HOW TO MAKE: Facial Cleanser

When my oldest child started to hit puberty she began trying out different products to help control acne.  I saw a segment on the news talking about a study of cosmetic products and the toxins that we put on our skin everyday, especially teen girls.  I went to the website and read the study for myself (http://www.ewg.org/reports/teens). 

They have examined and reported the ingredients to thousands of everyday products like shampoo, lotion, etc., and rate them on their safety.  I used their search bar to look up the products from we had in our home and ended up throwing away 3 laundry baskets full of products!  (http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/)

After my "cleanup", I had to replace the questionable products with safer options.  This is what started my whole focus on being naturally homemade.  I have found that not only do we save money, but we feel better too.

So here is my recipe for FACIAL CLEANSER.

Ingredients:

empty 8oz. bottle with lid
5oz. Rubbing Alcohol (I use 70% )
3oz. Aloe Vera Juice
15-20 drops Tea Tree Oil


Pour the ingredients into your bottle.  Then I use a cotton pad to wipe across my face.  *Be sure to avoid your eye area.  If you have more stubborn acne you can increase the alcohol and tea tree oil.  If you have dry skin increase the aloe vera juice.  It is really that simple and this recipe really works!

I hope you are seeing the pattern here....you only need a handful of ingredients to make dozens of products.  Think of it like stocking your pantry with the essentials, like flour and sugar!

Thanks for reading!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Well, here it is, my favorite recipe!  I haven't bought Laundry Detergent in over 2 years and we have tried several different versions.  The first one is my ALL TIME favorite.  I have a very large family and we have normal wear and tear on our clothes.  All 3 laundry soap recipes are mild for those of us with allergies and still work hard enough to keep us clean.   We have a septic system and the homemade detergents listed here are septic safe.  I have researched the detergent needs for those of you with front loaders, and these are exactly what you need, a low sudzing detergent.  So get out your grater and get ready for some good clean fun!

Recipe #1 POWder Laundry Soap:

1 box Borax- 4 lbs. 12 oz. (sodium tetraborate)

1 large box- 4 lbs. Arm and Hammer Baking Soda  (sodium bicarbonate)

1 container Oxygen Cleaner-3.5 lbs. like "Oxiclean" or "Sun" (sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate)

2 bars natural Soap (like Ivory, or 1/3 bar of Zote, or 1/3 bar of Fels Naptha)

Grate the soap with a grater. 

Spread the soap out to dry.

(I let mine dry on a cookie sheet) Then you put the soap through your food processor.  Mix all  4 ingredients into a five gallon bucket.  I use the scoop from the Oxiclean container to measure with.  Use 1-2 scoops per load depending on size and stains.

That's it!!!  It works great, is super effective and saves some serious dough!  The ingredients I purchased above cost around $7.50 and it will wash around 75 loads of clothes.  I make it in double batches about every 2 months and we are a family of nine.

#2 RECIPE for Powdered Laundry Detergent:

2 cups Baking Soda
2 cups Borax
1/2 cup liquid castile soap
2 cups white Vinegar
(This was a fun recipe the kids loved to help with.  When you mix the ingredients you get the "volcano" bubbling effect so be sure to add them in small batches in your bucket)!

Mix together the Baking Soda and Borax.  Then, add the liquid castile soap.  Slowly add the vinegar until it is all mixed in.  This makes a thick paste at first and dries into hard rock-like pieces. Keep stirring and mix completely.  After the mixture dries break up any lumps, it is pretty easy.  I used 1/4 cup per full load and it works great.

*we made this one just a few times for fun and then went back to Recipe #1, because it was easier and less messy.


RECIPE #3 Liquid Laundry Soap:

1/3-1/2 Bar of Zote or Fels Naptha (grated)
1/2 cup Borax
1/2 cup Oxiclean or "Sun" oxygen cleaner
2 gallons of water
Bucket

Grate your soap.  Pour 1/2 gallon of water into a large pot and bring to a boil.  Add the soap and stir until melted.  Meanwhile pour the other 1 and 1/2 gallons of water into your bucket.  Add the melted soap and water to the bucket and then stir in the Borax and Oxyclean, mixing well.    Let it set for 24 hours.  It will turn into a pink gel.  (The kids loved to squish it through their fingers the next day!)  Use 1/2 cup per load.  It is very cost effective, about $.02 per load, but it is very time consuming and messy.

***There are many MANY more recipes out there.  Search for "homemade laundry soap", "how to make laundry detergent", etc.  Experiment and have fun!  You can't lose when you know what is in your household products! 

Do you have a recipe to share or a question to ask?  Click on comment below....

*The above ingredients can all be bought locally.  I have added an Amazon link to them if you have trouble finding something or just want to see what I am talking about (the words highlighted in blue).  Of course Walmart, your local Grocery Store, or Discount Store, like Big Lots will save you money.

Next up will be.....how to make your own Fabric Softener!  Don't miss it!