Want to make beautiful, natural candles to burn in your home or gift to family and friends but don’t want to spend hours on a DIY project? Here’s how to make the most beautiful homemade candles using simple ingredients in just 20 minutes (with both scented and unscented options)!

In this blog, I’m outlining the exact steps you’ll need to successfully make beautiful jar candles at home. If you’d like to make taper candles, follow this guide.

Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

This recipe is a great starting point. Use the recipe (just wax and wicks) and customize with your favorite scents (I love to combine rosemary and lavender essential oils) or go all natural with no added scents. 

Candle Ingredients 

• 4 cups of wax: either soy wax flakes or beeswax pellets
• 2 wicks: Wicks with a metal base are the easiest to work with. I have no experience with wooden wicks.
• (OPTIONAL) 1 teaspoon dried herbs, 60 drops essential oils, or fragrance oils: For naturally-scented candles. Fragrance oils have a stronger, longer-lasting scent, but most fragrance oils are not natural. Essential oils have a very subtle scent. And dried herbs, like dried lavender or dried rosemary, may be used for decoration.

How to Make Homemade Candles: Step-by-Step Guide

Once you have your ingredients and tools, you’ll need about 20 minutes to make the candles.

You’ll find a printable version of the ingredients and instructions at the end of this article. Here’s my step-by-step guide with photos to guide you…

• Step 1:  Add water to the saucepan/pot, about 1/2 way full. Place your heat-safe bowl, tall glass measuring cup, or candle pourer either in the water or sitting on top of the water-filled pot (either way is safe). This is called the double boiler method, which keeps the wax out of direct contact with the heat source and avoids burning the wax. 
• Step 2: Add the soy flakes or beeswax pellets to the bowl. Then turn the heat to medium-high, bringing the water in the pot/saucepan to a lively simmer.
• Step 3: Allow the wax to completely melt. This takes about 15 minutes (more or less). Soy wax melts much faster, beeswax pellets take a bit longer. 
• Step 4: Once melted, place the candle jars on a towel (to protect your countertop) and dip the metal part of each candle wick in the hot wax.
• Step 5: Place the metal base of the wick at the bottom of each jar. Use a clothespin or mechanical pencil (the clip portion works well) to secure the wick, placing the pin or pencil on top of the jar to keep the wick upright. 
• Step 6: Pour the melted wax into the jars.
• Step 7: For a scented candle, add drops of natural essential oils, candle fragrance oil (according to the package), or any dried herbs (like dried lavender or dried rosemary). The wax will instantly begin to harden as it comes in contact with the jar. Let the wax cool and solidify. This takes about 20 minutes, or longer.

Give this candle recipe a try and tell me what you think and how you decide to customize your candles!

Print

Homemade Candles Recipe

Here's the easiest way to make your own homemade candles, step by step.  All you need is a jars, wax (soy or beeswax), wicks (which you can easily find in any craft store or online), a pot, (optional) pure essential oils for scent, and a stove-top (or make homemade candles in slow-cooker). 

Course DIY

Cuisine American

Keyword DIY candles, Homemade Candles, how to make candles

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 2 candles

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $4-5 each candle

Equipment

• 1 small cooking pot/saucepan
• 1 wax melting cup such as: a medium-size glass bowl or metal bowl, tall glass measuring cup, or candle pourer
• 2 8-ounce jars such as: glass mason jars, jam jars, tin cans, tea cups, etc. Or use 4 4-ounce jars for smaller candles.
• 2 clothespins or mechanical pencils
• 2 small washcloths OPTIONAL, but helpful for insulating the jars to keep the wax from cracking while it cools
• 1 skewer or chopstick OPTIONAL, if adding fragrance to stir and combine the fragrance and wax

Ingredients

• 4 cups soy wax flakes or beeswax pellets
• 2 candle wicks with a metal base
• 60 drops essential oil of choice OPTIONAL, or fragrance oil (use the amount directed on package)
• 1/2-1 teaspoon dried herbs OPTIONAL, like dried lavender, rosemary, or crushed roses

Instructions

• Add water to the saucepan/pot, about 1/2 way full. Place your heat-safe bowl, tall glass measuring cup, or candle pourer either in the water or sitting on top of the water-filled pot (either way is safe). This is called the double boiler method, which keeps the wax out of direct contact with the heat source and avoids burning the wax. 
• Add the soy flakes or beeswax pellets to the bowl. Then turn the heat to medium-high, bringing the water in the saucepan to a lively simmer.
  
• Allow the wax to completely melt. This takes about 15 minutes (more or less). Soy wax melts much faster, beeswax pellets take a bit longer to melt. 
• Once the wax has melted, turn off the heat and dip the metal ends of the wicks in the hot wax. Place the wick ends in the center of each candle jar, pressing the metal ends down with a skewer or chop-stick until set at the base of the jar. The wax acts like glue, securing the metal end at the bottom of the candle jar.
• Gently straighten the wick and secure it at the mouth of the jar with a clothespin or the clip on a mechanical pencil (resting the pencil or clothespin on the top of the jar).
  
• Gently pour the wax into each jar. Place a towel (or parchment paper) underneath the jars to protect your countertop.
  
• To make scented candles, add the essential oil or candle fragrance oil to the wax. If desired, add a teaspoon of dried herbs. For fragrance oil, follow the instructions on the bottle for amount recommended. Using the skewer or chopstick, gently stir the candle to combine the fragrance and wax.
• Wrap the jars in the washcloths to prevent the wax from cooling too fast and shrinking or cracking. This step isn't mandatory, but helps if you're concerned about cracks which are purely cosmetic and can be fixed if they occur by adding more melted wax overtop to fill the crack.
• The candles will take about 30 minutes to fully set. But I recommend letting the candles rest for 24 hours. This rest time allows the candles time to cure before burning, giving you the best results!
• Once set, remove the clothespins and washcloths, and trim the top of the wicks to 1 inch. The candles are now ready to use and enjoy!
  

Notes

Wax Amount: 4 cups of soy wax flakes will make 2- 8 ounce candles. This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. Simply add the 4 cups of soy flakes to your double-boiler. As the 4 cups begins to liquify, add more soy flakes as desired. 

Melting Pot: Purchase a medium-size glass mixing bowl, metal mixing bowl, tall glass measuring cup, or candle pourer. You’ll never be able to use this pot for anything other than candle making, as the wax will adhere to the pot and be difficult to scrape off and remove. 

More Cleaning Recipes

SEE ALL

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster (Just 2 Ingredients)

Simple Homemade Fabric Softener (4 Ways)

14 Best Natural and Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents

Simple DIY Homemade Candles for Beginners

19 Frugal Natural Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda

The post Simple DIY Homemade Candles for Beginners appeared first on Live Simply.

Looking for the best ways to clean your home with baking soda (aka bicarbonate of soda)? If so, this blog is for you!

Below, I share my favorite baking soda cleaning hacks. All 19! From cleaning toilets and the oven to deodorizing the fridge and removing crayon marks, I’ll show you how to use this simple ingredient to clean every room in your home.

Key Takeaways

• All Natural – Baking soda is a natural and safe product used for baking (a leavening agent, which causes baked goods to rise) and cleaning!
• Incredible Cleaning Power – Baking soda easily dissolves dirt and grease, lifts tough stains (even crayon and permanent marker), and freshens smelly fabrics.
• Avoid Toxic Chemicals – With baking soda you’ll avoid harsh chemicals without compromising your standard of clean! 
• Make DIY Cleaners & Body Products – Baking soda can be added to some homemade cleaners to boost cleaning and deodorizing properties, or used on its own. It can also be used as a skincare product to make a face/body scrub or deodorant. 

How to Use Baking Soda For Cleaning Video Guide

5 Reader-Favorite Baking Soda Uses

• Make deodorant
• Make a facial exfoliant
• Clean your toilet bowl
• Clean sinks and tubs
• Clean the bathroom with an all-purpose spray

How to Clean Your Home With Baking Soda (19 Ways!)

1. Clean the Kitchen Sink and Remove Food/Grease Build-Up

• Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the sink.
• Use a scrub brush or sponge to gently scrub the surface with the baking soda in a circular motion. Watch the grease and dirt/food build-up magically disappear.
• Rinse the surface with clean water.
• If you’d like to add a fresh lemon scent, mix a few drops of lemon essential oil with the baking soda, and then follow the steps above.

I’ve done this with ceramic (white) and stainless steel sinks. For an extra dirty sink, add a squirt of dish soap and scrub the soap and baking soda over the surface.

Learn how to clean the sink with baking soda and other natural ingredients. 

2. Clean the Bathroom Tub and Sink

• Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of a bathtub and sink.
• Use a scrub brush, sponge, or damp cloth to gently scrub the surface with the baking soda in a circular motion. As you scrub, build-up will lift away, leaving behind a sparkly tub and sink.
• If you’d like to add a fresh lemon scent, mix a few drops of lemon essential oil with the baking soda.

Or, make a baking soda paste in a small bowl by combining baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and castile soap.  

3. Deodorize and Freshen Carpets and Rugs

Between pets and kids, our carpets and rugs are subjected to all sorts of fun activities. Here’s how to keep I carpets and rugs fresh and odor-free…

• Sprinkle rugs and carpets with baking soda (optional: whisk with a few drops of a favorite essential oil, like lavender essential oil). 
• Wait at least 30 minutes. 
• Vacuum the area. 

4. Deodorize and Freshen Bed Mattresses

• Lightly sprinkle baking soda onto an exposed mattress (no sheets). 
• Wait 30 minutes. 
• Use a hose attachment to vacuum the surface.

7. Deodorize and Freshen Toilets

• Generously sprinkle baking soda into the toilet bowl. 
• Wait 10 minutes. 
• Use a toilet brush to scrub away stains and odors.
• If you’d like to add a fresh lemon scent, mix a few drops of lemon essential oil with the baking soda, and then follow the steps above.

Alternatively, make a homemade toilet bowl cleaner with castile soap, water, and baking soda. 

8. Deodorize and Freshen Garbage Cans

• Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of a trash bin to keep odors away. 
• Discard and refresh the baking soda every few weeks. 
• If you don’t want to sprinkle baking soda in your trash can, sprinkle the powder in a short cardboard box first, then place the box at the bottom of your trash can.

9. Deodorize and Freshen Sneakers

• Sprinkle baking soda in stinky sneakers.
• Let the baking soda rest all night in the shoes.
• In the morning, shake out the shoes to remove the baking soda.
• The odor-neutralizing powder will naturally get rid of the stinky odor in smelly shoes.

10. Clean and Remove Crayon Marks from Walls

Thankfully, we’re past the scribbling-on-the-wall stage of parenting. In the past, when crayon marks were accidentally added to the wall decor, I used baking soda to remove the unwanted drawings. Here’s how to do that…

• Sprinkle a clean wet cloth (or wet sponge) with baking soda. 
• Gently wipe the wall with the cloth until the crayon marks disappears. 
• Repeat as needed until the crayon disappears from the surface. 

14. Make Your Own Laundry Soap 

Make your own laundry soap powder by combining: 

• 1 5-ounce castile soap bar (shredded)
• 1 cup washing soda
• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup kosher salt
• 30-40 drops essential oil (optional)

Here’s how to make this easy laundry soap recipe. 

15. Bathroom All Purpose Cleaner

Make an all-purpose bathroom cleaner for toilets, sinks and tubs, tile and grout, and all other bathroom surfaces (except glass surfaces-you’ll want to make this glass cleaner instead). Combine…

• 2 cups warm distilled water
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoon liquid castile soap
• 30 drops tea tree essential oil
• 20 drops sweet orange essential oil

Here’s how to make bathroom all-purpose cleaner.

16. Clean Produce

To clean fresh produce, make a vinegar bath or use baking soda. To use baking soda…

• In a large bowl or sink, combine 1 teaspoon baking soda with 2 cups of water (increase amounts depending on how much produce you have). 
• Add fruit to the solution and soak for 10 minutes. 
• Remove the produce and rinse under clean water.

17. Remove Stubborn Stickers and Sticker Residue From Surfaces

• Combine olive oil and baking soda in a small bowl to make a paste.
• Apply the paste to a surface with a stubborn sticker or sticker residue.
• Let the paste rest on the surface, then give the area a good scrub.
• Repeat until the sticker residue disappears. 

Recipe from Natural Cleaning Made Easy. 

18. Remove Armpit Stains and Body Odor

This solution is best used on white clothing to remove yellowing arm pit stains and body odor. For colors, do not use hydrogen peroxide due to the bleaching reaction. In a small bowl, combine…

• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide 
• 1 tablespoon Sal Suds (Liquid castile soap or dish soap will also work) 
• 1 tablespoon kosher or sea salt 
• 15 drops lemon essential oil

Using a spoon, apply the paste to armpit stains on white clothes. Scrub the solution into the stain with a scrub brush or old toothbrush. Let the solution rest for a couple of hours (or more for stubborn armpit stains). Wash the paste away and wash the clothing with soap.

Recipe from Natural Cleaning Made Easy. 

19. Clean Grout Lines

• Make a paste by combining water and baking soda in a bowl.
• Use an old toothbrush or scrub brush to scrub the paste on the grout.
• Let the paste rest for a few minutes, then use a wet sponge or cloth to wash away the paste.
• Repeat as needed. 

More Cleaning Recipes

SEE ALL

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster (Just 2 Ingredients)

Simple Homemade Fabric Softener (4 Ways)

14 Best Natural and Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents

Simple DIY Homemade Candles for Beginners

19 Frugal Natural Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda

The post 19 Frugal Natural Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda appeared first on Live Simply.

Before we start, I created the Natural Cleaning Challenge to help you easily ditch toxic cleaners and start using natural cleaning products in just 5 days. This challenge is completely free and packed full of helpful information. Over 5 days, via email, I’ll walk you through what to avoid in cleaning products (even the “natural” and “green” ones can have icky ingredients so I’ll give you the tools to see through the marketing gimmicks), how to stock a natural cleaning caddy, and a few essential DIY cleaning recipes.

11 Natural Cleaning Product Swaps Anyone Can Make Today

The 11 swaps on today’s list are designed to serve as a guide for everyone making the switch to natural cleaning products, whether you’re just starting out or have already made some swaps. Why focus on making these natural product swaps? Most of the products on this list are products that many people use the home on a regular basis. Since they’re a “regular” product, this means they’re being sprayed, poured, and burned (like candles) on a daily or weekly basis.

Swap 1: Air Fresheners

Add essential oils to homemade cleaning products, add an essential oil or blend of different essential oils to an essential oil diffuser (this is my favorite), create a simmer pot on the stove-top using rosemary, cinnamon sticks, orange peels and water then simmer the mixture on a low simmer (do not leave unattended). If you’re new to essential oils, check out this podcast episode on essential oils 101.

Swap 2: Scented Candles

Make beeswax or soy candles (use this slow-cooker method, make candles on the stove-top, or make super easy taper candles) or buy 100% beeswax or soy candles that are unscented or use essential oils for a scent.

Swap 3: Fragranced Laundry Detergents

Use fragrance-free laundry soap, choose a brand that uses essential oils for scent and fully discloses ingredients (my favorite non-toxic laundry soap brands), or make your own laundry soap (try this liquid laundry soap recipe or this powder soap recipe).

Swap 4: Bleach

Use a homemade bleach alternative for whitening garments, for surfaces use an all purpose cleaner spray (I love this vinegar all purpose cleaner or this no-vinegar all purpose cleaner), and for the toilet use this homemade toilet bowl cleaner.

Swap 5: Store-Bought All Purpose Cleaner

Make your own all purpose cleaner with either castile soap or vinegar. It’s one of the easiest DIY swaps you can make to clean a variety of surfaces.

For an all purpose vinegar cleaner, combine 1 cup distilled water, 1 cup white vinegar or homemade orange vinegar, 15-20 drops essential oil of choice (if desired). Add all the ingredients to a glass spray bottle. For an all purpose cleaner without vinegar, add 2 cups distilled water to a glass spray bottle, followed by 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap or 1 teaspoon Sal Suds and 15-20 drops essential oil of choice (if desired). If you prefer the store-bought route, check out this post for my top non-toxic all purpose cleaner suggestions.

Swap 6: Windex

Use a spray made with rubbing alcohol, vinegar, and distilled water to clean windows, mirrors, and even stainless surfaces. Make a glass and mirror cleaner by combining 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol and 1/3 cup white vinegar in a 16-ounce spray bottle, then top off the bottle with distilled water. If you’d prefer to not use rubbing alcohol, skip it and use 1/2 cup of vinegar instead. Spray on a glass surface and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

Swap 7: Easy Off Oven Cleaner

Use a combo of castile soap and baking soda. Mix the ingredients together until they form a paste, then use a sponge to apply the mixture to the interior surface of the oven. Let the mixture rest for 30 minutes or a few hours, then use a wet cloth to rinse the surface and follow up by spraying the surface with vinegar and wiping clean until all residue has been removed.

Swap 8: Pledge or PineSol Floor Cleaner

Fill a bucket with water and castile soap or vinegar to wash hard floors. Here’s my favorite hard floor cleaner with vinegar and my favorite hard floor cleaner with castile soap.

Swap 9: Dawn Dish Soap

Make a Sal Suds dish soap or castile soap dish soap or use a non-toxic brand (such as Seventh Generation–> here’s a list of my favorite non-toxic dish soap and dishwasher options).

Swap 10: Cascade Dishwasher Detergent

Use a non-toxic brand (such as Ecover or Better Life–> here’s a list of my favorite non-toxic options) or make your own (I share a recipe in DIY Natural Cleaning).

Swap 11: Dryer Sheets

Use fragrance-free dryer sheets (Seventh Generation is a good option) or wool dryer balls (make dryer balls or buy dryer balls). If you have an issue with static, which is common with polyester clothing, add a safety pin to a wool dryer ball to reduce this static.

I know a lot of people also use fabric softener. Choose a fabric softener that’s fragrance free or go the homemade route by making laundry softener salts or use vinegar.

7 Cleaning Ingredients to Avoid

In the US, cleaning companies are not required to disclose all of their ingredients (only active ingredients or “ingredients of known concern”). And the US Government doesn’t test cleaning products and doesn’t mandate that companies test them either. This all leads to a lot of confusion about cleaning products. I’ve compiled a list of 7 main cleaning ingredients to avoid to help you make informed choices about cleaning products. Check out that post here: 7 Cleaning Product Ingredients to Avoid.

The post 11 Natural Cleaning Product Swaps Anyone Can Make appeared first on Live Simply.

You may be thinking, “Wait, making homemade candles definitely sounds crafty.” Let me assure you, making your candles is incredibly easy to do. I’m here to show you how to make homemade candles the easy, mess-free, no-crafty-gene-required way.

Why Make Your Own Candles?

That’s the big question. Why not just buy candles? You certainly can do that, but I’m here to teach you how to make homemade candles. So let’s talk about the why.

There are a few reasons why you may want to make your own…

Reason 1: Reduce the Toxic Load From Conventional Candles 

Most conventional candles are made with paraffin, which is a petroleum based product that can give off toxic fumes. Homemade candles are made with either soy or beeswax (we’ll talk about this later).

Along with the paraffin, the other concern is fragrance. I’ve shared about the dangers of fragrance in the past. Most candles are scented which means that many different chemicals may be used to create that “one” scent and make it strong and long-lasting.

As the Environmental Working Group shares, “…fragrance formulas are considered to be among the top 5 known allergens, and can trigger asthma attacks. The same kinds of chemicals are often used for fragrances in cleaning products, scented candles, and air fresheners.”

I’m not here to preach perfection. I get lash extensions and paint my fingernails with nail polish that isn’t “clean.” I’m also very aware and intentional about reducing our overall toxic chemical load.

In our home, we use vinegar and castile soap to clean (because what we spray in our homes is inhaled), my skincare routine and makeup routine are made up of non-toxic products (because what goes on our skin is absorbed into the body), and we eat seasonal and local food (as much as possible, because how our food is grown and raised has an impact on our health).

Making candles (or buying them from sources that don’t use paraffin wax and use essential oils for the scent) is one way for us to lower the overall toxic load in our home.

Reason 2: They’re Super Easy to Make 

Making your own candles is incredibly easy. Easier than you may think. You can make quite a few candles at one time and since they don’t spoil or expire, you can store them away and pull out a new candle as needed throughout the year. So yes, there’s a time investment up front, but in the end you can make multiple candles in just over an hour.

Reason 3: Save Money by Making Your Own Candles 

If you’ve looked at non-toxic candle options on the market, whether we’re talking about soy or beeswax candles, you probably know that they are expensive.

Homemade candles are affordable. Yes, there’s an investment in the wax, the wicks, and the jars (you can use any heat-safe glass jars so you may have some already in your pantry). But once you have these ingredients, you can make multiple candles for the same price you might otherwise pay for just one from the store.

Supplies Needed to Make Your Own Candles

In order to make your own candles, you’ll need a few supplies. Now, as I mentioned above, there is an initial investment in purchasing these supplies, but once you have them, you can make multiple candles. All of the supplies can easily be found on Amazon (I’ve included links below) or at a craft store.

Beeswax or Soy

Paraffin is the most popular wax used to make candles, but since it’s derived from petroleum and can release toxic fumes we’re going to avoid this option.

I recommend using either soy wax or beeswax. Soy wax (a white wax) is made from soybean oil. Beeswax (a yellow or white wax) is a product made by honeybees. The color of beeswax depends on the type of honey produced by the bees and the pollen. The color has nothing to do with the purity of the beeswax. Making candles is the same process, no matter which wax you prefer to use. So the tutorial below is applicable to both beeswax and soy. One thing to note, beeswax can be more expensive, so if you’re wanting to keep the cost to a minimum, soy is the more affordable option.

Jars or Containers 

You can use a variety of jars or containers as long as the jars can withstand heat. I recommend mason jars, particularly the 4-ounce size. The best place to buy Mason jars is at Target, Walmart, or a grocery store. They are quite expensive on Amazon.

Wicks

For wicks, I recommend two options: hemp or cotton. Since we’re making a non-toxic candle, it’s important to avoid wicks made with lead. Whatever option you choose, make sure the wick includes a metal base as this makes it easier to position the wicks in the melted wax.

Fragrance

If you want to add a scent to your candles, there are two options: fragrance oils or essential oils.

For the cleanest, non-toxic option, I recommend going with an essential oil or a blend of essential oils. Essential oils aren’t as powerful as fragrance oils since they don’t have any chemicals added to make the scent stronger and longer lasting. Fragrance oils are the strongest option. I can’t tell what goes into making fragrance oils, so if you go with this option you may want to call the company first and ask for a disclosure of ingredients.

Slow-Cooker

I’ve experimented with various methods for making candles and the best way to make homemade candles is the slow-cooker method.

How to Make Your Own Candles

There are multiple ways to go about making homemade candles.

Method 1: Stove-Top Candles

First, melt the wax in a pitcher or bowl. To do this, set the bowl over a double boiler pot (a pot filled with a couple of inches of water) and set the pitcher or bowl over top. The pitcher or bowl will not cleanup well, as wax is impossible to remove once you’re done, so this pitcher or bowl will forever be your wax-melting container. Once the wax is melted, position a wick in each jar. Pour the melted wax into the jars until full. Add the essential oil and allow the wax to fully cool until it hardens. If you want to use this method, click here for the tutorial.

Method 2: Beeswax Sheets for Taper Candles

This is the easiest method for making homemade candles. Purchase beeswax sheets (which usually includes wicks). Cut the wicks to fit the sheets and roll-up the sheets. So easy! This is a great project for kids. If you want to use this method, click here for the tutorial.

Method 3: Slow-Cooker Candles

With the slow-cooker method, you don’t get the mess that you get when you melt wax in a bowl or pitcher. To make slow-cooker candles, pour wax into jars. Place the filled jars in the slow-cooker base. Turn the slow-cooker on high and add boiling water to the slow-cooker until it comes half-way up the exterior of the jars. Allow the jars to “cook” for 30-45 minutes, covered. After 30-45 minutes, the wax should begin melting. Add more wax. Place the lid on the slow-cooker and “cook” the jars for another hour or until fully melted (soy melts quickly, beeswax takes longer). Remove the jars from the slow-cooker and place a wick in the melted wax. Allow the jars to fully cool until the wax hardens. This is the method I’ll show you in the tutorial, below.

Whatever method you choose, I think you’ll find making candles to be therapeutic and also an incredibly beautiful way to make gifts, or to enjoy in your own home.

Print

Homemade Candles

How to make homemade candles in a slow-cooker. The easy, mess-free way to make homemade candles. Make as many candles as will fit in your slow-cooker.

Course DIY

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Homemade Candles

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Cooling Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 50 minutes minutes

Servings 1 candle (make as many as desired–see notes)

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

Special Equipment:

• slow-cooker
• 4 ounce mason jars heat-safe jars

Per 4-Ounce Mason Jar:

• 1 1/2 cups wax soy (180g) or beeswax (120g), divided
• boiling water
• cotton or hemp wicks
• 1 tsp coconut oil melted, optional
• 50 drops essential oil optional

Instructions

• Spoon the wax of choice into the jars. Using the back of a small measuring cup or large spoon, press the wax down into the jar as it gets closer to the top. Add more wax until the jars are full. At this point, you'll probably only need about 1 cup of wax per jar.
• Place the filled jars in the slow-cooker base. Turn the slow-cooker on high. Add boiling water to the slow cooker, until it comes halfway up the exterior of the jars. 
• Allow the jars to “cook” for 30-45 minutes, covered. 
• After 30-45 minutes, the wax should begin melting. Add more wax, pressing the wax down with a small measuring cup or spoon until full. Place the lid on the slow-cooker and "cook" the jars for another hour or until fully melted (soy melts quickly, beeswax takes longer to melt).
• Carefully remove the jars from the slow-cooker using a hot pad holder or a towel. Let the candles rest for 10 minutes.
• For Fragrance: If you'd like to add an essential oil, in a small bowl, stir together 1 tsp of liquid coconut oil and 50 drops of essential oil. Pour the mixture into the candles and stir. If you're using fragrance oil, no coconut oil is needed–follow the instructions from the supplier.
• Place one wick in each jar, holding up the tops of the wicks with clothespins or mechanical pencils or pens using the clip portion. This will keep the wicks from moving in the liquid wax.
• Let the candles rest until cool and solid (about 30 minutes). 
• Once cool and solid, cut the top of the wicks to 1-inch. The candles are ready to use. If any holes appear at the top of the wax (this can happen when the candles cool too quickly), melt more wax in a separate jar and pour into the holes to fill. The holes are just a cosmetic issue.

Notes

The number of candles you can make at one time will depend on the size of your slow-cooker. My slow-cooker fits 5 4-ounce jars. 

More Cleaning Recipes

SEE ALL

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster (Just 2 Ingredients)

Simple Homemade Fabric Softener (4 Ways)

14 Best Natural and Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents

Simple DIY Homemade Candles for Beginners

19 Frugal Natural Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda

The post How to Make Homemade Candles with Beeswax or Soy appeared first on Live Simply.

One of the easiest ways to create a healthier home is to swap out commercial air fresheners with non-toxic options. Below, you’ll find 6 totally-natural, non-toxic air fresheners.

Are Air Fresheners Healthy?

According to the National Research Defense Council, “The federal government does not currently test air fresheners for safety or require manufacturers to meet any specific safety standards.”

The Defense Council tested 14 brands of air fresheners and found that 12 of the products contained phthalates, a man-made chemical that can be used in plastics and fragranced cleaning and cosmetic products. Some forms are believed to disrupt hormones (listen to this podcast episode about hormones and detoxing), cause reproductive health issues, be carcinogenic, and may be linked to asthma.

And this is JUST ONE concerning ingredient.

The US Government’s National Toxicology Program warns that plug-in air fresheners release formaldehyde, which is a known human carcinogen.

We’re not going to spend our time talking about the harmful side of conventional air fresheners, because today we’re going to focus on the change we can make: safe-for-you, DIY air fresheners. If you want to learn more about the harmful ingredients used in air fresheners, check out this article.

6 DIY Natural Air Fresheners

Below, you’ll find a list of natural air fresheners for a fresh, healthier home. Don’t let the word “DIY” scare you away. Some options don’t require any mixing or craftiness, while others do require some easy DIYing.

You may want to use one air freshener or multiple in your home. Keep in mind, a natural air freshener will not contain the strong, long-lasting fragrance that you’ll find with most air freshener products sold in stores. This is because these products do not contain toxic chemicals that cause scents to linger. Natural scents will dissipate over time and will add a subtle scent to a room.

1. Beeswax Candles

A cozy way to purify the air in your home. Buy beeswax candles from local markets or make them yourself. They’re super easy to make: try the slow-cooker method, stove-top method, or taper candles. If you want to scent your candles, add an essential oil (naturally derived from plants).

2. Live Plants

Plants not only add beauty to a space, but also purify the air. Even if you don’t have a “green thumb” you can still add a couple of plants. I’ve had great success with the ZZ Plant and Monstera Delicioso (both work in spaces without a ton of direct sunlight).

3. Diffuser

This is my favorite way to scent my home. Add a few drops of an essential oil or blend of essential oils to an essential oil diffuser. My favorite oil blends to diffuse for fall: Harvest Moon and Pumpkin Pie.

4. Simmer Pots 

Add cinnamon sticks, orange or lemon rinds, whole cloves, and/or fresh rosemary or eucalyptus to a pot of water and simmer on your stove-top. The simmer will freshen the air in your home and add a wonderful scent.

5. Vodka Air Freshener

Make your own air freshener spray with vodka and essential oils or spices. Try this recipe for an essential oil vodka spray (4 ways!) and this recipe for a spray using oranges and herbs.

6. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a great odor-absorber. Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, rugs, or a mattress. Let rest for 20-30 minutes, then vacuum. Add an essential oil to the baking soda if desired for scent.

Essential Oils Note: If you have animals in your home, do your research about which essentials are best to use and not use around your pets.

The post 6 DIY Natural Air Fresheners For a Fresh Home appeared first on Live Simply.

It’s easy to pick up a natural ingredient–like vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap–from the store, but what does it look like to actually use these products to clean a home or care for the body?

In the past, we’ve talked about using natural ingredients to clean the main rooms in a home. We’ve also explored more specific tasks: cleaning toilets, disinfecting cutting boards, scrubbing sinks, and cleaning the dishwasher.

Today, let’s focus on how to naturally clean the fridge. Not only does a regularly cleaned fridge look and smell great (we’ll talk about avoiding fridge odors later), but it’s also an important key to successfully meal planning, staying within a budget, and keeping food fresh.

Here’s how I clean my fridge on a weekly or bi-monthly basis (depending on our schedule).

Weekly is ideal, since I can clean on the weekend, meal plan based on what’s in my fridge, and then shop for other food items needed to make meals for the upcoming week.

Step One: Make an All-Purpose Cleaner 

What You’ll Need: White Vinegar +  Sal Suds (optional) + Essential Oil (optional)

A basic vinegar all-purpose spray cleaner can be made. Or you can add a bit of extra cleaning and deodorizing power to the vinegar solution by adding Sal Suds and essential oil. Vinegar naturally disinfects and cleans, Sal Suds lifts dirt, and the essential oil provides a lovely scent and beneficial cleaning properties. I like to use grapefruit, sweet orange, or lemon essential oil.

Both spray cleaners can be used to clean other areas of the home, too, hence the all-purpose title.

Step Two: Inventory and Remove Food 

Before using the all-purpose spray, remove everything from the fridge. I personally just remove food from the main areas, saving the condiment shelves and vegetable/fruit drawers for a deep cleaning session.

As you remove the food, take a mental note of what needs to be used ASAP, what can go back in the fridge and used at a later date (this is the food you can use to create your next meal plan), and what needs to be tossed or composted.

Step Three: Spray and Wipe

Once the food has been removed, spray the main surfaces with the all-purpose cleaner. I prefer to let the spray rest on the surfaces for a few minutes before wiping the spray off with a clean towel.

Step Four: Return Food

Finally, return the usable/edible food (we already tossed the stinky beans hiding and rotting in the back of the fridge ;)) to the fridge. At this point, since I clean my fridge on the weekend, I also create my meal plan at the same time. My fridge inventory is fresh in my mind, so it’s easy to start planning based on what I already have in stock. This practice keeps my budget in check since I don’t purchase foods already sitting in my fridge when I visit the store.

Extra Deep Cleaning: 

Every couple of months, I also remove the condiment shelves and fruit and veggie drawers, and wash them in a sink full of warm water, 1 cup of vinegar, and a few drops of Sal Suds.

If there’s ever build-up in the fridge (maybe a mysterious spill that wasn’t caught earlier in the week?), I use a homemade scrub cleaner on the stubborn area.

The fridge can be a home for all sorts of interesting odors. Some of these odors are lovely (sweet strawberries and fresh herbs) and some aren’t so appealing (cooked beans that have seen better days).

Regularly cleaning the fridge helps take care of most odors, but just to be safe I like to keep a jar of baking soda and essential oil in the fridge. This mixture helps to neutralize the odors and keep them from overtaking the fridge (and other foods).

What You’ll Need: 1 cup baking soda + 40 drops lemon, grapefruit, or sweet orange essential oil

The post How to Naturally Clean Your Fridge + Keep Odors Away appeared first on Live Simply.

Each year, I purchase a huge bottle of vodka to make homemade vanilla extract. My hand-crafted vanilla has become a very coveted Christmas present, and rightfully so. There’s nothing like homemade vanilla extract. Nothing!

Let’s talk about one more beyond-the-bar way to use vodka.

Vodka makes a fantastic base for a homemade air and linen freshener spray. Vodka acts like an emulsifier for fragrant essential oils, as well as offers some disinfecting properties. Vodka also dries quickly, which makes it perfect for spraying linens and surfaces.

I know many of us love holiday scents (maybe all of us?), so, in preparation for the holiday season, I thought it would be fun to share a few naturally-scented air freshener sprays. The sprays are incredibly easy to make and only require a few simple ingredients: essential oils, vodka, and water.

Speaking of the holidays, Live Simply is going to be quiet over the next week. The kids are out of school, so we’re planning to enjoy the next few days with them: roasting marshmallows, making homemade hot chocolate, snuggling on the couch until 11am, and enjoying a house that smells “like the holidays” (thanks to a homemade air freshener).

Print

Four Naturally-Scented Holiday Air Freshener Sprays

I know many of us love holiday scents (maybe all of us?), so, in preparation for the holiday season, I thought it would be fun to share a few naturally-scented air freshener sprays. The sprays are incredibly easy to make and only require a few simple ingredients: essential oils, vodka, and water

Course Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Air Freshener Sprays

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 2 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

Spray Liquid Base:

• 1 ounce vodka or witch hazel, 2 tablespoons
• 1 ounce distilled water 2 tablespoons

Minty Wonderland:

• 3 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 2 drops peppermint essential oil
• 1 drop rosemary essential oil

Citrus Cinnamon Spice

• 2 drops cinnamon essential oil
• 2 drops clove essential oil
• 2 drops sweet orange essential oil

Wintery Forest

• 3 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 2 drops pine essential oil
• 1 drop eucalyptus essential oil

Vanilla Chai

• 4 drops vanilla essential oil or 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 drops cinnamon essential oil
• 2 drops clove essential oil

Instructions

• In a spray bottle (any size--2 ounces or larger), add the vodka and essential oil blend of choice. Place the cap back on the bottle, and shake the oils and vodka. Add the water and shake the bottle.
• To Use: This spray is multi-purpose, so it may be sprayed on most surfaces, including fabric and linens, and in the air. Shake the bottle before each use.

Ingredient Notes

According to the National Association For Holistic Aromatherapy, the following formula is suitable for room sprays: 10-15 total drops of essential oils (total) per ounce of water. Based on this, the blends represented above may be increased if you’d like a stronger scent. As always, do your own research with essential oils, since some essential oils may not be suitable to use around children or pregnant women.

If you don’t want to make a room spray, the scent blends listed above also work very well in a diffuser. A diffuser works well for covering an entire room with natural fragrance versus just a small spritz of spray in the air.

In case you’re curious ;), I love the Vanilla Chai scent blend.

The post Four Naturally-Scented Holiday Air Freshener Sprays appeared first on Live Simply.

The ironic thing about these requests is that I’ve been making and using a fabric refresher spray, when needed, for a couple of years now, but I haven’t actually talked about the recipe on Live Simply. With the holidays just a few weeks away, a time when many of us will be cleaning and freshening our homes for company, I can’t think of a better time to publicly share a simple fabric refresher spray recipe.

Inviting company into my home means that people will sit on the same couch as stinky Toby (our dog), use the same bathroom as my kids, and sit on the soiled chair cushions in our dining room. company = cleaning

Before company arrives, the bathrooms need to be given extra special cleaning attention, the cushions on the chairs need to be washed, and the couch needs to be refreshed so it doesn’t smell like a dog just sat on it (Toby…).  

It’s not that I’m afraid of being authentic. Dirty white cushions and a couch that smells like good ol’ Toby are definitely “authentic.” It’s just that I want our guests to be comfortable, and a clean house (well, as clean as possible) is definitely a step in the comfortable direction, in my opinion.

Thankfully, I have plenty of homemade cleaner recipes to help get my home as clean as possible, without the unwanted fumes or toxic ingredients. My simple all-purpose spray and toilet bowl cleaner work wonders in the bathroom. My favorite natural laundry soap is just the solution needed to clean the white dining room chair cushions. And, finally, I turn to a homemade fabric refresher spray that will freshen the couch and take away the unwanted odors.

My homemade fabric refresher spray is just as simple to make, if not easier, than the other cleaning products that I mentioned. Homemade fabric freshener spray only requires 3 basic ingredients: high-proof vodka, water, and essential oils. That’s it! You’ll probably recognize this combo as the same ingredients that I use to make a disinfectant spray and air freshener. Friend, this is literally the exact same spray, just with a special title: fabric refresher. This means that one spray may be used multiple ways.

Thankfully, I have plenty of homemade cleaner recipes to help get my home as clean as possible, without the unwanted fumes or toxic ingredients. My simple all-purpose spray works wonders in the bathroom. My bleach alternative and homemade laundry soap are just the solutions needed to clean the white dining room chair cushions. And, finally, to take care of the Toby-scented couch, I turn to a homemade fabric refresher spray.

My homemade fabric refresher spray is just as simple to make, if not easier, than the other cleaning products that I mentioned. The spray only requires three basic ingredients: high-proof vodka, water, and essential oils. That’s it! You’ll probably recognize this combo as the same ingredients that I use to make a disinfectant spray and air freshener. Friend, this is literally the exact same spray, just with a special title: fabric refresher. This means that one spray may be used multiple ways.

The holidays are probably the last thing most of us want to think about. After all, it’s only October. If you’re anything like me, just thinking about making dinner and getting the kids to bed requires all the mental capacity and energy available to one person. Whether you tuck this recipe away for the upcoming holiday season (and the gatherings you may have in your home), or use this spray right now as a daily fabric refresher, I think you’ll love the naturally-clean scent as much as I do.

What does fabric freshener do?

A fabric freshener is a product designed to eliminate pesky odors on fabrics (like towels, clothing, upholstery couches and pillows, curtains, carpet, etc.). Fabric fresheners use scent and also odor-eliminating ingredients to freshen the surfaces in your home. Febreze Fabric Refresher is a popular store-bought option. I don’t use fragranced products in my home, unless a company is willing to disclose the ingredients used to make the fragrance. This is why I choose to make my own DIY recipes, including fabric freshener spray, with natural, non-toxic ingredients.

How do you make homemade fabric freshener spray?

High-Proof Vodka: Alcohol has been used for generations for sterilizing and sanitizing (and yes, also pleasure). A high-proof vodka (high alcohol content) is the key to creating a natural odor neutralizer. Vodka is odorless, clear (won’t stain fabrics), and evaporates quickly. People in the theatre business use vodka to freshen and remove pesky odors from costumes that can’t be washed. It works!

Distilled Water: You could use vodka as-is, 100% straight, but I prefer to dilute it with water. No need to go full strength unless you want to do some serious odor-busting and sanitizing, then by all means go with 100% vodka in a spray bottle. I dilute the vodka by half with distilled water (which eliminates the potential for bacterial growth using tap water). Distilled water also eliminates any mineral deposits that could be left by tap water.

Essential Oils: If you just want to eliminate and freshen fabrics, you don’t need to add a scent to your fabric freshener spray. But if you love Febreze (and the scent that comes with it), but don’t want the toxic chemicals, you can add a natural scent with an essential oil. I love tea tree oil which is an antibacterial (helps eliminate any bacteria-causing odors), lavender, and lemon essential oil. Lavender calms and lemon invigorates and freshens. I also love eucalyptus or this germ-fighting blend of oils. Essential oils are not the same fatty oils like olive oil and coconut oil, so they should not stain or leave oil spots on fabric when diluted.

To make an odor eliminator spray….

Combine the ingredients in a 16-ounce bottle (like this), and use! Since you’re using distilled water (or straight up vodka), the DIY room freshener and linen spray will last for several weeks (or months without water).

How do you use fabric freshener spray?

Spray the fabric freshener spray in the air (for a room that needs a quick refresh) or on fabric surfaces to eliminate odors: couches, carpets, rugs, cushions, pillows, curtains, etc. Do not use a fabric freshener spray on any surface that may water spot, such as: leather, suede, silk, etc. Speciality surfaces need special care. Always spot test a surface before spraying liberally with this spray or any cleaner.

Print

Fabric Refresher Spray

The best homemade fabric freshener refresher spray made with just two ingredients. This spray refreshes fabrics and eliminates odors.

Course How To

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Fabric Refresher Spray

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 8 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup high-proof vodka
• 1/2 cup distilled water
• 25 drops lavender essential oil
• 25 drops lemon essential oil
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions

• Pour the vodka into a 16-ounce spray bottle (like this), and then the essential oil(s). Shake the bottle to combine the vodka and oils. Finally, add the water and shake the bottle again.

How to Use:

• This room and fabric freshener spray spray is multi-purpose, so it may be sprayed on most surfaces, including fabric and linens (not silk, leather, or suede). Shake the bottle before each use. Some essential oils, like tea tree, are NOT safe to use around pets (like cats and dogs). Please do your own research on safe essential oil usage if you have pets in your home and consult with your trusted vet. This article details the essential oils that are safe to use around pets.

Notes

The essential oils listed in the recipe are my favorite, and may be substituted with your favorite essential oils. Lavender, lemon, and tea tree are incredibly versatile and safe to use around children. The tea tree oil may be left out if you’re not a fan of this scent. Essential oils may stain some fabrics, so always be careful when spraying this solution on delicate fabrics/linens. I personally haven’t had any issues with the fabrics in our home. The essential oil amounts may be reduced, or slightly increased, according to your preference.

If you’d like to add a deodorizing ingredient to this spray, to help further neutralize pesky odors, add 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda to 1/2 cup of hot water (not boiling). Add the mixture to the vodka in the spray bottle. My only cautions with this method are: 1) Baking soda will leave behind white spots on colored fabric. 2) Baking soda may clog your spray nozzle. Not all spray nozzles are created equal, so this issue will depend on your spray bottle/nozzle. 

Everclear may be used in place of the vodka.

More DIY Surface Sprays

SEE ALL SURFACE SPRAYS

How to Make DIY Homemade All-Purpose Surface Cleaners 

Easy DIY Orange Peel Cleaner (With Vinegar)

Best All-In-One Homemade Bathroom Cleaner

How to Make Homemade Glass and Mirror Cleaner

DIY All Purpose Cleaner with Vinegar

DIY All Purpose Cleaner Without Vinegar

The post How to Make a Fabric Refresher Spray appeared first on Live Simply.

Have you met Toby?

No?

There’s a good reason. Okay, more like twenty good reasons.

Meet Toby…

If you’ve ever seen the movie (or read the book) Marley and Me, you know all about Toby. Think of Toby as a miniature Marley. If you haven’t watched the movie, you really need to go rent it or Netflix it–whatever the correct word is for 2015. I’m starting to feel dated- yikes!

Anyway, back to Toby…

Toby is a twelve pound mix between a Jack Russell Terrier and a Dachshund. When the two breeds are mixed the new puppy is called a Jackshund. Sounds fancy, right? This fancy name simply means breeders can charge a pretty penny (or a few thousand) because the new puppy is a “designer” dog.

Toby was a super cute puppy and since we were intent on the “no kids for 10 years pledge” we decided a dog was the right answer. Toby was going to be our low maintenance “kid.”  Within the first week of bringing Toby home from the puppy store, we realized our cute puppy was everything but low maintenance. PS: We only lasted five years. Piper was born in 2010.

Like any good dog parents with a “problem kid” we immediately enrolled him in a doggy boot camp program. The promise of an obedient, going outside to use the bathroom, won’t eat your shoes dog was just six weeks away, according to the brochure.

Toby was the star student at doggy boot camp. He walked, barked on command, shook a paw, and apparently even listened when we said, “No!” Shortly after returning home each week something would click inside Toby. I seriously started to question the possibility of owning a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde dog. Maybe our dog needed a therapist not bootcamp?

Toby passed the doggy boot camp program with great praise, and ten years later I’m still wondering what he learned.

The good news? Toby is still super cute, and a member of our family.  The bad news? We’ve only been through 6 bed comforters, 2 floors (carpet and hardwood in two different homes), two couches, and about 8 different doggy sitters (vacation trips).

All this talk leads me to the DIY of the day. A DIY that’s 110% inspired by Toby.

One of the mental oaths I took when we welcomed Toby into our family was: My house shall not smell like a dog. Despite the clear appearance that Toby lives here (Oh yea, that covered couch has a gigantic hole in the center. Watch out!), I’m determined to keep my house smelling fresh and inviting. As it turns out, keeping a fresh home is pretty easy with three natural ingredients.  Let’s take a look:

Baking Soda: This inexpensive ingredient can be used to raise my favorite banana bread and clean a toilet. Pretty amazing stuff! When used as a homemade cleaner baking soda absorbs and neutralizes odors. I use Bob’s Red Mill Baking Soda for baking, but go with the cheaper bulk bag of Arm & Hammer for cleaning.

Diatomaceous Earth: “Diatomaceous earth is made from the fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms. Their skeletons are made of a natural substance called silica. Over a long period of time, diatoms accumulated in the sediment of rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans. Today, silica deposits are mined from these areas…” Source 

DE is added to this recipe to fight against fleas and other unwanted insects. While DE may be skipped in this recipe, if you have pets, it’s a beneficial ingredient to add. There are two different types of DE products on the market: food-grade and pool-grade. Food-grade should be used in this recipe because it’s safe for humans and pets. Pool-grade is not a safe ingredient due to the processing and should not be inhaled.

A note on color: The DE pictured in this post is gray; however, most food-grade DE products are white. The DE I purchase from our feed store (I also use this in our chicken coop) is mixed with a small amount of bentonite clay which leaves behind a grayish color.

Lavender: Lavender not only smells wonderful in my home, but also helps to repel bugs. I add dried lavender to my carpet deodorizer with a few drops of essential oil.

With a simple combination of baking soda,diatomaceous earth, and lavender we can enjoy Toby’s presence (the non-destructive side) without our home smelling like a dog. I mean that in the most affectionate way. No hard feelings, Toby!

Print

Carpet Deodorizer with Lavender

Awesome carpet deodorizer with lavender.

Course DIY

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Carpet Deodorizer

Prep Time 1 minute minute

Total Time 1 minute minute

Servings 1 3/4 cups

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup diatomaceous earth food-grade
• 1/4 cup dried lavender
• 15 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions

• In a spice grinder, grind the dried lavender for 30-40 seconds. This step may be skipped if a spice grinder isn't available.
• In a large mason jar (8 ounces or quart-size), add the baking soda, diatomaceous earth, ground dried lavender, and lavender essential oil . Secure the lid and shake the ingredients together until combined. Store the sealed jar at room temperature until needed.

Recipe Variations: 

Option 1: If you don’t own a Toby or live in Florida (hey, bugs!) , substitute 1/2 cup of baking soda in place of the diatomaceous earth.

Option 2: If you don’t have any dried lavender available, this recipe also works great with just the essential oil. You may want to increase the essential oil to 30-40 drops.

More DIYs You May Like:

4-Ingredient DIY Citrus Air Freshener

 9 Cleaning Products to Stop Buying and Start Making

DIY Homemade Bug Spray

The post Easy DIY Carpet Deodorizer with Lavender appeared first on Live Simply.

Contributor Post written by Kimberly from Turning it Home. Photos updated in December 2015. 

Making products at home can be very gratifying, and beeswax candles are no exception to that. I recently discovered that burning beeswax candles can aid in cleaning the air. As a nesting pregnant woman on a mission to eliminate all things dirty, I knew I needed some in my life.

Candle making seems intimidating but isn’t actually all that difficult. You’ll need a container to hold your candle in, a candle wick, some beeswax, and a double broiler (or a glass bowl set on top of a saucepan) to melt the wax in. One thing I love about beeswax candles is the subtle pleasant scent they have. If you want to make a stronger scented candle, you’ll want to have some essential oil on hand.

Since I frequent thrift stores, I like to keep my eye out for things I can use for crafty purposes. I found these vintage Jell-O molds and knew they would make perfect candle containers. Virtually anything metal or glass can be turned into a candle container, so have fun with it!

Also, let’s talk about candle wicks. I attempted to make my own candle wick by using cotton twine dipped in wax and it failed miserably. Learn from my mistake and buy those nice pre-made candle wicks with the metal bottom. Apparently, beeswax candles do best with larger wicks.

Print

Beeswax Candle

One thing I love about beeswax candles is the subtle pleasant scent they have. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Crafts

Keyword Beeswax Candle

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 1 Candle

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1 pound beeswax 1 pound of wax will equal about 20 melted ounces
• wicks with a metal base
• candle container
• 15-20 drops essential oil the amount of essential oil(s) used will depend on the size of the candle and the scent desired., optional
• double broiler or a glass bowl set over a pot of water
• skewer pencil, or clothespin

Instructions

• Begin by melting your beeswax in a double boiler over medium heat. If you don't have a double boiler, you can use a large glass or metal bowl set over a pot of boiling water.
• Once the beeswax is melted, dip the metal base of the candle wick into the wax and set it into the candle container. Roll the excess wick around a wooden skewer or pencil and set it on top of the container. Alternatively, you can use a clothespin. This will help the wick to stay in place while you pour the wax.
• If you would like to add essential oils, add the desire amount to the melted beeswax before pouring it into the container.
• Slowly and carefully pour the wax into the container.
• Allow the candle to cool completely. Once set, trim the wick to 1-inch above the wax.

Notes

The “where to buy” links provide links to the actual products I use. As always, I recommend shopping around online and at local stores for the best prices and products you love. Find my favorite DIY ingredients and tools, here.

The post Easy DIY Beeswax Candles appeared first on Live Simply.

I have a pretty close relationship with the local liquor store cashier.

Our monthly meet-ups usually start the same way. I walk up to the counter with the largest bottle of vodka. He smiles, and I smile back. Then I proceed on with a full five-minute speech trying to persuade the poor man that this, larger-than-my-purse, bottle of vodka is for a DIY project. “I don’t have a drinking problem!”

The conversation usually ends with a nod of his head and a polite acceptance, “Okay, Ma’am.”

And in an odd way, I always leave the store feeling unsatisfied, “Why didn’t he ask about my latest DIY project?  I don’t think he really believes me. He must think I drink a huge amount of vodka each month! Why didn’t he card me? Do I really look older than 21?”

Moral of the Story: You don’t want to accept a job at my local liquor store. I’ve been told that a crazy DIY lady, who writes some blog, frequents the place.

And now that you’re probably thinking, “Who is this girl?” let’s go straight to today’s recipe. I promise, it will help clarify the whole monthly vodka-buying internal struggle. So, Mr. Liquor Store Cashier, I hope you’re reading this.

Last month a Live Simply reader, Daisy from Simplicity Relished, commented on a DIY post, “Can you share a recipe for homemade air freshener spray?” I thought about her comment for several days, contemplating the best (most economical) way to make a DIY air freshener that kills bad odors, freshens linens, and leaves behind a pleasant all-natural scent. The answer?

Vodka, of course!

As it turns out, vodka can be used for much more than a strong cocktail. It’s also a very handy DIY ingredient. For example: Vodka may be used to make homemade extract, like: vanilla and mint. Seriously, once you make your own extracts, especially vanilla, you’ll never go back to the store-bought extracts. Need another example? Vodka can also help shine chrome and glass. Simply wipe a surface with a cloth that’s been moistened with vodka, and viola–squeaky clean!

Vodka may also be used to kill odors and freshen-up fabrics. That’s right. Kiss the Febreze good-bye. All you really need is a large bottle of vodka. Vodka is also the perfect liquid for making an infused scent, since vodka (really strong alcohol) doesn’t grow bacteria like a bowl of water. Infusing vodka with a natural scent is pretty easy, you just need a handful of citrus peels and a little bit of patience.

Let’s simplify this conversation a bit more…

Vodka + Citrus = DIY Citrus Air Freshener!

This DIY citrus-infused air freshener is for you, Daisy! It’s made with just four ingredients which means you can enjoy a natural air freshener that deodorizes, disinfects, and leaves behind a delicious scent without spending a ton of money, or spraying your home’s contents in a million artificial toxins. And this story is for you, Mr. Liquor Cashier, because as it turns out, a bottle of vodka can be a DIY girl’s best friend.

Print

4-Ingredient DIY Citrus Air Freshener

Vodka + Citrus = DIY Citrus Air Freshener!

Course DIY

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Citrus Air Freshener

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Fruit Infuse 14 days days

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 32 oz

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

Infused Vodka:

• 4 cups vodka high-proof vodka
• peels from 2-4 oranges , grapefruit, and/or lemons
• storage jar
• 2-3 sprigs fresh herbs (optional) such as: mint or rosemary, optional

To Make the "Sprayable" Air Freshener:

• glass spray bottle
• infused vodka recipe above
• distilled water
• 30-35 drops sweet orange essential oil per 16 oz. bottle of air freshener
• 20-25 drops germ destroyer synergy essential oil (optional) per 16 oz. bottle of air freshener or a germ-fighter essential oil blend (like Thieves). Lavender essential oil would also be lovely.

Instructions

• Place the citrus peels (and fresh herb sprigs, if using) in a storage jar. Pour the vodka over the peels. Place the vodka in a cool, dark place. Infuse for 7-14 days. 

To Use:

• Fill a spray bottle with ½ the infused vodka and ½ distilled water. Add the essential oils until you reach the desired scent. Use this air freshener on the couch, rug, clothing, linens, or a really stinky bathroom! Always test a small area before applying to an entire surface. 

Notes

The “where to buy” links provide links to the actual products I use. As always, I recommend shopping around online and at local stores for the best prices and products you love. Find my favorite DIY ingredients and tools, here.

When you introduce water into a product, without a preservative, you always run the risk of introducing bacteria, so use water-based products quickly.

This recipe may be customized to your desired scent by replacing the essential oils with your favorite oils. Lemon or grapefruit essential oil also work great in this recipe.

More DIYs You May Like:

DIY Glass and Stainless Steel Cleaner

DIY All-In-One Bathroom Cleaner

DIY Homemade Scrub Cleaner: Like Soft Scrub

The post 4-Ingredient DIY Citrus Air Freshener appeared first on Live Simply.

Contributor post written by Kelly from  New Leaf Wellness

My grandma is a super thoughtful gift-giver. She’s constantly crocheting blankets for her great-granddaughters and making them babydoll blankets from fabric that has special meaning to her.  Last year, she made me a rice pack covered with one of her old nightgowns and I think of her every time I use it.

When I came up with the idea for these DIY lavender sachets, I immediately thought of her.  I could envision her putting thought into picking the right fabric and infusing love into every pillow while sewing.

I’m a bit of a minimalist when it comes to clothes, so I don’t have special fabric on-hand for DIYs.  I certainly put love and care into everything that I make though.

What I especially love about these homemade lavender sachets is that they’re really easy to make.  I’m horrible at sewing and was still able to whip up my first two sachets in less than 15 minutes.  There’s just something about a quick and easy DIY that leaves me with a sense of satisfaction.

Once I saw how amazing they smelled, I couldn’t wait to make more.  I knew I wanted homemade lavender sachets for my linen closet and to place under each family member’s pillow at night.

Each sachet is filled with organic lavender flowers that have natural calming and relaxing properties (source).  Lavender essential oil is my absolute favorite oil to use in homemade perfume and my daughters’ bath fizzes and  body wash, but this is the first time that I used whole flowers in a DIY project.  I have to say that I’m hooked.

My next goal is to make more lavender sachets for my mom as a Mother’s Day’s Gift, and I think I need to make some for my Grandma too.

More DIYs You May Like:

 DIY French Toast Scrub

 DIY Homemade Milk and Honey Body Wash

 Homemade Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (without Coconut Oil)

The post DIY Lavender Sachets appeared first on Live Simply.