Cloth Baby Wipe Solution

I failed at cloth wipes with my first baby.  Poor L had to get used to the Costco wipes I eventually settled on, but I really wish I had stuck with it.  If I set my mind to it, I can stick with just about anything.  Well...maybe that's a stretch.  There are things I thought I set my mind to that I've given up on.  But anyway, I was determined to cloth diaper, and cloth diaper I did!  I knew using cloth wipes would be simple to wash and reuse, but I never got my solution down, and the spray each wipe method I was using just didn't work for me.  I never got the wipe evenly wet and I often ended up with a mess.  This time, I decided to dedicate my wipes warmer to the cloth wipes and try different batches until I get it right!  I'm about ready for my second experiment, but I'm going to blog the first so that I have it for reference.  Here goes...

Cloth Baby Wipe Solution

1 cup witch hazel

2 T aloe vera

3 T oil (grapeseed)

1 T vitamin E oil

4 drops lavender essential oil

4 drops tea tree essential oil

This makes about 1 1/2 cups and I divide it in half to add to my wipes with about a cup of filtered water each time.  The problems I'm encountering is how to get the wipes evenly wet with the oils distributed throughout since oil and water don't mix.  I may need to look into emulsifiers.  (It's really strange that I'm using any type of science-y vocabulary.  I was a good student, but BAD at science.)  Attempt number two probably coming tomorrow since I'm almost out of wipes!!

Hand Sanitizer

I forgot to post this recipe when I made it over the summer.  I made it exactly from this blog http://www.diynatural.com/how-to-make-natural-hand-sanitizer/ except I used Rosemary instead of Lavender and did about 1/4 recipe to fit into a three oz bottle.  This is one of my favorites that I've made.  It is much more moisturizing, and I can tell that it is healthier for my hands than commercial hand sanitizers.

For my own personal recipe collection, the ingredients are:

10 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
1 tsp Witch Hazel
1/4 cup Aloe Vera gel
A few drops vitamin E oil

**Edited 5/1/15 to drop Rosemary EO. I now recommend adding a few extra drops of something like cedarwood or patchouli that are considered safe for kids. Check out planttherapy.com for the essential oils I use.

Natural Deodorant Without Baking Soda

Making my own deodorant was one of my first DIY semi-failures.  When it worked, it worked great!  I noticed less sweat and odor, but unfortunately my skin periodically reacts to it.  I did a little research and found out that I am not alone.  Some people have success with omitting baking soda and doubling the arrowroot powder.  I was a little hesitant because I know that baking soda absorbs scent and moisture, so I tried to ignore the reaction and I’ve used the deodorant with baking soda on and off for months.  I finally got fed up with it, but there is no chance I want to go back to the chemicals in my old deodorant.  The natural store-bought deodorants haven’t worked well either, so clearly it is time to try making it without baking powder.  I looked at some recipes online and am ready to test my own concoction!

Natural Deodorant Without Baking Soda

1/8 cup shea butter

1/8 cup coconut oil

10 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil

10 drops Grapefruit Essential Oil

Splash of Vitamin E Oil

¼ cup arrowroot powder

I made my own double boiler with a small sauce pan with an inch or so of water.  Inside I used a 2-cup pyrex type glass container that I happen to use to store my deodorant. A 1-cup will definitely work next time, probably even if I double the recipe.  I measured out the shea butter first since it has the hottest melting temp.  As it was melting, I added the coconut oil and heated until completely liquefied.  I added the essential oil next and mixed.  Finally, I added the arrowroot powder and stirred until the powder was completely mixed in.  I planned to take the container off the stove first, but I couldn’t figure out how to get it out of the saucepan without using my fingers!  

I’m typing this as it cools and I’m swirling it around periodically to keep the ingredients mixed.  It smells amazing.  I’m not a grapefruit person, but I recently discovered that I LOVE the scent of grapefruit essential oil.  I can’t wait for it to cool completely so I can try it!!!

Foaming Shaving Soap

Now that I've got two little critters to contend with, simple is everything!  Today, the big one worked on his workbook learning colors and letters while I refilled the homemade wipes solution, my body wash, and tried my new shaving soap recipe!  I hardly ever have time to use this product--someone is always crying for mom or has to leave for work in two minutes and can't watch the critters any longer--but I'll try to test it out in the next day or so.  

Foaming Shaving Soap
1/4 cup liquid castille soap
1/4 cup filtered water
1/4 cup aloe vera gel
3 tsp oil (must be liquid at room temp)
1 tsp vitamin E oil (natural preservative)
Essential oil drops for fragrance if desired
foaming soap bottle (6-8oz)

Add ingredients to soap bottle and shake to combine.

See, that was easy!  Now, to spend the rest of the time hunting for a good price on more liquid castille soap since I'm almost out, and I need it before I run out of laundry detergent!  Seriously, I do at least one load a day to keep up with my precious family.  And speaking of family, I should really change my profile picture to include baby J.  Add it to the list!