On the Bath and Body page you will find an overview of the following Pages, by clicking on the link under each overview you will be directed to the appropriate area for recipes, video tutorials and other useful information: Children, Conditioner, Healing, Massage Oil and Shampoo.
Children
Conditioner
Healing
Massage Oil
Shampoo
Children
Baby Wipes: Does your child have sensitive skin that is easily irritated? Are you interested in an inexpensive method for homemade baby wipes?
Did you know that you can make your own baby wipes? Of course you can use cloth wipes such as a thin wash cloth that can be rinsed in the toilet and then washed with your diapers, or if you want disposable wipes without the cost then try these.
When you use a homemade baby wipes recipe you can either make your wipes solution in a bottle or put it right in the wipes container. You can use just about anything for your container, a Tupperware dish, an old wipes container or just a gallon sized ziplock bag works as well.
I like to put the mixture right into the container so that the wipes are ready to go as soon as I need them.
If you prefer to leave the mixture separate place it in a spray bottle of some type. You can find them at the dollar store pretty easily or at any beauty drug store. If you use this method then when it is time to use the wipes then you will need to wet your cloth wipe with warm water and then give a spritz or two of your wipes solution.
Some say that if they pre-make the wipes and store them that they sometimes get a musty smell, but I have not experiences that.
I have created a video tutorial of how to turn a roll of paper towels into a set of disposable wipes that you can find on our children’s page.
Below is a basic baby wipes recipe that I use on the tutorial, however below I link to the children’s page where I have listed additional recipes.
- Optional: 1 roll paper towels
Mix the ingredients and place in a spray bottle or if you want to put them straight into the container prepare a roll of paper towels by pulling out the center cardboard roll (be sure to either recycle it or use it for other ideas around the house including a telescope for your child or a musical instrument by placing a handful of beans and stapling the ends) and then cutting the roll in half or thirds (depending how tall your container is). Make sure you cut the WIDTH of the towels, not the length.
Place the two 1/2 rolls into containers and soak each with 1/2 of your mixture. Be sure to place the lid on and flip it over to thoroughly soak the towels. To use reach you finger into the center and create pull apart towels.
Note: Paper towels come in multiple sizes. For economical wipes be sure to purchase the choose-a-size pull apart towels. They are about 5 inches wide instead of 10.
Click Here for Children’s Needs
Conditioner
If someone tells you that you have to spend money a lot of money on shampoo and conditioner to have nice hair, it simply is not true. You can have fantastic hair with only a smidgen of the price and next to none of the environmental impact. I know it sounds crazy and too good to be true, but other than having a little more static during the winter you will not hardly be able to tell the difference.
I have been using the basic vinegar rinse for over 6 months now and I absolutely love it. My hair is soft, shiny and tangle free. I know it sounds crazy and unbelievable, but excluding that fact that my hair had a little bit more static in winter, it’s true.
After your hair dry’s there is absolutely no smell.
The basic recipe is offered below however you may find other recipes here.
Here are the ingredients I used:
- 4 cups hot water
- 3/4 cup vinegar
To make vinegar rinse just mix the vinegar with the water and soak you hair in it. That’s it!
Click Here for Conditioner
Healing
Some people call them old wives tales, others call them home remedies. Your mother swears by them because she learned them from her mother and her mothers mother. Now you believe them and wish to pass them onto your children.
Believe it or not, they work.
On this page you will be able to find healing resources for all your many ailments.
Click Here for Healing
Massage Oil
I love relaxing by rubbing a sweet smelling massage oil all over after a refreshing shower or by heating up the oil and making a hot oil hair treatment and scalp pack.
Why should I use natural oils in my homemade massage blends?
This may seem like a simple question to most, but I can assure you with the popularity of synthetic oils and their frequent cheaper costs it is not always a simple answer.
The synthetic oils, petroleum products, and mineral oils create a barrier on the skin. This may seem helpful on first read, however it is quite the opposite. The barrier on the skin does not allow your skin to breathe. Vegetable oils are closer to natural human oils and are just plain better for you.
Unfortunately, most commercial cosmetics contain mineral or synthetic oils. And if you go for a massage, a budget conscious masseuse may also be using these products. (note: Make sure if you get a massage that you ask for natural vegetable oil)
Do not skimp on this for the recipes you make at home.
Click Here For Massage Oil
Shampoo
The following is the original recipe for Shampoo, however if you scroll to the bottom there is a like for other recipes such as scented shampoo’s. In addition, we have added Baking Soda in bulk (12 pound bag) to our convenience store. Baking Soda is a staple product in any living provident household, you may as well buy in bulk.
The original “no poo” shampoo recipe:
- 1 Tablespoon Baking Soda
- Just enough water to make a paste
Apply this to your roots only; work it in and let it sit for a minute.
Rinse with:
- 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar in a cup full of water.
My husband and I began using the “no poo” method of shampoo about 6 months ago. We will never go back to regular shampoo again. Between the two of us we have an array of hair.
My hair is:
- Straight as a stick.
- Ultra thin.
- Super fine.
- Very silky and soft.
- Will not hold a style even if I use a gallon of glue.
We began making our own shampoo and I have been amazed at the transformation in my hair. Although I may not have thicker hair, each individual strand of hair is thicker and coarser making me appear as if I have more hair. I have given up some of the silky softness that I used to have in abundance but I feel as if it is no loss because I can now do my hear with zero hair product and my hairstyle stays all day. Yes that is right, I can now hold curls from my hot rollers. No more straight hair 5 minutes after I do my hair in the morning.
In addition, after the first two weeks of usage my scalp got back its natural oils that regular shampoos strip and funny thing… my face pimples reduced. Yep that side effect was not expected but as the baking soda is a natural cleaning agent my body’s natural oils were better able to take over again and not only my scalp, but my skin also evened out.
I have found that the best way to massage the paste into my hair is using the same technique that hairstylists use at the salon. The massage stimulates blood flow and gets off all of the grit and grime that gets built up with hair products or just from dirt and dust that floats around in the air.
- Start by making a circle on the top of your head in the area knows as your crown.
- Focus on the back of your crown/circle and massage around the edges towards the front of your scalp.
- Next, fill in the crown/circle. This is where your hair parts; grease here affects the way your hair looks.
- Trace while still scrubbing with your fingertips around the bottom edge of the circle/crown. Keep making scrubbing circles underneath each one, drawing lines in circles around your head.
- Lastly, scrub the back of your skull and your temples/sideburns. This will result in less grease and more growth.
After doing this, your scalp will feel alive. Many women swear their hair grows faster after a visit to the salon — it does, and this massage method is why.
The scrubbing motion that you should be making is rubbing your fingers back and forth in short motions. Be sure to apply the amount of pressure that is most comfortable to you. Be gentle enough not to break your hair, but firm enough to provide good hair follicle stimulation.
Next, pour about 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar into a cup and add water. (I keep a plastic 16-ounce cups in my shower along with an old plastic bottle full of vinegar and just mix when I get in.) After you rinse the baking soda out, pour the apple cider vinegar over the ends of your hair (I just make my hair into a little ponytail in my hand and dip it in the mixture a couple of times). Let it sit for a minute and then rinse it out. That’s all there is to it.
Note: I pour the entire cup of vinegar water over my head after my tips have sat for a minute right before I do my rinse. I personally think this keeps the static fly away hairs down.
Remember, there is a transition period from two weeks to two months depending on the person when you begin to use this method. Here are a few tips:
- If your hair becomes frizzy, try using less baking soda or leaving it on for a shorter period of time. Adding honey may also help.
- If your hair becomes greasy, try using less apple cider vinegar, switching to lemon or lime juice, leaving out the honey, and/or using a comb instead of a brush. Also, make sure you’re applying the apple cider vinegar just to the ends of your hair.
- If your scalp itches, try the following essential oils; tea tree, lavender, rosemary. If your hair becomes dry, try a tiny bit of oil (any oil, I use a little bit of olive) smoothed on bottom of hair or massaged in like conditioner.
What about colored hair or permed hair? I have done both in the last 6 months and saw no effect with coloring, however with perm I found that my hair became a lot dryer. The olive oil does wonders though.
I have also found that I can massage in the egg white of an egg or 1/4 cup mayonnaise and wha-la moisture and shine.
