Homemade Household

7/30/2019 Homemade Household

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/homemade-household 1/35

Change How You Do Laundry, Save Money: Homemade Laundry Detergent, Homemade FabricSoftener, and Frugal Clothes Drying

The below Homemade Laundry Detergent and Homemade Fabric Softener recipes can save you a lot ofmoney and your health too. They are also more eco-friendly laundry alternatives.

Many expensive store bought laundry detergents and fabric softeners are some of the most toxichousehold products in the average home. Expensive heavy duty chemical laundry cleaners and fabricsoftener have been implicated as being possible causes of breast cancer.

So the below safe, simple, and cheaper homemade alternatives will possibly extend your lifespan as wellas your dollars.

These simple, cheap, and easy batch recipes are also great family fun to make together. The kids willlove helping with these diy "kitchen sink experiments". It's like applied chemistry and ecology meets homeeconomics.

Best of all, the below easy frugal home-made laundry recipes will cut your laundry bill to just pennies perload. You can make 5 gallons of the below liquid laundry detergent for about $3. And it works great inboth top load washers and high efficiency washers, though you may have to experiment a bit to see how

much works best for you and your machine.

Tip for those with sensitive skin:In place of the Fels Naphtha or Castille soap bars below, you may want to give Dove Sensitive Skin barsoap a try instead.

How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent

How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent Option 1:

This homemade liquid laundry detergent is simple to make, much safer, and much cheaper than namebrand detergents.

To make a 5 gallon bucket of this cheap detergent first get a large pot and heat on medium about one halfgallon of water in it. While your water is heating up, grate a whole bar of Ivory soap, or Castille soap, orFels-Naptha soap.

Add the grated soap to the hot water and heat on medium heat. Stir continuously until all the soap meltsinto the water. Remove the pot from heat after soap has totally dissolved into the water.

Into a 5 gallon bucket add about 3 gallons of hot tap water and then add the dissolved soap mixture, plusthree quarters of a cup of Borax, and 1.25 cups of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda. Stir thismixture well until all solids dissolve.

Then top off the bucket with more hot tap water and stir well again. Let set up over night. It shouldcoagulate into a gel or just thicken somewhat, but that depends on what type of soap you used.

Regardless of whether it is watery or gel-like the next day, it should still work well.

Get a clean container and dilute the laundry detergent by filling half with water and half with the detergent.If you want to make it more aromatic you may wish to add several drops each of one or several of yourfavorite therapeutic grade essential oils such as lavender essential oil, rosemary oil, vanilla essential oil,or jasmine essential oil.

Add 5 to 10 drops of Teatree Oil (Meleluca) for extra antiseptic power.

Shake this detergent mixture very well in the container and use about 1 cup per load. Experiment to see



whether more or less will work better for your washing machine type, load size, or degree of dirtiness.This will last a very long time and costs only pennies per load.

How to Make Home-made Laundry Detergent Option 2:

Heat 1 grated bar of Dove, FelsNaphtha, Castille, or even homemade soap in a large pot to which hasbeen added about a half gallon of water. Heat and mix until soap melts into water. Then remove fromheat and add 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup borax, and mix well untill solids dissolve.

Combine mixture with water in a large bucket until the total volume is at approximately 2 gallons. Usearound a half cup for a full load. For extra fresh scents try adding a few drops of your favorite Therapueticgrade essentials oils (see master ingredients list below).

How to Make Homemade Laundry Soap Powder

Tip to avoid solid soap on clothes:In the below washing powder recipes one of the most important steps is making sure your bar soap isground up finely enough so it dissolves in the wash. This will help assure it does not leave soap nodules

on your clothes after washing is done.

You can use your food processor to make sure it is ground fine, but then process it some more with theother ingredients added to the food processor to get it as fine as possible. The more surface area, thebetter; and I would say that goes for a lot of things related to making a frugal living.

Homemade Laundry Soap Powder Option 1:

Mix together very well 4 cups of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda, 4 cups of Baking Soda, 4 cupsof Borax (20 Mule Team Borax is what I happen to have right now), and 2 bars of Castille Soap, or IvorySoap, or FelNaptha Soap grated up. Use a few tablespoons to one forth of a cup per load of laundry.Experiment with amounts to suit your laundry load size.

Homemade Laundry Soap Washing Powder Option 2:

Grate 1 bar of Felz Naptha Soap (or 2 bars of Ivory Soap, or 1 bar of Zote). Mix grated soap with 4 cupsof Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda, and 4 cups of Borax. Mix all ingredients very well. Use acouple of tablespoons to one forth of a cup per load of laundry. Experiment to see what amount worksbest for your size of laundry load.

Tip: Zote Bar Soap is more fragrant than Fels Naptha Soap and can often be found in Mexican grocerystores. Or you can check the below master recipe ingredient list where I will be adding links to onlinedeals for each.

Home-made Laundry Soap Powder Washing Detergent Option 3:

¼ cup clay powder, 2-3 tablespoons essential oil of choice (optional), 13 cups borax, 12 cups bakingsoda, 4 cups sodium lauryl sulfate. Mix clay powder and essential oil. Add remaining ingredients and mixwell in a 2-3 gallon pail. Use 1 cup of laundry powder per load.

Home-made Laundry Soap Powder Option 4:

Grate up 1 bar of Castille or Ivory Soap (or one half bar of Fels-Naptha Soap). Add the grated soap to afood processor and mix very well with 1 cup of Washing Soda (such as Arm and Hammer Super WashingSoda), plus 1 cup of Borax. Use a couple of tablespoons or more depending on load size and how dirtyyour clothes are.



Home-made Laundry Detergent Soap Powder Option 4:If you do not have Borax, try the above recipe with 1 cup of Baking Soda in place of the Borax.

=======================================================================

How to Make Homemade Fabric Softener

Home-made Fabric Softener Recipe Option 1:

Rather than using Fabric Softner, try adding half to a whole cup of white Vinegar to the washing machinerinse cycle. You can also add a few drops of your favorite smelling essential oil such as Jasmine,Lavender, Peppermint, or Vanilla.

Vinegar is great for removing stubborn odors, dissolving stains, and it will make your clothes soft andfluffy. The Vinegar also helps reduce static cling and it will also clean the soap scum from your washingmachine parts.

Make sure Vinegar is rinsed out of clothes very well though to avoid Vinegar odor on washed clothes.Double rinse f you have to and experiment to see how much Vinegar works best for you.

Homemade Fabric Softener Recipe Option 2:

Don't waste your money on Snuggle fabric softener or Downy. Here is a wonderfully effective andinexpensive Fabric Softener Recipe...

Combine a cup of your favorite hair conditioner with 3 cups of hot water in a gallon container. Mix wellthen add 1 cup of White Vinegar. Mix very well.

This homemade fabric softener can be added to your fabric softener ball or used directly in your washingmachine as you normally would. About 3 or 4 tablespoon fulls should do it. Find the amount that worksbest for you.

Homemade Fabric Softener Recipe Option 3:Dissolve 1 cup of Baking Soda in 1 cup hot water in a bucket. Then add 4 cups of White Vinegar. Fizzingis harmless. The bubbles are simply harmless carbon dioxide gas being evolved (like the old "volcanoreaction" in Sciencefair projects).

Once the bubbling subsides you can add 2.5 cups of your favorite aromatic conditioner plus about 6 cupsof hot tap water and mix very well. You can add a half to one cup of this softener to the rinse cycle. Oruse this softener as you normally would or try it with the below described homemade dryer sheets withoutfurther dilution.

Homemade Dryer Sheets:

REDUCE - To save money on store-bought dryer sheets, tear them in two rather than use a whole oneper dryer load. Using less is a great way to save on just about any product.

RE-USE - Try tossing the used up dryer sheets in a jar with liquid fabric softener (see above recipes) tomake your own dryer sheets. Wringe one out and toss it in the dryer for a cheap alternative to the moreexpensive pre-packaged ones.

DILUTION - Try diluting your favorite Fabric Sofener or Hair Conditioner by taking one half cup of fabricsoftening liquid or conditioner and mixing with 1 cup of water in a seperate container. Soak half of a



sponge with this mixture, wring out back into bottle, and toss softener moistened half of sponge into dryerto act as your home-made dryer sheets. You could also do the same thing with a wash cloth or sock.

Eliminate - Of course you can do what we often do and skip the fabric softener step all together.

We have found that total elimination of products, where possible, is usually the best way to go. We havefound that the use of fabric softener is not really necessary.

Low Hanging Fruit of Frugality: Eliminate Where Possible Don't Get Duped by Big Oil

The best form of frugality is minimalism, especially when it comes to household chemicals.

Most of us are brainwashed by marketing to think we need a specific purchased product for every little job. Not true at all. The home made alternative on this page will often multi-task for various jobs and theyare safer and cheaper.

Also keep in mind that man-made chemical fragrances, no matter the source, are usually always harmfulto your health.

I would NEVER buy those air freshener sprays or plug-in room deodorizers because they can be firehazards and often contain petroleum-based compounds and fragrances that can cause allergies in manypeople.

Most folks have no idea that many of the thousands of chemical household products marketed to us adinfinitum are actually designed to turn toxic waste into profits.

Household chemical products are a major route by which the petroleum industry gets rid of toxicby-products from the crude oil refining process...AT A PROFIT for THEM, yet a cost to YOU in multipleways.

I don't care how good fragrant products (like fabric softeners) may smell, the molecules are usually

harmful longterm and the fragrance chemicals end up in your bloodstream after you inhale them.

Even perfume and cologne often contain extremely hazardous carrier solvents such as Toluene which iscancer causing.

A healthy home is often also a frugal home thanks to elimination of most expensive and harmful chemicalproducts especially those related to doing laundry and general cleaning.

Always try to think about possible ways you can cut back or eliminate those store-bought chemicalproducts your family uses. I hope this page helps you reduce your spending and improves your longtermhealth.

=======================================================================

Home-made Spray Starch

1 tablespoon corn starch, 1 pint cold water. Dissolve cornstarch in cold water. Pour mixture into a spraybottle and squirt to apply (shake before each use).

Save More Money on Laundry With Free Energy Like Pennies from Heaven



After washing your clothes using the above easy homemade detergent recipes, to save even moremoney try to make a habit of drying your clothes outside in the sunshine and breeze using a clothes lineor by drapping over a porch railing.

Using a clothes line for drying clothes outside is one of the best ways to save money on electricity and willgive you the added bonus of natural Ozone gas and ultra violet light sterilization for free. It is like free drycleaning via the sun and wind.

But if you still want the fragrance, once your clothes are mostly dried by the sun and wind, you canalways put them in your indoor dryer for a few minutes with your favorite fabric softener sheets (seeabove homemade alternatives).

The point is to minimize paying for electricity. So just think about all that daytime photonic free energy -falling upon us every day like pennies from heaven. That is cheap solar energy with no expensive solarpanels required.

Do not under-estimate the power of sunlight and outside Ozone to kill dustmites, bacteria, mold spores,and other microorganisms that sometimes survive the wash cycle.

I could go into great detail on this subject; but suffice it so say, Ultra Violet sterilization is a widely used

technology for purifying air, water, and surfaces in homes. UV lamps have been incorporated into manydifferent types of household systems and appliances.

So why not utilize the free and intense UV light emitted by our solar system's central star, the sun, to notonly dry, but also further clean your laundry. That's what I call the great solar powered washer and dryerin the sky.

Just remember, the same photonic energy from the sun that can kill bacteria and microorganisms alsoproduces a strong bleaching effect on colored fabrics.

But overall, a clothesline is a great old fashioned way to "go green" AND save green on electricitybecause clothes dryers are some of the biggest household energy hogs, no matter whether you have agas dryer or an electric dryer.

By nature of the atomic structure of water molecules, it takes a lot of energy to heat and vaporize water.

That is why hot water heaters and clothes dryers are two of your biggest energy hogs. So for big energysavings, start washing your clothes with all cold water and dry your clothes outside on the line.

Changing all your laundry habits really can save you a lot of money every year. You just have to take astep back and look at how you do things and then ask yourself, "how can I eliminate this product or thisstep or change how I do this task to save money or resources?" This thinking works for just about allhousehold costs.

But if you support the mountain destroying coal mining companies, enjoy fat energy bills from coal-firedpower, or savor the ever-growing levels of "Quicksilver" in your fish - by all means keep running that

electric clothes dryer hot and heavy every day. I know of many families that do.

=====================================================================the frugal grapleaf divider for easy Homemade Kitchen Cleaners

Home-made Kitchen Cleaners

Home-made Spray Disinfectant Cleaner

½ cup borax, 1 gallon hot water



Dissolve borax in hot water. Wipe down areas to be disinfected.

Isopropyl alcohol is also a cheap and excellent disinfectant - be sure to use gloves and keep it away fromchildren.

Homemade Abbrassive Cleaner

Sprinkle baking soda or borax, add juice of ½ lemon and scrub.

Home-made Brass/Copper Tarnish Remover

Salt, Flour, and White vinegar. Mix together equal parts salt and flour, then add white vinegar to make apaste. Rub into the stain. Repeat if necessary.

Brass may also be polished by dipping a soft cloth in a solution made with baking soda and lemon or saltand vinegar.

Home-made Copper Polish

To clean tarnished Copper items try placing the item in a pot of boiling water to which has been added 1cup white vinegar and 1 tablespoon of salt.

Or try a paste made with cream of tartar, lemon juice, baking soda, salt, and vinegar.

All Purpose Metal Cleaner

Fresh squeezed juice of 2 lemons a cup baking soda 1 teaspoon fine salt 6 tablespoons clay powder Mixall ingredients together until pasty. Add water or more clay if needed. Rub paste onto metal with

extremely fine steel wool and allow to sit for fifteen minutes. Wash off with a sponge and clear water.Polish metal with a soft cloth. Do not use on aluminum.

Homemade Aluminum Polish

Aluminum can be cleaned with a paste made from cream of tartar and water.

Home-made Silver Polish

Rub with paste of baking soda and water.

Silver can also be polished by boiling it in a pan lined with aluminum foil, filled with water with oneteaspoon each of baking soda and salt.

Homemade Chrome/Stainless Steel Polish

Chrome can be polished using aluminum foil (shiny side out), vinegar, and baby oil.



Polish Stainless Steel with undiluted white vinegar.

Homemade Gold/Pewter Polish

Polish Gold with toothpaste

Polish Pewter by making a paste of flour, vinegar, and salt.

Glassware/Crystal Spot Removal

Dip spotted glassware into water to which a splash of vinegar has been added, dry with lint-free dishcloth.

Dishwasher Detergent

2 tablespoons baking soda, 2 tablespoons borax, Mix baking soda and borax and put mixture indishwasher.

Home-made Window Cleaner

Option 1:

Juice from one fresh lemon 2 cups water or club soda½ teaspoon peppermint essential oil (optional)1teaspoon cornstarch Mix all ingredients and pour into plastic spray bottle. Shake well.

Option 2:

8 parts water 1 part vinegar Mix ingredients, scrub and wipe with newspaper.

Drain Cleaner/Opener

AVOID COMMERCIAL DRAIN CLEANERS!!! - they usually contain highly caustic Sodium Hydroxide, avery strong base that will damage tissues.Never combine any of the below ingredients (especially vinegar) with commercial drain cleaners becausedeadly gases may result!!!

¼ cup vinegar, ¼ cup baking sodaMix ingredients and pour mixture down drain. Let stand for a few minutes and rinse with boiling water.The resultant chemical reaction will break down fatty acids into harmless soap and glycerine that can bewashed down drain.

Home-made Oven Cleaner

AVOID COMMERCIAL OVEN CLEANERS!!! - they usually contain highly corrosive Hydrofluoric Acid (HF)



which binds calcium and can be fatal or in the least can severely damage tissues!!!

Arm & Hammer makes a good Oven Cleaner which Consumers' Union has deemed non-toxic, or justsprinkle baking soda on the moist oven surface and scrub with steel wool.

Or mix equal parts of casstille soap, borax and water.Apply mixture, let set for 20 minutes. Scrub with mixture of baking soda and salt.

Home-made Air Freshener and Deodorizers

Open windows or doors for a short period.Use Potpourri in bowls to scent air - rosemary, sage, peppermint, lemon verbeana, lavender, orangepeels, cloves, and bay leaves make excellent natural ingredients from the garden for home-madepotpourri.Vinegar is helpful in removing many odors like from onion odor on hands/cutting boards.Place dishes of vinegar around the Kitchen to help neutralize cooking odors.Sprinkle Borax (~half a cup) in garbage cans/diaper pails, ect. to inhibit odor causing bacteria and mold

growth.For Homemade Aroma Therapy boil a pan of water containing cloves and cinnamon.Baking Soda is an excellent deodorizer all around the kitchen such as in refrigerator. It is also anexcellent addition to cat litter pans - it's a good clumping agent, neutralizes the odor of ammonia in caturine, helps kill bacteria, and reduces many other unpleasant pet odors.

Homemade Floor Cleaner/Polish

For an All-Purpose Home-made Floor Cleaner simply combine a few drops of vinegar in water.For Brick and Stone Tile Cleaner mix 1 cup vinegar in 1 gallon of water, rinse with clear water afterapplying solution.

For Painted Wood Floors mix 1 teaspoon washing soda with 1 gallon of hot water.For Wood Floors apply a thin coat of 1 part vinegar to 1 part baby oil and rub in well.For Vinyl or Linoleum Floors combine a cap full of baby oil with a few drops of vinegar in water to removesoap traces, preserve, and polish.

Homemade Green Cleaner Recipes

Save hundreds of dollars and your health too with this huge collection of natural homemade greencleaning recipes.

Back to Top

the frugal grapleaf divider for easy home-made bathroom cleaners

Home-made Bathroom Cleaners



Bathtub/Sink Stains

Scrub with paste made from cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide.

Home-made Soap Film Remover for Fiberglass Surfaces

Apply baking soda with damp cloth, rub and rinse off residue well.

Soap Film/Mildew on Shower Curtains

Pour full-strength vinegar on the shower curtain to remove soap film and mildew.

Homemade Shower-Door Track Cleaner

Pour full-strength vinegar into the track, let soak for a few minutes, rinse.

Home-made Toilet Lime Deposit Remover

Pour full strength white vinegar in the bowl, let sit for several hours. Scrub with sturdy brush.

Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner

½ teaspoon sodium laural sulfate, 2 tablespoons baking soda, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1 teaspoon orangeessential oil or 1 teaspoon grapefruit essential oil (optional), 2 cups water. Mix all ingredients. Vinegarand baking soda will foam when mixed. Let mixture stand for 10 minutes before pouring into a spraybottle.

Safe Homemade Green Cleaners

Want more safe and easy cleaning recipes? Here is a huge collection of natural home-made greencleaning recipes.

the frugal grapleaf divider for easy homemade furniture polish

Home-made Furniture Polish

Lemon Scented Polish

1 teaspoon lemon oil, 2 cups mineral oil. Mix and apply with soft cloth.

Home-made Dark Wood Polish

1 teaspoon olive oil, Juice of one lemon, 1 teaspoon brandy or whiskey, 1 teaspoon water. Mix and applywith soft cloth. Must be made fresh each time.



Homemade Unscented Polish

3 parts olive oil, 1 part vinegar. Mix and apply with soft cloth.

Home-made Oak Furniture Polish

1 quart of beer, 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 tablespoons beeswax. Boil beer with sugar and beeswax. Whencool, wipe mixture on wood, allow to dry and polish with soft cloth.

Home-made Scratch Remover / Heat Blemish Remover

Rub in mayonnaise and wipe off. Buff with clean cloth.

Water Spot Treatment Polish

Toothpaste (not gel)Baking sodaPecan

Apply equal parts toothpaste and baking soda with a soft, damp cloth. Rinse out the cloth and wipe offany residue. When the finish is smooth, buff with a clean soft cloth. Restore color and shine by rubbing

the spot with the meat of half a pecan, then buff.

the frugal grapleaf divider for easy home-made paints and home-made paint removers

Home-made Paint and Paint Remover

Enamel Paint Drips/Spill Remover

Wipe up spills and drips with a soft wet towel lathered with pumice soap (the sooner the better).

Removing Paint from Skin

Rub with mineral oil. Wash with soap and water.

Home-made Arts and Crafts Paint

½ cup cornstarch, 2 cups cold water



Homemade Food coloring

Mix cornstarch and water in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to boil and continue to boil until it thickens. Letcool slightly. Pour into jars and color each with food coloring.

Back to Top

the frugal grapleaf divider for easy homemade spot removers

Home-made Spot Removers

Home-made All-purpose Spot Remover

¼ cup borax, 2 cups cold water. Dissolve borax in cold water. Sponge it on and let it sit until dry. Washwith soap and water to completely remove spot. Works well on blood, chocolate, coffee,mildew, mud andurine.

Club Soda

Pour club soda on fresh spots and stains to remove wine and foods from clothing, carpets and linens.

Homemade Ink Spot Remover

Cream of tartar, Lemon juice, Warm water. Put cream of tartar on the stain and squeeze a few drops oflemon juice on top. Rub into the stain for a minute, brush off the powder with a clean brush and spongeimmediately with warm water. Repeat if needed.

the frugal grapleaf divider for easy homemade pet products

Home-made Pet Products

Pet Stains

Soak stained area in warm soapy water. Sponge with equal parts of water and white vinegar. Blot dry.

Home-made Dog House Flea Repellant

Wash dog houses with salt water. Scatter fresh pine needles or cedar shavings under your pet’s sleepingpad. Keep bedding clean.

Natural Cheap and Safe? Flea Remedy

Do your own due diligence here in particular. There are special safety considerations before exploringthese options...

Food Grade Diatomaceous EarthI have read many pet experts swear by "Diatomaceous Earth" (what the famous "White Cliffs of Dover"are composed of). It is a white powder composed of microscopic silica skeletons of dead diatoms(single-cell algae) usually found in ancient marine deposits.



Other names for Diatomaceous Earth are: "KieselguhrMake", "Kieselgur", "Diatomite", or "D.E." It hasmany uses in agriculture, research, household products, and various other industries.

Most who advocate its use recommend only using the form classified as "Food Grade DiatomaceousEarth", and also application to a pets fur outside to limit how much might otherwise get into your indoorair. Safety precautions should be heeded. I am not sure I would risk trying this because of the possibleinhalation hazard that could result (see safety warnings below). If you have experience with this pleaseleave a comment at page bottom. Thanks.

Some have suggested that Medical-grade Diatomaceous Earth may have some effectiveness as ade-wormer for animals and humans, though efficacy is questionable.

Due to the sharp edges of diatom skeletons and the affinity for it to absorb fats and moisture,Diatomaceous Earth has been used as a non-toxic slug repellent in the garden.

These physical properties may also make it an effective natural insecticide for roaches, fleas, and othersmall garden insect pests because it has abrasive properties that damage their exoskeletons whileabsorbing lipids and moisture at the same time.

This abrasion/absorption causes a weakening of their outer shell, thus causing them to lose moisture andtherefore makes it more likely for them to die from dehydration.

Even if Diatomite were to not kill the pest, you can be sure that slugs, fleas, roaches, aphids, cucumberbeetles, and stink bugs (to name but a few pests) will probably know to avoid it. A good analogy is toimagine what would happen if you rolled around in ground up glass. So it's no wonder it may be aneffective natural bug repellent as well as non-toxic insecticide.

BUT, like any finely divided silica powder, Diatomite should be treated as an inhalation hazard to anyone.It is also a powerful drying agent. So respiratory protection and gloves should be used while working withit.

Certain heat-treated forms (such as that used in pool filters) may contain a larger proportion of highly

crystalline silica which is particularly dangerous to inhale, especially for babies, the elderly, or someonewho already suffers from a respiratory condition.

OSHA regulates workers' exposure to crystalline silica, which may cause lung cancer, silicosis, or otherrespiratory ailments. So be sure to do your own safety due diligence before thinking about usingDiatomaceous Earth in any way, shape, or form. You have been warned.

Home-made Flea RemedyMany pet owners claim that an effective flea repellent is to feed pets food into which Brewer's Yeast hasbeen mixed, or to give them Brewer's Yeast tablets.

I'm not so sure this is a very effective flea remedy. If you have had success with this way to get rid of fleason pets, please tell us about it by leaving a comment at the bottom of this page. Thank you.

Back to Top

the frugal grapleaf divider for homemade Deodorant

How to Make Homemade Deodorant Which is Much Cheaper and Safer

An effective homemade under-arm deodorant is something I have been desperately searching for not so



much to save money, but rather to find a less allergenic deodorant after the serious skin problems mystore-bought Antiperspirant / Deodorant has been causing.

I have never had skin problems or suffered from skin rashes, except as a result of using "speedstick"deodorant or the chalky white deodorant / antipersperants. I react badly to all of the leading brands. Theyall make me itch badly and this usually results in seriously bad dermatitis.

I have developed such a sensitivity to the chemicals in these deodorant products that when they touch myskin I develop a serious rash under my arms which last it developed almost sent me to the hospitalbecause it would not heal until I stopped applying these deodorants.

You may be thinking duh, find a safer alternative. Well, that is not so easy because most homemadedeodorants are not strong enough, especially in summer.

I have tried many alternatives which work for about an hour, but that's about it. The brand nameantiperspirants / deodorants use a very tacky resin and potent fragrance chemicals that is hard to washoff. In chemistry, we'd call it Hydrophobic (or water fearing). Sweat does not easily dilute or wash it awayso it keeps working where applied.

This is why it lasts all day. But as it kills bacteria quite effectively, so too does it probably slowly kill us.

Most bacteriacides attack the same Biochemical processes also found in our own cells. We just happento be much bigger and can "absorb" more damage without obvious side effects, except in my case andmany others' who have developed chemical allergies to Deodorants / Antiperspirants.

I am looking at the back of my Deodorant / Antiperspirant stick right now and there are several warningsthat clue me in to how toxic the chemical ingredients really are not only for the skin outside, but also ourorgans inside. It can be a systemic poison to us.

For example, the words found on most Deodorant sticks, "Ask a doctor before use if you have kidneyproblems" tells me that an ingredient in this deodorant actually enters the bloodstream through the skinand travels through the kidneys where it does kidney damage to everyone who uses it, which is especiallydangerous for those people who may already have weakened kidney function.

Of course I already knew that whatever chemicals we touch or apply to our skin usually ends up diffusinginto our bloodstream. This is why you should never try to lower fevers in children by covering their bodywith rubbing alcohol, as they used to do when I was a kid (when alcohol evaporates it absorbs heatenergy - like the evaporative cooling that occurs when you sweat). I think a child died after this was done.

So chemicals can easily enter our blood through our skin. In other words, you skin is a permeablemembrane.

This is why so many chemical ingredients in beauty products and cosmetic makeup can be found in mosthumans' blood and fatty tissue and why finding a non-toxic deodorant is so important.

Of course for me, blood contamination aside, the visious skin rash the chemicals cause is reason enoughto avoid store-bought deodorants.

The main culprit is probably the active ingredient known as "Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex GLY17.8%" which is the main antiperspirant ingredient and is also the ingredient some say may be linked toAlzheimer's Disease, which is fatally incurable and has already affected several relatives.

Following is the most effective recipe I have found yet. Please let me know how it works for you or shareyour own safe and effective homemade Deodorant recipes at page bottom. I look forward to yourthoughts on this.

I recommend starting with a small batch of this home-made Deodorant so you can first test how it works



for you. Then you can make larger batches. This will keep for a long time, up to six months or more andcan be applied in your old washed out speed stick applicators.

Here are the ingredients you will need for this easy recipe:

Baking Soda

Corn Starch

Coconut Oil

Tea Tree and Lavender Essential Oil

Mix thoroughly together a quarter cup of Baking Soda with a half cup of Corn Starch. Then combine thisdry mixture with a quarter cup of Coconut Oil and a few drops of Tea Tree Oil and Lavender Oil. EssentialOils should be used very sparingly because if too concentrated they can sometimes irritate the skin.

Chemically speaking, the Baking Soda kills bacteria because it is Sodium Bicarbonate. High sodiumenvironments are generally unpleasant places for most bacteria (why canned goods are so salty. It is acheap preservative).

The Bicarbonate ions are also pH buffering which can help control odor by controling bacterial growth.

Just another science tid bit for ya...Ever wonder why you salivate before vomitting? That is your body'smechanism of reducing tissue damage in your throat from stomach acid about to come up. The salivacontains bicarbonate ions which neutralize the stomach acid.

The Cornstarch is a binder which helps hold it all together and also helps to absorb moisture. Bacteria likemoisture.

Arrowroot is probably a good substitute if you do not have Corn Starch in house. And Canola Oil canprobably be substituted for the Coconut Oil as well.

The oils, besides binding it all together, also have antimicrobial properties. This is why peanut butter canbe stored for so long outside of the refrigerator and why bottles of oil do not have to be refrigerated.Bacteria find high fat environments inhospitable, generally speaking.

The Essential Oils are also anti-bacterial because they are oil based and contain anti-bacterial plantcompounds.

So there you have it. It's mostly about creating a dry, saline, fatty acid coated environment that bacteriawill find to be a hostile place to divide. No bacteria...No odor.

Look forward to reading your comments below.

Back to Top

the frugal grapleaf divider for easy home-made pest repellant and home-made bug sprays

Home-made Pest Repellant / Bug Spray

Home-made Mouse or Rat Repellant

For rats and mice: Again, prevention may be the best cure. Holes in exterior or interior walls should beclosed off and storage spaces kept orderly. Garbage should be kept tightly covered. To catch rodents, themost efficient system is the oldest: a cat. Next best are mouse and rat traps.



Stuff all cracks around gas and water pipes with steel wool to keep mice out.

Homemade Ant Repellant

Ants navigate by following their fellow ants' chemical trails, so just about any aromatic herb or ingredientwill disrupt their ant pheremone trails.

Sprinkle red chili powder, cinnamon, bay leaves, black pepper, paprika, cream of tartar powder, driedpeppermint, salt, borax, or sage near ant infestations.

Also try spraying diluted vinegar or peppermint oil.

Home-made Roach Repellant

Place bay leaves in cracks around room.Mix by stirring and sifting 1 ounce TSP, 6 ounces borax, 4 ounces sugar, and 8 ounces flour. Spread onfloor of infested area. Repeat after 4 days and again after 2 weeks.

Homemade Flea Repellant

Feed your pet brewer's yeast in powder mixed with food or by tablets.

Home-made Insecticide

Mix dishwashing liquid and water, spray infected area.

Homemade Moth Ball Alternative

Place cedar chips or blocks in desired area.Air clothes well in the sun; store in airtight containers, and scatter sachets of lavender, cedar chips, ordried tobacco in with clothing.

Anti-Insect Air Spritzer

2 cups vodka, 1 tablespoon citronella essential oil, 1 tablespoon eucalyptus essential oil, 1 teaspoongeranium essential oil, 1 teaspoon rosemary essential oil, 1 teaspoon orange essential oil, 1 teaspoonlemon essential oil. Mix all ingredients and shake well. Mist into air to keep bugs away.

Home-made Bug Repellant, Body

2 tablespoons citronella essential oil, 2 tablespoons rosemary essential oil, 2 tablespoons geraniumessential oil, 2 tablespoons eucalyptus essential oil, ½ cup olive oil. Mix all oils together. Dab on clothingand skin. Avoid eyes and mouth.

Home-made Termite Repellants

Any wooden parts of the house should be at least 18 inches off the ground, as subterranean termitescannot tolerate being exposed to air and light. They have to build easily visible mud tunnels to get atavailable wood. However, most existing houses have only about an 8-inch clearance between woodenparts and the ground, which makes the wood vulnerable. Metal shields may help discourage termites, butthey cannot prevent infestations.

To treat existing termite infestations, there are a few nontoxic alternatives: the "Extermax" system,available in California; and the use of a particular species of nematodes to eat them, a system availablefrom N-Viro Products, Ltc.



Back to Top

the frugal grapleaf divider for easy homemade garden products

Home-made Garden Products

Homemade Weed Killer

The most frugal homemade weed killer is Vinegar. Just put it in a spray bottle and spray it on weedswhen the weather is hot and dry and the plants will die in a day. Vinegar is Acetic Acid which has low pHcausing cell damage to the plants allowing the sun to dehydrate them quickly.

Home-made Chili-Vinegar Spray for Fruit Trees

4 jalapenos, habaneros or other hot chillies, seeded and chopped. 2 cloves garlic, 1½ quarts water, 2 oz.Beer, ½ cup vinegar. Mix chopped chillies, garlic, water and beer. Cover and bring to a boil for 5 minutes,then let the mixture steep in the pot for 24 hours. Add the vinegar, strain well and pour into a sprayer.Spray leaves (but not blossoms).Will help keep birds away.

Home-made Insecticide

Pyrethrin a natural insecticide found in some plants is relatively nontoxic to humans and only slightly toxicto aquatic life, so it may be the best choice for home gardens. A natural source of Pyrethrin is theChrysanthemum plant. To make a home-made garden bug spray soak crushed or cut up chrysanthemumflowers or leaves in a bucket of water for 1 day, filter through cheese cloth or an old pillow case, then pourin a spray bottle or hose end sprayer. To make it even stronger add basil, rosemary, peppermint, garlic,marigold leaves and flowers, or sage leaves to the above bucket of water to soak.

Observe which herbs and plants have leaves that are seldom if ever eaten by bugs. The above listedgarden herbs are excellent examples. These plants often contain volatile oils and alkaloid compoundswhich garden pests and even animals like deer find distasteful.

Aphids on Rose Bushes

Mulch banana peels into the soil at the base of the rosebushes. This will strengthen them and ward offdisease-bearing aphids.

Cucumber Beetles

Make beetle traps from open cans or milk cartons baited with melon or other garden targets. Place thetraps around the garden and check them early in the morning and discard.

Home-made Earwig Repellant

Option 1:

Make rolls out of newspaper, soak them in water then set them out overnight. First thing in the morningthe rolls will be full earwigs. Put the rolls in a tightly sealed bag and out with the trash. Keep at this for awhile and you will be rid of your problem.

Option 2:

Fill old tuna or pet food cans with ½ inch of vegetable oil; place several cans around the infested area.When full, just dump bodies in trash and refill.



Fungus and Mildew

1 bulb of garlic (about 20 cloves), chopped. 1 quart of hot water. Place chopped garlic in the water and letsteep for at least 24 hours. Strain and spray on plants to eliminate fungus and mildew.

Home-made Pest Spray

1 cup grated castille soap, 1 cup coarsely chopped tobacco leaves, fresh or cured. 3 cups boiling water,divide 1 entire bulb garlic, peeled and crushed or chopped, 1 cup of chopped fresh tansy (optional). In abowl, dissolve soap in 1 cup boiling water and set aside. In a blender, pour remainder of boiling waterover tobacco leaves and let set for ten minutes or so. Add garlic and tansy (if available) and whirl untilsmooth. Strain through cheesecloth and discard solid materials. Add herbal liquid soap to mixture andstir; pour into a spray bottle. To use, spray the herbal liquid on insects and their environs at early morningand dusk for three days in a row. Because this mix drives most bugs away, but does not kill them, applyas needed.

Homemade Deer Repellant for Fruit Trees

To repel deer, roll several pounds of soft, scented herbal soap into balls. Tie the balls into smallbundles,using cloth or net and string. Hang several bundles from each fruit tree. The deer won't come

near the trees. As a bonus, rain will eventually melt the soap bundles and lend a bit of alkalinity to the soilbelow.

Home-made Snail Repellants

Bury a small bowl or can flush with the ground and fill it with beer to attract and trap snails.

Homemade Fertilizer for Organic Gardening

Frugal Gardening Tip: Use compost to return needed bacteria, enzymes and nutrients to the soil. Includeclover or other nitrogen fixing plants in the lawn to make it self-fertilizing.

Dry Out Lawn Fungis

De-thatch; add soil bacteria and re-seed. Fungus grows only in wet, thatchy, over-fertilized lawns.

Beneficial Bugs in Your Frugal Garden

Lady Bugs (Ladybird Beetles) – eats Psyllids, aphids, and eggs of the Colorado Potato Beetle.

Green Lacewings – eats aphids, mites, mealy bugs and other small insects.

Ground Beetles (Carabid Beetles) – eats cutworms, grubs, root maggots and other soft-bodied pests.

Parasitic Wasps – kills white flies, moths and Mexican bean beetles.

Beneficial Plants

Basil – planted alongside tomato plants helps control tomato hornworms.

Thyme – planted with cabbage helps control flea-beetles, cabbage worm and white cabbage butterflies.

Marigold – planted in vegetable gardens produces a pungent scent that repels many garden pests.

Mint – repels mosquitoes and produces an odor that aphids and cabbage pests dislike.



Garlic – when planted close to roses it can protect bushes from black spot, a fungus disease; can begrown in rings around a crop to repel aphids; spray garlic tea (see above) on plants to eliminate fungusand mildew.

Here are hundreds of other simple tips, easy recipes, and ingenious strategies for saving money in thegarden

Also, don't miss the pet remedies and tips section where I discuss uses in the garden for Food GradeDiatomaceous Earth as an insecticide and bug repellent.

Back to Top

the frugal grapleaf divider for easy home-made beauty products

Home-made Beauty Products

Home-made Hair Dye Alternatives

Lighten hair:

1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 gallon warm water. Rinse hair with mixture.

Red tones:

Rinse with strong tea of rose hips or cloves, or use strong black coffee.

Cover gray:

½ cup dried sage, 2 cups water. Boil sage for thirty minutes, then steep for several hours. Apply tea tohair after it cools. Allow to dry,then rinse and dry hair again. Apply weekly until you have the shade youwant and then monthly to maintain color.

Darken hair:

Rinse hair with a strong black tea or black coffee.

Homemade Hair Shampoo Alternatives

Everyday shampoo:

Home-made Castille Soap Shampoo Recipe #1

Castille bar soap, Water, ¼ cup olive oil, almond oil or avocado oil, ½ cup distilled water. Grate castillebar soap and mix it with water in a blender or food processor. Blend 1 cup of castille liquid with olive oil,avocado or almond oil and distilled water.

Home-made Castille Soap Shampoo Recipe #2

Mix 1/2 cup of water with 1/2 cup of liquid castille soap (Nature Clean is one brand). To make an herbalshampoo, heat water before adding soap and steep herbs, then strain and add soap. Castille will leave afilm on hair which can be removed by rinsing hair with 3 tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice mixed with1 cup of water.

Homemade Egg Shampoo

Beat 2 large eggs and massage into scalp. Leave on a few minutes, then rinse with warm water. To cut



film left by the eggs, rinse with vinegar (dark hair), or lemon Juice (light hair). Mix 3 tablespoons ofvinegar or juice with 1 cup of water and pour through hair.

Baking soda mixed with water to a consistency that can be massaged through hair.

Home-made Conditioner Alternatives

Pour 1 cup of warm beer over hair, then rinse with water.

Mayonnaise Conditioner: massage mayonnaise into hair, coating every strand. Cover hair with plasticbag for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Dry-Scalp Conditioner: Massage plain yogurt into hair, especially the scalp. Cover with a plastic bagfor 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Henna Treatment: Pour 1/2 cup of boiling water over 1/4 cup of colorless henna and 2 teaspoons ofhoney. Let sit a few minutes to thicken. Coat each strand of hair, cover with a plastic bag and wrap with awarm towel. Shampoo after 1 hour.

Conditioner: Mix 1 egg yolk, 1 small container of yogurt and 1 tablespoon of honey. Apply to hair,

wrap in towel for 15 minutes, then rinse.

Alternative Moisturizers and conditioners: egg yolk, milk, yogurt, safflower oil (for light moisturizing),olive oil (for dry skin or hair), water, oatmeal, Jojoba oil.

Home-made Depilatories for Hair Removal

Melt a small amount of beeswax in a small pan until very warm but still cool enough to touch. Afterdusting skin with body powder or cornstarch, apply warm wax with a wooden spatula. Allow mixture tocool for a few seconds, then remove quickly with a light tapping. Sooth with cream or aloe vera gel.

Home-made Hot Oil Hair Treatment

Combine 1 teaspoon soybean oil and 2 teaspoons castor oil. Warm on low heat. Massage mixture intoscalp and hair. Wrap hair in a hot towel for 15 minutes. Shampoo and rinse.

Home-made Hair Styling Alternatives

Mix together 2 cups boiling water, and 1 teaspoon powdered gelatin in 1 teaspoon vinegar. Strainthrough coffee filter and put in sprayer bottle.

Home-made Lemon Hair Spray- Squeeze juice of 1 medium lemon into 2 cups of water. Slice up lemon peel and add. Boil slowly

until reduced to 1 cup. Strain and pour into spray bottle. Keep in fridge. For extra hold use 1 1/2 lemons.

Home-made Flax Seed Gel

- Boil 2 tablespoons of flax seed in 1/3 cup water for 10 minutes. Rub through hair, sparingly.

Home-made Acrylic Nails

Sally Hansen Nail Buffer and Groomer

This can be used instead of nail polish - your nails look very shiny and smooth, like you have a coat ofclear polish on them.

Home-made Dandruff Remedy



Wet hair and rub in a handful of dry baking soda, then rinse.

Hair Spray

1 chopped lemon (or 1 orange for dry hair), 2 cups pure hot water, 1 ounce vodka. Place lemon and hotwater in a pot, and boil until only half remains. Cool and strain. Place in a fine spray bottle and test onhair. If too sticky, add more water. Store in the refrigerator, or add 1 ounce vodka per cup of hair spray asa preservative (with vodka, hair spray may be stored un-refrigerated for up to two weeks).

Homemade Jewelry Cleaning

Rub a small amount of toothpaste on jewelry with finger, rinse well and polish with a soft cloth.

Home-made Eye Makeup Remover Alternative

Makeup tends to be fat soluble so it can be removed with various natural oils or just soap and water.

Try these homemade makeup remover alternatives. These will save money and are healthier than storebought products such as Oil of Olay, Ponds, Victoria's Secret, Mary Kay, Avon or Neutragena Makeup

Remover

1 Tbs castor oil, 1 Tbs light olive oil, 1 tsp vegetable oil (sunflower, safflower etc). Blend ingredients, Useto remove makeup around the eyes.

Natural, easy, and cheap homemade makeup removers:

Dip a cotton ball in Jojoba oil, or Vaseline (great homemade Mascara Remover), or Baby Oil, orGrapeseed, or Olive Oil, or Coconut Oil, or all natural Witch Hazel mixed with Olive Oil or Almond Oil.

Try Baby Wipes or Baby Shampoo to remove your makeup and Mascara if you already have thoseproducts in the house.

Skin Freshener/Soother

Add pulp-free aloe vera juice to water in a spray bottle and spritz arms, legs, back and face.

Astringents/After Shaves

Try Witch Hazel diluted in Isopropyl Alcohol (keep out of reach of children).

Home-made Skin Astringents and Toners

Option 1:

Lettuce leaves, Water. Boil green lettuce leaves for 10 minutes in enough water to cover. Let cool and

strain.

Option 2:

Vodka, Strong chamomile or mint tea. Mix 1 part vodka with 9 parts strong chamomile or mint tea.

Option 3:

6 cup pure water, 2 tablespoons vodka, ¾ cup borax. Combine ingredients in a blender until borax isdissolved.



Option 4:

¼ cup lemon juice, ¼ cup lime juice, ¼ cup pure water, ¼ cup vodka. Blend ingredients. Strain to removepulp.

Option: 5

Mix equal amounts of water and organic apple cider vinegar.

Option: 6 Home-made Herbal Toner for Dry Skin

1/4 cup aloe vera gel1/4 cup rose hydrosol (rose water)6 drops rose geranium essential oil1 drop chamomile essential oil1 drop jasmine essential oil

Mix aloe vera and essential oils in a glass bottle. Then add hydrosol (rose water).

Option: 7

Homemade Healing Toner for Sensitive Skin

1/4 cup rose hydrosol (rose water)2 tablespoons witch hazel4 drops rose essential oil2 drops yarrow essential oil

Mix essential oils with witch hazel in a glass bottle. Then add hydrosol (rose water).

Option: 8

Homemade Chamomile Astringent for Acne

1 cup witch hazel20 drops tea tree oil1/2 cup chamomile tea

Mix oil and witch hazel in a glass bottle. Add chamomile tea.

Easy Homemade Organic Skin Care Product Recipes

You can save hundreds or thousands of dollars and your health too with this huge collection of Quick AndEasy Diy Organic Anti-aging Skin Care Recipes.

Homemade Bath Products

Epsom Salts - follow package directions

Milk Bath - Add one quart of milk to tub, or 2 cups of instant powdered milk.

Soothing Bath - Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to bath water.

Bath Oils - any of the following1/2 tsp. coconut oil



1 –2 tsp. purified castor oil1-2 tsp. almond oil or other oil of your choice

Homemade Body and Massage Oil Alternatives

Any plain vegetable or nut oil can be used.

In a glass jar, combine 30 grams of fresh or dried herbs with 2 cups of oil (almond, jojoba, avocado,safflower, etc). Set out in sun on a warm day or warm on low heat for several hours. Strain. Or, add 4 to 8drops of essential oil to 1 liter of oil. Let stand for 2 weeks, shaking daily.

Home-made Body Powder Alternatives

Home-made Skin Cleansers

Homemade Oatmeal Skin CleanserProcess rolled oats in a blender until fine. Massage a small amount into wet skin, then rinse.

Home-made Citrus Skin Cleansing Milk

1/2 cup plain yogurt1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice1 tablespoon jojoba oil (or other oil)

Blend yogurt and lemon juice. With blender running, slowly add oil. Pour into jar and add essential oil.Massage a small amount into skin and rinse.

Homemade Deodorizing Powder

1/2 cup baking soda1/2 cornstarch1/2 cup arrowroot powder8 drops peppermint essential oil

Combine baking soda, cornstarch and arrowroot. Add essential oil and stir well. Let sit 24 hours minimum.Store in glass container.

Homemade Lavender Bath Powder

1 cup cornstarch1/2 cup rice flour1/4 cup lavender flowers, finely crushed4 drops lavender essential oil

Mix well. Let sit 24 hours minimum. Store in glass jar.

Homemade Spice Bath Powder

1 cup cornstarch1/2 teaspoon each of ground cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg

Mix dry ingredients. Add oil and stir well.

Home-made Deodorant and Anti-Perspirent Alternatives

Pat baking soda under arms after showering. Skin should be slightly damp, but not wet. If too



abrasive,mix with cornstarch or white clay.

Dab well steeped black tea onto skin.

Try mineral deodorant crystals commonly used in Europe - they have natural anti-biotic properties whichhelp to reduce odor causing bacteria.

Home-made Facial Masks and Steam Baths

Homemade Oatmeal and Honey Mask

1/2 cup oatmeal2 tablespoons honey

Mix together. Leave on face at least 30 minutes.

Home-made Astringent Blemish MaskDrop oil into clay powder, mix well. Add vinegar. Make a smooth paste. Immediately spread on face andleave for 15 to 30 minutes.

Home-made Meringue Mask

2 egg whites1 Vitamin E capsule

Combine ingredients and whip until stiff. Spread on face, allow to dry, rinse.

Home-made Lip Gloss/Balm/Protector

Plain vegetable or nut oil.

Lotion, Cream, Moisturizer

Shea Butter is especially good for dry skin and skin high in melanin (natural pigment).

Talcum Powder

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT TALCUM POWDER: There is much controversy surrounding Talcum Powderwhich is chemically very similar to Asbestos. There is much evidence suggesting respiratory problemsparticularly in babies resulting from Talcum Powder inhalation. There also may be a correlation toCervical Cancer in women using Talcum Powder. Talcum powder is inorganic meaning it is mineral andwill not degrade like an organic ingredient such as oat flour.

Bottom line, I'd avoid it at all costs, all finely divided powders are inhalation hazards particularly for babieswho's lungs are still developing - the lungs are designed to deal with gases not solids!

Use cornstarch, rice starch or oat flour on skin.

Homemade Shaving Cream / Gel

Use skin cream in place of shaving cream.

Use organic Jojoba Oil to shave with. Jojoba is very similar to our skin oils and is a great moisturizer.

Aloe Vera Gel- Replace shaving cream with 100% aloe vera gel. Purchase commercial aloe vera gel, or use aloe vera



gel from your house plants. Cut open leaf and rub on skin.

How to Make Home-made Soap

Want to know ALL the secrets of making the best homemade natural soap? You will LOVE this handmade soap how-to video.

Back to Top

the frugal grapleaf divider for easy home-made dental and home-made oral

Home-made Dental and Oral Hygiene Alternatives

Home-made Denture Cleaners

Option 1:

Soak in 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and water, mixed half and half.

Option 2:

Soak in a mixture of a quarter teaspoon of tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) and a half glass of water. Rinsewell.

Home-made Mouthwash Alternatives

1 tsp of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide in 1/4 cup water1/2 teaspoon baking soda in 1/4 cup waterSalted warm water

Homemade Mouthwash Recipe:10 Drops tea tree oil (approx 1/10 tsp or .5 ml)2 drops myrh, 12 drops emulsifier, 1 liter purified water. Fora better taste add 7 drops peppermint oil and 7 drops emulsifier.

Add to emulsifier jar, then add essential oils. Blend well. Add one liter of purified or distilled water tobottle.

Home-made Toothpaste Alternative

Brush with plain baking soda or salt.Brush with 2 parts baking soda and 1 part salt mixed to a fine powder in a blender.Herbal toothpaste:Soak 1 teaspoon of dried Irish moss in 1 cup of spring water for 15 minutes. Bring to a boil and boil 15

minutes. Strain gel through cheesecloth and add 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon soda, a few drops ofchlorophyll.

Back to Top

the frugal grapleaf divider for easy home-made feminine hygiene alternatives

Home-made Feminine Hygiene Alternatives

Douches

One teaspoon baking soda in 2 cups of water.One and one-half teaspoons of vinegar mixed in 1 quart of water.



Back to Top

the frugal grapleaf divider for easy homemade maintenance

Miscellaneous Home Maintenance

Home-made Glues

Option 1:

6 tablespoons gum arabic, 1 cup water, ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons natural glycerin. Dissolve gum arabic inwater, add glycerin, and mix well. Apply to both surfaces with a toothpick or tongue depressor. Holdtogether for 5 minutes. Make fresh batch each time.

Option 2:

4 tablespoons wheat flour, 6 tablespoons cold water, 1 ½ cups boiling water. Blend flour into enough coldwater to make a smooth paste. Boil water and stir into flour mixture until mixture is translucent. Use whencold.

Option 3:

3 tablespoons cornstarch, 4 tablespoons cold water, 2 cups boiling water. Blend cornstarch and coldwater to make a smooth paste. Stir paste into boiling water, continue to stir until mixture becomestranslucent. Use when cold.

Home-made Bleach Alternatives

Use vinegar or baking soda as a substitute.

Homemade Air Freshener

Set potpourri or fresh oranges with cloves in a dish.

Homemade Car Wash Soap

The simplest home-made car wash soap is to use liquid dishsoap like Palmolive or Ajax which is verycheap and can be diluted to last a long time.

Another cheap homemade car washing soap + homemade bug remover is to make a paste with dishsoap and baking soda. The baking soda is a good abrassive cleaner even on chrome and the dishsoaphelps to remove bug oils, road tar, or motor oil spots.

You can also try the following homemade car wash soap recipe:3 cups grated castille soap, ½ cup sodium lauryl sulfate, 3 cups boiling water, 1 tablespoon borax, 1

tablespoon balsam fir essential oil (optional). Dissolve castille soap and sodium lauryl sulfate in boilingwater; add borax and essential oil and mix well.

Upholstery Cleaner and Rug Shampoo

4 cups water, 1 cup white vinegar, 3 tablespoons sodium lauryl sulfate, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1teaspoon lavender essential oil (optional), 1 teaspoon ginger essential oil (optional). Mix all ingredientstogether and fill a hand-held rug/upholstery shampoo bottle half full. Shake the bottle vigorously andshampoo furniture using small circular motions. Scrub sudsy area well.



Home-made Laundry Detergent

Homemade Laundry Detergent Option 2:

Carpet Deodorizer

Baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda liberally on area for treatment. Wait fifteen minutes or longer, thenvacuum. Repeat if necessary. Carpet should be completely dry before application. Please note: severalpounds of baking soda are needed for a nine-by-twelve-foot room.

Removing Grease Spots from Walls

Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply thick paste to the grease stain and let it dry. Brush theresidue off with a soft brush or cloth.

Back to Top

the frugal grapleaf divider for easy automotive products

Home-made Automotive Products

Home-made Windshield Cleaner

Club soda. Spray on the windshield and wipe dry. Not recommended for use in the vehicle'swindshield-spray reservoir because it could freeze.

Homemade Battery Cleaner (Removes built-up acid)

Baking soda, Water. Sprinkle baking soda onto battery terminals. Spritz with water to dampen. Let set forabout one hour. Sponge off with water. Air dry.

Home-made Cleaning Polish (shiny, protective finish similar to wax)

½ cup flakes of grated hand soap, ½ cup water, ½ ounce beeswax, ½ cup jojoba. Mix soap flakes andwater in a bowl or jar and allow the soap to dissolve over night. Combine the beeswax and jojoba in adouble boiler over medium heat until the wax is melted. Remove from the heat and add the soapy water.Mix with an electric hand mixer until creamy. Dab some onto a soft cloth, then buff to a shine with a softcloth. Excess polish can be stored in a container for future use.

Home-made Vinyl Smell Reducer and Natural Home-made Engine Degreaser

¼ cup washing soda, 1 gallon warm water. Dissolve washing soda in warm water. Saturate a sponge withthe mixture and wash the vinyl or pour on engine areas that need de-greasing. Rinse homemadedegreaser off thoroughly. Excess should not be stored -- discard all leftovers.

Homemade Leather Wash

¼ cup vodka, ¼ cup distilled vinegar, 3-4 drops of jojoba or olive oil. Combine all ingredients in container.Shake to blend. Pour mixture onto a soft rag and rub into leather. Do not rinse.

Home-made Bug Remover

½ cup baking soda

Home-made Liquid soap



Combine baking soda with enough liquid soap to make a paste. Scoop the paste onto a sponge andscrub over splattered bugs until they are loosened. Rinse well. Safe to use on painted surfaces andchrome.

the frugal grapleaf divider for homemade household products ingredient list.

Complete Ingredients List for All the Above Homemade Recipes

Mountain Rose Herbs is my favorite source for the organic essential oils and herbal ingredients listedbelow:Organic herbs, spices, teas and oils.

Almond OilAloe Vera GelAloe Vera JuiceApple Cider VinegarArm and Hammer Super Washing SodaArrowroot Powder

Avocado OilBaking SodaBalsam Fir Essential OilBaby OilBay LeavesBeeswaxBlack TeaBoraxBrewer's YeastChamomile TeaCastille Bar SoapCastille Liquid SoapCastor Oil

Chamomile Essential OilCheeseclothChlorophyllCinnamonCitronella Essential OilClay PowderClovesClub SodaCoconut OilCornstarchCream of TartarDiatomaceous Earth (food grade only)Distilled Water

EmulsifierEpsom SaltsEucalyptus Essential OilFels-Naptha SoapFlax SeedGelatinGeranium Essential OilGingerGinger Essential OilGlycerin



Grapefruit Essential OilGum ArabicHennaHoneyHydrogen PeroxideHydrosolIrish MossIsopropyl Alcohol

Jasmine Essential OilJojoba OilLavenderLavender Essential OilLavender FlowersLemon JuiceLemon OilLemon VerbeanaMineral Deodorant Crystals

Mineral OilMyrhNutmegNut OilOat FlourOatmealOlive OilOrange Essential OilOrange PeelsOxiCleanPeppermintPeppermint Essential OilPotpourri

Pumice SoapRice FlourRice StarchRose Essential OilRose Hydrosol (rose water)RosemaryRosemary Essential OilSafflower OilSageSaltShea ButterSodium Laural SulfateSoybean Oil

SugarTea Tree OilTri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP)Vegetable OilVinegarVitamin E CapsulesVodkaWashing SodaWheat FlourWitch Hazel



Yarrow Essential OilZote Bar Laundry Soap

Type the name of an ingredient into the following Amazon search box to learn more and to find somegreat deals on Jojoba Oil, Essential Oils Kits, or any other homemade recipe ingredients:

Back to Top

the frugal grapleaf divider for cheap homemade products

Many more home-made recipes for household products are in my test kitchen pipeline and will be addedsoon.

Do you have any Frugal Living Tips or Home-made Recipes for common household product alternatives?Or do have any Frugal living questions for us? If so, we'd love to hear from you. We invite you to ask ortell here on our Contact Page!

Vintage page decoration.

I Escaped the Rat Race...You Can Too

I owe a big thank you to the phenomenal web business building system called SBI!. Their all-inclusivesystem of tools and step-by-step instructions empowered a complete web newbie like me to create thishigh traffic website based on my passion for frugal living.

They showed me exactly how to forever free myself from the Rat Race just by sharing my hobbies andinterests with the world. Yes, as you'll quickly realize, you definitely can make a living sharing information

about your hobbies or know-how online).

If you are skeptical, click below and explore. You will find many on-going case-studies, interesting shortvideos, and layer upon layer of verifiable proof this CAN work for you too...

Special SiteSell Promotion

I love working from home since I was finally able to fire my boss last year and quit my unhealthywage-slave lifestyle.

No more suits, no more commutes, no more stress from coworkers and bosses, no more rationingprecious little vacation, and no more waking up at 4 am!

My new mission in life is to help you free yourself too and create a more prosperous future. Pleasecontact me with any questions you may have. I'd love to help you build your own home business.

Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you'll return often for all the latest thrifty updates to come.

Sincerely,

Marc A. Smith

(Founder and Editor of Frugalicity.com)



Homemade shampoo for girls who have irritated scalp

Things you will need:

1 1/2 cups of water1 1/2 tablespoons of glycerin4 bags of chamomile tea4 tablespoons of pure soap flakes

1. The first thing you will need to do is to bring the water to boil and place the chamomile tea bags into it.

2. You have to allow the chamomile tea bags to steep for at least ten minutes before you remove it.

3. After that, place the soap flakes into the water.

4. Set the soap flakes and water solution aside to cool.

5. When it is already cool, add glycerin into the soap flakes and water solution.

6. Blend until your homemade shampoo is well mixed.

7. Shampoo as normal.

Homemade shampoo for girls who have dry hair


1 tablespoon of either lemon juice or apple cider vinegar (whichever you have)2 eggs

2 ounces of mineral water

1. You have to whisk all of the ingredients together until it is blended well.

2. After that, you will need to massage your homemade shampoo into your hair and your scalp well.

3. When it is done, rinse the shampoo out using warm and not hot water.

Herbal homemade shampoo


4 tablespoons of liquid castile soap

5 to 6 tablespoons of herbs7 ounces of distilled spring water

You have to use different herbs depending on your hair type. Here are a few to choose from for your hairtype.

For girls who have normal hair, you can use herbs such as chamomile, horsetail, lavender flower, redclover or rosemary.

For girls who have dry hair, you can use herbs such as chamomile, comfrey root or leaf, crushedorange flowers, jojoba oil, lavender flowers or red clover.



For girls who have oil hair, you can use herbs such as lemon grass, nettle leaves, orris root,peppermint leaves, rosemary, sage and tea tree leaves.

And for girls who have dandruff, you can use herbs such as comfrey leaves, lemon grass, nettleleaves or peppermint leaves.

1. You can start your herbal homemade shampoo by boiling the water and placing the herbs into it.

2. Allow your solution to steep for about 20 to 30 minutes

3. After that, strain the water to take out chunks of the herbs. You can also use a strainer or acheesecloth to place the herbs you are going to use before placing them into the water.

4. Add in the liquid castile soap into your solution and then mix it well.5. Allow your herbal homemade shampoo to cool and shampoo as normal.

Homemade Cleaners - Cleaning Products - pg2

ReferBookmark and Share

Candles, Telephones

Sponge with a piece of cotton dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Carpet Freshener

Combine 3/4 cup baking soda, 2 tbsp corn starch, and 1/4 cup perfumed talcum powder. Sprinkle on drycarpet, let stand 5 to 15 minutes, then vacuum.

Cobwebs

For hard to reach spots, slip a sock over the end of a yardstick and secure with a rubber band, thensweep the area. This method works well for cleaning under radiators and refrigerators also.

Pet Urine

Dab area with toweling, wash with suds of liquid dish detergent, and rinse with 1/2 cup vinegar diluted in 1qt warm water. Lay towels or paper towels over the spot and weight down to absorb excess moisture. Letstand 4 to 6 hours, then remove toweling, brush up nap and allow to dry completely. To speed drying, usean electric fan.

Ovens

Fill a small glass bowl with 1/2 cup full-strength ammonia, place in oven and close. Let stand overnight,then wipe loosened dirt with paper towels or newspapers. If necessary, rub surfaces with a suitableabrasive, such as fine steel wool, then wash with warm soapy water and rinse. Repeat process ifnecessary.

Homemade Window Glass Cleaner

1/2 cup vinegar to 1 gallon of water (or 2 tablespoons per quart) OR1/2 cup sudsy ammonia to 1 gallon water (or 2 tablespoons per quart)



OR

1/2 cup sudsy ammonia 2 cups rubbing alcohol 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent 1 gallon water(This one is less likely to freeze in cold weather.)

Pots and Pans - Burned, and Crusted,on Foods

Soak or boil a solution of 2 tbsp baking soda per qt of water in each pan. Let stand until particles areloosened, then wash as usual. Use a mild or moderate abrasive if necessary.

Discolored Aluminum

Heat a solution of 1 tbsp vinegar per qt of water or 2 tsp cream of tartar per qt of water in each pan untildiscoloration disappears.

Grease

Rub greasy spots with a mild or moderate abrasive, such as fine steel wool, and a dish detergent untilthey disappear.

Stained No-Stick Cookware

To remove stains from no-stick surfaces, pour a solution of 1 cup water, 2 tbsp baking soda and 1/2 cupchlorine bleach into the pan and simmer 5 to 10 minutes. Do not allow mixture to boil or to boil over theside of the pan. Wash in hot soapy water, rinse and dry. Apply a light coating of cooking oil. (Note: Thisformula may fade dark-colored surfaces.)

Drains

To keep drains clear, flush daily with scalding water. For grease buildup, dissolve 1 lb washing soda in 3gal boiling water and pour down drain. To avoid burns from boiling water, hold water container close todrain and pour slowly and directly into drain. For heavy grease buildup, use a commercial drain opener.

Exercise extreme caution when using and follow label instructions exactly. (Commercial drain openerscan be used to clear hair buildup from bathroom drains, also.)

Disinfectant/Mildew Remover

Dilute 3/4 cup chlorine bleach in 1 gal of water. Apply to tile and grout and scrub; wipe shower stall andcurtain; rinse thoroughly.

Fixtures

To clean stainless steel, chrome, fiberglass, ceramic, porcelain or enamel fixtures, dissolve 2 tbsp bakingsoda in 1 qt of water.

Rust Stain and Hard Water Deposit Remover

Apply full-strength vinegar or lemon juice and let stand until spot disappears, then rinse. Repeat ifnecessary.

Soap Scum

Apply baking soda dry or as a thick paste, rub vigorously with a wet sponge, then rinse.

Toilet Bowl



Pour 1/4 cup full strength chlorine bleach OR 1/2 cup full strength ammonia into bowl. DO NOT USEBOTH. Swish with a bowl brush and flush.

Combs and Brushes

Fill a basin with hot water, and add either 2 tbsp ammonia OR 1 tsp liquid dish detergent. Drop in combsand brushes and soak 10 minutes, then use combs to clean brushes. Rinse thoroughly and airdry.Homemade Cleaners

By Tawra Kellam

ReferBookmark and Share

Here are some tips for using and making your own household cleaners from Dining On A DimeCookbook. Most are simple and only take a few minutes to mix.

NEVER MIX AMMONIA AND BLEACH! Mixing these chemicals creates a harmful gas that can be fatal!

If you don't want to make your own cleaning supplies either purchase the store brands at your dollar storeat bulk at a janitor supply.

Buy 1 gallon of bubble bath and use instead of liquid hand soap. It is much cheaper and smells betterthan regular hand soap.

Read the labels on any cleaning product you buy, even on common products that you, your mom andgrandmother have used for years. For example for generations women have used ammonia to disinfecttheir kitchens, but ammonia is not a disinfectant, it is a de-greaser. It works great for that greasy grimybuild-up on floors, but it isn't actually disinfecting anything.

Mark your cleaning pail with fingernail polish to indicate the levels of water you usually use for your jobs

(i.e. 1/2 gal., 1 gal.) That way you don't waste water.

When using cleansers, tear the tab back only part way. Then you only get half as much cleanser so thatyou don't wash as much unused cleanser down the drain.

Save on spray cleaners. Spray the solution on a rag and then wipe. This way the extra spray cleaner isnot wasted and you save time by not having to rinse off the over spray.

Use fabric softener sheets to dust furniture and television screens. The sheets make your furniture smellgood, but more importantly, eliminate static so dust won't be attracted to these surfaces.

All purpose/Window Cleaner

1/2 cup ammonia2 cups rubbing alcoholwater1 tsp. dishwashing liquid

In a one-gallon container, mix ammonia and rubbing alcohol. Fill almost to the top with water. Adddishwashing liquid and mix. Top off with water. Rated by Consumer Reports Magazine to work much



better (and much cheaper) than most commercial window and kitchen sprays. Alcohol is the secretingredient - it's what commercial window washers use.*Safe on most, but not all, household surfaces.

I use this to clean almost everything from the bathroom to the window. This the main cleaner I use in myhouse.

Ready Mop Cleaner Refill

1 gallon water1 cup ammonia1/2 cup vinegarwater

Mix ingredients and pour use in your mops instead of buying commercial cleaner.

Tip: Use a piece of scrap fleece, scrap flannel or micro-fiber towels (purchased at automotive stores) toreplace your SwiferTM or Clorox Ready MopTM disposable pads. Cut several to size to have on hand.When soiled throw in the wash and launder as usual. Note: Don't use ammonia on wood floors. Just usevinegar and water or water and Murphy's oil soap.

Daily Shower Cleaner

1/4 cup concentrated cleaner (Lysol is a good brand)1/2 cup isopropyl alcoholwater

Pour cleaner and alcohol into quart spray bottle. Add enough water to fill. Thoroughly clean showerbefore using. Spray on shower daily. Use daily to prevent water deposits and soap scum.

Homemade Cleaning Wipes

1 round baby wipe container*

1 roll of paper towels**2-4 cups cleaning solution (homemade is fine)

Recycle a used round baby wipe container. Cut a roll of paper towel in half, (an electric or serrated knifeworks best for this.) Remove the center cardboard. Place 1/2 of the paper towels in the baby wipecontainer. Pour cleaning solution into the container. (The amount will depend of the absorbency of yourpaper towels.) This can be used for window cleaner, all purpose cleaner, or disinfectant cleaner. Pull thefirst paper towel out of the center of the roll, through the hole in the container lid. If the paper towels dryout before they are all used add more solution or some water.

*If you don't have a baby wipe container, you can use a round plastic container and just drill or punch alarge hole in the center of the lid.

**It is best to use expensive, thick paper towels. The cheap ones won't hold up to scrubbing.

Face/Hand Wipes

2 tablespoons liquid baby bath2 cups water

Bathroom Wipes

1/2 cup pine cleaner



2 cups water

Window Wipes

1 cup glass cleaner1 1/2 cups water

Outdoor Window Washer

3 Tbsp. liquid dishwashing soap1 Tbsp. anti-spotting agent (Jet DryTM)

Put soap and anti-spotting agent into a spray bottle attachment for your garden hose. Spray upperwindows and let them dry. This is for cleaning the higher windows on your house that you can't reachexcept with a ladder.

Tough Hand Cleaner

1/4 cup Fels Naptha*, grated2 Tbsp. mason’s sand or pumice

1 cup water2 cup plastic container (16 oz. cottage cheese container works great)

Place soap and water in a saucepan. Place over low heat; stir until soap is melted. After mixture cools,add mason's sand or pumice. Store in a cottage cheese container or margarine tub. Dip fingers into soapmixture and lather hands. Rinse well.

*Any grated bar of soap will work but Fels Naptha removes the stains better.

Skunk Smell Remover

1 qt. hydrogen peroxide1/4 cup baking soda

1 tsp. dish detergent

Sponge on and let dry. Safe for use on cats and dogs.

Author:

Documents

Homemade Household