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Sunday, September 22, 2013
Friday, September 6, 2013
How to make your own air freshener!
Room sprays and air fresheners are costly, and contain many synthetic
ingredients. If you would like to create an inexpensive, natural air
freshener, then you are in the right place. All you will need is an
essential oil, some 100 proof vodka or rubbing alcohol, a spray bottle,
and water. Making your own air freshener is similar to making a perfume,
so first we will look at how perfume is made.
Essential Oils are the oils from herbs, flowers, or leaves that have been separated from the plant. This is usually done using a method called steam distillation. The oil is bottled and sold as an essential oil. Essential oils are sold individually, such as lavender, sage, and mint, or as blends. Essential oil blends are harmonious mixes of oils. Essential oils are different from fragrance oils. Fragrance oils are synthetic fragrances, which are usually made to recreate smells that are not found naturally. Ocean, rain, and grass scents are usually synthetic. Both essential oils and fragrance oils are mixed to create perfumes. You can also use either or both to make your own air freshener and room spray.
First, you need an essential oil. Essential oils (and fragrance oils) are commonly found in health food stores, although you may find them cheaper online. I use a lot of essential oils, so I buy them online in larger bottles. I recommend that you start out with a simple oil, such as lavender, or a blend that has already been mixed for you. Take advantage of the samples in the store and smell them all. Mixing your own scents can be a little tricky at first, and you should learn more about blending perfumes before giving it a try.
Once you have the oil, you will need an alcohol. An alcohol will break down the oil while leaving the scent intact, allowing you to mix it with water. Otherwise, your oil will just float on top of the water. For this, you can use 100 proof vodka or rubbing alcohol. I tend to use vodka for perfumes that I use on my body, and rubbing alcohol when making room sprays and air fresheners, just because I like to spray it all the time without worrying about the cost. The smell of the rubbing alcohol will not be noticeable once it is diluted. Finally, you need a spray bottle and water, and you are ready to go.
The great thing about making your own air freshener is that you don't have to worry about following a recipe. Pour some alcohol or vodka into the spray bottle - about one to two tablespoons. Then put your essential oil or fragrance oil drops in. You can experiment with how strong you want it to smell. I usually put 25 - 35 drops. Put the lid on, and shake it up for a few seconds for the oil to dissolve. Then, fill it all the way up with water. You now have your own all purpose room spray and air freshener.
Essential Oils are the oils from herbs, flowers, or leaves that have been separated from the plant. This is usually done using a method called steam distillation. The oil is bottled and sold as an essential oil. Essential oils are sold individually, such as lavender, sage, and mint, or as blends. Essential oil blends are harmonious mixes of oils. Essential oils are different from fragrance oils. Fragrance oils are synthetic fragrances, which are usually made to recreate smells that are not found naturally. Ocean, rain, and grass scents are usually synthetic. Both essential oils and fragrance oils are mixed to create perfumes. You can also use either or both to make your own air freshener and room spray.
First, you need an essential oil. Essential oils (and fragrance oils) are commonly found in health food stores, although you may find them cheaper online. I use a lot of essential oils, so I buy them online in larger bottles. I recommend that you start out with a simple oil, such as lavender, or a blend that has already been mixed for you. Take advantage of the samples in the store and smell them all. Mixing your own scents can be a little tricky at first, and you should learn more about blending perfumes before giving it a try.
Once you have the oil, you will need an alcohol. An alcohol will break down the oil while leaving the scent intact, allowing you to mix it with water. Otherwise, your oil will just float on top of the water. For this, you can use 100 proof vodka or rubbing alcohol. I tend to use vodka for perfumes that I use on my body, and rubbing alcohol when making room sprays and air fresheners, just because I like to spray it all the time without worrying about the cost. The smell of the rubbing alcohol will not be noticeable once it is diluted. Finally, you need a spray bottle and water, and you are ready to go.
The great thing about making your own air freshener is that you don't have to worry about following a recipe. Pour some alcohol or vodka into the spray bottle - about one to two tablespoons. Then put your essential oil or fragrance oil drops in. You can experiment with how strong you want it to smell. I usually put 25 - 35 drops. Put the lid on, and shake it up for a few seconds for the oil to dissolve. Then, fill it all the way up with water. You now have your own all purpose room spray and air freshener.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Lip Balm How To!
How to Lip Balm?
Ingredients:
2 oz. + 1 heaping Tablespoon Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
1.5 tsp vitamin E Essential Oil (You can use the gel caps or the dropper formula)
2 oz Cosmetic Grade Beeswax
Plastic Lip Balm Containers
Optional: 25 drops vanilla essential oil or peppermint essential oil (or whatever scent you prefer, just make sure to use an essential oil for fragrance)
Other Items:
Sauce pan & metal mason jar lid ring
wooden Spoon
Step one: The first step is to place your coconut oil, beeswax, and vitamin E oil into a glass measuring cup. The vitamin E will act as a moisturizer and preservative, the coconut oil is our moisturizer, and the beeswax will hold everything together.
Step two: Next, get a pan and fill it about half way with water and bring it to a boil. I also put a metal mason jar lid inside of ours to create a homemade double boiler type contraption. You do not want to place the glass measuring cup right in your pan as it may crack from the heat.
Step three: Once the water is at a slight boil, place your glass measuring cup into the water to melt the oils. After all of the oils are melted together, the beeswax will take the longest, you should have a nice golden liquid.
Adding Fragrance & Flavoring to Your Balm: (Optional)
Do this while your balm is still over the heat so that the cooler oil doesn’t cause your balm to solidify again. Add either a vanilla essential oil or peppermint essential oil scent to it using essential oils. You can also add in flavoring.
Fragrance: Keep in mind some oils are stronger than others, so you might consider adding a few drops at a time until the scent is to your liking.
Flavoring: To test the flavor of your balm, you can dab a small amount onto your lips. Keep in mind that the flavors get a bit stronger as the balm solidifies.
Once the balm is scented & flavored to your liking, carefully pour it into your containers and allow to cool fully.
This is a nice simple way to whoop up your own lip balm! If you have issues with cold sores or things like that consider taking a bit longer and infusing your own fresh herbs into your oils like we do with our Herbal Lip Healing Balm!
Ingredients:
2 oz. + 1 heaping Tablespoon Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
1.5 tsp vitamin E Essential Oil (You can use the gel caps or the dropper formula)
2 oz Cosmetic Grade Beeswax
Plastic Lip Balm Containers
Optional: 25 drops vanilla essential oil or peppermint essential oil (or whatever scent you prefer, just make sure to use an essential oil for fragrance)
Other Items:
Sauce pan & metal mason jar lid ring
wooden Spoon
Step one: The first step is to place your coconut oil, beeswax, and vitamin E oil into a glass measuring cup. The vitamin E will act as a moisturizer and preservative, the coconut oil is our moisturizer, and the beeswax will hold everything together.
Step two: Next, get a pan and fill it about half way with water and bring it to a boil. I also put a metal mason jar lid inside of ours to create a homemade double boiler type contraption. You do not want to place the glass measuring cup right in your pan as it may crack from the heat.
Step three: Once the water is at a slight boil, place your glass measuring cup into the water to melt the oils. After all of the oils are melted together, the beeswax will take the longest, you should have a nice golden liquid.
Adding Fragrance & Flavoring to Your Balm: (Optional)
Do this while your balm is still over the heat so that the cooler oil doesn’t cause your balm to solidify again. Add either a vanilla essential oil or peppermint essential oil scent to it using essential oils. You can also add in flavoring.
Fragrance: Keep in mind some oils are stronger than others, so you might consider adding a few drops at a time until the scent is to your liking.
Flavoring: To test the flavor of your balm, you can dab a small amount onto your lips. Keep in mind that the flavors get a bit stronger as the balm solidifies.
Once the balm is scented & flavored to your liking, carefully pour it into your containers and allow to cool fully.
This is a nice simple way to whoop up your own lip balm! If you have issues with cold sores or things like that consider taking a bit longer and infusing your own fresh herbs into your oils like we do with our Herbal Lip Healing Balm!
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