can keep it in your lidded container or re-use your old detergent box. Use 2 tablespoons per load. (1 tablespoon in the open cup and 1 in the closed locking cup) Pour some White Vinegar into your rinse aid receptacle and your glasses will come out sparkling! (If your dishes end up covered with a white residue, you probably have hard water and need toexperimentwith the amount of Borax to use.) This batch of dishwashing soap cost me about 65 cents to make and it will last for about 100 loads of dishes. It took me less than 5 minutes to make and probably only took that long because I took pictures for you! If you try this out, let us know how it worked for you and what adjustments you made. Maybe add what part of the world you live in so others near you can benefit from your discoveries. Thanks!
Homemade Cleaners: How to Make all Natural Green Cleaners Basic Ingredients Checklist Baking Soda Vinegar Water Lemon Juice Ammonia Salt Borax Vegetable or Olive Oil Club Soda Isopropyl Alcohol Toothpaste Spray Bottles Tips Before You Get Started
Mix in a well-ventilated area
Label containers and store in a safe place
Use containers with tight fitted lids
Don't reuse old containers from other cleaners
Don't mix bleach and ammonia. EVER!
Don't store in food containers
Test an area before using any cleaner
- Dusting Re-use dryer sheets for dusting instead of the new Pledge or Swiffer cloths.
- Linoleum Floor Use club soda to clean Fabric Softener Add vinegar to the rinse cycle
- Microwave Cleaner Mix 2T baking soda or lemon juice and 1 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for five minutes or until the liquid boils and condensation builds up inside the microwave. Wipe down.
- Chrome Cleaner Toothpaste is great for cleaning chrome.
- Dishwasher Rinse 1 1/2 white vinegar added to the rinse compartment of your dishwasher
- The following recipes are safe and non-toxic:
- Wood Floor Cleaner 1/2 cup white vinegar 1/2 cup vegetable oil Mix well All-Purpose Cleaner 1 tsp. borax 1/2 Tsp. washing soda 2 Tbl. lemon juice In a spray bottle, combine the ingredients with 1 cup of hot water and shake.
- Furniture Polish In a spray bottle mix 1 cup vegetable or olive oil 1/2 cup lemon juice Shake well and apply a small amount to a cloth.
- Vinegar Glass Cleaner 1/2 cup vinegar 1 gallon warm water Vinegar Glass Cleaner 1 gallon water 1/2 cup white vinegar 1/2 teaspoon liquid dish detergent Shake to blend. Vinegar Glass Cleaner 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent, and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Combine in a spray bottle. Shake to blend.
- Vinegar Glass Cleaner 1 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol 1 cup water 1 tablespoon white vinegar Combine in a spray bottle. Shake to blend.
- Ammonia Glass Cleaner To a gallon jug, add: 1 tsp dishwashing detergent (Dawn) 1 pint rubbing alcohol 1/2 cup ammonia Top off the gallon with water
- Ammonia Glass Cleaner 1/2 c. ammonia, 1/2 c. isopropyl rubbing alcohol 1/2 c. water. Combine in a spray bottle. Shake to blend. Ammonia Glass Cleaner 2 parts ammonia 1 part rubbing alcohol 9 parts water
- Multi-Purpose Deep Cleaner 1 cup household ammonia 1/2 cup white vinegar 1/4 cup baking soda 1 gallon warm water Mix well
- Generic Tilex (mix and use in a spray bottle) 1 part bleach 9 parts water 1 part Dawn Dish Soap (or brand with surfactants and NO ammonia)
- Carpet Deodorizer Fill a jar with baking soda. Add essential oil (your choice of fragrance and amount), one drop at a time. Stir so it doesn't clump. Sprinkle on carpet and leave for 10-20 minutes before vacuuming.
- All Purpose Cleaners These all purpose cleaners are convenient to use when placed in a spray bottle. 3 tsp liquid soap & one gallon water 1/4 cup vinegar & one gallon water 1/4 cup lemon juice & one gallon water 1/4 cup Borax & one gallon water Disinfectant 1/4 cup Borax 1/2 gallon water OR USE THIS RECIPE: 1 part bleach 9 parts water
- Oven Cleaner Sprinkle salt on spills immediately Baking soda Vinegar Steel wool Clean grease with rag and vinegar. Sprinkle salt on spills. Let it set for a few minutes, then scrape the spill and wash the area clean. For stubborn spots, use baking soda and steel wool.
- Drain Cleaner 1/4 cup baking soda 1/2 cup vinegar Pour baking soda, then vinegar down drain. Close drain until bubbling stops. Pour boiling water. If the clog remains, use a plunger or snake. If all else fails, take the elbow off the pipe.
- Mildew & Lime Deposit Remover 1/2 cup white vinegar Warm water 1/2 cup Borax Dissolve borax in water, add vinegar. Make a fresh batch for each use.
- Ant Killer (NOT child safe!! Use any poison to kill insects with caution!!!) Powdered Sugar Borax Combine in equal parts and sprinkle in places where they crawl. (I mix with a water to make a thick liquid and dip and paper towel or 2 and softly wring out. Then put in in a glass jar with nail holes in the lid. This way the ants can climb in and out but your kiddo can't.)
- Microwave Cleaner Place 2 small, medium lemons (cut in half)with a cup of water in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 5 minutes and remove bowl. Wipe out microwave. The same thing can be accomplished with equal parts water and white vinegar (but lemons smell better). If your microwave is encrusted with lots of food residue that is old, it won't be so easy the first time.
- My favorites are the carpet deoderizer, microwave cleaner, and the drain cleaner. It's a wonderful example for kids on how science is useful in daily experiences. Have good green fun!
P.S. I would like to include a warning to all. Please remember NEVER mix Bleach and Ammonia. It creates chlorine gas which was used as a chemical weapon during World War I and later by Nazi Germany in World War II. What happens to your respiratory system when you inhale chlorine gas is the gas tears into your nasal passages, trachea, and lungs by causing massive cellular damage. Obviously, chlorine gas causes a very painful death.
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Kombucha Follow Up
So it's been almost a month since I posted about my attempts at brewing Kombucha Tea. Well, it was a success! I have already drank all of the first batch (With the help of the hubs and A-Girl, who both really like it) C-Boy will not taste it because, according to him in his infinite 4 year old wisdom, tea is for grownups. I suppose that's a fine rationale! More for me anyhow! So how did it go, did I encounter any road blocks? It went fantastic! After about the first week, I could totally tell something was growing on the top surface, there was definitely something going on in there. I kept it covered and blanketed so the intense light in my kitchen (both day and night) wouldn't make it irritated. I pretty much left it alone. Around the 14th or 15th day, I tasted it. It was bland and I could tell it needed a little more time. I was a little worried because it wasn't bubbly. One more week along with very warm April temperatures, and it was done! Bottling: I carefully removed my paper thin SCOBY from the tank and placed it in a bowl with some KT liquid. Using a funnel I poured into three different containers all but the last bit of KT out. I left about 4-8 ounces of room in each bottle and decided to try a blueberry pomegranate juice as my first flavoring. In one of the smaller glass bottles, I placed a few cubes of candied ginger with some KT just to try something else. I placed all the containers in my pantry for two nights and burped them all once on the second day. Then I placed them in the fridge and started drinking away! I shared with everyone who came over! S-Man even took some to work with him when a co-worker asked about it. (She was shocked by the flavor at first but has already asked when she can get more! It only took us a week to drink it all, but we may have hit it a little hard. I didn't notice any weird side effects, but I had really bad allergies and found myself really thirsty all during the week we were drinking our first batch. I read online that because it's sort of a detox tea, that lots of water should be drunk as well…Ooops! I'll remember next time! Another Brew: When I bottled the first batch, I had already prepared for the second! I brewed another 2 quarts of sweet tea and left it overnight to cool. Back into the brewing container went the SCOBY after first pouring in the new tea (6 black tea bags and 4 green tea bags brewed with 1 cup organic white unrefined sugar and 1/4 cup brown sugar) and additional water to fill it to the top. In another three weeks, I'll have my second batch and my SCOBY mother might give me a baby so I can share the KT wealth with my sister or whomever places dibs on it first! THAT'S ALL FOLKS! I am going to continue brewing until I get bored with it, but maybe I'll keep posting flavoring ideas and updates here as well. I'm posting some pictures along with this so hopefully you can get an idea of what the SCOBY looks like and what is involved in brewing KT.
Cheers!
