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DIY Plaster Aroma Stones for Essential Oils (That Double As Kids Sidewalk Chalk)

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April 2, 2020 By Rebecca D. Dillon 6 Comments

Learn how to make DIY plaster aroma stones for a quick and easy essential oil diffuser. This easy DIY craft project is perfect for the kids to make for Mother’s Day gifts. Plus they can create extras to use themselves. Turns out these essential oil aroma stones actually double as kids sidewalk chalk. So it’s the perfect 2-for-1 activity when you need things to do when bored, or are looking for creative kids crafts to keep your little angelic demons out of your hair. Keep reading to discover how to make my DIY plaster aroma stones for essential oils. Plus easy DIY ideas for kids crafts and activities that I loved as a child.

Last week I got into a groove and started getting crafty. I was going to rock being stuck at home. Unfortunately, it turns out that adult fears outweigh that childhood boredom that kept me entertained as a Gen X latchkey kid. Because my increasing anxiety kicked everything up a notch, including the fibro. And there’s no amount of knocking boots or edibles that can get me back into my magic zen zone.

Everyday is just one day at a time right now. Slowing down and a lot of self care. Hoping things don’t get worse. Worrying that no one I know gets sick. Crossing fingers, legs and toes that my friends who’ve lost their jobs are going to pull through this with some hope (and sanity) left intact. It’s crazy out there. And I’m worried. But I think it’s important to remember that we are not alone. If we stick together as a community and look out for each other, we’ll all be okay. In the meantime, get back to basics by crafting! It’s basically art therapy for stress. (Plus it’ll likely help you cope better than day drinking. Those cortisol spikes cause some pretty wicked insomnia.)

Unplugged Kids Crafts & Activities

I know some of you still have kids at home bored out of their minds. So it can be hard to drag them away from video games and the internet. Since I’m apparently old enough to now be confused with a boomer (Um, hello. My PARENTS are boomers. They are in their 70s.) I have all kinds of ideas for unplugged kids crafts and activities that I did as a child. Because Atari was about as good as it got back then. And I was never great about the whole hand eye coordination thing.

Mix dirt with grass and water to make pinch pot pottery.
Learn about edible weeds and herbs by foraging for salads.
Create an at home restaurant with food, menus and money hand drawn onto paper, then cut out with scissors.
Bake cookies and brownies and grilled cheese.
Make paper dolls.
Attach multiple sheets of paper together with tape, then draw roads on them for toy cars.
Dig up the yard to make roads for toy cars.
Use kids sidewalk chalk to draw roads on the cul-de-sac for biking.
Play dress up with other family members’ clothing, complete with a photo shoot.
Make furniture for dolls using upcycled cardboard and other found materials.
Write a zine or start a journal.
Craft a wearable mermaid’s tail from newspaper, tape and aluminum foil.
Slam your brother’s finger in a door. When he gets you back, compare blood blisters.
Make a terrarium with dirt and moss from the great outdoors.
Use scraps of paper to create mosaic art.
Sew easy felt finger puppets.

Build a teepee or fort.
Craft a diorama with fish or dinosaurs.
Use paper clay to make a giant volcano for some vinegar and baking soda action. (Complete with red food dye, of course.)
Learn how to crochet.
Make a woven wall hanging using a handmade weaving loom.
Cross Stitch.
Use leftover fabric to sew a quilt by hand.
Read a book.
Forage and identify the leaves of 40 different trees. Press them between wax paper and create a book.
Make flower necklaces and bracelets with dandelions and clover blossoms.
Craft friendship bracelets using embroidery thread.
Make melt and pour soap.
Learn real life skills through The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs.
Make solar prints.
Use fabric crayons or markers to make custom t-shirts.
Decoupage empty cigar boxes with Mod Podge and scrapbook papers.
Paint pictures using watercolors.
Make homemade candles.

They can also make this awesome kids sidewalk chalk. Or DIY plaster aroma stones. Whatever you prefer to call them. Simply whip them up in a fun mold (I used my soap making molds) and have at it.

What Are Aroma Stones?

You may be wondering, what is an aroma stone? An aroma stone is basically just unglazed pottery. It’s used as a fragrance diffuser for fragrance oils or essential oils by simply adding drops of your scent of choice to the stone. You can make aroma stones using air dry clay. You can also make DIY plaster aroma stones using plaster. By adding colored mica powder, you can easily add fun colors to your aroma stones. And utilize them as kids sidewalk chalk as well. Here’s how it’s done.

DIY Plaster Aroma Stones (Or Kids Sidewalk Chalk)

Ingredients:

1 cup plaster
3/4 cup water
2.5 grams mica powder

Materials:

Silicone mold
Mixing bowls
Mixing utensils
Measuring cup

Directions for Making DIY Plaster Aroma Stones:

I made my DIY plaster aroma stones the same way I did my essential oil ornaments. There’s not a huge difference in the process. I used four parts plaster to three parts water with a full size sample package of mica powder for color to create these.

This recipe always works for making kids sidewalk chalk, however, the colors are pretty pastel. For bolder colors, if you’d like your DIY plaster aroma stones to double as kids sidewalk chalk, simply double or triple the amount of mica powder used.

You can also easily increase or decrease the size of my recipe for DIY plaster aroma stones simply by resizing it as needed. Just adhere to the four parts plaster to three parts water ratio. The addition of mica won’t make any difference in the outcome of your DIY plaster aroma stones as far as them holding together.

Once you’ve gathered all the supplies and materials you need to make your DIY plaster aroma stones, use a measuring cup to measure out the plaster and water into separate containers.

Add the mica powder to the dry plaster and mix well.

You want the color to be evenly incorporated throughout the plaster.

Once you’ve mixed the plaster and mica powder for your DIY plaster aroma stones, stir in the water. Continue mixing until there are no clumps and the plaster is completely fluid.

Now pour the colored plaster into your silicone mold. I used these silicone flower molds. The smaller of these two molds will make three DIY plaster aroma stones or kids sidewalk chalk in a single color.

Now use your finger, a spatula or another utensil to pop any air bubbles that may be present. You can also try tapping the mold lightly on your surface area to remove air bubbles. However, I found this challenging as the mold isn’t sturdy.

Allow the DIY plaster aroma stones to set up completely. It will take them about 20 minutes or so to fully harden. Once hardened, you can unmold them.

To make additional DIY plaster aroma stones or kids sidewalk chalk in more colors, simply repeat the process using a different color than the first.

How to Use Your DIY Plaster Aroma Stones:

To use your DIY plaster aroma stones, add about 20 drops of your favorite essential oil blend to the tops of the stone. One of my favorite blends right now is Simply Earth’s Tranquility essential oil blend. I find this blend especially helpful during times of stress. (Especially when I can’t find TP anywhere! Am I right?)

You can also create an aromatherapy essential oil blend to reduce stress and promote relaxation for your DIY plaster aroma stones. Simply combine 10 drops manuka essential oil, 10 drops bergamot essential oil and 2 drops lavender essential oil in an amber glass bottle. Then swirl to combine. Then add the blend to your plaster aroma stone to help ease away stressors and promote calm.

(If you’d like to discover more about essential oils, try out new recipes and learn about aromatherapy, then sign up for the Simply Earth Essential Oil Recipe Box. Not only will you receive a coupon for $40 off your next purchase on ANYTHING you like, you’ll also get a free bonus box of ingredients and supplies at no additional cost with your first box. Simply use coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE at checkout. You can find reviews and essential oil recipes from past boxes here.)

How to Use Your Aroma Stones as Kids Sidewalk Chalk:

Using your DIY Plaster Aroma Stones as kids sidewalk chalk is a snap. Simply add additional mica, if desired, when making your stones for that extra color pop. Then give your kids some chalk to play with and enjoy! It works great on streets, sidewalks and paving stones. And, of course, parents and adults can join in the fun too! (You’re never too old to be creative.)

You can find some great ideas for sidewalk chalk art here. Or check out these sidewalk chalk games.

Like my project for making DIY plaster aroma stones? Then make sure you pin this project to Pinterest for later!

If you love home fragrances, then also be sure to try out my DIY reed diffuser with essential oils as well as my DIY wax melts with beeswax.

For more great essential oil recipes and easy DIY ideas, be sure to follow me on Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram for more beauty recipes and ideas for a spa day at home. As well as sign up to receive an email whenever I share a new post!

Filed Under: DIY Craft Project, Handmade Home, Health & Wellness, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: crafts, diffuser blends, diy, easy, essential oil blend, essential oils, gift idea, gifts for women, handmade home, healthy homemaking, home fragrance, homemaking, kids, kids project, Mother's Day, Mother's Day gifts

Hydrating Bastille Soap Recipe Plus Practical Tips on Flu Prevention

March 12, 2020 By Rebecca D. Dillon 7 Comments

What’s the story with the coronavirus? Is it really worth a full on toilet paper war? And more importantly, how can I protect myself from the coronavirus and diminish my chances of getting sick? Learn why the coronavirus shouldn’t be dismissed as your average flu. Plus easy, everyday tips on reducing your chances of becoming infected with COVID-19. I’m also sharing my favorite, hydrating Bastille soap recipe. It’s perfect for dry hand relief from overuse of cheap liquid hand soap and alcohol based hand sanitizers. Plus it’s the perfect project (new hobby?) to make while practicing social distancing to avoid the spread of coronavirus in your community.

Why Do We Need to Be Concerned About the Coronavirus?

The coronavirus has everyone up in arms. Whether you’re taking a no nonsense approach to the whole situation, are totally freaked out, or you simply think everyone is overreacting, it’s THE news right now. What I find the most troubling about COVID-19 is what we don’t know. As of yet, we have no clue if the virus will disappear once we have regular warm weather. It doesn’t act like a typical flu virus. It’s also highly contagious.

The current statistics put 3.65% people dying from the coronavirus worldwide. (In Wuhan, that number was 4.9% of the infected population. Source. With the death rate in Italy as of 3/13/20 at 6.7%.) Which, during a bad flu season, isn’t unheard of. However, approximately one in five people who develop this illness have to be hospitalized. 10% of which will require ICU treatment, per the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine.

To make matters worse, whereas the typical flu infects only 2 to 11% of the population each year, The Atlantic states that COVID-19 has the potential to infect 40-70% of people around the world. (This is now the generally accepted position among epidemiologists as well.) And that’s where it really starts to put this virus into a very sobering perspective. At that rate, it would have the ability to kills millions in the US alone.

So if this thing spreads like wildfire, like it has in China and Italy, it can seriously hamper, and even overwhelm, our health infrastructure. (Canada is already reporting that their hospitals would be unable to cope with a coronavirus outbreak.)

And it’s not just a concern for those with weakened immune systems, cancer or anyone over the age of 60. This virus is especially dangerous to anyone with diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, anyone who smokes or vapes and those with heart, lung or kidney disease. Many of my friends and family fall into one of these categories. And while I’d like to believe I’m invincible to anything life throws my way, I know that I’m not. I’m especially concerned for friends who recently had cancer (and have weakened immune systems,) my brother who has lupus and my dad who has both high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. But beyond that, I care about the rest of the people in the world as well. Which is why I felt it was so important to address this topic on my blog.

I know I’ve made jokes, both publicly and personally, in regards to this being the beginning of the apocalypse and the start of the toilet paper wars. But what remains is that we all need to be diligent and treat this as a real and possible threat. Maybe not to the point we’re rioting outside of Walmart in Cleveland because baby formula is sold out and there’s nothing to cut crack with. But with reasonable measures in which we take not only our safety into account, but also the consideration and safety of others — most especially those at risk.

So if you’re over there hoarding toilet paper, ibuprofen, face masks and hand sanitizer, maybe check in with neighbors and donate some to those in need. I promise you don’t need a year’s supply of provisions to survive this thing. And we need the rest of the population to be able to protect themselves from the coronavirus as well. (If you have doubts, here’s a first hand account of someone who has actually had COVID-19.)

Common Sense Ways to Protect Yourself from the Coronavirus

Taking all this into account, here are some common sense ways to protect yourself from the coronavirus, or COVID-19.

Practice social distancing. That means avoiding close contact with anyone who is sick, as well as distancing yourself from people if the coronavirus is spreading in your community.
Avoid crowds or crowded areas and events.
Wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds, using soap and water. This is especially important if you have been in a public space.
If soap and water are unavailable, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. (You may want to carry some with you at all times.) To use, rub hands together until they feel dry. (If hand sanitizer is sold out, here’s how to make DIY hand sanitizer that meets CDC minimum guidelines.)
Avoid touching your face (eyes, nose, mouth) with unwashed hands.
In public, stay 6 feet (or a coughing distance) from others.
Avoid shaking hands.
Disinfect your travel mug after every outing.
Keep disinfectant by every entrance to your home.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces every day. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks. Household disinfectants should be at least 70% alcohol or an EPA-registered household disinfectant. Alternately, you can also use a bleach solution comprised of 4 teaspoons of bleach combined with 1 quart of water. (Or 1/3rd cup bleach per gallon of water.)
Avoid anyone with a cough and stay away from poorly ventilated areas.
If you need to cough, do so into your elbow or into a tissue, which is preferable, as it can be disposed of afterwards.
If possible, work remotely from home rather than going into the office. Most people get sick at work.
As there is a global shortage in face masks, donate yours to communities in need such as senior care facilities and caregivers to help slow the spread of transmission. You only need to wear a face mask if you’re sick, or caring for someone who is sick.
Donate excess supplies of hand sanitizer to those in your community who have none.
Make preparations in the chance that you do get sick and are quarantined. You will need two weeks worth of provisions, including food. (Not ten years of toilet paper.)
Don’t share anything with other people that comes in contact with your mouth or nose.
Ensure proper ventilation by keeping air circulation either by opening a window or using a fan.
Use a humidifier. Higher humidity will keep the protective membranes in your nose from drying out, which makes them less effective as they try to keep pathogens out. Mid-range humidity also appears to cause some viruses to decay faster.

Hand Washing with Soap and Water

Washing your hands is still the best way to protect yourself from the coronavirus. (I mean, we can’t all hide under a rock forever.) Unfortunately, most cheap, liquid hand soaps aren’t real soap. Much like alcohol based hand sanitizers, they can also dry out your hands when used frequently. This leaves hands feeling tight, dry and itchy. Sometimes they even crack. In turn, this leads to an endless cycle of hand washing followed with moisturizers.

But what if there was a soap that didn’t dry your hands out? An alternative that left your hands clean and also offered some level of dry skin relief?

There are actually a number of these alternatives. Many handmade, cold process soaps meet this criteria. And believe it or not, bar soap is no less sanitary than using liquid hand soap. It does the same job, without the drying side effects, provided the formula isn’t overly cleansing.

Soap can’t moisturize skin. It is, after all, a wash off product. However, it can hydrate skin. And by choosing a soap with a high level of conditioning and a lower cleansing level, you can actually avoid dry skin all together. Don’t let the lower cleansing level scare you, however. All that means is that it strips fewer oils from your skin. Soap, the combination of a fat and an alkali, is still soap. What hand washing with soap does is mechanically remove germs and pulls unwanted material off skin. Bar soaps does that.

In fact, good old soap and water is more effective than alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially if hands are visibly dirty. This is because the proteins and fats found in things, such as food tend, to reduce alcohol’s germ-killing power. It’s also favorable over antibacterial liquid hand soap containing triclosan, which contributes to antibiotic resistance. Studies have shown that both antibacterial soap versus good, old fashioned soap and water perform the same against bacteria. However, when tackling cold and flu viruses, antibacterial soap has no benefits over soap and water. This is because viruses aren’t affect by triclosan.

Tips for Washing Hands

When washing hands, there is a right way and a wrong way. Here are some tips to get the most out of washing your hands with soap and water.

Avoid scrubbing your skin when washing hands. This can easily damage skin and cause cracks and small cuts that give pathogens a place to grow.
As bacteria likes to live under fingernails, it’s wise to keep your nails short so the area underneath is easier to clean.
Use a hand lotion or other moisturizer after washing your hands. This helps to keep your skin barrier intact.
Take your time when washing your hands. It takes about a minute to properly wash your hands. (Most of us take about 5 seconds.) However, washing your hands for a full 30 seconds can drop the bacteria count by 99.9%.

How to Make Bastille Soap

If you’re in the midst of social distancing, now is a great time to learn how to make soap! And with a number of wonderful soap making suppliers online, you don’t even need to leave your home for supplies. A basic Bastille soap recipe is an easy way to get started. Not only is this hydrating Bastille soap recipe great for repetitive hand washing throughout the day, if you or your family have sensitive skin, it can also help to alleviate some of your other skin care issues.

(This portion of this post originally appeared as a guest post, written by myself, on Everything Pretty.)

What is Bastille Soap?

Formulated with a high percentage olive oil in combination with additional soapmaking oils, Bastille soap is a modern twist on traditional Castile soap which is made using only olive oil. While a traditional Castile soap recipe contains 100% olive oil, modern Castile soap has a looser definition in which Castile soap is defined as any hard soap made from olive oil in addition to other fats and oils. However, purists reject any soap not made with 100% olive oil as Castile soap and instead term soaps made primarily, but not wholly, with olive oil as Bastille soap.

Like Castile soap, Bastille soap still entertains a high percentage of olive oil. Any cold process soap made with at least 70% olive oil is considered a Bastille soap. However, because Castile soap has low lather and requires an extended cure time, Bastille soap makes a wonderful substitute that results both in a better lather as well as a harder bar.

Additionally, as olive oil historically creates a gentle soap that is well suited for sensitive or delicate skin, Bastille soap tends to be gentler on skin than other types of soap. This includes many commercial soaps and beauty bars made with detergent foaming agents and poor quality ingredients. With bastille soap there is also less of a chance that you might develop an allergic reaction to the ingredients used as typically the ingredients for homemade soaps are chosen for their purity and benefits in skin care.

My hydrating Bastille soap recipe that I’m sharing with you today is comprised of 80% olive oil. I also have included coconut and castor oil for better lather and cocoa butter to make a harder soap bar, thus shortening the cure time considerably over Castile soap.

Tips for Making a Bastille Soap Recipe

While making homemade soap from scratch using fats (soapmaking oils and butters) and an alkali (lye or sodium hydroxide) involves a bit more know how than crafting your own melt and pour soaps, getting started with a basic recipe isn’t as difficult as one might presume. In fact, this basic bastille soap recipe can made in about hour and is a lot like baking a cake in many ways, though with weights rather than liquid measurements.

There are however, certain safety precautions you should take to avoid harm when working with a caustic material such as lye. These include wearing gloves, safety glasses and a safety mask that covers your mouth and nose. Nature’s Garden actually has a wonderful article on soap making safety where you can learn more about how to best protect yourself when working with lye.

If you’ve never made cold process soap before, I have an in-depth, cold process soapmaking tutorial here that instructs you on how to get started making homemade soaps from scratch. In addition, you can also find a plethora of soap making videos on YouTube, something that wasn’t available when I first started making soap many many years ago. So hopefully you’ll feel comfortable diving right in once you have a grasp of how it all works.

I know this information can seem like a lot at first for someone new to soapmaking, however, I promise you that once you start you won’t want to stop. Not only are cold process soaps a blessing for troubled skin, but they also make beautiful and functional homemade gift ideas for friends and family.

My hydrating Bastille soap recipe yields approximately six 3.5 oz. soap bars.

Hydrating Bastille Soap Recipe

Ingredients:

1.6 oz. refined coconut oil (10%)
.8 oz. castor oil (5%)
12.8 oz. pomace olive oil (80%)
.8 oz. cocoa butter (5%)

4.85 fluid oz. distilled water (30.5% of oil weight)
2.05 oz. sodium hydroxide (8 % super fat)

1 Tablespoon sodium lactate (60% solution), optional
.5 oz. essential oil (or essential oil blend) of choice

Instructions:

To make this hydrating Bastille soap recipe, you’ll begin by measuring out the water into a non-aluminum, heat safe container. Next, using a digital scale, weigh out the lye.

In a well ventilated area, slowly pour the lye into the distilled water, then stir until all of the lye has dissolved. Now set the lye-water aside to cool.

Meanwhile, while the lye-water cools, weigh out and combine the soap making oils (coconut oil, castor oil, olive oil and cocoa butter) in a non-aluminum pot. Then heat on the stove over medium-low heat until all the oils have melted.

Remove the soap making oils from heat once the oils have melted and allow to cool.

Once both your soap making oils and lye-water have reached about 90° – 95°F you’re ready to make your hydrating Bastille soap recipe!

If desired you can add one Tablespoon of sodium lactate (60% solution) to your lye-water prior to making soap for a harder bar and to give your soap an additional boost in lather.

Now slowly pour the lye-water into the liquified soap making oils then blend with a stick or immersion blender until you reach a light trace.

Weigh out the essential oil you’ve chosen to use, if a fragrance is desired, then add to the soap batter.

Continue mixing with a stick blender until you reach a medium trace, then pour the Bastille soap batter into a six-cavity rectangle silicone soap mold.

If desired, you can add flowers or decorative, cosmetic salt to the tops of your freshly poured soap. I added blue cornflowers to the tops of my hydrating Bastille soap bars.

Cover the soap lightly with plastic wrap then set aside in a safe location for 24-48 hours.

Once your Bastille soap bars are no longer soft, remove them from the mold and allow the bars to cure in a cool, dry location for four to six weeks.

If you need to resize my hydrating Bastille soap recipe to fit another soap mold, or to make a larger batch, you will need to run the recipe back through a lye calculator prior to doing so. You can find more information on how to use a lye calculator as well as additional information on how to create custom soap recipes here.

Not ready to make my hydrating Bastille soap recipe? You can purchase a number of lovely, handcrafted Bastille soap bars from artisans on Etsy here.

Love my hydrating Bastille soap recipe? Then be sure to pin this recipe to Pinterest for later. Or explore more of my cold process soap recipes here. You can also find and follow me on facebook, twitter, instagram and Blog Lovin‘. Or sign up to receive an email whenever I share a new post!

Filed Under: Health & Wellness, Lifestyle, Soapmaking Tagged With: bastille soap, bath and body, cold process soap, cold process soap recipe, cold process soapmaking, flu, flu prevention, health and wellness, healthy living, holistic, natural alternative, natural living, natural skin care, skin care, skin care products, soap tutorial, soapmaking, wellness, winter wellness

DIY Hand Sanitizer with Alcohol: An Alternative When Hand Washing Isn’t An Option

March 9, 2020 By Rebecca D. Dillon 22 Comments

This flu season is especially scary. As the Coronapocalypse continues to claim lives and spread throughout the world, it’s more important than ever to take protective measures against this new strain of the flu. The top two ways to do this include handwashing and the use of hand sanitizers when soap and water aren’t available. With hand sanitizer unavailable in many locations due to the outbreak, you can make an effective DIY hand sanitizer at home. Keep reading to learn how to make a simple, 2-ingredient homemade hand sanitizer recipe for use when tested, commercial hand sanitizers are unavailable.

With the new virus now a pandemic, people are literally freaking out. Everywhere. And there are three sides to this entire event. At least for those of us living in the United States. They are:

The people who believe the reports of the coronavirus are nothing more than fear mongering.
Those who have a healthy outlook that most people will be okay, but precautions need to be taken especially if you are in a risk group.
And finally, the individuals who believe this is the start of the apocalypse.

There have been a lot of crazy photos and reports on social media. I’ve seen tons of pictures where big box stores and wholesale clubs who are entirely sold out of hand sanitizer, cleaning products and toilet paper. Not that the flu and toilet paper have anything in common necessarily. But there are folks who are literally preparing for the end of days. And while I can see TP being a priority in day to day life, I just never imagined folks would value it like gold when the zombie virus finally takes hold. (Although I’m definitely filing this information for later.)

On the flip side of this, I’ve also seen memes indicating that women ages 30-50 are most likely to carry the virus without symptoms. And therefore, they should quarantine themselves away from men and children, for a period of fourteen days, at their local wineries. With all cell phones confiscated upon arrival. (I mean, why not? We women totally deserve a break from home life.)

In the end, while the Coronapocalypse is indeed a pandemic, it’s not the world’s — or even our nation’s — top killer. That would be cardiovascular disease. And yet, no one is out there panicking about cutting their meat consumption and increasing their intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. No, the coronavirus is apparently a hell of a lot scarier. Perhaps because of its immediacy, and its ability to infect even the healthiest of hosts.

Of course, the two week quarantine protocol they’re enacting basically everywhere does cause concern. (But as such, two weeks still does not require 96 rolls of toilet paper!) As does the large percentage of deaths that first began in China. And if you’re at risk, either due to age or health issues, then you definitely want to take precautions to avoid becoming one of the 2% of the infected population dying from this new virus. (The flu, on average, kills .2% of those infected during an average flu season in comparison.)

While hand sanitizer is flying off the shelves, and is no longer available in many locations, it’s not the end all be all to flu prevention. It still remains, and the CDC holds to this, that hand washing is the #1 preventive measure you can take against this new virus. (Learn more here.) Still, if hand washing isn’t an option — and when it is you need to do so for at least 20 seconds — then hand sanitizer can offer some level of germ destroying power until you can get your hands on some soap and water. Therefore you may want to keep it in your bag as backup when you’re traveling or attending a public event. Or, simply avoid traveling and events until this whole thing boils over. (Really, why the hell is anyone flying into Colorado for a ski trip while harboring a deadly virus anyway? Am I right?)

It is also important to note, however, that if your hands are visibly dirty, hand washing is necessary. (That hand sanitizer isn’t going to do squat.) In which case, tossing a bar of soap and few bottles of water into your bag, in lieu of hand sanitizer, is probably an even better idea. But, I get it. Staying home isn’t a realistic option for most of us. Jamming your mom bag full of even more crap? Well, we expect that anyway.

(Read the recommendations for utilizing handwashing and hand sanitizers as protective measures against the virus from the World Health Organization.)

How to Make Homemade Hand Sanitizer

If you can’t find hand sanitizer right now, or there’s some serious price gouging happening that you refuse to tolerate, then you can make your own DIY hand sanitizer. It is important to note, however, that unless your DIY hand sanitizer is at least 60% alcohol, then it’s not going to be effective. You can make your own DIY hand sanitizer using two types of alcohol. One is isopropyl alcohol, which is also known as rubbing alcohol. The other is ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol. Ethyl alcohol is the type of alcohol used to make the alcohol we drink, such as grain alcohol, vodka or everclear. Both isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol come with varying levels of alcohol content. As well, they both have drawbacks.

Isopropyl Alcohol vs. Ethyl Alcohol for Making DIY Hand Sanitizer

Isopropyl alcohol is great for disinfecting surfaces. 70% isopropyl alcohol is recommended when sanitizing surfaces. (Source.) So while you may have the 91%+ in your arsenal for melt and pour soap making — hello, fellow soapers! — opt for the lower percentage when disinfecting and sanitizing surfaces. If you already have it on hand, you can use 70% isopropyl alcohol to make a DIY hand sanitizer as well, but with some caution.

It is extremely important to note that isopropyl alcohol is poisonous when consumed. This is especially the case where children are concerned, as isopropyl alcohol can poison children in even small amounts. As such, it’s not recommended that you use a DIY hand sanitizer with isopropyl alcohol on small children who may lick their hands after the application. (You can learn the symptoms of isopropyl alcohol poisoning here.)

Likewise, ethyl alcohol can also poison children through ingestion. (And, unless, it’s been denatured, is illegal in a number of states.) Small children could potentially become drunk or even develop alcohol poisoning through the ingestion of a DIY hand sanitizer made with ethyl alcohol. (I once came across an ex-physician who would drink a gallon of the old school, ethyl alcohol hand sanitizers when working at the hospital to feed his alcoholism.) Therefore, as the coronavirus seems to spare children from death, unlike adults, you may want be diligent about having young children wash their hands, rather than using a hand sanitizer.

It is also important to note, that any DIY hand sanitizer with a high level of alcohol, can be especially drying to skin. As dry skin is prone to cracking, which allows germs to more readily enter the body, you may want to stock up on moisturizers, and not just hand sanitizer, to prevent dryness.

As safety is a concern where children may have access to hand sanitizers, I chose to use vodka with 75% alcohol content, rather than 70% isopropyl alcohol to make my DIY hand sanitizer. However, you may use either one or the other according to your preference, in my homemade hand sanitizer recipe, found below.

Using Alcohol or Vodka to Make Homemade Hand Sanitizer

Despite Virginia being well known for its moonshine, 190 proof Everclear, which is 95% alcohol, is illegal where I live. Therefore, my homemade hand sanitizer recipe uses 150 proof vodka which contains 75% alcohol. Fortunately, you can readily purchase 150 proof alcohol, providing you’re at least 21 years of age, even if you’re in one of those states where 190 proof alcohol is illegal. This means, however, that you do need to use a larger percentage of vodka in your DIY hand sanitizer in order for it to be effective.

Vodka with a high alcohol content is also important if you’d like to add essential oils to your DIY hand sanitizer. As essential oils don’t mix well with water, low proof alcohol, witch hazel or vinegar, you risk causing irritation, sensitivity and even an allergic reaction if including them in your DIY hand sanitizer. Therefore it’s important to both properly dilute and ensure a solid emulsion when formulating a homemade hand sanitizer, or other skin care formulation, using essential oils. However, there is no evidence that adding essential oils improves the effectiveness of hand sanitizer.

DIY Hand Sanitizer with Vodka or Grain Alcohol

You honestly only need two ingredients to make a DIY hand sanitizer. Aloe vera gel and 150 proof vodka or grain alcohol. A formulation calling for two parts 70% alcohol to one part aloe gel was recommended by my local news station, in order to meet the guidelines set for an effective hand sanitizer in that it contains at least 60% alcohol. However, as they didn’t use weights it all gets very confusing. Therefore, I now recommend using a 3 to 1 ratio unless you’re really good at math, and are able to verify the weight of your ingredients, in order to err on the side of caution. (See the addendum below.) If desired, you can also add an essential oil blend as you see fit. You can also substitute the grain alcohol or vodka, if desired with 70% isopropyl alcohol.

Ingredients:

2 oz. aloe vera gel
6 oz. 150 proof vodka or grain alcohol

Directions:

Measure out both the aloe vera gel and vodka in fluid ounce. (If you don’t have high proof vodka in your area, you can use Everclear 151.) Combine in a glass bowl.

Then mix the ingredients well, until thoroughly combined. There should be no lumps once the hand sanitizer is evenly mixed throughout.

Once you have a smooth hand gel, spoon your sanitizer into a 6 oz. container (or several smaller containers) of your choice. (I used these containers from SKS Bottle & Packaging.)

Be sure to wash your hands frequently. When soap and water are not available, rub your alcohol based hand sanitizer on hands until dry to help protect against viruses, when a tested, commercial product is unavailable.

Adding Essential Oils to Hand Sanitizer

Essential oils aren’t necessary for an effective DIY hand sanitizer. The key is, as previously stated, ensuring the alcohol content of your homemade hand sanitizer is 60% or more. There is no indication that essentials oil can or will protect you from the coronavirus, or other cold and flu viruses. If you do decide, however, that you’d like to include essential oils in your formulation, you can add one of the following essential oils blends to my homemade hand sanitizer recipe when blending the alcohol with the aloe gel. You should also increase the alcohol in your DIY hand sanitizer by triple the amount of essential oils added.

Immunity Boost Essential Oil Blend:

Thieves Essential Oil Blend:

It’s important to note that both clove and cinnamon essential oils are known skin irritants. Therefore, this blend is used in a lower concentration, and should be used with caution.

Addendum: The correct way to figure the amount of alcohol needed for a DIY hand sanitizer is to use weight measurements. I used volume to simplify this recipe for those without access to a digital scale. Aloe gel by weight is not 2 oz. It’s 1.75 oz. While vodka seems to weigh less than water, around 1.5 oz. per 2 fluid oz.

I have a screenshot of a chart here that explains the math for figuring out the amounts you need to end up with the desired amount of alcohol in your final product. If you are using a product with 99% alcohol say, you can decrease the recipe to 2 parts alcohol to 1 part aloe gel.

For further reading on how alcohol based hand sanitizers are formulated, you can learn more here.

Or check out my natural remedy for cold and flu relief for making fire cider vinegar. You can also learn how to make soap. Or buy some! It’s not sold out yet.

If you like my post on how to make a DIY hand sanitizer with vodka, then follow Soap Deli News more health and wellness projects! You can find and follow me on facebook, twitter, instagram and Blog Lovin‘. Or sign up to receive an email whenever I share a new post!

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: cleaning, cleaning hacks, cleaning products, cleaning recipe, cleaning solutions, cleaning tips, diy, essential oil recipes, essential oils, handmade home, health, health and wellness, healthy homemaking, healthy living, wellness

DIY Reed Diffuser with Essential Oils for Natural, Non-Toxic Home Fragrances

March 3, 2020 By Rebecca D. Dillon 4 Comments

Wondering, how do I make DIY reed diffusers? It’s actually easier than you might think! Learn how to make a DIY reed diffuser with essential oils to naturally scent your home with your favorite, non-toxic fragrance. You can use any essential oil or essential oil blend of your choice with your homemade reed diffuser. It’s so easy!

Simply Earth offers so many great essential oil recipes for health, home and beauty. This month, Simply Earth has made it incredibly easy to use essential oils to create natural home fragrances. Their March essential oil recipe box contains the know how you need to make your own DIY reed diffuser along with the information needed for making reed diffuser essential oil refills.

There are even lava stone beads for making an essential oil lava rock diffuser bracelet or to use in decorative bowl or dish! I’m so excited to share what’s inside this month’s box with you. Plus, I’ll also give you the full instructions for making your own DIY reed diffuser and the recipe for making reed diffuser oil refills using essential oils, vodka and water.

What’s Inside the March Simply Earth Box

This month’s Simply Earth essential oil recipe box is all about mood and emotions! It’s filled with a number of essential oil diffuser blend recipes. Plus there are materials for making a lava rock diffuser, reeds for making a DIY reed diffuser, a persevere roll on (rollerball bottles are included in the bonus box) and an aromatherapy inhaler for grief relief. There are also four essential oils included in the box. They are:

The really exciting thing about this box is that, if it’s your first time ordering, you’ll score a big bonus box of ingredients and supplies you can use with future boxes. It’s a $40 value so it’s pretty sweet. You also get a $40 coupon off absolutely anything you want from Simply Earth to use on your next purchase. Just use coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE when you order, so you score all the freebies.

If you love this month’s, just be sure to order it ASAP. Their monthly essential oil recipe boxes usually sell out by mid-month. Otherwise, if you miss out on the current month’s box, they’ll send you their super cool essential oil starter box in its place. That way you don’t have to wait for the next month to roll around before receiving your first box. Buy it now.

Ready to get crafty? Let’s get started making reed diffusers with essential oils!

Making Reed Diffusers with Essential Oils

Making DIY reed diffusers for essential oils to use at home is really simple. I used an upcycled, amber fragrance oil bottle from my DIY wax melts for this project. I then added a sticker I printed from clipart I had previously purchased.

However, you can use any glass container of your choice — and decorate your reed diffuser bottle or not. You just need to be sure it fits the size reeds you are using. I’m a huge fan of these amber glass, apothecary reed diffuser bottles. A nostalgic throwback to Victorian era chemist’s shops, they’re perfect if you’re looking for something to compliment your home decor.

Now let’s get started and make your home smell amazing! Here’s how to make your own easy, DIY reed diffuser with essential oils to add a natural fragrance to your home. Plus discover essential oil reed diffuser recipes from recipe formulator and certified aromatherapist, Katie, of Simply Earth. You can use these essential oil diffuser blend recipes in your DIY reed diffuser. Or simply add a few drops to your essential oil diffuser for a natural scent in your home.

All of these essential oil reed diffuser recipes include the essential oils from the March Simply Earth essential oil recipe box. However, you don’t have to subscribe if it’s not yet in the cards for you. All of the essential oils from Simply Earth can be purchased individually.

DIY Reed Diffuser with Essential Oils

Materials for Your DIY Reed Diffuser:

Ingredients for the Reed Diffuser Refill:

2 Tablespoons vodka
2 Tablespoons distilled water
25 drops essential oil or essential oil blend (see recipes below)

Essential Oil Reed Diffuser Recipes:

Whimsey Diffuser Essential Oil Blend:

15 drops Orange essential oil
10 drops Patchouli essential oil

Joy Diffuser Essential Oil Blend:

5 drops Energy blend essential oil
5 drops Cypress essential oil
5 drops Patchouli essential oil
10 drops Orange essential oil

Creative Zone Essential Oil Blend:

5 drops Cypress essential oil
15 drops Orange essential oil
10 drops Energy essential oil blend

Anxiety Relief Essential Oil Blend:

18 drops Orange essential oil
8 drops Energy essential oil blend

Persevere Essential Oil Blend:

12 drops Energy essential oil blend
12 drops Cypress essential oil

It’s Okay to Grieve Essential Oil Blend:

10 drops Cypress essential oil
10 drops Orange essential oil
5 drops Patchouli essential oil

Directions for Making Reed Diffusers with Essential Oils:

To make your DIY reed diffuser, add the vodka along with 25 drops of the essential oil reed diffuser blend of your choice to a glass bottle or jar.

Swirl the ingredients for your reed diffuser refill for at least 30 seconds to mix.

Once combined, add the water to the jar.

How to Use Your DIY Reed Diffuser:

Allow the reeds to soak in the container for two hours, then flip the reeds to the opposite end of the bottle.

Now place the DIY reed diffuser in a small space, such as your office or bathroom. Anywhere you want a fresh scent!

Flip the reeds every few days or so to reinvigorate the scent.

After two weeks, replace the mixture with a fresh reed diffuser refill.

Discover More from Simply Earth

Interested to learn more about Simply Earth essential oils and their amazing essential oil recipe box? You can check out reviews and essential oil recipes for home, health and beauty from past boxes via my archives here.

Or simply sign up for the Simply Earth essential oil recipe box now! You’ll save big while growing your collection of quality essential oils. And, you’ll feel great about knowing that Simply Earth donates 13% to organizations that right to end human trafficking. Don’t forget to use coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE to score your free bonus box and $40 off coupon.

More Ideas for Naturally Scenting Your Home with Essential Oils

If you loved making reed diffusers with essential oils to naturally scent your home or office, then be sure to try these ideas for naturally scenting your home with essential oils.

If you like my post on how to make a DIY reed diffuser with essential oils, then follow Soap Deli News more healthy homemaking projects! You can find and follow me on facebook, twitter, instagram and Blog Lovin‘. Or sign up to receive an email whenever I share a new post!

Filed Under: DIY Craft Project, Handmade Home, Health & Wellness Tagged With: 5-minute crafts, crafts, diffuser blends, diy, easy, essential oil recipes, essential oils, handmade home, healthy homemaking, healthy living, home decor, home fragrance, homemaking, simply earth

Fire Cider Vinegar Recipe: A Natural Cold and Flu Remedy

March 2, 2020 By Rebecca D. Dillon 4 Comments

I tried fire cider vinegar as a natural cold and flu remedy for the first time at the end of last year. This was after getting yet another cold. A cold which I honestly think was being passed back and forth between me and and a guy I’d been dating. The results were quickly noticeable. By day three I felt like a whole new, shiny person. And that undying sinus headache, that typically only Sudafed takes care of, was quick to make a hasty retreat from the first use. Not only did it help immediately, I didn’t have to take any over the counter medication in addition to the fire cider I was taking.

I’ve since recommended fire cider vinegar for natural cold and flu relief to all of my friends. Those who took my advice felt better within two days time, with complete relief in under a week. Those who didn’t, well. Let’s just say their illnesses dragged on for two full weeks. Unfortunately, buying fire cider can be expensive. Therefore, if you aren’t in a time crunch, I recommend making your own to keep in stock for when you need it as a home remedy for colds and flu.

With the new virus now a pandemic, a combo of both fire cider vinegar and elderberry syrup are my go to products for cold and flu season. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of fire cider as a cold and flu remedy, how to make your own fire cider vinegar recipe using raw apple cider vinegar, and other natural cold and flu remedies you can try.

Fire Cider Cold and Flu Remedy

I’ve been an advocate for apple cider vinegar for a number of years now. It all started with a quest to learn how to better manage my fibromyalgia after realizing that pain killers were literally the worst ever way to treat a chronic condition. I tried literally a zillion supplements and remedies during my hunt for a natural alternative. This journey led me to kombucha tea. Then, eventually, to an apple cider vinegar tonic to remedy my gut health.

When I first learned about fire cider vinegar it was during a trademark dispute over the use of “fire cider.” A traditional cold and flu remedy, the term fire cider had been used for centuries as a holistic remedy. That a company had come along and trademarked a well known term used for a natural remedy was concerning to a lot of people. Luckily, some upstanding, prominent herbalists took it upon themselves to fight this trademark. And, after a lot of time and money (much of which was donated to the cause), they finally won. Five years later and Shire City Herbals no longer owns a trademark to the common term, fire cider.

This also sets a precedent that prevents the names for traditional folk remedies from being trademarked in the future. Therefore it’s seen as a win for herbalists. After all, people had been making, using and selling fire cider vinegar long before Shire City Herbals trademarked the name in 2012.

Not only should the name not have been trademarked in the first place, but the claim that Shire City Herbals came up with fire cider vinegar on its own in 2010 was simply untrue. There are decades upon decades of history outlining its use. Rosemary Gladstar, a well known and respected herbalist, also outlined a fire cider tonic recipe in her book, Herbs for the Home Medicine Chest, which was first published in 1999 as a traditional, herbal cold and flu remedy.

What Is Fire Cider?

Fire cider vinegar is a traditional, warming apple cider vinegar tonic. It acts as a holistic decongestant while also supporting immune health. Comprised of onions, garlic, peppers, ginger, horseradish, a lemon or orange, turmeric, raw honey and apple cider vinegar, this spicy folk preparation is perfect as a shooter or an addition to water, oil and vinegar dressings and foods like fried rice or mixed veggies. There are a number of different ways to make fire cider vinegar, although the basics tend to remain the same due to their effectiveness.

It’s easy to customize and, of course, you can add as much honey as you like to taste. It also makes a great addition to non-alcoholic, bloody mary recipe. Unfortunately, it does take a month to steep in a cool, dark location. So if you need your fire cider fix ASAP, you can buy this traditional herbal cold remedy online. Or pick some up at your local co-op like I did!

Keep reading to learn how to make a homemade fire cider vinegar as a natural cold and flu remedy for you and your family.

Traditional Fire Cider Vinegar Recipe

Ingredients:

1 medium organic onion, chopped
10 cloves of organic garlic, crushed or chopped
2 organic jalapeno peppers, chopped
Zest and juice from 1 organic lemon
1/2 cup fresh grated organic ginger root
1/2 cup fresh grated organic horseradish root
1 Tbsp. organic turmeric powder
1/4 tsp. organic cayenne powder
2 Tbsp. of dried rosemary leaves
organic apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup of raw local honey, or to taste

Instructions:

Prepare the ingredients as indicated, by chopping the onion, garlic and peppers. Then grate the ginger and horseradish. Zest and juice the lemon, then combine with the prepared vegetables and spices in a one quart, sterilized mason jar.

Fill the remainder of the mason jar with unfiltered apple cider vinegar. (I love Bragg’s apple cider vinegar with the “mother.”) Then, place a piece of wax paper, or parchment paper, on top of the jar and screw on the lid. (Alternately, you can also use a mason jar with a plastic lid. You just don’t want the acid from the apple cider vinegar eating away at the metal.)

Shake the jar to combine the ingredients. Then, store the mason jar with the fire cider vinegar in a cool, dark location. You should shake the jar once a day for a period of four to six weeks.

After this time, strain the fire cider vinegar through a fine mesh sieve strainer or cheesecloth. Be sure to squeeze the liquid from the pulp of your fire cider vinegar ingredients as well. You want all the natural health benefits that are found in these particular foods!

Now add the raw honey to the fire cider vinegar. You can adjust the amount to taste. Fire cider vinegar is spicy, but not so spicy I couldn’t stand it. (And yes, I’m a wimp. I buy MILD salsa like a crazy person.)

Your fire cider vinegar is now ready to be used. When not in use, simply store your fire cider vinegar in a cool, dark location or in your refrigerator.

How to Use Fire Cider as a Cold and Flu Remedy

To use your fire cider vinegar, take one to two Tablespoons as needed to naturally relieve cold and flu symptoms. I like to do shots about three times a day when I first start getting sick. (I also chug a glass of water directly afterwards to tame the burn.) However, you can adjust your intake based on what your body needs at the time.

If you drink a LOT of apple cider vinegar, it does have the potential to damage tooth enamel. So you may want to dilute yours in a glass of water instead.

If you like my fire cider vinegar recipe, then be sure to pin it for later.

Alternative Natural Cold and Flu Remedies

If you’re looking for more ways to support immune health throughout cold and flu season, you can also try one of these other natural alternatives.

Homemade Cold Remedy Drink for Symptom Relief
Breathe Easy Essential Oil Blend (Homemade Vapor Rub)
How to Make Custom Herbal Tea Blends for Colds & Flu
Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe for Immune Support
DIY Shower Steamers with Menthol Crystals
Sickness Support Bath Soak Recipe with Essential Oils

If you like my natural fire cider vinegar recipe, be sure to follow Soap Deli News on facebook, twitter and instagram as well as on Blog Lovin‘. Or sign up to receive an email whenever I share a new post!

This article is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice and is provided for informational purposes only. Information on products mentioned are based on my own personal experience or research and have not been evaluated by the FDA. Please consult a physician prior to making any changes that may impact your health.

Filed Under: Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: cold relief, colds, flu, health, health and wellness, healthy living, home remedies, home remedy, natural remedy, wellness, winter wellness