Toothpaste, Shampoo, Conditioner, Facewash/Mask, Deodorant (before I moved it to the Deodorant stick)
Shampoo, Conditioner, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Face Wash, Face Mask, Face Cleanser, OH MY DIY!!! Enter Coconut Oil, Baking Soda, Corn Starch, Water, and optional Peppermint Oil and Tea Tree Oil….and some empty containers or jars. I have concocted and experimented with these every day bath and beauty products, and I have to say I am impressed with the results!
Most of the recipes I found at Natural Living Ideas at their 24 Uses for Baking Soda Article.
As I have mentioned in the past, I have spent some money on hair care products and such, but now I have cut my bill by 90% by just using these few ingredients to replace almost all of my bath expenses! Baking Soda usually costs around $2 for a medium box that is the size like I used. $3-$4 for Apple Cider Vinegar, $2-$4 for Corn Starch, $10-$50 for Coconut Oil, $7-$15 for Essential Oils from Vitacost.com and all of these should last you 6 months- a year to make these mentioned products. I have been using my EOs for over a year and I still have a lot left, despite using it a lot!! Not only do I save money, but I am not putting any of the chemicals found in each of these products in or on my body..or my family’s body for that matter!
First Up, Toothpaste! Did you know that Baking Soda is a natural tooth whitener? It is also kind of grainy feeling, but it is too fine to scratch your pearly whites!
Toothpaste DIY
* 2/3 Cups Baking Soda
*1 teaspoon Himalayan Pink Salt
*Warm Water
*10 drops Peppermint Oil *optional
Second, Mouthwash! This is easier than the toothapaste to make, and again, replaces all those other chemicals with natural ingredients!
Mouthwash DIY
Baking Soda, Water, Container, Optional Peppermint Oil
*4 oz. Warm Water
*1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
*1-2 Drops of Peppermint Oil per 4 oz. of Water used
*Container
Shake well before each use! I doubled this recipe so it will mostly fill the container I am re-using.
Follow your brushing and swishing up with some coconut oil pulling (swish in mouth and in between teeth for 5-20 minutes) and your breath will be better, and it is also rumored to have cavity healing properties. It is als absorbed through your mouth and gives skin a nice moisture treatment.
Check out the other Health & Beauty uses for Coconut Oil in my article, here.
Next up, SHAMPOO and CONDITIONER! I am a freak with my hair. I have even taken up cutting my own hair at home..not as terrible as I thought it would be, and I even learned how to layer! I practice on my girls hair too, no mullets accedentally made in this barber shop! 🙂
SHAMPOO DIY
*16 oz Warm Water
*4 Tablespoon Baking Soda
*Container
Rinse this out of your hair with cool water, or the Conditioner recipe below. This is great for getting any hair product build up, grease, oil, or chlorine out of your hair!
CONDITIONER DIY
*Apple Cider VInegar
*Container *Optional
You could place some ACV in a container, or just plop the whole thing in your shower. Rinse with cool water to help protect your hair from too much heat.
I never knew I had gunk in my hair until I used these DIY recipes. Wow my hair felt so much better after wards! There was a slight vinegar smell, but it was gone after it dried. I used a small amount of coconut oil on the ends of my hair while it was still wet before brushing. This helps lock in the moisturize during the winter and detangle my fine hair:)
Facewash & Mask DIYs are the same exact ingredients, so it is a dual purpose for whichever you want. I like the way my skin feels after using it, very smooth!
FACEWASH/MASK DIY
*Warm Water
*Baking Soda
*Container
*Mix until it makes a paste
What is great about this recipe is that you can use it as a daily face wash and gently massage in a circular motion, or wear it as a mask for 10 minutes to help with blackheads, or spot check on stubborn pimples and let sit for an hour. Rinse with cool water. The little “grainies” scrub your pores and really clean them out! My face is so soft after using this! I will also use a cotton ball with some tea tree oil on it and apply to my face. Tea tree oil does not strip my face of its natural oils like other cleansers, and helps control dryness and my rosacea without using pharmaceutical grade lotions.
Finally the last one, DEODERANT! The one I am really excited about sharing! This is one I have been wanting to make for a long time! I just never had all of the ingredients that I thought I needed, like arrowroot powder. Well, I found a few recipes that used cornstarch! So far, it works great and keeps me and Crab both protected without the nasty aluminum found in most other commercial deodorants. It even lasts through a Shaun T insanity Workout!
DEODORANT DIY
*Plastic Container (for mixing)
*An Old Deodorant Container (optional, but well worth it)
*5 Drops Tea Tree Oil (optional, great for antibacterial effect)
*1/2 Cup Baking Soda
*1/2 Cup Cornstarch
*5 Tablespoons Organic Coconut Oil
My deoderant turned out smelling much like coconut oil, and no hint of tea tree oil. Which is fine, but I do want to try it with Lavender alone, and then Lavender & Tea Tree Oil next. I think it would be best if you want less coconut fragrance and more EO, to use the Refined Coconut Oil. Let me know if you have tried this by commenting below!
When getting ready to pour the deodorant into the old deodorant stick, make sure it is CREAMY texture! I made the mistake of pouring it while it was still liquid and it leaked out the bottom. Creamy/thick is the best texture and just pack it in! The recipe will fill one container. Also, if you travel with this, it ight be a good idea to place in a ziplock bag just in case the coconut oil causes a little melting from heating up.
I hope these DIY recipes show how easy it is to go chemical-free, and save a little bit of money. Please share your successes and recipe mix ups below!
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