DIY Natural Window Screen Spray

WHAT TO USE:

--4 tsp Baking Soda - it's great for dissolving all the dirt that builds up on the screens plus it deodorizes them (welcome, freshest air possible!;-)

--4 cups Water - distilled water would be even better - especially since it's super inexpensive

--a few drops  Antimicrobial Essential Oil***

*** The most potent antimicrobial oils are clove, cinnamon, bay and thyme(according to the study "Letters in Applied Microbilology" done by Smith-Palmer, Steward and Fyfe in 1998). I DEFINITELY recommend using one of those four - they aren't more expensive than other oils, yet you'll need to use less of them due to their higher potency (cinnamon bark oil is a bit pricey, yet it's been proven that less expensive cinnamon leaf oil is just as effective). But you can also use other antimicrobial oils like tea tree, lavender, lemon, peppermint and etc. - they are just a bit less effective:-(

WHAT TO DO:

 I take two spray bottles and fill one with two cups of water and baking soda, and the other one - with the remaining two cups of water and a few drops of essential oil. Then I shake both bottles up very well - especially the baking soda one to make sure soda dissolves nicely in water. 

Every night when I open the windows I first spray the screens with baking soda which dissolves all the dirt and dust. Once I'm done spraying all the windows I come back and spray them over again with the essential oil solutions - it washes off the soda with the dirt and leaves the essential oil to protect the screens from any microbial growth. It takes me no more than three minutes to do all five windows in the house. And my nose is definitely happier now that I incorporated such cleaning into my daily routine;-)))
P.S. I also want to note that even though the sprays definitely help keep the screens fresher and cleaner longer, a regular seasonal wash with soap and all the jazz is still a must. I know, it's a bummer!:-(

DIY Herbal Intimate Wash Recipe

WHAT TO USE:

• 1/3 cup Fragrance-free Liquid Castile Soap - I would use Dr. Bronner's baby mild one - it has pH level that is perfect for intimate hygiene products (well it's higher than necessary, but distilled water lowers it to the needed level)
• 2/3 cup  Distilled Water - I use it because Castile soap needs to be diluted
• one drop of Chamomile Essential Oil*** - has antibiotic properties and doesn't let biotic (due to bacteria, fungi, etc.) infections to develop (source)

***Essential oils are very highly concentrated plant material, therefore I only use 1-2 drops per one cup of wash. Women who are pregnant or nursing should exercise caution when using essential oils. You should apply small tests to the skin, because essential oils can cause allergic reactions. 
   

HOW TO MAKE IT:

I simply combine soap, water and essential oil in a bottle, and then store it in the shower. I try to be very careful when I use it, because it is much more liquid that usual Castile soap. And that's it

DIY Toothbrush Sanitizing Rinse

 WHAT TO USE:

--2 tsp Baking Soda
--1 tsp Rubbing Alcohol - it's great for killing germs, however I'm only using a little bit of it, because I don't want to spray alcohol around too much. 

--1/2 cups Water

--20 drops Antimicrobial Essential Oil - again, the most potent antimicrobial oils are clove,cinnamon, bay and thyme. (according to the study "Letters in Applied Microbilology" done by Smith-Palmer, Steward and Fyfe in 1998)

WHAT TO DO:

 I first dissolve baking soda in water very nicely to make sure there are no visible soda particles. I then add alcohol and essential oil, shake the bottle very well and that IS IT!

HOW TO USE IT:

I spray the sanitizer onto the brush bristles after each use, and just leave it until next use. The next time, before applying tooth paste/ powder onto the brush, I rinse it first to wash away the solution. Simple as that! And on the picture you can see that I store my spray together with the brush in the holder. And I keep my tooth powder balls in that cute blue container with butterfly on top;-))))

DIY Spot Treatment for Acne-Prone Skin

WHAT TO USE:

• 2 tbsp Aloe Vera Gel- anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, yet highly moisturizing
• 1/2 tsp  Witch Hazel Extract - anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial
• 1/2 tsp  Sea Salt - contains vital minerals that help acne heal faster and prevent infections (source)
• a few drops*** of Thyme Oil - anti-septic and anti-bacterial - I've been hearing more and more people saying that thyme oil is THE best oil for acne treatment.
• a few drops of Tea Tree Oil - heals existing acne + kills acne-causing bacteria.
• a few drops of Lavender Oil - antiseptic and antibacterial, yet "easy" on the skin and doesn't cause excessive dryness.
• a few drops of Peppermint Oil (optional) - peppermint oil isn't used in Grease Lightning, but I use it because it doesn't only inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacteria, it also increases blood circulation and has an amazing cooling  effect. Remember why we put ice pack on wounds? Ice stimulates blood circulation in the area you apply it to and thus prevents any discoloration in the form of bruising and scarring. Peppermint oil has similar effect on acne. (source)

 *** I put seven drops of each oil.

 

HOW TO MAKE & USE IT:

I first combine sea salt with witch hazel extract and aloe vera gel and mix them very well together. I then add my oils, mix again and put into a container. Whenever I need to use this treatment, I put some on a cotton swab and apply on the spots. I use a new swab/side on each spot to avoid transferring bacteria and I never use my fingers to apply the gel. 

DIY Under Eye Wrinkle Mask

WHAT to USE:

• 5 tsp Yogurt
• 3 tsp  Brown Sugar
• 1.5 tsp  Vit.C powder (as ascorbic acid) - it's important to have no flavors or colors added to the powder!
• a few drops of Neroli Oil - one of the most effective anti-aging essential oils, plus it helps with unpleasant yogurt scent (yes, I think yogurt has unpleasant scent;-)

 

HOW to MAKE & USE IT:

I simply combine all the ingredients together and let the mixture sit to have sugar dissolve (I actually like blending everything together and that makes sugar dissolve much faster). Since I can't store the mask for too long in the fridge, I simply put the amount enough for one week into a container (keep it in the fridge), and then I freeze the rest. One week later I unfreeze one cube and it again lasts me another week - very convenient!:-) 

I cut my cotton pads to fit the under eye area and store them together with that little container in the fridge. 

When I need to use the mask I simply apply some on the cotton pads, and since they stick nicely to your skin, you can easily walk around with them without having to lay down (it will be hard to look down though, so I just usually sit in front of the computer:-) 

DIY Recipe for Healthy Hair Styling

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 envelope (0.25 oz) Gelatin - its protein strengthens hair
• 1.5 cups  Hot Water - reduce or increase to change the hold strength of your hair gel

Optional ingredients (choose according to your hair needs):

• 2 tbsp Lemon Juice/a few drops Lemon oil(will give the gel better shelf life) -helps with dandruff and fungal infections
• a few drops Lavender Oil - strengthens and heals damaged hair - definitely recommend using it as it will help with unpleasant scent of gelatin
• a few drops Tea Tree Oil - helps with dandruff, fungal infections, slow hair growth and damaged hair (Wow, what a powerful ingredient!) 
• 1-2 tsp Aloe Vera Gel - helps with dry, damaged hair, as well as with hair loss
• 1 capsule Vitamin E - helps with hair loss, slow growth and strengthens your hair

HOW I MAKE IT:
I first mix lemon juice with gelatin. Then add hot water and stir very well for about two minutes. After that I add the remaining ingredients and stir for another 3 minutes. Once it's all mixed nicely together, I pour it into a container and put into fridge.

HOW I USE IT:

I store the gel in the fridge and whenever I need to use it I just take out a small piece, rub it between my hands to make a solid film. See those lumps on my hand? Make sure you rub enough to get rid of those, cause they will turn into flakes if you just apply it like that on your hair. 

And that's all! I hope you will enjoy your HEALTHY hair styling guys;-))

DIY Toilet Bombs

WHAT I USE: (for approx. 24 bombs)

--1 1/3 cup Baking Soda - amazing for all-natural cleaning AND deodorizing!

--1/2 cup Citric Acid - (low-strength acid that exists naturally in fruits like lemons & oranges)- used in many kitchen & bathroom cleaners for its cleaning, whitening & deodorizing properties

--30 drops Lavender Essential Oil***

--30 drops Peppermint Essential Oil***

--30 drops Lemon Essential Oil*** 
--Medical Mask

*** All three oils I use have great antimicrobial properties and kill odor-causing bacteria PLUS this combo smells heavenly!!!

WHAT I DO:

Since I work with citric acid and baking soda, I always put medical mask first and then mix together soda and acid. After that I put oils in a spray bottle and spray little by little stirring the mixture at the same time in order to not let it fizz away. If the mixture isn't damp enough I add just A TINY BIT of water in my spray bottle and spray the mixture - but again, I try to prevent the acid from fizzing away, because bombs won't explode and will just sink without fizzing if they're too moist.
After that I put the mixture in silicone molds and let them dry for about 6 hours. And then I store the bombs in a container with a lid - don't they look adorable?...I usually drop one in the toilet bowl whenever I feel like it;-)