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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 1 Comment

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

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

March 9, 2020 By Rebecca D. Dillon 20 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

Spring Cleaning Tips: How to Naturally Clean & Declutter Your Home

January 30, 2020 By Rebecca D. Dillon 4 Comments

Part of getting my home in order for spring, involves spring cleaning. This includes decluttering — and grudgingly tossing out those craft and soap making supplies that have hung around a bit too long. While spring cleaning is probably one of my least favorite chores ever, it doesn’t have to be a full on gladiator challenge. Get your home in order this spring with these easy spring cleaning tips and tricks. Plus discover ideas for decluttering your home and utilizing natural cleaners. Following are my best spring cleaning tips and homemade cleaner recipes to help you get your butt in gear and start the new season off right!

Spring Cleaning & Decluttering Your Home

Although it’s been a mild winter thus far, I’m still looking forward to spring. As the weather gets warmer, the birds start chirping and the flowers and trees start to grow. I also prepare for a new beginning and growth in my home. It’s definitely an inspirational time for me. Not only do I get excited about getting outdoors again, but I’m also always stoked to start on new projects. However, a clean space — without the clutter from the previous year — is paramount to both my productivity and creativity.

With the stress of the holidays gone, along with all those crazy commitments, I’m finally recharged and ready to tackle spring cleaning in my house. Spring cleaning isn’t my favorite chore, but the reward is well worth it. Knowing that everything is clean gives me a sense of peace and calm. And, of course, it grounds me better than any other activity out there. (Sad, but true. If only I had the patience to meditate.)

I used to dread spring cleaning. Now I look at it as a time to get organized and start fresh, which helps improve my mood and motivates me to get it done.

Easy Spring Cleaning Tips and Tricks to Get the Job Done

If you dread spring cleaning, here are some helpful, spring cleaning tips that will aid you in getting your home clean and organized naturally. All without having to turn it into a huge production resulting in weeks worth of memes on your Facebook page and no actual progress.

Declutter Your Home

Weeks before I begin the actual cleaning, I start decluttering. Why waste my time cleaning things that I don’t want? And to be honest, you can clean anytime. I mean, you do it all year long anyway. (Well, I hope you do. There are some single dudes I know that are just flat out gross. Their kitchen floor literally requires a blow torch, not a mop.) Therefore decluttering tops my list of spring cleaning tips.

To get started decluttering my home, I go through each room with two baskets and a trash bag, one at a time. Trash goes in the trash bag, things that don’t belong in that room go in one box, and things I want to get rid of go in the other box. You’d be amazed at how much stuff you don’t need anymore! (And while I know you haven’t used all that shea butter up yet, it’s hitting the end of its shelf life and has got to go. Because seriously, while you could throw it into a soap recipe this weekend, are you really going to 100% make that happen?)

The things I don’t want I take directly to my car to drop off at a thrift store that benefits charities. Other things, like ingredients on their last leg and those spices in my cabinets that are basically flavorless dirt granules at this point, get tossed. I have less clutter, and other people benefit.

Although sometimes I think people benefit more from me tossing the “garbage” in my pantry (I mean, if I don’t want to eat it, do they?) than the clothing I drop off at the thrift store. The same, of course, can be said for that ever growing stash of soap making supplies that stretches on to infinity. The last thing you want to do is invest the time it takes to make cold process soap only to end up with dreaded orange spots at the end of a cure because you held onto that olive oil too long.

Decide How to Clean

Once you declutter your home, then decide how you’re going to clean. I clean room by room. This helps me stay motivated because I can finish a room and feel a sense of accomplishment once it’s done. It also keeps me from getting overwhelmed. After all, no one wants to see me sheltered in a corner talking to myself anymore than I usually do. (I’m self employed, dammit. It’s called a staff meeting!)

I have a friend who does one chore all over the house. She cleans every window at the same time, then she cleans all of the floors. This saves her the time and hassle of getting out the same cleaning products over and over.

Make a Schedule

I would love to get my all of my spring cleaning done in just one or two days. However, I can’t do that without risking a fibro flare. Although I take supplements that help me manage my fibro, I have to respect my daily limits. (Self care, while important for EVERYONE, matters even more when you have a chronic illness. Because literally it can put you out of commission for days to weeks.)

Whether it’s your health or your work schedule that dictates how much you can do in a day, it’s helpful to make a plan. Sometimes it takes me up to two weeks to spring clean. That’s okay! Take your time and it will get done eventually. You’ll find that trying my spring cleaning tips as well a developing your own spring cleaning tips and tricks that fit your lifestyle and personality, really does help.

I make a plan for a room a day and skip some days so I don’t overexert myself. You don’t have to get everything done in one day.

Work Top to Bottom

When it is time to start spring cleaning, always work from the ceiling to the floor. Any dust that you move around will fall to the floor, so it’s important to clean your floors last.

I’m no seven foot NBA player, so getting cobwebs from the ceiling or cleaning the walls is a nightmare. I love this Compact Mop and Broom Kit for dusting the ceiling and walls, however. I use the microfiber mopping cloth dry or slightly damp to dust the ceiling and walls. It makes it so quick, and I can finally reach them without risking falling off of a chair.

Not only is it made from recycled materials, this makes multi-tasking a snap and the collapsable handle saves on space.

Once the ceiling and walls are clean, I move onto the surfaces and finally the floors. Afterwards, I just toss the microfiber mop head into the washing machine, so there’s zero waste.

Tips on Spring Cleaning Your Home with Natural, Non-toxic Cleaners

Steam Cleaning

Another of my favorite spring cleaning tips is to steam clean. I don’t want to use chemicals when I clean, so my preference is to clean with steam for those extra dirty jobs. I have a portable steam cleaner that I use for surfaces, including the microwave, sinks, bathrooms, and more. Not all surfaces can be steam cleaned, so check the manufacturer’s instructions before using it.

Steam cleaning removes up to 99.9 percent of bacteria and other germs. It’s a great way to kill germs with just water and no chemicals.

Of course, if a steam mop isn’t part of your doomsday arsenal, you can always make your own DIY all purpose cleaner with essential oils to disinfect floors and other surfaces. (Just be sure to sub the tea tree oil if you have pets in your home.)

Alternately, if you’re in the market for a steam mop, the PurSteam Thermapro Steam Mop is truly multi-surface and multi-functional. It can be used on hardwood floors, tile, laminate, carpet and even clothing. In addition, it’s also pet friendly. And the small size means it doesn’t take up half my utility closet.

All Purpose Cleaner

The all purpose cleaners that you find in stores can be toxic and not healthy for you, your family, or your pets. So choosing the right cleaning products for your home is important. Products such as Mrs. Meyer’s all purpose cleaner, which is made from plant-derived ingredients, as well as Aunt Fannie’s cleaning vinegar are the perfect natural alternatives for cleaning your kitchen and bathroom.

In addition to buying non-toxic, commercial cleaners, you can also make your own natural cleaning products. If you’re new to making your own cleaners, I recommend starting with an all purpose cleaner because you’ll use it often in the kitchen and in the bath. Here’s a very easy and basic all purpose cleaner recipe with vinegar, water and essential oils.

Alternately, if you significant other has threatened maiming, torture or death if you ever use vinegar to clean the house again, here’s a vinegar free all purpose cleaner that uses Sal Suds to clean instead. (It’s pretty crazy awesome. It got an old wine stain off my laminate countertop.)

All purpose cleaners are great for general cleaning, but they don’t work well on stuck on dirt or dried food spills. Therefore, I recommend making this natural cleaning clay recipe. It works like a soft scrub cleanser and is perfect for cleaning your stove top, tile floors or glass. It requires just three simple ingredients and is ready to use in just 5-minutes.

Liquid Castile Soap

I also use liquid castile soap to clean my home. Typically, I’ll use it in the mop bucket and dilute it to clean surfaces. I’ve tried making my own liquid Castile soap, but it always separates. Therefore, I usually just pick up Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castile Soap instead.

Not only is Dr. Bronner’s a quality liquid soap, it’s also safe enough you wouldn’t feel completely terrible about washing out your teenager’s mouth with it. While not something I condone, I certainly won’t play innocent and balk over thinking about it a time or two. Even the most perfect children can drive you up the wall. Especially during that “no” stage. And the one where they question everything… “But why?”

If you’re short on cupboard space like I am, here’s how to make a liquid castile soap concentrate for cleaning. This won’t separate like a homemade liquid will and it will save you some dough if you’re on a budget.

Laundry Cleaners

My washer and dryer work overtime when I’m spring cleaning. I always make sure to wash my curtains, bedding, and pillows.

I wash them in the hottest water possible for the fabric to kill germs. I also like to hang them outside in the sun to kill more germs and make them smell like fresh sunshine.

Making laundry detergent is also easy and saves a lot of money. Here’s my easy, homemade laundry soap recipe. If you have tough laundry stains, then be sure to treat them with a laundry stain remover recipe. (This stain remover stick also works great for hand washing delicates.)

Don’t like grating the soap? Here’s how to make laundry detergent without grating.

Bathroom Spring Cleaning Tips

I think spring cleaning the bathroom is at the bottom of everyone’s favorite things to do list. If you clean your bathroom weekly, there isn’t much left to do for spring cleaning except declutter the cabinets and give it a thorough cleaning. (And if you have little boys running around your bathroom, then you’re likely cleaning a lot more frequently. Because, boy pee. Am I right?)

To make cleaning my bathtub quick and easy, I use my homemade shower cleaner weekly. It not only makes my bathtub sparkle, it also works great on grimy toilets and sinks! Overall, it’s just an easy way to keep my bathroom clean without a lot of effort. My Dawn and vinegar shower cleaner is also great for a no scrub deep clean on shower doors and soap scum, and requires as few as two ingredients. (This is by far one of my most popular bathroom cleaner recipes!)

Then, for daily maintenance, use an after shower spray to keep your shower clean for longer periods between cleaning. This easy bathroom cleaning hack also works on windows and mirrors, and is made with a simple, 2-ingredient essential oil blend that naturally freshens your bathroom as well.

Cleaning Hacks for Naturally Freshening the Air

I think opening the windows helps clear the air and makes the house smell so fresh! However, if the temperature isn’t warm enough in your neck of the woods, try one of these easy ideas for natural air cleaners instead.

I use my diffuser to kill germs in the air during the winter. Essential oils like tea tree oil, eucalyptus essential oil, lemon essential oil, and clove essential oil can kill germs in the air when diffused. You can find a ready made, Purify essential oil blend that’s perfect for this task here.

You can also try my rosemary fir room spray to freshen the air or my lavender eucalyptus DIY air freshener with essential oils to freshen both the air and fabrics. It’s great for smelly kids rooms as well as pet odors.

Looking for Eco-friendly Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Home?

For eco-friendly spring cleaning tips, check out this post for healthy homemaking ideas. This collection of spring cleaning tips will save you both time and money! And they’re perfect for anyone who wants to create a non-toxic home using eco-friendly cleaning products.

Or give Grove Collaborative a try and score a free sustainable, spring cleaning starter bundle for your household chores when you spend $20 on any of their natural cleaning products, essential oils or cleaning tools. (Offer good for first time customers only.) Sign up here.

If the sustainable starter kit isn’t really something you need, they also have an offer for free laundry detergent as well as a free home bundle with Mrs. Meyer’s products. (Sadly, you can only pick one. I know, bummer. But it’s still a sweet deal regardless.)

For more spring cleaning tips and homemade cleaner recipes, be sure to visit my Natural Cleaning Products & Homemade Cleaner Recipes Pinterest board here. You can also find and follow me on Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up for my newsletter.

Filed Under: Handmade Home, Lifestyle Tagged With: bathroom cleaner, cleaners, cleaning, cleaning hacks, cleaning products, cleaning recipe, cleaning solutions, cleaning tips, eco-friendly, green cleaning, healthy homemaking, healthy living, homemaking, housework, kitchen cleaner, non-toxic, shower cleaner, spring cleaning, window cleaner

DIY All Purpose Cleaner with Essential Oils for a Non-Toxic Clean

January 10, 2020 By Rebecca D. Dillon 5 Comments

Discover an easy way to make a simple DIY all purpose cleaner with essential oils. A safe, non-toxic way to clean your home, this recipe for a green friendly cleaner — and the essential oils to make it! — are part of the new Simply Earth Essential Oil Recipe Box! Read on to learn how to add this easy, 4-ingredient DIY all purpose cleaner to your cleaning routine. Plus discover six more non-toxic cleaning recipes you make using essential oils.

Should I Switch to Natural Non-Toxic Cleaners with Essential Oils?

Wondering if you should make the switch to natural cleaners or your cleaning routine? The answer, in short, is yes!

While spring cleaning is the buzzword as winter dissipates and warm weather sneaks back in, cleaning is unfortunately a year long (not just seasonal) task. There are so many products marketed for those of us obsessed with killing germs, sanitizing surfaces and removing dirt, it can be hard to know which products to choose. Especially when many of those cleaners contain scary, and sometimes evenly potentially toxic, ingredients. And unfortunately, many of them aren’t very eco-friendly either. They contain ingredients like bleach, which harms not just the environment and its ecosystems, but can also cause skin and respiratory distress in both humans and pets.

Luckily, cleaning your home doesn’t have to be toxic or expensive. You can make your own non-toxic homemade cleaners. This DIY all purpose cleaner with essential oils is an easy way to get started. But first, I want to tell you about a sweet offer from Simply Earth. Their new starter essential oil recipe box not only has essential oils perfect for cleaning and sanitizing your home, but also the ingredients to make your very non-toxic DIY all purpose cleaner. There’s also a recipe to make an easy immunity boost hand sanitizer that’s perfect for cold and flu season!

Simply Earth Makes It Easy to Make the Switch!

There are a lot of recipes for natural non-toxic cleaners to be found through a simple google search. Many of which contain essential oils. Knowing the right products to buy, however, can get confusing fast. Luckily, this is where Simply Earth steps in. They make it easy to not just grow your collection of quality essential oils, but also to get started making your own simple essential oil recipes for health, home and beauty!

If you’ve thought about signing up for Simply Earth before, you may have noticed how quickly their monthly essential oil recipe box sells out. Usually, by mid-month, they’ve sold out of the current month’s box. So if you sign up, you’ve had to wait until the following month to receive your first month’s box. Now, when Simply Earth’s monthly essential oil recipe box sells out, you won’t have to wait until the following month to receive your first box. Instead, you’ll get their awesome new starter box, which includes their 4-ingredient recipe for a non-toxic DIY all purpose cleaner.

Here’s what’s inside:

Lemon Essential Oil
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Frankincense Essential Oil
Sleepy Essential Oil Blend
Aloe Vera Gel
2-oz. Spray Bottle
2 Lip Balm Tubes
Sticker Labels for Your Finished Projects
6 Index Sized Recipe Cards

The recipes included in the Simply Earth essential oil starter recipe box are for the following:

Detox Bath Recipe with Epsom Salt
Sleepy Rollerball Essential Oil Recipe
Fresh Air Essential Oil Diffuser Blend Recipe
Lemon Meringue Lip Balm Recipe
Non-Toxic DIY All Purpose Surface Cleaner
Immunity Boost Hand Sanitizer Recipe

You can purchase the starter box from Simply Earth without a subscription. However, when you sign up for a subscription to the Simply Earth essential oil recipe box, you save almost $40 over purchasing the box solo. In addition, you’ll also receive a free bonus box (valued at $40) packed with empty rollerball bottles, blending bottles, coconut oil, beeswax and more materials and supplies to use in future recipes. You’ll also get a coupon code for $40 off your second order from Simply Earth. And it’s good on literally ANYTHING you want to buy. Whether it’s a new diffuser — theirs is so rad! — single essential oils or even more ingredients for your recipes.

Just use coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE when you sign up. Then enjoy exploring six new home, health and beauty recipes every month afterwards! Order your first box today.

Ready to make that easy, non-toxic DIY all purpose cleaner with essential oils now? Great! Let’s get started.

DIY All Purpose Cleaner with Essential Oils

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons distilled water
2 Tablespoons vinegar
13 drops lemon essential oil
7 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions for making a DIY all purpose cleaner:

You’ll need a 2 oz. spray bottle (included in the Simply Earth starter box) to make this DIY all purpose cleaner. If you have a larger spray bottle you’d like to use, simply double the recipe as needed for the size bottle you’d like to use.

To make this non-toxic cleaner, simply combine all the ingredients in the spray bottle. Then, shake the spray bottle for 30 seconds to mix the ingredients.

How to use your non-toxic DIY all purpose cleaner:

To use your DIY all purpose cleaner with essential oil, shake before use. Then spray the cleaner onto surfaces and wipe clean with a microfiber towel. This all purpose spray not only loosens dirt and grime, it also disinfects surfaces.

As vinegar is abrasive, you do not want to use this DIY all purpose cleaner on porous surfaces such as granite. Otherwise you may damage the stone. If you’d like to use this recipe on granite, you can substitute the vinegar with unscented liquid Castile soap.

Omit or substitute the tea tree oil if you have pets, as tea tree oil is toxic to both cats in dogs at low levels.

More Non-Toxic Cleaning Recipes

If you like this recipe for making a non-toxic DIY all purpose cleaner, then you may also want to try these other non-toxic cleaning recipes.

No Scrub Deep Shower Cleaner Recipe with Lemon Essential oil
Vinegar Free All Purpose Cleaner Recipe with Lemon Essential oil
DIY Air Freshener with Essential Oils
Deodorizing Room Spray Recipe with Essential Oils
Stain Remover Recipe for Laundry Stains with Lemon Essential Oil
Natural Soft Scrub Cleaning Clay Recipe with Essential Oils

I hope you enjoy my easy, non-toxic cleaning recipes with essential oils. Don’t forget to order your Simply Earth essential oil starter box to start your subscription today to start on your essential oil journey. Sign up here now. And don’t forget to use coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE to receive your free bonus box and a coupon for $40 off your next order. Or explore past essential oil recipe boxes from Simply Earth here.

Like this recipe for making a non-toxic DIY all purpose cleaner with essential oils? Then don’t forget to pin this natural cleaning recipe to Pinterest for later.

For more great natural product, recipes and ideas from Soap Deli News, make sure to follow me on facebook, twitter, pinterest and instagram as well as on Blog Lovin’. You can also sign up to receive an email whenever I share a new post!

Filed Under: Handmade Home, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: bathroom cleaner, cleaning hacks, cleaning products, cleaning recipe, cleaning solutions, cleaning tips, essential oil recipes, essential oils, healthy homemaking, healthy living, homemaking, kitchen cleaner, non-toxic, simply earth, window cleaner