Natural Baby Wipes

Using an empty coffee can OR any plastic container with a lid that will fit half a paper towel roll will work for this project! I adjusted the ingredients with what I had on hand. Cost per large container of Baby wipes is under $1 each! Can't beat that!

Things you will need:

• 2 cups distilled water
• 1 TB coconut oil 
• 1 tsp vegetable glycerine
• 1 tsp baby oil (or carrier oil of your choice)
• 8-10 drops lavender essential oil
• empty container-I used an empty protein container or coffee can with lid (spray painted the day before...if desired)
• Strong roll of paper towels

I used this white container because I didn't have to spray paint it. Mix all the liquids together. If the coconut oil is solid then heat up altogether in pan OR microwave for about 30 seconds or until coconut oil is melted.

Cut paper towel in half with a sharp, smooth, non-serrated knife.
Place paper towel half into the plastic container. Pour mixture over the paper towels.

 Pour mixture over the paper towels and wait 5 minutes.
Then pull the center roll out. It comes out VERY easily.

 

After taking the center roll out I took the roll out of the container and squeezed it a little to make it go into the narrower white one. Worked like a charm!

Kitchen and Bathroom cleaning wipes

Kitchen and Bathroom cleaning wipes

I got this idea on FaceBook! It looked super easy and cost effective AND with all natural ingredients, which are all down my alley! This project without spray painting the can took all of 15 minutes to make...and most of that time was used to cut the paper towel roll in half. So, if you work out and have muscles, this could actually take 10 minutes!

What you need:

• ¼ cup vinegar 
• 1 cup distilled water 
• 1 Tbs or capful of Thieves household cleaner  (or natural dish soap) 
• 1 tsp Vegetable Glycerine
• 8-10 drops citrus essential oil (lemon, citrus fresh or orange: your choice)
• strong Paper towel roll
• Bread knife
• Mixing bowl
• Empty coffee can or Tupperware container

 If you want, the day before, you can spray paint your coffee can like I did below.

Instructions:

Cut a roll of paper towels in half, or to the height of your container, with a bread knife. (Use the other half as a replacement roll.) 

Combine the vinegar, water, Thieves household cleaner or dish soap, and essential oil in a mixing bowl, and stir well. 

Cut an X into the lid of your empty coffee can. Spray-paint the color of your choice, (optional), and let dry for at least few hours. 

Slide the half roll into the can, and cover in the liquid. Let it soak in thoroughly before removing the cardboard roll in the center (about 5 minutes). Pull the center up and push it through the X slit in the lid. Snap on the lid and pull the first wipe out. 

Enjoy your nontoxic cleaning wipes!

Body Bar -for moisture OR pain relief

2 kinds of Body Bars - for moisturizing OR pain relief

As you can see the ingredients needed for a moisture bar is similar to what is needed for a pain relief bar. So, that's why we tackled both in the same session. I made several of each kind so they will last me a while or I can gift some to those who need them.

Moisture Bar Ingredients

•  1 cup coconut oil
• 1 cup shea butter, cocoa butter or mango butter (or a mix of all three)
• 1 cup beeswax
• Optional: 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
• Essential oil of your choice-10-20 drops

Moisture Bar Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients (except essential oils if using) in a double boiler, or a glass bowl over a smaller saucepan with 1 inch of water in it. UPDATE: Combine in a quart size glass mason jar with a lid instead and place this in a small saucepan of water until melted. This will save your bowl and you can just designate this jar for these type of projects and not even need to wash it out…
2. Turn the burner on and bring water to a boil. Stir ingredients constantly until they are melted and smooth:
3. Remove from heat and add the essential oils.
4. Gently stir by hand until essential oils are incorporated.
5. Carefully pour into molds or whatever you will be allowing the lotion bars to harden in. I used these silicone baking cups, though any mold would work.
6. Allow the lotion bars to cool completely before attempting to pop out of molds. These could be made in different shaped molds for different holiday gifts (hearts for valentines, flowers for Mother’s day, etc.) or made in a square baking pan and then cut into actual bars.

Note: This recipe can be adjusted to make any quantity that you’d like. I made with equal 1 cup measurements. The recipe I used made exactly 12 lotion bars with my molds. For a small batch, this recipe could be cut in half or even one fourth.

Pain Relief Bar ingredients:

(These smell excellent and work wonders on sore or tired muscles!)

• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/3 cup shea butter, cocoa butter or mango butter
• 1/3 cup beeswax
• 1 tablespoon Menthol Crystals
• 10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil + 10 drops of Panaway Essential Oil
• 1/2 teaspoon Arnica Oil (optional)

Pain Relief bar/stick instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a quart size glass mason jar and carefully place this jar in a small saucepan of water on the stove.
2. Turn the burner on and bring water to a low simmer. Stir ingredients constantly until they are melted and smooth.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the menthol crystals and stir until dissolved.
4. Add essential oils and arnica oil (optional) and stir until mixed.
5. Carefully pour into molds or whatever you will be allowing the lotion bars to harden in. I used these empty deodorant containers (I got on Amazon), though any mold would work.
6. Allow the lotion bars to cool completely before attempting to pop out of molds. These could be made in different shaped molds or made in a square baking pan and then cut into actual bars.