handmade home Archives - Soap Deli News

Eucalyptus and Orange Essential Oil Blend for Health, Home & Beauty

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June 11, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 2 Comments

This natural aromatherapeutic eucalyptus & orange essential oil blend recipe doesn’t just smell wonderful. It actually can be used in a number of ways for health, home and beauty. Learn how to make a simple eco-friendly linen spray & deodorizer, surface sanitizer, smoothing hair shine spray & diffuser blend for stuffy noses. As well as how to add this essential oil blend to your homemade soap & natural skin care recipes. Keep reading to learn more!

Aromatherapeutic Essential Oil Blend

This is the same essential oil blend I used in my latest natural skin care recipe for a homemade coffee body scrub. And, because I love it SO much, I wanted to share a few other ways that you can use this natural essential oil blend recipe.

Whether you’re looking for new naturally scented skin care recipes to try or want an eco-friendly way to freshen your home, you’ll find this eucalyptus and orange essential oil blend has uses for all aspects of health, skin care and homemaking.

Eucalyptus and Orange Essential Oil Blend

To make, simply combine 3 parts eucalyptus essential oil with 2 parts peppermint essential oils, 2 parts orange essential oil, 1 part rosemary essential oil and 1 part tea tree essential oil in an amber glass bottle. Then shake to combine.

Here’s an easy breakdown to make a batch of this essential oil blend to use throughout the year, broken down into ounces and grams.

Eucalyptus and Orange Essential Oil Blend Recipe

.15 oz. / 4.25 g eucalyptus essential oil
.1 oz. / 2.8 g peppermint essential oil
.1 oz. / 2.8 g wild orange essential oil
.05 oz. / 1.41 g rosemary essential oil
.05 oz. /1.41 g tea tree essential oil

Ways to use Your Eucalyptus and Orange Essential Oil Blend

For Homemade Beauty Recipes

You can then use this essential oil blend in you homemade beauty recipes such as melt and pour soaps, body butters and scrubs – even natural homemade deodorant for summer! I recommend .05% for leave on products and up to 2% for wash off products such as homemade soap recipes and body scrubs.

Or try swapping out this eucalyptus and orange essential oil blend in one of these natural beauty recipes.

For Natural Hair Care

I also love using this blend for natural hair care. Combine 12 drops of this essential oil blend with 1 oz. fractionated coconut oil. Then simply mist or smooth a few drops over hair for a healthy looking shine.

For Seasonal Allergies & Colds

As this natural essential oil blend contains eucalyptus essential oil, I also found it worked wonders at opening up my nasal passages caused by seasonal allergies.

Simply use this blend in an essential oil diffuser – like this one, pictured above. Or, combine 24 drops of essential oil with 2 oz. of witch hazel in a spray bottle to mist onto your pillow before bed. (You can also use this as a spray deodorant!)

For Home Scents & Sanitizers

Alternately, I also found that this essential oil blend works beautifully as an odor neutralizing spray, sanitizer and air freshener in my home. Simply combine this blend in a spray bottle with either vodka or 99% isopropyl alcohol to deodorize and sanitize surfaces. It can also be used as a linen spray to freshen laundry. (Shake before each use.)

For Laundry Care

You can also add this essential oil blend directly to your wool dryer balls for freshly scented laundry that’s also eco-friendly.

How Much Essential Oil Should I Use?

Confused about how much essential oil to add to your recipes? Check out Mountain Rose Herbs’ new essential oil dilution calculator here. Or try their easy essential oil conversion calculator when you’re not sure how to make conversions from drops to larger units of measure. Plus get pro tips for using essential oils for home, health and beauty.

An Easy Way to Learn About Essential Oils

Ready to start your essential oil collection but aren’t sure where to start? Simply Earth offers a monthly essential oil recipe box that’s perfect for you! Each monthly box comes with four essential oils as well as additional ingredients and recipe cards. Use the essential oil recipe cards to craft simple essential oil recipes for health, home and beauty. Then store the index sized cards in a recipe box for future reference or to duplicate your favorite recipes.

There’s no monthly commitment to try Simply Earth. Buy a single box or individual essential oils when it fits your budget. Discover all the benefits of Simply Earth’s essential oil recipe boxes here. Or check out my reviews of past boxes from Simply Earth here.

Ready to explore new essential oils? Order this month’s box with right away! (Use coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE to receive a FREE bonus box worth $40 with your first order. You’ll also get an e-coupon for $40 off your next box. Get yours now!)

Interested in learning even more? Explore more ways to use essential oils in your home as well as for health and beauty applications by visiting my essential oils & herbs board on Pinterest. And, of course, don’t forget to pin this post with my eucalyptus and orange essential oil blend recipe for later!

For more ideas for using essential oils as well as my own original bath and beauty recipes, be sure to follow me across your favorite social media platforms. You can find and follow me on Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up to receive my semi-weekly newsletter to stay in the loop.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Handmade Home, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: allergy relief, bath and beauty, bath and body, essential oil blend, essential oils, essential oils recipes, eucalyptus, handmade home, health and wellness, healthy homemaking, lifestyle, natural alternative, natural beauty, natural skin care, non-toxic, orange, summer skin care

Natural Cleaning Clay Recipe for Your Glass Stove Top, Countertops & Tile Floors

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

March 27, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 1 Comment

Learn how to make a natural cleaning clay recipe to clean just about everything! Perfect for cleaning glass stove tops, granite countertops and even tile floors, this easy cleaning clay recipe requires just 3-ingredients. Make yours in just 5-minutes! Plus discover more simple, all natural cleaning products you can make using essential oils.

Natural Cleaning Products That Work

I first discovered the miracle of cleaning clay after attending an H2O at Home party at a friend’s home. I was particularly impressed with both the effective of their cleaning clay and the simplicity of this all purpose cleaning product. Not only does it work great as a non-toxic, natural household cleaning product on most surfaces, it literally lasts forever!

Since trying out their products, I’d been dying to make my own natural cleaning clay. Unfortunately this homemaking project kept getting pushed onto the back burner. That is until I received the new Simply Earth essential oil recipe box for April. Well timed for spring cleaning, this essential oil recipe box contained a variety of recipes for natural cleaning products. It also had a bottle of that one ingredient I’d needed to finally make my natural cleaning clay recipe – lemon essential oil.

All of Simply Earth’s essential oil boxes come with a collection of four essential oils. They also include additional ingredients and containers to make everything from natural beauty and skin care products to non-toxic cleaning products and aromatherapy diffuser blends. Each box also includes a collection of essential oil recipe cards. As their recipe cards are the same size as index cards, they fit easily into a standard 3″ x 5″ recipe box for quick reference and storage.

I love receiving my Simply Earth essential oil recipe box every month. It’s such a great way for me to explore new essential oils (some of which I’d never heard of like the amyris essential oil) as well as affordably grow my essential oil collection. Plus it feels good knowing that Simply Earth donates 13% of their profits to help end human trafficking. How can you not get behind a cause like that?

Related: Amyris Essential Oil Uses, Benefits and Recipes

Inside the new Simply Earth essential oil recipe box.

The April recipe box from Simple Earth is all about making your own natural cleaning products. The most recent box contained nutmeg essential oil, tea tree essential oil and lemon essential oil. It included an essential oil blend – BO Be Gone – as well. (It’s kind of perfect for making hand soap and natural laundry detergent.) In addition to the essential oils, my box also contained liquid Castile soap and an aluminum spray bottle for making their tea tree & lemon multi-surface cleaning spray.

The April essential oil recipe box contains recipes for the following natural cleaning products.

Tea Tree and Lemon Surface Cleaner Recipe
Lemon and Nutmeg Dishwasher Detergent Recipe
Laundry Stain Remover Roll On Recipe
Natural Home Diffuser Recipe
Easy Foaming Hand Soap Recipe
Natural Laundry Detergent Recipe

(If this is your first time learning about Simply Earth’s amazing essential recipe boxes, I’ve provided a clear overview of their ingredients, supplies and benefits here. There’s also coupon code for a free jam packed bonus box on your first order and a discount code for your second box.)

Related: Eco-Friendly Spring Cleaning Tips

Essential Oil Natural Cleaning Products

Following are some of my favorite homemade natural cleaning products included in the latest essential oil recipe box from Simply Earth. I’ve also included my own natural cleaning clay recipe so you can discover why I think it’s the bee’s knees. (And yes, I’m told, bees do have knees. Technically.)

Tea Tree & Lemon Surface Cleaner

Ingredients:

1/3 cup hot distilled water
1 tsp. borax powder
2 tsp. white distilled vinegar
2 tsp. rubbing alcohol
10 drops tea tree essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

Measure out the hot water into a glass measuring cup. Add the borax powder then stir to dissolve.

Follow with the remaining ingredients for the surface cleaner as called for in the recipe. Stir well to combine.

Now pour the mixture into an aluminum spray bottle. If desired, label your creation with one of the product stickers provided by Simply Earth.

Usage:

Shake this product prior to each use. To use, simply spray onto countertops and other non porous surfaces, then wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. Your natural tea tree & lemon essential oil surface cleaner not only cleans surfaces and kills germs, it will also leave your home smelling naturally fresh.

Laundry Stain Remover Roll On Recipe

Ingredients:

10 mL liquid Castile soap
10 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions:

Combine the essential oils in a 10 mL roll on bottle. Swirl the bottle to mix the oils.

Now fill the remainder of the bottle with liquid Castile soap.

Usage:

Shake well prior to each use. Then simply roll this natural laundry stain remover onto laundry stains. Allow to sit 5 to 10 minutes prior to washing.

Natural Cleaning Clay Recipe

Ingredients:

4 oz. liquid Castile coconut oil soap
12 oz. white kaolin clay
40 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

Using a digital scale to weigh out the Castile soap into a large glass bowl. Add the lemon essential oil and stir well to combine.

Then, in a separate container, weigh out the kaolin clay. Slowly add the clay to the the liquid soap base, mixing with a fork until all the clay is incorporated into the soap. If necessary, use your hands to blend the last bit of clay into the natural cleaning clay. There should be no dry clay left. However the mixture should be very firm.

Now fill an 8 oz. low profile jar with the cleaning clay. Press the natural cleaning clay firmly into the jar until it’s filled. You can then use the back of a measuring cup or as spatula to press the clay flat on top.

Usage:

Massage a slightly damp bubble up brush or sponge onto the cleaning clay. Then cover your surface with the cleaning clay, adding slightly more water to the sponge if necessary to form a thick foam. Then remove the cleaning clay using a damp microfiber cloth.

For dirty glass stove tops, cover the entire stovetop with cleaning clay. Allow the mixture to dry on the surface, then wipe clean with a dry microfiber cloth. Follow with a damp cloth to remove any residue if needed. Then polish clean with a dry cloth.

My natural cleaning clay recipe works great for deep cleaning a number of other surfaces including granite countertops, sinks, tubs and tile. However, as will all natural cleaning products, I recommend testing the cleaning clay first in an inconspicuous area on natural surfaces.

More Natural Cleaning Products Recipes

Now that you’ve tackled these recipes for natural cleaning products, try some of these other recipes for natural cleaning products for your home.

Also be sure to check out my eco-friendly laundry tips to save time and money as this household chore. You’ll also love my collection of spring cleaning tips for a green friendly lifestyle and a non-toxic clean throughout your entire home.

Explore more recipes with essential oils.

It’s so easy to get started with essential oils as well as make your own simple essential oil recipes for home, health and beauty. Visit Simply Earth now to order your first essential oil recipe box and get a free bonus supply box with coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE You’ll also receive a $40 discount on your second box.

To discover more ways to use essential oils in your home, visit my Essential Oils & Herbs for Health, Lifestyle and Beauty Pinterest board. You can also find and follow me across your favorite social media platforms including Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram so you never miss a post. Or simply sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter.

Filed Under: Handmade Home, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: bathroom cleaner, cleaners, cleaning, cleaning hacks, cleaning products, cleaning recipe, cleaning solutions, cleaning tips, diy, easy, eco-friendly, essential oil recipes, essential oils, green cleaning, green living, handmade home, healthy homemaking, healthy living, homemaking, housework, kitchen cleaner, simply earth, spring cleaning

Simple Essential Oil Recipes for Home, Health & Beauty

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

January 10, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon Leave a Comment

Creating simple essential oil recipes for your home, health and beauty is easier than you think. And it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Keep reading to discover how you can get started making your own products at an affordable price with no special equipment to buy!

There’s a universal truth about soapmaking. And it’s not really one we’re aware of until we actually devote ourselves to becoming soapmakers head on. It’s not a cheap hobby. In fact, getting started can require a pretty hefty investment. Throw in beauty and skin care recipes and you accidentally blew your entire grocery budget for the month. Even those DIY kits from soapmaking suppliers can run on the high side. I’ve seen a few that were over $100. And they only make a single recipe. Add essential oils to the mix and it can get expensive AF pretty quickly.

So why can’t there be an affordable way to explore multiple arenas of making simple essential oil recipes for home, health and beauty?

There is. It’s called Simply Earth.

What is Simply Earth?

Simply Earth is exactly what its name implies. Simple, plant based ingredients for crafting simple essential oil recipes for home, health and beauty. A monthly essential oil subscription box, Simply Earth provides you with everything you need to make simple essential oil recipes when you join. From the packaging and containers – like roller balls and lip balm tubes – to ingredients and recipe cards. There are even stickers for your finished products!

If I were ever to do an unboxing video, Simply Earth would be the box I’d start with. My lack of patience for such things aside, the monthly essential oil boxes from Simply Earth are, well, simply stunning. Beautifully packaged for both presentation and care, Simply Earth is everything one can hope for in a DIY essential oil box. In fact, the very first time I learned about Simply Earth, I knew I had to get one for myself!

And here we are.

What makes Simply Earth so amazing?

I received the January box from Simply Earth and can’t say enough great things about it. What makes it so amazing? Well, I’ll tell you.

1. It saves space.

If you’ve ever purchased materials in bulk for a project you know how much space they can take up. Living in a tiny *almost* studio sized apartment, I understand how important it is to save on space. So if you end up with a massive amount of containers and ingredients for a project you only plan to make once, it’s a challenge to find room for the leftover supplies. With Simply Earth you get all the materials you need in a SINGLE box for multiple recipes. There are still ingredients like essential oils, carrier oils and even beeswax leftover to use in future essential oil recipes. However, they aren’t going to take up three shelves in your cabinet.

2. You save money.

As previously mentioned, getting started with essential oils as well making natural home, health and beauty recipes can be costly. With Simply Earth, your up front costs are minimal. And with each new monthly essential oil box, you can make multiple new projects. All for an affordable price that fits most budgets. So creating your own simple essential oil recipes is fun, affordable and easy. It also makes it easy to grow your essential oil collection over time. Plus, all of the essential oils from Simply Earth have been tested and proven pure. So you know you’re getting a quality product.

3. You don’t need to buy any special equipment.

Most of my own natural beauty and skin care recipes require you purchase a digital scale for weighing out ingredients. Or you may need a special mold. However, if you aren’t a serious soapmaker, or just want a basic introduction to new ingredients, Simply Earth gives you just that. Everything you need to get started with no special equipment to buy. Plus there are six, brand new simple essential oil recipes to make each month.

4. It makes learning accessible.

Most of us have busy lives. And while we love learning new things, sometimes starting a new hobby or project can seem overwhelming – as well as time consuming. The essential oil boxes from Simply Earth introduce you to new essential oils slowly over time. So it’s easy to build on your knowledge and learn about the health and beauty benefits of essential oils. Plus, each of the simple essential oil recipes found in Simply Earth boxes can be made in around ten minutes or less. This allows you to take time out for self care while also creating something new that fits perfectly into your healthy lifestyle.

5. There are lots of recipes to get you started.

Want to make something new? Simply visit the Simply Earth website for a wide range of simple essential oil recipes for home, health and beauty. The Simply Earth blog offers simple essential oil recipes on how to make bath bombs, essential oil diffuser blends, body butter, sugar scrubs, face masks, candles, cold support chest rubs, natural germ cleaners, essential oil fruit & veggie wash – even essential oil jewelry diffusers!

6. Simply Earth boxes are fun for everyone.

Not only is Simply Earth fun for you, it’s also fun for the family. Their products are suitable for most ages including tweens and up. So you can enjoy learning about new essential oils as a family. Or, explore your new essential oil box from Simply Earth with friends or coworkers. (These boxes make great gifts too!)

7. They donate to charity.

Finally, Simply earth donates 13% of their profits to organizations that work to end human trafficking.

Inside my Simply Earth essential oil box.

I received Simply Earth’s January essential oil box for my very first box along with a free big bonus box. Inside were the ingredients and essential oils to make the following products (along with recipe cards.)

Confidence Diffuser Blend
Skin Renewal Sugar Scrub
Relaxing Textured Massage Bars
Lip Rejuvenating Lip Balms
Skin Healing Booster Roll On
Calming and Uplifting Body Butter

The ingredients included coconut oil and fractionated (liquid) coconut oil, sweet almond oil, tapioca pearls, cosmetic beeswax and a silicone soap mold. I also received multiple, empty essential oil bottles with droppers, glass amber bottles with metal roller balls, an amber glass jar and lip balm containers. Additionally, my box also included the following essential oils:

Ravensara Essential Oil
Bergamot Essential Oil
Farewell Scars Essential Oil Blend
Myrrh Essential Oil

My favorite essential oil recipe for January from Simply Earth is the relaxing textured massage bar with tapioca pearls. While my favorite essential oil this month is the Farewell Scars essential oil blend. (I love that information about the benefits of each essential oil or essential oil blend can be found on the back of the recipe cards!)

Get your essential oil box from Simply Earth!

I can’t wait to receive next month’s essential oil box from Simply Earth! The theme for February is natural makeup. Not only will this box contain six simple essential oil recipes for natural makeup, it will also include the following essential oils and blends: Beauty Within, Geranium, Coffee and Copaiba. Plus there are bonus items like eye makeup containers and natural colorants!

If you’re excited as I was when I first learned about Simply Earth, then make sure you start your monthly subscription! Not only will you receive a free bonus box, you’ll also get a gift card $40 off your next order when you use coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE If a monthly box doesn’t fit your budget, no worries. You can opt in to receive a quarterly essential oils box with six simple essential oil recipes instead. Or, it’s easy to skip a box or cancel your subscription for any reason! Get started now!

For more simple essential oils recipes, sign up my semi-weekly newsletter to discover more of my original beauty and skin care recipes and projects to try throughout the new year! You can also follow me on facebook and instagram.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Handmade Home, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: aromatherapy, beauty box, beauty kit, beauty recipe, beauty recipes, essential oil blend, essential oil recipes, essential oils, handmade home, health and wellness, healthy homemaking, natural beauty, natural skin care, self care, simply earth

No Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas for Fall

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

October 10, 2018 By Rebecca D. Dillon Leave a Comment

If you’re ready to decorate with pumpkins for fall, then be sure to check out this amazing collection of no carve pumpkin decorating ideas! These handmade fall pumpkins are exactly what your home needs! Whether you’re buying seasonally inspired pumpkin fall decor for your home, or you simply need some inspiration for your own DIY no carve pumpkins, you’ll love these handmade fall pumpkin ideas!

I loved carving pumpkins a kid. And then, of course, doing it all over again with my son throughout his childhood. At this point in my life, however, I’m kind of over the gooey, slimy pumpkin guts, kids stealing through the night to smash the neighborhood jack-o-lanterns and the eventual downfall of my creations.

Assuming my carved pumpkins survived being demolished by tricksters, watching something you spent a good deal of time on shrink and fade and rot, seems almost self defeating. To be honest, I’m of that mind to simply paint a faux pumpkin that I can reuse every year. If dealing with messy pumpkin guts and seeds aren’t your thing either, then consider these fall pumpkin decorating ideas instead.

No Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas for Fall

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Decor

As featured in the ‘House Beautiful’ October 2017 issue, this collection of one of a kind handmade crocheted & knit pumpkins from Candyfleece are a must for your Thanksgiving tablescape. These pumpkins will add a wonderful rustic touch to your holiday or fall home decor. Offered in an assortment of colors, you’ll receive these pumpkins in orange, rusty brown, oatmeal, white and blue. Shop now. (Or browse pumpkin patterns to create your own!)

Live Fall Succulent Pumpkin Decor

If you love the look of real pumpkins and have a weakness for succulents, then this pumpkin centerpiece is a must for your sunny dining room. Available from PetalsPetiteSD, live succulents are arranged on a real pumpkin ready to be used as living decor in your home throughout fall. Shop now. (Alternately, you can also create your own similar faux arrangement using a Durafoam short foam pumpkin and faux succulents.)

Velvet Pumpkin Centerpiece

Velvet pumpkins are all the rage this year and are one of the top no carve pumpkin decorating ideas this fall. This collection of four handmade velvet pumpkins from Your Heart’s Content is the perfect way to stay on trend. You can buy this collection of velvet pumpkins nestled in a round metal tray with faux grapevine and sunflowers to make a gorgeous, fall centerpiece! Or purchase the any of the elements separately based on your fall decorating needs. Shop now.

Rustic Pumpkin & Black Cat Fall Home Decor

If you’re looking for outdoor no carve pumpkin decorating ideas, then look no further than this rustic, pallet wood pumpkin with a black cat from Polished Expression. This kitty cat pumpkin stands on his own and would look super cute on a porch, patio, or even indoors with your Halloween decorations. This hand cut pumpkin is marked by attention to detail and is well constructed for many years of use. Shop now. (You can also create your own version using a pre-cut wood pumpkin.)

Purple & Gold Glam Hand Painted Pumpkin

This purple and gold glam hand painted resin pumpkin from Pearles Painting makes a super cute fall accessory for your home! It’s perfect for your fireplace mantel or as an accent to your living room decor. Or, buy several pumpkins to combine for a stunning Thanksgiving tablescape for the holidays! Shop now. (Inspired to paint your own pumpkin? This white pumpkin is up for the task!)

Black & White Fabric Farmhouse Pumpkin

This non-traditional, checked black and white pumpkin is making waves as another one of the top no carve pumpkin decorating ideas for fall. Handmade by SheriSewSweet, these stunning pumpkins are made with the latest trending black & white buffalo check fabric, and are guaranteed to make your fall and Halloween decor stand out from the crowd. These fabric pumpkins are a wonderful accent to your fall farmhouse decor in any room. Shop now. (Is sewing on your list of “I’ve got this!”? Craft your own fabric pumpkins with this easy sewing pumpkin pattern!)

Pumpkin Needle Felting Kit

Prefer your pumpkins in miniature? Why not try your hand at needle felting? These needle felted pumpkins are super cute! Not to mention, needle felting is a LOT easier than you might think. I made needle felted wine bags this past spring and had a blast making them. In fact, I’m all signed up for another needle felting class next week – to make needle felted pumpkins and gourds! This pumpkin needle felting kit from Bear Creek Felting comes with everything you need to make an adorable needle felted fall pumpkin for your Halloween or Thanksgiving decor. Shop now.

Repurposed Book Pumpkin

If your preference is paper crafts, then you’ll love this eco-friendly pumpkin crafted from an upcycled book! The repurposed paper book pumpkins from Treecycled Crafts are covered in hand cut paper book page roses made from old discarded paperback books. They are then decorated with twine, berries, ribbon or ink for unique, one of a kind fall decor. Shop now.

Ready to buy those faux pumpkins to create your on fall decor using these no carve pumpkin decorating ideas? Then be sure to check out the great selection of craft materials at Consumer Crafts. Or, shop my fab fall favorites for a creative selection of handmade fall style, accessories and home decorating ideas.

For more great seasonal decorating and DIY ideas from Soap Deli News blog, be sure to follow me across all of your favorite social media platforms. You can find me on G+, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Blog Lovin’ and Instagram. Or, alternately, you can also subscribe to Soap Deli News via email for future updates, DIY projects and recipes.

Filed Under: Decorating, DIY Craft Project, Handmade Home, Holiday DIY Tagged With: decorating, eco-friendly, fall decor, Halloween, handmade home, home decor, no carve pumpkin, painted pumpkin, pumpkin, thanksgiving

Clever Ways to Repurpose Your Cleaning Caddy (Plus Non-Toxic DIY Cleaners to Make Right Now!)

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

July 10, 2018 By Rebecca D. Dillon

If you struggle to stay organized amidst the chaos of your crafty life, then be sure to check out this collection of six clever ways to repurpose your cleaning caddy. Plus learn how to make your own non-toxic cleaners to keep your creative spaces clean this summer!

As a crafter and soapmaker, staying organized can be a challenge for me. However, it’s a necessity I can’t live without. I’ll admit that I do allow my desk to become a mess of papers, books and notes ~~from time to time~~ often. However, every time I reorganize and declutter my desk, it falls back into disarray within a few days.

While I can deal with a messy desk, keeping my soapmaking and craft supplies organized is an absolute must. Obviously keeping my supplies organized allows me to find what I need for my projects quickly and efficiently. It also serves as a great reminder of which ingredients or materials I have on hand for my next recipe.

Knowing what materials I have to work with is of upmost importance. I’m sure that you, like myself, have accidentally reordered a supply only to discover you still had it in stock, hiding in the back of your pantry. This was, of course, after you removed that new product you were dying to try from your cart in order to buy said supply to stay within your budget. (I SO hate that.)

The best thing to do in this particular situation is to make a list. And while I generally enjoy making lists, I loathe making inventory lists. It remains one of the most tedious tasks I have to perform, so I almost never ever do it. I’d much rather have limitless storage space and containers for organizing.

Cleaning caddies are perfect for neatly storing and carrying just about anything around your home. Especially if your regular storage spaces are overrun with craft supplies. So when I received this stylish, multi-functional enamel caddy from Grove Collaborative, I’d already thought of a reason to order two more!

It’s also why I’m so excited to share this free offer with you: When you place your first order of $20 from Grove Collaborative, you’ll get this free caddy to help you organize your space. Even better, this awesome cleaning caddy comes filled with Mrs. Meyer’s dish soap, hand soap, and lotion. Plus you’ll also receive free shipping!

While you’re more than welcome to go the traditional route and fill your caddy with cleaning supplies like a multi-purpose spray, microfibers, a wand duster, and Mrs. Meyer’s dish soap – why stop there? Following you’ll discover six clever ways to repurpose your cleaning caddy for something other than simply cleaning! (Plus keep reading after these tips for recipes to make your own homemade cleaners!)

Clever Ways to Repurpose Your Cleaning Caddy

1. Mini herb or succulent garden.

I love the idea of a kitchen herb garden in an unconventional planter. Add a few inches of gravel or pebbles for drainage, then a layer of potting soil, and your plants. My favorite herbs to grow are basil, cilantro, and rosemary. Another benefit of the caddy: The handle makes it easy to carry your plants to the sink for watering!

2. Garden tool organizer.

Here’s a gardening hack for all my green thumb friends: Repurpose your cleaning caddy into a garden tool organizer! Fill it with a cute pair of gloves, trowel, pruning shears, hand rake, and kneeling board. Easily carry your garden tools around the yard instead of running back and forth to the shed. When you’re done gardening, Meyer’s hand soap and lotion are perfect for pampering hardworking hands. (You can also learn how to make your own homemade gardener’s soap from scratch!)

3. Hair tool organizer.

Low on storage space under the bathroom sink? Repurpose your cleaning caddy to create a styling station with your hair dryer, brush, flat iron or curling iron, and products all within reach. I recently added Seed nourishing hair and body oil (which is available through Grove) to my kit, and it’s perfect for taming summer flyaways! My roommate, Bambi, is always flat ironing her hair while I’m always trying to put curls in mine. So having a place to stash our styling tools is a must!

4. Dog toy holder.

Your furry best friend will love this trick: Repurpose your cleaning caddy into a dog toy bin that matches your decor. Fill the caddy with tennis balls, stuffed animals, and other toys. Your pup can reach his own toys, and you won’t have to worry about stepping on a squeaky toy in the middle of the stairs! (This was, of course, my dachshund’s favorite idea!)

5. Ice chest for summer entertaining.

Raise your hand if you’re ready for patio season! This caddy is just the right size to hold ice and a few bottles of wine or lemonade. It’s easy to carry outside, and so much cuter than a plastic cooler. I also recommend adding Murphy’s Naturals mosquito repellent candles to your Grove order to keep summer pests away from your party! (You can keep wine in stock all summer long without ever leaving the house with Winc!)

6. Art supply organizer.

With summer finally here I’ve been spending a lot more time outdoors. Part of that time includes hunting for river rocks to paint! Rather than struggling with multiple containers for our paint brushes and paint pens, my roommate and I repurposed this cleaning caddy for our art supplies. Now it’s quick and easy to remove our art supplies from the dining room table for our regular Tuesday date night dinners.

What are some of the ways you would repurpose your cleaning caddy from Grove? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Plus, don’t forget to grab your free set while supplies last. Here’s how: Sign up for Grove Collaborative here.

You will receive the Grove cleaning caddy along with a Mrs. Meyer’s dish soap, hand soap, and lotion free when you sign up! (To receive this offer, your order needs to be a minimum of $20. Choose the combination of products and scents you love and receive your first box within a few days!)

Tip to save: Once you have submitted your Grove order, you will be signed up for the free 60 day VIP trial. For 60 days, save even more with free shipping, free gifts, price matching, exclusive sales and personal service.

Favorite Non-Toxic Cleaner Recipes

Now that you’re set with some awesome new products from Grove, why not try your hand at making some of your own? I love the ease and flexibility of making my own non-toxic cleaners when I run out last minute or just feel like a fresh new scent. Here are some of my favorite recipes for homemade cleaners. (Or try out one of Grove’s easy cleaning concentrates!)

1. Best Homemade Shower Cleaner Recipe

This homemade shower cleaner recipe is a snap to make and is super effective at ridding your shower of hard water stains and soap scum with almost no effort on your part! Even better, it requires just two ingredients that are likely already in your home! Learn to make it here.

2. DIY Odor Neutralizing Spray

This 2-ingredient DIY odor neutralizing spray tackles tough odors your pets or family leave behind. Made using naturally sanitizing & deodorizing witch hazel in combination with an odor neutralizing fragrance oil, this homemade household product effectively conquers even the toughest smells. Make yours with an odor neutralizing fragrance oil. Or go completely natural with Spark Naturals Refresh Cleansing Blend Essential Oil. Learn how to make your own odor neutralizing spray here.

3. Vinegar Free All Purpose Cleaner Recipe

Need a vinegar free all purpose cleaner that works magic on your family’s muck and mayhem? This 3-ingredient recipe with lemon essential oil not only makes wine stains disappear, but it’s also non-toxic, saves you money and smells amazing! Learn to make it now.

4. Homemade Laundry Detergent

Learn how to make your own DIY homemade laundry detergent for an eco-friendly approach to cleaning! Not only does making my own detergent save money over buying commercial detergent brands, but it’s also rewarding to know you’ve made your own natural products. Learn how here.

5. Homemade After Shower Spray and Window Cleaner

This homemade after shower spray and window cleaner is a wonderful natural, non-toxic way to clean your bathroom and other home surfaces! It requires as few as three simple ingredients and can be customized with your preferred essential oil or essential oil blend. Find this non-toxic cleaning recipe here.

For more great DIY ideas for your home, be sure to follow Soap Deli News on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Blog Lovin’, and Instagram so you never miss a post. Alternately, you can also subscribe to Soap Deli News via email for future updates, DIY projects and recipes.

Filed Under: Health & Wellness, Lifestyle, Shopping Tagged With: cleaners, cleaning, cleaning recipe, cleaning solutions, handmade home, homemaking, housework, non-toxic, summer