People love to smell good and not everyone cares about the quality of the product they use to achieve that goal. Walking around and leaving a trail of enchantment can come with a cost, especially if you use synthetic perfumes or sprays. How can a few spritzes of perfume be damaging to your health? Please allow us to explain. 

The Problem With Synthetic Fragrances

No matter the person’s age or health, synthetic fragrances pose several dangers. According to the National Academy of Sciences, roughly 95% of all synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum. They contain toluene, benzene derivatives, and other carcinogenic chemicals that increase the risk of birth defects, allergic reactions, and cancer. Some of these chemicals can even cause damage to the central nervous system and endocrine system. 

It can be hard to pinpoint exactly which fragrances to avoid, since there are over 3,000 ingredients that pose health risks. The words “fragrance” or “parfum” on an ingredient label are legal ways to hide mysterious chemical ingredients. These blanket words can hide an unidentified mixture of ingredients that contain allergens, environmental toxins, neurotoxic chemicals, and endocrine disruptors. This is true for perfumes, shampoos, air fresheners, deodorants, plug-ins, sunscreens, and soaps. 

Creating Your Own Body Spray

Creating your own spray or perfume is a very simple process, but it may require some experimentation. Ultimately, essential oil blends can change over time. Sometimes, the scents can be quite overpowering, so you have to learn how much of each oil to include. One thing to note is that patchouli oil is very overpowering and can scare off some people, so don’t go crazy with that oil. 

Homemade perfumes or sprays made with essential oils are much better for your health and the environment. The fact that a homemade spray is easy to make is also an incredible selling point. Plus, all you have to do is purchase essential oils you enjoy and you can keep experimenting with new combinations every batch you make. Just keep in mind that DIY essential oil scents may not last as long as the chemical perfume fragrances you are used to. While you won’t have to worry about endocrine system disruption or potential headaches, you may have to apply the spray more frequently. 

How To Make Your Own Body Spray

As a general rule of thumb, you should keep any liquid mixture containing essential oils in an amber glass bottle. The recipe below also calls for witch hazel with the optional addition of vegetable glycerin. Now, it can be beneficial to add the vegetable glycerin because it helps the scent last longer. In case you need a little inspiration about which essential oils to use and how much you need, there are several recipes below. Pick your scent or create your own. The possibilities are endless!

Citrus Body Spray

Ingredients:

• 10 drops tangerine essential oil
• 10 drops grapefruit essential oil
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 1/2 tablespoon witch hazel
• 1/2 tablespoon vegetable glycerin (optional)

Instructions:

• Add the essential oils to the dark amber glass bottle with a spray top. 
• Pour in the witch hazel and vegetable glycerin, and fill the rest of the bottle up with distilled water. 
• Shake well and use when ready. Store in a cool, dry place. 

Floral Body Spray

Ingredients:

• 10 drops geranium essential oil
• 5 drops ylang ylang essential oil
• 10 drops bergamot essential oil
• 1/2 tablespoon witch hazel
• 1/2 tablespoon vegetable glycerin (optional)

Instructions:

• Add the essential oils to the dark amber glass bottle with a spray top. 
• Pour in the witch hazel and vegetable glycerin, and fill the rest of the bottle up with distilled water. 
• Shake well and use when ready. Store in a cool, dry place. 

Earthy Body Spray

Ingredients:

• 10 drops patchouli essential oil
• 5 drops frankincense essential oil
• 5 drops cedar wood essential oil
• 1/2 tablespoon witch hazel
• 1/2 tablespoon vegetable glycerin (optional)

Instructions:

• Add the essential oils to the dark amber glass bottle with a spray top. 
• Pour in the witch hazel and vegetable glycerin, and fill the rest of the bottle up with distilled water. 
• Shake well and use when ready. Store in a cool, dry place. 

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People are under the impression that they need to purchase chemical products to clean or unclog drains. The harsh chemicals in these products are so caustic that they can burn the skin. They leave a chemical coating on the sink when they are attempting to unclog the drain. Contrarily, a non-toxic drain cleaner may be an effective, safe way to unclog a drain. If neither the chemical cleaner or the non-toxic cleaner are going to work, though, it’s best to use the non-toxic option, right? Right.

You may be interested to learn that Feng Shui masters say that clogged drains deplete your health, travel, finances, and aspirations. They may even lead to clogged sinuses! Whether or not that’s true remains to be seen, but a clogged drain is annoying and costly, especially if you have to involve a plumber. You don’t always need the chemical strength of a drain cleaner. You can often use a simple solution of a few natural ingredients, specifically vinegar and baking soda. 

How Do Baking Soda And Vinegar Unclog Drains?

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a natural base, while vinegar is an acid. Combining an acid and a base creates an exchange of molecules that releases carbon dioxide. This bubbles through whatever is clogging the drain, attempting to loosen it and break it up into smaller material. It’s similar to the classic elementary school volcano science project that resulted in fizzy white “lava” that cascaded down the paper mache volcano. 

That chemical reaction isn’t the only thing that works to fight drain clogs. You need one more ingredient besides baking soda and vinegar. That’s right, folks, this recipe requires boiling water. It’s a very rare substance, so we hope you can get your hands on it. All jokes aside, the boiling water creates added pressure to wash away any debris or goop out of the pipes. 

How To Prime The Drain

Before you pour the DIY drain cleaner down the clogged drain, you have to remove as much standing water as you can. If the sink or tub is full of backed-up water, use a bucket to scoop out as much as possible. A little water is fine, but the baking soda and vinegar solution needs to be able to directly enter the drain opening. Also, be sure to remove the sink pop-up stopper if you have one in your sink or tub. This gives you better access to the drain. 

DIY Drain Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup vinegar

Instructions:

• After clearing out the tub or sink with excess water (if that’s the case), pour the boiling water down the drain. Be careful while you pour the boiling water because you don’t want it to splatter. 
• Pour the baking soda into the drain followed by the vinegar. 
• Cover the drain with a stopper because the baking soda and vinegar will fizz and bubble up. 
• When you cover the drain, you force the reaction downwards to target the clog. 
• Wait 10 minutes and then pour another cup of boiling water down the drain to wash away the built-up and grime. 
• Finally, flush the drain with hot water from the tap to remove remaining debris. 
• This may take a few tries, but it’s a very simple method that can be effective and safe. 

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Everyone can agree that taking a soothing bath is the perfect way to step into tranquility. Soaking in the warm water helps you unwind, and the stress seems to wash away as the water goes down the drain. Everyone can also agree that a grimy bathtub with soap scum and mineral deposits is disgusting. How do you get rid of such grime without using harmful chemicals, though?

Nobody wants to clean their bathtub or shower. It’s an annoying chore that people typically neglect. Unfortunately, all of that neglect results in a gross bathtub that makes the thought of soaking in a bath horrifying. A bathtub or shower is a magnet for soap scum and even mildew. This often results in water stains or rust stains. 

What Is The Answer To Bathtub Scum?

Not everyone wants to use the bathtub cleaners because they are replete with toxic chemicals. If you have ever sprayed one of these cleaners in your bathtub, you know that that aroma is pungent and causes you to cough. In case you aren’t aware, that’s not a positive reaction. Additionally, you have to spray a lot and scrub hard in order for these solutions to be effective. 

Don’t fight the tub and don’t scrub until you inflict pain on your elbows and shoulders. Use simple ingredients to your advantage and allow them to fight through scum and stains with minimal effort on your part. The following two ingredients will help transform the look and cleanliness of your tub. 

Dish Soap

More often than not, dish soap will work to clean most showers and tubs. Some are more effective than others, as not all varieties can easily fight through built-up grime. If you only use dish soap and a little water, you can actually scrub with a broom and get the tub sparkly and clean. The purpose of dish soap is to break up oils and lift grease from flatware and utensils. It tackles the grease and soap scum that accumulates in your shower the same way. When you wash away the suds, you’ll be shocked to see how clean your tub is. 

White Vinegar

Depending on the type of tub you have, a gentle cleaner like white vinegar may be better for the surface. For example, porcelain bathtubs offer a signature, shiny, luxurious appearance. To keep them that way, you can avoid damage by using a gentle cleaner that combats aromas and grime. Vinegar’s high acidity level helps to loosen mineral deposits, including lime and rust. This same acidity makes it difficult for bacteria and other harmful organisms to exist in your tub. Ultimately, vinegar helps dissolve soap scum to make your tub as shiny and clean as possible. 

DIY Bathtub Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dish soap 
• 1 cup white vinegar
• spray bottle
• scrubber

Instructions:

• Warm the vinegar in a heat-safe glass measuring cup in a microwave until it is hot. Pour this into your spray bottle. 
• Pour the dish soap into the bottle after you pour in the vinegar. 
• Screw on the lid and shake gently to combine. 
• Spray liberally around your tub or shower and allow this mixture to sit for about 30 minutes to one hour. Because of the strong scent, make sure the bathroom is well-ventilated and that the fan is on. 
• Scrub gently and then rinse. You’ll be shocked when you see how clean your tub is!

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Spring is just around the corner, signifying longer days and warmer weather. Goodbye darkness and hello sunshine, and cleaning. Yes, spring is a time to absorb more vitamin D, but the blooming flowers mean that it’s also time to deep clean the home. Unfortunately, having a clean and green home is oxymoronic. 

Once you make the commitment to finally spring clean your home, what happens to all those chemicals from the cleaning products you used? Well, they remain in your home, polluting your indoor air and negatively impacting your respiratory system. This is not good news if you or anyone you live with is prone to respiratory infections. Thankfully, having a clean and green home is possible if you use DIY, chemical-free, non-toxic cleaning products. 

This sounds difficult, but it’s actually very easy. In fact, you most likely have a lot of the necessary ingredients in your home. It’s possible to purchase non-toxic cleaning products from reputable companies, but they can cost you a pretty penny. Use the natural cleaning recipes in this article to spring clean your home without leaving any toxins behind. 

7 Non-Toxic Cleaners

DIY Natural Bathroom Disinfectant Spray

The bathroom disinfectant spray in this article has three simple ingredients. You know what they are and understand how they work. There is no need to search the Internet for definitions on ingredients that you can’t even pronounce.

Click here to make the cleaning spray.

DIY Non-Toxic Reusable Cleaning Wipes

There are a lot of problems with disposable cleaning wipes. Besides the fact that they received a “D” health score, they may also contain ingredients that don’t receive sufficient testing for potential health risks. Plus, it’s so easy to make your own that are incredibly eco-friendly.

Click here to make the wipes. 

Zero Waste DIY Citrus Cleaning Spray

Not everybody wants to clean their home with vinegar because the smell can be off-putting. That’s the beauty of using citrus peels to freshen your vinegar-based cleaning spray. Vinegar is a great cleaning agent for windows, washing machines, and more.

Click here to make the cleaning spray.

DIY Homemade Oven Cleaner

When you inhale the fumes from chemical oven cleaners, they can enter the lungs and cause light-headedness, breathing troubles, throat swelling, and even abdominal pain. Fortunately, you don’t have to harm your body if you want to keep your oven clean!

Click here to make the oven cleaner.

DIY Natural Dusting Spray

If you want to clean dust off wooden furniture in your home, all you need is a few natural ingredients. Some argue that a microfiber towel and water does the job, but this doesn’t really clean the surface. If you fall into that way of thinking, that’s perfectly fine, but please understand that using a DIY dusting spray can help repel dust for a lot longer.

Click here to make the dusting spray.

DIY Disinfectant Spray

Some people are loyal to name brand disinfectant sprays. Are they also loyal to polluting their home with toxins? It’s actually much safer and healthier to use a disinfecting ingredient like isopropyl alcohol, but you have to make sure that the alcohol content is 70 percent for proper disinfection. 

Click here to make the disinfectant spray. 

DIY Scented Vinegars For Natural Cleaning

White vinegar is the most acidic of all vinegars, which makes it a powerful cleaning agent. It’s a great ingredient to have if you plan to make a lot of non-toxic cleaning products. Keep in mind that it can be a little powerful for certain surfaces, but you can always dilute it with water. 

Click here to make those scented vinegar cleaners.

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Do you ever get tired of going to the store to purchase cleaning products? They seem to run out so quickly, now more than ever as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. It can be frustrating to spend so much on them and know so little about the ingredients in them. You may even have allergies to commercial cleaning products, or they may be harming your respiratory system. We’re putting an end to all of this by giving you a bathroom disinfectant spray that you can count on. 

For starters, the bathroom disinfectant spray in this article has three simple ingredients. You know what they are and understand how they work. There is no need to search the Internet for definitions on ingredients that you can’t even pronounce. Throughout the pandemic, medical experts continued to weigh in on the efficacy of the ingredients in this spray against germs, viruses, and bacteria. Since the virus doesn’t show signs of slowing, it’s our duty to present you with a natural disinfectant product. Before we do that, let’s explore why the ingredients in this recipe make it so effective. 

70% Isopropyl Alcohol

When it comes to disinfecting with alcohol or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, it needs to contain at least 70% alcohol. This concentration is effective at killing organisms by denaturing their proteins. According to Dr. Lucky Sekhon, a fertility specialist and board certified OBGYN in New York City, 70% isopropyl alcohol works to, “…dissolve their lipids and is effective against most bacteria and fungi and many viruses.” You don’t want to go higher than 70% alcohol, though. The reason for this is because a higher alcohol solution, 99% for example, is too powerful. It only breaks down the outside of the germ cell and doesn’t penetrate the germ. The 70% solution is the perfect combination of water and alcohol. It crosses the cell barrier to attack and kill the bacteria or virus in question.

Distilled White Vinegar

Vinegar is extremely popular in the natural home cleaning world, especially for sinks, countertops, and shower heads. It is a very effective alternative to harsh cleaners, but it does have a signature potent smell. Additionally, it is eco-friendly, but is it an effective disinfectant? Cleaners work to remove dirt or debris from a surface, while a disinfectant works to destroy germs, bacteria, or viruses on contact. Distilled white vinegar is an excellent cleaner, containing 5% acetic acid that helps remove and dissolve grime and dirt. Vinegar has some issues as a disinfectant. Studies found that it demonstrated a limited ability to reduce Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli. Vinegar was not effective at killing the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. 

DIY Natural Bathroom Disinfectant

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1.25 cups isopropyl alcohol (with 70% alcohol content)
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• 10 drops tea tree oil

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a spray bottle and swirl to combine. 
• Before you spray this on a surface, it’s best to pre-clean the surface with hot, soapy water and then dry it. 
• Once this step is complete, spray the surface in question, wait five minutes, and then wipe dry. 

Notes:

• Do not use any vinegar solution on marble, granite, or other natural stone surfaces. If you need to clean those surfaces, omit the vinegar from this recipe and add 1/4 cup more of isopropyl alcohol. 

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On September 30th, 2020, California became the first state in the country to enact the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (AB 2762). Gavin Newsom signed the bill, which enforces a strict ban on 24 common, toxic ingredients in personal care and beauty products. The primary chemicals in this ban include mercury and formaldehyde, which are in beauty products that people use every day. 

Statistically, the average American woman uses 12 beauty products every day. From lipsticks and foundations to hair care products and lotions, those 12 products amount to over 200 chemicals. Personal care products and cosmetics in the United States are mostly self-regulated. The industry went under FDA purview in the 1930s and only nine chemicals have been banned since. To this day, 12,000 chemicals are in circulation, and many of them increase the risk of birth defects, certain cancers, and damage to reproductive health. The most problematic chemicals that you should always avoid include:

• Formaldehyde
• Lead
• Triclosan
• Some parabens and phytates
• Asbestos

The California Ban

As of January 2025, a person or manufacturer cannot offer, deliver, or sell any cosmetic products that contains the ingredients banned by the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act. This is a progressive move for California, making it the first state in the country to follow in the footsteps of over 40 other nations. Those 40 nations have stricter cosmetic safety laws than the United States does, and they’ve banned an estimated 1,400 chemicals that are commonly in beauty products in the United States. 

The Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act, which was largely supported by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), has banned the following chemicals:

• Dibutyl phthalate
• Diethylhexyl phthalate
• Formaldehyde
• Paraformaldehyde
• Methylene glycol
• Quaternium-15
• Mercury
• Isobutylparaben
• Isopropylparaben
• m-Phenylenediamine and its salts
• o-Phenylenediamine and its salts
• Several Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their salts

There Is One Exception To The Bill

There is one thing to clarify in regards to the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act. According to the bill, “If a cosmetic product made through manufacturing processes intended to comply with this chapter contains a technically unavoidable trace quantity of an ingredient listed in the subdivision and that trace quantity stems from impurities of natural or synthetic ingredients, the manufacturing process, storage, or migration from packaging, that trace quantity shall not cause the cosmetic product to be in violation of this section.”

The Point Of This Bill

The reason that people lobbied to pass this bill is to inform California consumers of the ingredients that are in beauty and personal care products. To often do manufacturers exclude ingredients, and the reason they can get away with this is due to loose FDA requirements. Most commercial beauty products contain fragrances, artificial colors, stabilizers, and preservatives, all of which can penetrate the skin. These chemicals can disrupt thyroid function, menstruation, and lead to diabetes, antibacterial resistance, infertility, and certain types of cancer. The FDA doesn’t require cosmetics or the ingredients in them to gain approval before they are available for purchase. This increases the risk of health problems for anyone who uses lotions, makeup, hair care products, and other beauty products. 

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Lip balm is a salve or wax-like substance that you apply to your lips to increase moisture. Chapped or dry lips are quite common, especially as the weather gets colder and dryer. Using lip balm fights the dryness by creating an occlusive layer on the lips. This helps to protect the lips from external exposure and ultraviolet damage, and it also helps them retain moisture. 

There are chemically flavored or colored lip balms that have unnatural ingredients, but you can easily make a lip balm with natural ingredients that provide moisture. For the lip balm recipe in this article, the most time-consuming step is the making the rose-infused oil. 

How To Make Rose Oil

Take a handful or dried rose petals and add them to a jar with enough olive oil to completely submerge the petals. If you don’t want to use olive oil, you can use avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or sunflower oil. Close the lid on the jar and leave it in a cool, dry place for three weeks. Strain the rose petals after three weeks and that’s your rose-infused oil. 

How Roses Benefit The Skin

Rose petals contain a variety of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that work to moisturize dry skin. Because rose petals have astringent properties, they help to combat inflammatory skin disorders, acne, and any redness on the skin. Rose-infused oil or rosewater are also beneficial because they contain antibacterial properties. Additionally, rose oil works to balance the skin’s pH level and minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. 

How Vanilla Benefits The Skin

You don’t typically think of vanilla extract when you think of skin care. It’s only for desserts, right? Wrong. Alcohol-free vanilla extract is excellent for fighting acne because the vanillin has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Those same antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals on the skin, which can reduce premature signs of aging (dark spots, wrinkles, and fine lines). Finally, anyone with dry skin can benefit from using vanilla extract. The B-vitamins in vanilla play a role in nourishing skin cells, and they help lock in moisture. 

How Cocoa Butter Benefits The Skin

The high fatty acid content in cocoa butter makes it an excellent ingredient for nourishment and hydration. The fats in cocoa butter also create a protective barrier on the skin to help it retain moisture. This is wonderful news for your lips because that’s exactly what you want out of a lip balm. The phytochemical in cocoa butter work to increase blood flow to the skin, which not only slows the signs of aging, but also provides protection from UV rays. 

DIY Rose Vanilla Lip Balm

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon cocoa butter
• 3 tablespoons rose-infused oil, plus 1/4 teaspoon for mixing
• 1/2 tablespoon castor oil
• 1 tablespoon beeswax
• 1/4 teaspoon alkanet root powder
• 1 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla extract
• 5-6 lip balm tins

Instructions:

• Pour about two inches of water into a small saucepan. Place a heat-safe glass measuring cup with a pour spout in the center of the saucepan.
• Add the cocoa butter, 3 tablespoons of the rose-infused oil, castor oil, and beeswax to the measuring cup. Turn the heat on low and stir the oil mixture occasionally until all the ingredients are thoroughly melted and combined. 
• You don’t want the water to boil, so keep that in mind and watch the temperature. 
• While the mixture is melting in the pan, combine 1/4 teaspoon rose-infused oil with the alkanet root powder in a small bowl. Mix until well-combined.
• Once the cocoa butter mixture is melted, remove the measuring cup from the pot, set on a towel on the countertop, and stir in the alkanet powder mixture. This will give you the beautiful burgundy color. 
• Finally, stir in the vanilla and then evenly pour the mixture into the lip balm tins. Allow the balm to harden at room temperature and then use as you please. 

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What’s the most common household activity during COVID-19? If you guessed “cleaning,” then you are 100% accurate. The COVID-19 pandemic caused everyone, from apartment dwellers to homeowners to business employees, to enhance their sanitation methods. Unfortunately for your respiratory health, many of the cleaning products that are effective against coronavirus contain harmful chemicals.

It’s beneficial to deep clean your high-touch surfaces to reduce the chances of bacterial build-up. You don’t always have to use chemical cleaners, though, especially if you want to limit your exposure to harsh chemicals. This is why many people enjoy cleaning with distilled white vinegar. Not only is it versatile, but it is also inexpensive and remarkable at cleaning a variety of surfaces.

An Important Note About White Vinegar

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), white vinegar does not kill a virus like COVID-19. White vinegar can kill or inhibit the growth of foodborne, pathogenic bacteria. When combined with heat or salt, vinegar’s bactericidal activity increases. When combined with citrus peels or juices, vinegar can reduce the amount of pathogens to the point where they are undetectable.

Vinegar As A Cleaning Agent

Vinegar is an inexpensive item to have in your cleaning arsenal. It helps to keep your washer clean, it can get rid of stains, and it is even effective at cleaning windows. One thing to keep in mind about vinegar is that it is acidic, meaning it can damage certain materials in the home. Not everybody wants to clean his or her home with vinegar because the smell can be off-putting. The cleaning spray in this article, however, uses citrus peels to offset that pungent, vinegary scent.

Why Use Citrus Peels?

People discard citrus peels without thinking twice. Some people take advantage of the zest to enhance the flavors of their culinary creations, but most people just toss them in the trash. Citrus peels are compostable and you can use them in DIY cleaning recipes. The cleaning spray in this article uses orange peels, offering a wonderfully fragrant and citrusy aroma. Using citrus peels in this way helps to reduce food waste, and don’t forget to compost them when you discard them. Simply dig a hole in the ground, dump the citrus peels in the hole, give them a quick chop with the shovel, and cover them with dirt. This will help create nutrient-rich soil.

DIY Citrus Cleaning Spray

Ingredients:

• The peels of four oranges, torn into pieces (or however many fit in the jar you choose)
• 1 wide-mouthed glass jar (a 16-32-ounce jar is best)
• 16-20 ounces distilled white vinegar
• 20-30 drops lemon essential oil (optional)
• cheesecloth or sieve (to strain orange peels from vinegar)
• spray bottle

Instructions:

• First off, eat the oranges. Don’t just peel them and let the fruit go to waste!
• When you are ready to make the cleaning spray, add the torn peels to the jar you use. Don’t worry if you can’t fit the peels from all four oranges inside the jar.
• Pour enough vinegar into the jar so that the orange peels are completely covered. Cover the jar and leave it in a cool, dry place for three weeks. This fermentation helps to intensify the cleaning spray.
• Once the fermentation process is complete, strain the vinegar into a bowl through a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve.
• Make a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. You can add 20-30 drops of lemon essential oil if you want to do that.
• Now it’s time to clean!

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When you have a successful garden that is replete with attractive flowers, fruits, or vegetables, the last thing you want is for them to get plagued by pests. When harmful insects make a home in your garden, you can kiss all those hours spent in the dirt goodbye. That is, unless you catch them in the early stages.

No home gardener wants to rip out all of their plants that took months to grow. At the same time, spraying chemical pesticides on plants is not the ideal method of pest control. You don’t have to contaminate your plants and soil with chemicals because there are natural ingredients that keep pests away.

Cayenne Pepper

This spice is good for more than kicking your food up a notch. In addition to the pain-relieving properties, cayenne pepper can keep bugs and animals out of your garden and house. Cayenne pepper has a potent scent that bugs, cats, rodents, and dogs do not like. According to Geoff Zhender, an entomologist at Auburn University, cayenne pepper is great at keeping bugs away from cabbage plants.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint is a natural insecticide, and it works to repel fleas, spiders, flies, beetles, ants, and mosquitos. Did you know that the stick bug actually emits a substance that fills the air with the scent of peppermint? It does this to fight off other insect predators because they don’t like the scent. In order for it to be effective, make sure that you purchase 100% pure peppermint essential oil that is free of additives.

Garlic

If you have an aphid problem, garlic is your go-to repellent. Aphids are small insects that adhere to the leaves of plants, creating small holes. Now you know that it wasn’t a caterpillar that ate holes in your leaves! As you know, garlic has a potent smell, which is off-putting to aphids and other insects. You can use it without harming your plants until your pest problem is no longer a problem.

Onion

Home gardeners don’t typically have the luxury or space to plant flowers, fruits, vegetables, or herbs in different locations. People typically plant various plants in the same garden box. To prevent pests from destroying all of the plants, people use companion planting. This is the practice of grouping different plants, some of which work to control pests. Onions are very effective at repelling insects, which is why they are commonly used in companion planting. They are most effective when planted near beets, cabbage, parsnips, chamomile, lettuce, and carrots.

DIY Pest Control Spray

Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 cups mint leaves (or 20 drops peppermint essential oil)
• 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap
• water

Instructions:

• Finely chop the onion, garlic, and peppermint leaves (unless you are using peppermint oil) and add it all to a blender or food processor with cayenne pepper. Blend until completely pulverized.
• Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, pressing all the juice out.
• Add the blended mixture to a one-gallon container, along with the castile soap. Fill the rest of the container with water.
• Screw the top on the container and give it a good shake. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle and spray it on any plants that are being attacked by bugs.
• Spray on your plants one to two times a week, or after it rains.

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Sometimes, you look at your skin and think, “Goodness gracious…I can’t leave the house with this dry skin.” It can feel unfair to look at people who have silky smooth skin that glistens in the light. It just looks so healthy, right? Maybe they tapped into the secrets of skin care, or maybe they use powerful natural ingredients to promote natural moisture. Yeah, we like that last theory.

Moisture

Body butters have increased in popularity, and for good reason! Most body butters are made with Shea, cocoa, and mango butters, all of which are immediately absorbed by the skin, giving it a beautiful glow that makes you scream, “My skin is soooooooo hydrated!” What you lather on your skin should be beneficial, not harmful like most chemical skin care products. Parabens and other preservatives have been linked to certain cancers, whereas cocoa, Shea, and mango butters have been linked to sufficiently moisturized skin. This hydration can be attributed to their emollient properties.

Nourishing Vitamins

All body butters contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have moisturizing properties and help to reduce inflammation. Shea butter also contains vitamins A, E, and F, which nourish the skin and promote moisture retention. The oleic, stearic, palmitic, and linolenic acids in Shea butter also help increase the skin’s natural production of collagen, which prevents the skin from drying out.

What’s Up With Citrus Fresh Essential Oil?

Why choose between lemon, orange, or grapefruit essential oils when you could have a combination of mandarin, tangerine, lemon, orange, spearmint, and grapefruit essential oils? Citrus fresh essential oil is a fantastic blend that contains beta-pinene, linalool, and limonene, all of which help to support healthy skin tone. For those who enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy, inhaling citrus fresh essential oil vapor has been known to promote relaxation. Many people use it to wind down before bed.

Citrus Body Butter

Ingredients:

• ½ cup organic Shea butter
• ½ cup organic mango butter
• ½ cup organic coconut oil
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 20-30 drops citrus essential oil

Instructions:

• In a double boiler, or heat-safe glass bowl over a pot of simmering water over medium-low heat, combine Shea, mango, and cocoa butters with the olive oil. Stir until melted.
• Remove from heat and stir in the essential oil. Let the mixture cool for 10 minutes and then refrigerate it for one hour.
• Remove from the refrigerator and blend the mixture with an electric hand mixer until it is fluffy.
• Spoon the body butter into a tin or glass jar and cover. Store in a cool dry place and use as necessary to moisturize the skin.

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