Think about how often your yoga mat touches the floor, especially if that floor is in a public yoga studio. Now think about all of the sweat, oils, and bacteria that accumulate on the mat during your yoga session. It’s safe to say that your yoga mat needs to be cleaned regularly, but does that happen? We are not here to judge; rather, we are here to provide a natural cleaner that helps remove all of that dirt and grime. 

What Is A DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner?

Think of this as a general cleaning spray, only without all of the harsh chemicals. This homemade solution contains vinegar or witch hazel, and essential oils, all of which help to remove sweat, germs, dirt, and oils from your yoga mat. That helps make your mat not only cleaner, but wonderfully scented. 

Using a DIY yoga mat cleaner also helps save you money and reduces waste. Not to mention, it gives you control over what touches your skin. Plus, making your own cleaner can feel both rewarding and creative, almost as if crafting your own wellness ritual. Keeping your yoga mat clean can help avoid skin irritation, in addition to the following benefits: 

• Helping prevent breakouts and skin rashes
• Removing odors caused by sweat
• Keeping the yoga mat free of bacteria and germs
• Extending the yoga mat’s life
• Enhancing the overall yoga experience 

Why Use Vinegar?

Vinegar is a staple household ingredient that is highly useful when it comes to cleaning certain items and surfaces. Regarding cleaning, vinegar’s most useful asset is its acidity. It is mild enough not to damage fabrics and surfaces, while being strong enough to get rid of stubborn stains and deposits. It can have a pH as low as 2.2 to 10 times as acidic as the average soft drink. 

One of the advantages of vinegar is that it exhibits antimicrobial activity. Some highly evolved bacteria can survive in acidic environments, but most find it difficult to thrive and replicate in these conditions. According to research, cleaning with vinegar can kill a range of pathogens, including E. coli. It has also proven to be an effective cleaning agent for dentures or a disinfectant for fruits and vegetables. 

What About Witch Hazel?

Yet another medicine cabinet hero! Witch hazel is typically for beauty applications, but it can be a powerful addition to your natural cleaning arsenal. Witch hazel is typically used as an astringent to help clean minor cuts or soothe bug bites. The astringent and antibacterial properties make it a fantastic cleaning agent. It is great for light cleaning tasks, especially when you want to avoid harsh chemicals. 

Not only can witch hazel improve your at-home cleaning game, but it can also help neutralize odors. Just keep in mind that witch hazel is not an approved disinfectant by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). You should not rely on witch hazel to eliminate viruses or bacteria; rather, use it as a complementary cleaner for light tasks. 

DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1 cup distilled water
• 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar or witch hazel (whichever you prefer)
• 10 drops tea tree oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

• Pour the distilled water into a spray bottle and then add the vinegar or witch hazel. 
• Drop in the essential oils and then screw on the top. Shake gently before each use to thoroughly mix up the ingredients. 
• To use, lightly spray on your yoga mat and wipe with a soft cloth.

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Brushing, twirling, heatstyling, and blowdrying can damage your hair a lot. That is why every hair care routine can benefit from a great detangler. A detangler is a type of leave-in conditioner (most commonly available in spray form) that smooths the hair, making it less likely to build up friction and stick to other strands. That’s a long-winded way of saying that it helps prevent your hair from tangling.

Hair experts agree that using a detangler can prevent further damage to hair, and may even reduce the risk of split ends and breakage. The outermost layer of the hair cuticle is most susceptible to damage from external elements. In addition to helping you avoid knots, a high-quality detangler can help protect your hair and strengthen strands. 

Tips For Using A Hair Detangler

Prior to experimenting with the detangler in this article, you should take a before picture of your hair. You will want to see what the transformation looks like after treating your hair with beneficial ingredients. When it comes to using the detangler, though, consider the following tips: 

• Use a wide-toothed comb because it is the perfect accessory to get rid of tangles and maintain hair health. You can use the comb to gently brush out tangles after applying the detangler. If you have knots, the comb makes getting rid of them easier and less painful.
• While you don’t have to spray it liberally, you don’t have to be ultra conservative with a detangler either. The secret to success with a detangler is to spray it evenly on all portions of the hair. The more evenly you distribute it, the easier and quicker it is to get rid of tangles. 
• When using a detangler, make sure that your hair is wet, as it works best on damp hair. It has a better chance of working quicker and more efficiently when you apply it to damp or wet hair. 
• The detangling process is much less painful when you start at the ends and work your way toward the roots. Hair tends to tangle in the middle section or ends of the hair. When combing through tangles, always be patient because slow and steady is better than yanking your hair out. 

Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary essential oil is a common ingredient in hair care products, specifically because it improves microcirculation to the scalp. That means that it helps deliver more nutrients to hair follicles more efficiently. Some evidence indicates that rosemary essential oil may exhibit hair growth effects, but more research is needed. That said, it is beneficial for improving the overall look and feel of the hair because it supports scalp health. The Dherbs Hair & Scalp Oil contains both rosemary and lavender essential oils for that exact reason!

Lavender Essential Oil

This essential oil does more than offer a lovely floral scent. It is a valuable ingredient in hair care products because it has conditioning and soothing properties. Lavender may also help calm scalp irritation and improve overall scalp health. Studies have found that it may improve circulation to hair follicles, which contributes to stronger, healthier hair. 

Apple Cider Vinegar 

Your scalp is not a bowl of salad, but applying some apple cider vinegar may help balance the pH of your hair and scalp. Apple cider vinegar helps preserve the hair’s natural oils, while simultaneously reducing frizz. It may also help combs or brushes glide through your hair with less breakage. Some research indicates that it may help smooth the hair cuticle so strands lie flat, which reduces frizz and enhances shine. 

Homemade Detangler

Ingredients:

• 6-8 drops lavender essential oil
• 4 drops rosemary essential oil
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 ounce distilled water
• 2-ounce glass spray bottle

Instructions:

• Add the lavender and rosemary essential oils to the glass bottle. 
• Pour in the apple cider vinegar and distilled water, screw on the top of the bottle, and shake well to combine. 
• It’s ready to use and you can spray your hair with it after you shower. Use a wide-toothed comb to brush it through your hair to get rid of tangles.

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The holidays are just around the corner, which means that fun, excitement, and joyous times are fast approaching. It also means that some inevitable stress is on the way. That stress can be attributed to family dynamics, holiday airport travel, or gift giving. A recent study actually found that a high percentage of Americans have anxiety about the holidays because of budget concerns. 

Fortunately for you, we provide lots of DIY beauty recipes that you can make and give as gifts. A little handmade soap, body butter, lotion, or face mask never hurt a soul! Making hand soap is a great idea because it can encourage hand washing, which can help minimize the spread of germs, which spread like wildfire during the winter months. Your gift is not only heartfelt, but may also help avoid getting sick. It’s like you are the holiday health hero!

What’s Wrong With Other Holiday Hand Soaps?

There are many beauty stores that sell holiday-scented hand soaps around this time of year. We are not the biggest fans of those products because a lot of them contain ingredients that can disrupt endocrine function. They may also contain ingredients that can cause immunotoxicity and neurotoxicity. There are many foaming hand soaps with various scents, some of which contain methylisothiazolinone, a known chemical to trigger allergies or immunotoxicity. 

Many of those products also contain synthetic fragrances, which can trigger allergies, endocrine disruption, and cause hormonal imbalances. Why risk all of that for a scented hand soap, when you can easily make your own, healthier version in no time? Knowing what goes in your beauty products is not only helpful to your health, but it also gives you confidence about using harmless products. Consider some of the benefits of certain ingredients in this hand soap. 

Liquid Castile Soap

This olive oil-based soap is generally mild and a lot safer than other soaps, which are made with animal-based fats or oils, lye, and scents or fragrances. You want to avoid unwanted reactions on the skin, making castile soap a great option. Pure castile soap is all natural, non-toxic, biodegradable, and free of synthetic ingredients. Castile soap is also ethically better and more eco-friendly. In fact, more and more people have started to use it because it reduces a person’s environmental impact. It is also cruelty-free, so you can feel good about using it. 

Sweet Almond Oil

Rich in antioxidants and nutrients that benefit the skin, sweet almond oil is a great ingredient to help soothe the skin and hair. Thanks to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, almond oil can be used in various applications. It is a natural emollient that helps to hydrate the skin, enhancing moisture and increasing smoothness. Research indicates that using a hand cream made with sweet almond oil provides relief from hand dermatitis, relieving symptoms like burning, stinging, redness, and itchiness. It is generally safe for most skin types, especially sensitive skin, because it is lightweight. 

DIY Candy Cane Hand Soap

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons unscented liquid castile soap
• 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin
• 1 tablespoon sweet almond oil
• 15 drops peppermint essential oil
• 10 drops spearmint essential oil
• Distilled water

Instructions:

• Pour the soap, glycerin, almond oil, and essential oils into a soap container. 
• Fill the rest of the container with distilled water. Screw on the lid and shake well to combine. 
• You can make custom labels for your soap if making holiday gifts. It gives the soap a personalized and fancy touch.

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If you are someone who loves a room with a scent, chances are that friends or family will give you candles this holiday season. Candles are an easy gift to give, and they are even easier to regift if you don’t like the scent. Unfortunately, a lot of candles and air fresheners or wall plug-ins contain harsh chemicals that affect the endocrine system. They can even be harmful for respiratory systems, especially if you have little ones in the house. 

Scientific research indicates that there is a lack of oversight in the United States when it comes to the fragrance industry. You may not know it, but you are surrounded by fragrances in shampoos, detergents, makeup, creams, toners, lotions, and so much more. All of these products contain unnamed artificial fragrance blends. There are over 4,000 fragrance ingredients disclosed on the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) transparency list. Many of them are linked to serious health problems, including cancer, hormonal imbalances, and respiratory issues. 

Due to copyright laws, though, manufacturers do not have to disclose the ingredients in their fragrance blends. Even fragrance-free products can contain some problematic ingredients on the IFRA transparency list. The unfortunate reality is that many of these ingredients are in a lot of products that you probably use right now. That’s why we encourage you to boycott air fresheners and candles and make the room sprays in this article instead.

DIY Holiday Room Sprays

These holiday room sprays are quick and easy to make, and they make your home smell amazing. What’s even better is that they are free of toxic chemicals and make for excellent gifts, which is great if you are trying to save some money this holiday season. Additionally, you can spray them on your bed to freshen up your linens. A quick note before we provide the recipes is that you should use dark glass bottles for these sprays. The reason for that is because essential oils contain potent compounds that can break down and react when they come in contact with plastic. Essential oils also go bad if exposed to UV radiation. 

How To Make Holiday Room Sprays

You will need your dark glass bottles, distilled water (if possible), and high quality essential oils. Make sure that your essential oils are pure because fake essential oils are just as bad as synthetic candles and air fresheners. Finally, you will need witch hazel, which helps combine water and essential oils, allowing the scent to linger in the room for a long time. 

Holiday Cheer Spray

Ingredients:

• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• 10 drops ylang ylang essential oil
• 15 drops orange essential oil
• 2 ounces witch hazel
• Distilled water

Instructions:

• Add the essential oils to a four-ounce dark glass spray bottle followed by the witch hazel, screw on the top, and shake well to combine. 
• Unscrew the top and fill the remainder of the glass with distilled water. Screw on the top and shake again to combine. Spray when ready.

Christmas Tree

Ingredients:

• 10 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 10 drops balsam fir essential oil
• 5 drops nutmeg essential oil
• 10 drops cypress essential oil
• 2 ounces witch hazel
• Distilled water

Instructions: 

• Add the essential oils to a four-ounce dark glass spray bottle followed by the witch hazel, screw on the top, and shake well to combine. 
• Unscrew the top and fill the remainder of the glass with distilled water. Screw on the top and shake again to combine. Spray when ready.

Winter Wonderland

Ingredients:

• 10 drops each: wintergreen, cedarwood, and cinnamon essential oils
• 2 ounces witch hazel
• Distilled water

Instructions:

• Add the essential oils to a four-ounce dark glass spray bottle followed by the witch hazel, screw on the top, and shake well to combine. 
• Unscrew the top and fill the remainder of the glass with distilled water. Screw on the top and shake again to combine. Spray when ready.

Deck The Halls

Ingredients:

• 10 drops frankincense essential oil
• 15 drops peppermint essential oil
• 10 drops cedarwood essential oil

Instructions:

• Add the essential oils to a four-ounce dark glass spray bottle followed by the witch hazel, screw on the top, and shake well to combine. 
• Unscrew the top and fill the remainder of the glass with distilled water. Screw on the top and shake again to combine. Spray when ready.

Candy Cane

• 15 drops peppermint essential oil
• 15 drops spearmint essential oil
• 2 ounces witch hazel
• Distilled water

Instructions:

• Add the essential oils to a four-ounce dark glass spray bottle followed by the witch hazel, screw on the top, and shake well to combine. 
• Unscrew the top and fill the remainder of the glass with distilled water. Screw on the top and shake again to combine. Spray when ready.

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The dry heat of summer can take a toll on the skin, especially if you spend the majority of your days outside. Salty beach air and sand or the chlorine in a pool can wreak havoc on the skin. While the good times may have ensued, your skin pays the price, feeling itchy and dry at the end of the day. How do you restore hydration, especially to your face, without using harmful products? 

This homemade cooling mist helps to rejuvenate the face, neck, and chest, giving your skin the hydration it needs to look the best. Should you incorporate it into your daytime routine while you’re outside, it may help to moisturize the skin. Protection is key if you don’t want your skin to dry out. You can also use it as an after-sun spray if you got a little more sun that you wanted to. Just keep a bottle with you at all times and you can treat yourself to a cooling mist whenever you want!

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has several cosmetic benefits. It may help to stimulate blood flow near hair follicles to produce hair growth and help treat dark spots. Tea tree oil also has a moisturizing effect on the skin, helping to fight the drying effects of the sun. If you experience itching or dryness after a long summer day, tea tree oil may work to reduce irritation and itching. 

Frankincense Essential Oil

Since ancient times, people have used frankincense essential oil for its many health benefits and beautifying properties. Dermatologists agree that frankincense oil tends to be safe for all skin types, especially mature complexions. It is a luxurious oil that may boost the skin’s radiance, especially after using a cleanser and moisturizer. After a long day, applying or misting frankincense oil onto the skin with the rest of the ingredients in this spray may restore your skin’s texture. 

Aloe Vera

Skin experts say that aloe vera has a few primary benefits for soothing the skin. It works to soothe itchiness or irritation, calming inflamed or irritated skin that may result from extended sun exposure. When you are in the sun for a long time, it’s possible for the skin to lose moisture via transepidermal water loss. This happens when the skin gets dehydrated and inflamed. The phytosterols in aloe vera may prevent transepidermal water loss, which is especially important for sunburnt skin. Finally, aloe vera works to hydrate the skin and provide a cooling effect. Plus, the polysaccharides in aloe are known for their hydrating benefits. 

Witch Hazel

Indigenous to North America, witch hazel is a tree-like plant, from which extract is derived either from the bark or leaves. The bark and leaves are distilled to bring out the plant’s active compounds. Witch hazel’s anti-inflammatory and astringent properties provide a tightening effect on the skin. This is great for soothing puffiness, redness, general irritation, and skin tone. It may also sop up excess oil via the antioxidant-rich tannins. This is why witch hazel is a common ingredient in toners. 

Homemade Cooling Summer Face Mist

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup distilled water
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil (or fractionated coconut oil)
• 1 teaspoon witch hazel
• 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
• 4 drops frankincense essential oil
• 2 drops tea tree oil
• 4-ounce glass spray bottle with mist sprayer 

Instructions:

• Pour the distilled water into the glass spray bottle. Use a funnel if you need to, or use a glass measuring cup with a pour spout. 
• Melt the coconut oil and pour it into the bottle. You can also use fractionated coconut oil so that it remains liquified. 
• Add the witch hazel, aloe vera gel, and essential oils to the glass bottle. Screw on the lid and shake well to combine. 
• Use the face mist as needed, but make sure to shake the bottle before each use.

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Do you want to uplift your mood and create a calm space without plaguing your home with chemical fragrances? You came to the right place! With each spritz of this body mist, you detect floral and citrus notes that refresh the senses. The aroma also helps bring about a little vibrance to your day. It’s truly invigorating, light, and perfect for almost any occasion. 

The combination of jasmine essential oil and orange blossom essential oil is very balanced. It isn’t one of those mists that overwhelms the senses. It’s a little zesty yet subdued in the best way. The refreshing scent lingers in the air without overpowering the environment. And the best part is that it is so easy to make. We are going to ensure that you have the right instructions and information necessary to make this mist, which captures the essence of late spring/early summer. 

Creating The Body Mist

Before you make the mist, you have to source your ingredients. When it comes to essential oils, try your best to choose high-quality options that are pure. Not only will these offer the most vibrant scents, but also the most aromatic health benefits. Although you can use regular water for the mist, we recommend that you use distilled water, as it helps maintain the spray’s purity. It also allows the natural oils to be more present and doesn’t interfere with any potential impurities. For the mist, you will need:

• Jasmine essential oil
• Orange blossom essential oil
• Witch hazel
• Distilled water

The Benefits Of Jasmine And Orange Blossom Essential Oils

Jasmine and orange blossom essential oils offer their own unique aromas and health benefits. Jasmine’s floral scent can help create a sense of tranquility, which is why aromatherapists use it to elevate mood and establish a calming space. Inhaling jasmine’s aroma may help alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety. 

Orange blossom essential oil offers a zesty and cheerful fragrance, which complements jasmine’s scent in a harmonious way. Known to stimulate and refresh, orange blossom essential oil may help bring about feelings of positivity and joy. Together, jasmine and orange blossom create a balanced blend that can help promote emotional well-being. Use it throughout the day if necessary!

Before we provide the recipe, there is one thing to note about witch hazel. If you do not have it in your possession, you do not have to include it in the spray. Witch hazel helps the body mist last longer, though. It also acts as an astringent, exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, and can help maintain a healthy skin barrier. 

Homemade Body Mist

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces distilled water
• 1 tablespoon witch hazel
• 10 drops jasmine essential oil
• 10 drops orange blossom essential oil

Instructions:

• Get an eight-ounce spray bottle (ideally glass) and pour about seven ounces of distilled water into the bottle. Add the witch hazel and stir to combine. 
• You want to make sure that you leave enough room in the bottle because a small air gap can allow for proper mixing. 
• Add the essential oils, screw on the top, and shake well to combine. 
• Store the body mist in a cool, dark place because that will help maintain the fragrance and integrity of the spray.

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Tugging at your ear again because of muffled hearing, pressure, or general pain? Perhaps your child is going through the same thing. No matter who has an ear infection, one thing is for certain: it is one of those things that will have you searching for any type of relief. The good news is that most ear infections clear up on their own, but that isn’t always the case. Sometimes, a little intervention is necessary to relieve the discomfort.

How To Treat An Ear Infection At Home

A nagging pain in your ear can be quite uncomfortable, to say the least. Fortunately, there are several home remedies that can help relieve that pain and get you back to feeling yourself again. Continue reading to learn about a few different natural remedies that may come in handy the next time you experience an ear infection. 

Apply A Hot Or Cold Compress

A lot of people swear by heat, as it helps them manage the pain, but some people feel the same way about cold compresses. Heat works to encourage the muscles surrounding your ears canals to relax, allowing fluids to flow more easily. Cold helps numb the pain (to an extent) and reduce inflammation. If you want to experience the most relief, try alternating between cold and warm compresses every 30 minutes. Just make sure that the warm compress is not so hot that it burns you, and make sure to wrap a cold compress in a towel to keep the intensity down. 

Olive Oil

No need to dress a salad with this natural remedy! According to research, olive oil exhibits antibacterial properties that may help soothe pain within the ear canal. Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence to support this anecdotal claim. If you want to experiment with this method, consider discussing it with your healthcare professional first, especially if you are using it on children. If you do try it, make sure that the olive oil is no warmer than body temperature, as that will help you avoid burning the eardrum.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a common natural remedy to treat earaches, especially if wax buildup is the cause. In order to do this treatment correctly, place several drops of hydrogen peroxide into the affected ear. Before you do this, make sure to tilt your head to the side so that the peroxide can remain in the affected ear. Allow it to fizzle in your ear for a couple minutes before tilting your head the other way to drain into the sink. Rinse your ear with clean, distilled water. 

Treat Cold Symptoms

Earaches or ear infections tend to come at the tail end of a cold or respiratory infection. The reason for this is because contagious illnesses can irritate the ear canals, or eustachian tubes. Swelling and fluid buildup can occur in the ears, which leads to that uncomfortable pressure and pain. Managing cold and cough symptoms, then, can go a long way in relieving the pain of an ear infection. To manage your symptoms, consider the following home remedies:

• Drink plenty of fluids
• Use a humidifier
• Drink warm herbal tea
• Prioritize rest
• Irrigate the sinuses with a neti pot, or other device

Change Your Sleeping Position

First of all, rest is paramount if you want to manage any illness. An ear infection is not exempt from that rule, but how you sleep can either reduce or enhance the pain. If the pain is limited to one ear, try propping your head up on two or more pillows, ensuring that the affected ear is higher than the rest of your body. Gravity helps the fluid to drain. If both ears are in pain, sleeping on your back may be more comfortable. 

Naturopathic Drops

If over-the-counter (OTC) medicine is something you want to avoid, naturopathic drops may be right for you. Made from herbal extracts, they are just as effective (if not more) than traditional OTC ear drops. An old study from 2001 found that using naturopathic drops could improve the level of ear pain experienced during an ear infection. However, a recent study from 2019 suggests that naturopathic drops may not help relieve an ear infection. It may vary from person to person, but more research is necessary to get a better understanding. 

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Get those harsh chemicals out of your home with a natural alternative to a classic toilet bowl gel cleaner. This homemade scrub is nearly as effective as store bought cleaners and it doesn’t plague your home with harsh chemicals. Made with borax and baking soda, this scrub may help you remove stains from a dirty toilet bowl. 

Cleaning a toilet is not necessarily the first thing on everyone’s to-do list. In fact, nobody wants to do it, but nobody wants to look into a stained porcelain bowl either. You want to keep that porcelain looking polished and as good as new. Many chemical cleaning products promise that they can keep your bowl looking as sparkly as ever, but seldom do they do the trick. The difference between those products and the DIY toilet bowl cleaner in this article lies in the ingredients. 

Borax

Borax, not to be confused with boric acid, is composed of oxygen, sodium, and boron. It is commonly used as a cleaner, mildew remover, flame retardant, and handful of other things. Because borax has a 9.5 pH, it is alkaline and forms a basic solution when combined with water. A basic solution has an easier time breaking down acidic, fatty, and oily substances. For example, borax can loosen the accumulated grime in a toilet bowl, but just know that it does not disinfect. 

Baking Soda

Baking soda has a lot of uses, both in and out of the kitchen. Due to its mildly abrasive nature, baking soda has an innate ability to clean and remove stains. Baking soda reacts with the grease in stains to form glycerol, a common ingredient in soaps. When you mix baking soda with vinegar, it creates carbonic acid, which is a weak base that boosts vinegar’s corrosive nature. Additionally, baking soda is a weak alkali, meaning it can neutralize acids in odor molecules, which can help eliminate strong smells. 

Castile Soap

The genius of castile soap is the fact that it is equally gentle and powerful at the same time. Created from saponified oils with moisturizing properties, castile oil is commonly used as a gentle, natural soap for the skin. That said, it is capable of fighting tough stains. In fact, you can use castile soap to clean just about anything. Just do not mix castile soap with acidic ingredients, such as vinegar, or else it may leave behind a sticky film on the surface you’re cleaning. 

DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 2 cups distilled water 
• 1/2 cup borax
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1 cup castile soap
• 25 drops essential oil of choice (optional)

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a medium-sized mixing bowl and still until the borax and baking soda are dissolved. 
• Pour the mixture into a squirt bottle and use when ready. 
• Make sure to shake well before each use. Spray a generous amount of the cleaning solution on the toilet bowl and use a scrub brush to clean. Let it sit for 15 minutes before flushing.

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Every now and again, a hairstyling product comes along that garners a lot of attention. Sea salt spray is that product, and it rose to popularity with the loose and flowing hair style trend. Shirts got boxier and pants got baggier with more natural, relaxed fits replacing skinny or slim-fit items. The same looseness applies to hair as well, because the natural look is where it’s at. 

What Is Sea Salt Spray?

The idea behind sea salt spray is that you do not have to hang 10 on a longboard in Malibu, California to achieve ocean-sprayed hair. The spray does not require the offshore winds that contain salt from the Pacific Ocean; rather, it gives your hair a similar look and texture to when you come out of the ocean. Think of sea salt spray as a bottle of concentrated ocean water that adds texture and flow to your locks. The benefit is that you do not have to deal with crowded beaches, sunburns, and sharks to achieve this look!

What Does Sea Salt Spray Do? 

First and foremost, sea salt spray adds both volume and texture to your hair. When too much oil and product accumulate on the scalp and hair, hair shafts become weighed down. Plus, the oilier the hair gets, the more hair shafts clump together and lose their life. Sea salt spray works to remove excess buildup, which lightens hair strands so that they can flow independently. The salt in the spray also has a little grit, which helps texturize the hair. 

Enhances Natural Curl Pattern Of Hair

Let us quickly break down hair types, which are characterized by density, texture, and curl pattern:

• Type 1: straight hair
• Type 2: wavy hair
• Type 3: curly hair
• Type 4: coily hair (the most fragile because hair strands are finer with fewer cuticle layers)

Everyone has a different curl pattern based on their hair type. Type 1 has no curl, type 2 has a natural “S” shape, type 3 has round, tight curls, and type 4 has curls with more of a “Z” shape. In order to enhance the natural curl pattern of your hair, apply sea salt spray to when hair and scrunch it with your free hand. The hair shafts will settle deeper into their curl pattern as your hair dries. If you have straight hair, or type 1 hair, you will not a lot of curl from a sea salt spray. The reason for this is because type 1 hair is usually resistant to curling without chemical assistance. 

The great thing about this DIY sea salt spray is that it does not make your hair look greasy or hard. Instead, it works to hydrate your hair and control frizz. Plus, it has essential oils that not only add a lovely scent to the spray, but also stimulate hair growth. If you spend a lot of time in the sun, the essential oils will assist in protecting hair from sun damage, while simultaneously encouraging new hair growth. Just know that this is not a hair growth product; rather, it contains ingredients with properties that may help encourage healthier hair or stimulate the scalp. 

DIY Sea Salt Spray

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon Epsom salt
• 1 tablespoon organic sugar
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 5 drops rosemary essential oil
• 10 drops clary sage essential oil
• 1 cup distilled water (hot but not boiling)

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients (except for the hot water) to a spray bottle, preferably an amber glass spray bottle. The dark nature of the glass will help preserve the health properties of the essential oils. 
• Pour the hot water in until the bottle is full, leaving a little room for the sprayer to go in the bottle. 
• Screw on the top and shake until all of the ingredients are dissolved. 
• When ready, spritz the sea salt spray into dry hair and scrunch until the spray dries. You can also blow dry your hair on low as you scrunch to accelerate the natural curling process.

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Essential oils have numerous health benefits and can be incredibly relaxing. Used in both aromatherapy and skin care, essential oils can help you create spa-like experiences in your very own home. Treat your feet right with an invigorating peppermint foot cream and slough away dead skin cells with a DIY sugar scrub. You can even use whipped body butter to establish a smooth skin tone. 

Although the aromatherapy shower mist recipe in this article doesn’t turn back the hands of time, it can transform your shower into a full-on steam room. Spray the mist in your steamy shower and the aromas will transport you to a relaxing oasis. The best part is that you don’t even have to leave your bathroom!

Typically, spa scents are made with a custom blend of essential oils. Because you are making this aromatherapy blend, you can also customize to your liking. If you prefer more eucalyptus essential oil than peppermint essential oil, alter the recipe. You can also use essential oils that help contribute to more alertness and energy to help you get your day started. A relaxing blend of essential oils, including lavender essential oil, may be beneficial for winding down before bed. 

What Is A Shower Mist?

A shower mist is basically a spray that you spritz into the water or steam of the shower, which transforms it into a spa-like experience. The steam from the hot water creates a natural diffuser, spreading the aromas of the essential oils in the shower air. While showering, you’re surrounded by the shower steam and an amazing fragrance. 

A shower mist is about more than a pleasant aroma, though. The essential oils in the shower mist have therapeutic properties, which you benefit from during your steamy shower. A few spritzes in your shower may help relax the body, calm the mind, wake you up, lift your spirits, regulate emotions, and rejuvenate your senses. 

Shower Mist Vs. Shower Steamer

You may have heard of a shower steamer. In fact, you can click here for our DIY recipe! They are scented discs that you place on the shower floor. As hot water flows onto them, they release their aroma into the shower air. A shower steamer is very similar to a shower mist, as both release the aromas from essential oils that you choose. Shower steamers are not for everyone, though, especially if you use oils or butters to make them. They can cause the shower floor to become a bit slippery, which is dangerous if your balance is not 100%. 

A shower mist is also a lot easier to make. All you have to do is pour the ingredients in a bottle, screw on the cap, shake the bottle up, and you are good to go. A shower mist also does not depend on humidity, so you can use the same recipe whether the humidity level is 0% or 100%. Shower steamers are a lot harder to make if you live in a humid environment. Finally, there is no setting time for a shower mist. Use it as soon as you make it, unlike shower steamers, which occasionally take days to set. 

DIY Shower Mist

Ingredients:

• 20 drops lavender essential oil
• 15 drops orange essential oil
• 5 drops frankincense essential oil
• 1/4 cup high-proof grade alcohol (such as Everclear)
• Distilled water

Instructions:

• Add the essential oils to an eight-ounce spray bottle and then pour in the high-proof grade alcohol. 
• Should you choose to use other essential oils, that is also fine. The general recommendation for this recipe is 30-40 drops of essential oils. You can keep the high-proof grade alcohol and distilled water measurements the same in that eight-ounce bottle.
• Fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water (leaving a small amount of space at the top to prevent overflowing), screw on the cap, and shake well to combine. 
• Put your spray to use! Spritz the shower mist in your hot shower and reap the benefits.

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