If you are looking for a super simple DIY that's cheap, easy, and can help take care of odors without endangering your health, read on!
I'l be honest, I'm not a huge DIY kinda person, but there are certain things that are so easy to make and so inexpensive compared to what you can buy (and not a hindrance to your health) that even I make them-lol.
This is one of those things:
DIY Air Freshener
You will need:
A clean glass jar with a lid that you can poke holes in. I like to recycle my jelly jars. Mason jars, baby food jars, peanut butter jars, pickled ginger jars...you get the idea, any jar will do! worst case scenario, you can buy jars on Amazon.
Baking soda-enough to fill the jar.
Essential Oil(s) of your choice(remember quality matters, use premium essential oils (not sure if ya have premium oils? Ask your essential oil company the following questions:
I like and use Young Living Essential Oils! In fact, I’ve been to several of their farms and actually helped plant trees! With their Seed To Seal guarantee, you know you’re getting premium and pure essential oils for the health and safety of you and your four legged kids! To check them out, click HERE (This is an affiliate link and I earn a small commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting my small business!)
Now simply add baking soda to whatever jar you have, add essential oils (maybe 20 drops to half cup baking soda, but feel free to use less or more, depending on your preference.
Put the lid on and shake well, then take the lid off and poke several holes in it with an ice-pick...ta-da...now you have an air freshener that you can stash in strategic places in your house.
If you want to get really fancy, you could even decorate your jar! Remember to refresh your oils from time to time or when you feel the aroma is less.
I don't know about you, but I like to smell amazing and get that extra boost of confidence from wearing an amazing aroma....without feeling like I'm wearing a toxic cloud and endangering the health of those around me! According to an article published by EWG.org ,“Secondhand scents are also a big concern. One person using a fragranced product can cause health problems for many others.”
Most of the time you don't even know what's in your perfume as makers do not have to disclose all of the ingredients in their products. Many chemicals found in perfumes can be linked with allergic reactions like headaches or coughing. Results published by EWG.org of a study by Campaign For Safe Cosmetics, found results of:
- "Fourteen secret chemicals not listed on labels due to a loophole in federal law that allows companies to claim fragrances as trade secrets."
- "Ten sensitizing chemicals associated with allergic reactions such as asthma, wheezing, headaches and contact dermatitis."
- "Four hormone-disrupting chemicals linked to a range of health effects including sperm damage, thyroid disruption and cancer."
Did you know you can still get that confidence boost from wearing an amazing aroma, without all the chemicals by using essential oils in 3 easy steps...and did you know that if you want to start using essential oils with your horses and dogs, wearing them as a perfume is the easiest and safest way to get started?
Step 1
Roll on or spray? Both work well and are really a matter of personal preference, although a roll on probably lasts a bit longer (use glass bottles, easily and inexpensively, available from Amazon). Grab my free pdf step by step guide to making a roll on HERE...or if you want to try a spray, grab my pdf HERE
Step 2
Pick and add an unscented carrier. For roll on's, I like to use a fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, or vodka. Vodka makes a great emulsifier without any greasy residue. For sprays, vodka or witch hazel works well. Generally 80% carrier and 20% essential oil works well, but feel free to adjust as you see fit. I like to use around 20 drops in 10 ml of carrier for a roll on and 20 drops in 2 ounces for a spray.
Step 3
Pick and add a high quality, premium essential oil or blend a few together. This is important-not all essential oils are created equal and we are wanting a perfume without the chemicals-right?! I like to use Young Living Essential Oils because of their Seed To Seal guarantee.
Just a note about citrus oils....They are inexpensive essential oils and have a very uplifting aroma which makes them great for perfumes, but they can cause photosensitivity (more sensitive to sunlight and can increase sunburn), so make sure to apply in areas that are covered by clothing if you are going outside.
Ta-da...you now have a natural perfume that you can wear with confidence knowing its safe for you and those around you.
Here's a few of my favorite recipes to get you started:
Recipe 1: Floral Elegance
- 10 drops Lavender essential oil
- 5 drops Rose essential oil
- 5 drops Bergamot essential oil
Recipe 2: Citrus Sunshine
- 8 drops Sweet Orange essential oil
- 6 drops Lemon essential oil
- 6 drops Grapefruit essential oil
Recipe 3: Earthy Woods
- 8 drops Cedarwood essential oil
- 6 drops Patchouli essential oil
- 6 drops Sandalwood essential oil
Need a bit more help in creating that perfect blend? Grab my free PDF that'll walk you through it with some additional recipes HERE.
If you have essential oils labeled for ingestion, its super easy to spice up your honey! It only takes a minute to make and adds a super flavor punch. Try oil infused honey in your tea, morning oatmeal, or baking those favorite desserts...
This also makes a great gift! Cute gift jars are readily available on Amazon, or recycle an empty jar you already have and dress it up with bows and ribbons. Make a cute homemade label and tape on the jar. There's a lot of love in a homemade gift!
Easy Peasy Oil Infused Honey
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup honey
- 5-8 drops essential oil that is labeled for ingestion/supplement
- Cinnamon or Lemon are my faves, or try Orange, Lime, Bergamot, or Tangerine
Instructions
Add honey to a 2 oz. galsss jar, add essential oil and stir well.
For more easy recipes that will next level your food using essential oils, join my weekly newsletter HERE
Did you know you need to exfoliate your lips? If you lick your lips and you don't get that velvety feel, it's time to exfoliate. Exfoliate simply means removal of the oldest dead skin of the outermost surface.
Exfoliating your lips will leave them softer, smoother and better able to absorb moisturizing agents and lip balm.
Simply
- Mix a teaspoon of sugar and a teaspoon of olive oil in the palm of your hand, making a paste.
- Gently rub into your lips and leave on 1 minute.
- Gently wipe off with a damp cloth and apply an all natural lip balm
If you want to get fancy and have your lip scrub taste amazing, you can make a larger batch ahead of time using a TBS of olive oil and a TBS of sugar, and add a drop of essential oil. Easy adds would be a drop of Peppermint or Cinnamon.
Once to twice per week of exfoliation is all you need.
These fall inspired recipes below are a few of my faves. The honey or pumpkin gives an extra boost of flavor and moisturization.
1 TBS Coconut Oil
1 TBS Honey
4 TBS Sugar
1 drop Orange essential oil
1 drop Cinnamon
1 drop Clove
1 drop Nutmeg
1 TBS Coconut Oil
1 TBS Pumpkin puree
4 TBS Sugar
2 drops Vanilla Oleoresin
1 drop Cinnamon
1 drop Clove
1 drop Nutmeg
(Due to the pumpkin puree, store this one in the fridge)
This 'Candy Cane' recipe is perfect for gift giving:
Grab some 2 ounce jars on Amazon, then add all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl (stainless steel, glass, or ceramic), mix well, and spoon into your jar. Decorate your jar with some ribbon and apply a label. (Grab my free printable labels HERE-simply download, print out on a regular sheet of paper, then cut out and tape to the jar)
2 TBS Fractionated Coconut Oil
4 TBS Sugar
2 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
2 drops Vanilla Oleoresin
Do you love making things? If DIY is your thing, click HERE for an easy DIY recipe from personal care to home care delivered right to your in-box every week.
I was too.... until I discovered you can use essential oils! I'm not much of a chef, really, I don't cook much at all....which is why I needed somethin' simple to make what little I know how to throw together taste good....and it's easier than ya think!
Essential oils add an incredible boost of flavor to dishes. They can really take your dish up a notch with literally no effort!
Another benefit of using essential oils is that (unlike dried herbs) they last for years when stored properly (dark colored glass, upright, out of direct sunlight and heat). It is recommended that every 6 months you change out your dried herbs due to mold and potency loss.
Because they are so potent, (there are 75 lemons in a 15ml bottle of Lemon essential oil) a little gos a long way, making them super cost effective.
I usually end up throwing out much of the fresh herbs I buy since you have to buy so much and then you use so little. It's also convenient to not have to wash and chop fresh herbs.
Some guidelines for use:
Use stainless steel, ceramic, or glass utensils and cookware as essential oils degrade plastic.
Add the essential oils to salts, other seasonings, or liquid ingredients first to make sure they are distributed evenly throughout the dish.
When possible, such as using in a sauce, add the oils after heating. Essential oils add instant flavor so there is no need to let the"flavor develop". Heating decreases the therapeutic benefits, but don't worry, you will still have all of the flavor if you are baking or unable to add after heating.
A super easy way is to infuse salt or olive oil with essential oils and then use in your dishes as you would use normal salt or oil.
Guidelines for amount:
There is definitely some trial and error involved, so In most cases, you will want to start out with a toothpick swirl. Since the oils are so potent, it is much better to try a little at a time, and add more if needed but you can't take it back if you add a drop and its too much.
Simply insert the end of a clean toothpick thru the hole in the orifice reducer and then swirl in your dish. I like to think of this amount as a dash, so I would use this method if the recipe calls for a dash.
1 drop in general is equal to 1 tsp of extract. The more you add oils to your dishes, the more you will get an idea of how much 1 drop flavors the food.
In general 10 drops is the equivalent to the juice or zest of 1 citrus fruit.
Remember, start slow, you can always add more but once you've added too much, there is no turning back.
Also only use high quality essential oils labeled for supplement use or ingestion. (I use Young Living"s Vitality™ Line which includes 47 essential oils and blends specifically for dietary use.)
I've put together a bundle of my favorite Vitality™ essential oils I use for my dishes and you can grab them HERE!. (This is an affiliate link and I earn a small commission from your order at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting my small business! I'm so excited to help you get started, that I'll connect with you once you order and send you something special!)
Ready to spice up your food? Click HERE for my e-book "Boost Your Flavor" , it'll start ya out right with guidelines for adding essential oils, amounts, substitutions, and a few of my favorite simple recipes all in one handy place!
