Back in 2014, I shared a DIY liquid hand soap recipe. Today, that post has over 290 comments and is internet famous. One of the most asked questions is “How do you make foaming soap out of liquid soap?” Today, I’ll show you just how easy it is to turn a liquid soap into your very own DIY foaming hand soap! 

Why make your own foaming hand soap?

If you want to ditch toxins and use natural products, the first place to start is with the products you use every single day. Make changes to the products touching your skin and circulating in your home the most often. (11 natural cleaning swaps anyone can make…)

One of the top ingredients to avoid in cleaning and skincare products is “fragrance.” This sneaky word isn’t a single ingredient; rather, “fragrance” can be made up of thousands of different chemicals, some of which are of known concern, like phthalates. What makes fragrance so tricky is that companies are not required to disclose the ingredients that make their “fragrance” due to trade secret laws. This is why you’ll only find the word “parfum” or “fragrance” listed on the ingredient list. Fragrance can be found in most store-bought hand soaps.

Another concern, particularly with hand soap is the use of triclosan. According to a release by the FDA, Antibacterial Soap, You Can Skip It, Use Plain Water, “Many liquid soaps labeled antibacterial contain triclosan, an ingredient of concern to many environmental, academic and regulatory groups. Animal studies have shown that triclosan alters the way some hormones work in the body and raises potential concerns for the effects of use in humans. We don’t yet know how triclosan affects humans and more research is needed.”

I’m going to use caution and avoid the use of commercial soaps for hand washing in our home. 

An easy way to ditch toxins, like fragrance and triclosan, is to pick up a bottle of castile soap. What is castile soap? 

Castile soap isn’t a new fad. It’s been around since the 11th century and was first made in the Aleppo of the Levant region (modern day Syria). The Crusaders learned about this soap which was, eventually, duplicated in Europe without success. That is, until a region in Spain (called Castile) was able to get the recipe right and successfully made what we know today as “castile soap.” The soap became popular with Spanish royalty and eventually by the 1500’s made its way to England. 

Castile soap is…

• Super Versatile: Castile soap is super versatile. You can make both cleaning and body products with castile soap. Explore 7 money-saving ways to use castile soap.
• Inexpensive: You can purchase a 32-ounce bottle of castile soap for about $17. Yes, this is more expensive than a bottle of foaming hand soap, but it will last you for months and make multiple refills of foaming hand soap! Castile soap is highly concentrated so a little bit goes a long way and it’s designed to be diluted. 
• Non-Toxic: Castile soap is made with easy to recognize, simple, non-toxic ingredients. This is why you can use it on your skin and home surfaces.

There are many different brands of liquid castile soap available. I personally use Dr. Bronner’s unscented castile soap for making foaming hand soap and liquid hand soap.

How do you make homemade foaming hand soap?

It’s incredibly easy to make your own foaming hand soap. If you’re new to natural cleaners and skincare products, this DIY recipe is a great place to start because it’s so easy to make and only requires 2 simple ingredients. 

Foaming Hand Soap Ingredients

• Foaming hand soap pump container: Reuse a foaming hand soap container or purchase a new reusable foaming hand soap bottle from Amazon or your favorite home store, like this. Look for an 8 ounce, 12 ounce, or 16 ounce bottle. 
• 1 cup liquid castile soap: Any scent variety. I personally use unscented. 
• 1 Tablespoon nourishing carrier oil: Any kind of nourishing skincare oil: olive oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil. This is optional. Castile soap can dry out hands on its own so I like to add a nourishing carrier oil for the moisturizing benefits. Stay away from virgin coconut oil (the stuff used for cooking) since it will clog a soap dispenser. Alternatively, you can use vitamin E oil or vegetable glycerin.
• Few drops of essential oil (optional): Choose your favorite essential oil, like Lavender, tea tree, peppermint, citrus, etc. if you’d like to add a natural scent that also adds beneficial cleaning properties. (Benefits of using essential oils for cleaning.) 
• 1 cup water: Distilled water is best for longevity and safety. Distilled water (or water that’s been boiled for 15 minutes and cooled) removes bacteria, impurities, and contaminants. If you choose to use tap water, you’ll need to use the soap very quickly, within a week or two. For this reason, I recommend going with distilled water as the soap will safely keep for about a month.

Instructions

• Add water to a foaming hand soap pump, followed by the liquid castile soap, carrier oil of choice, and essential oil. 
• Place the lid on the foaming hand soap bottle and shake to combine the ingredients. 
• Pump the soap on your hands and lather. (Yes, this hand soap will lather thanks to the foaming hand soap dispenser!)

How do you make foaming soap out of liquid soap?

If you have a natural hand soap that you just love, but would like to convert that liquid soap to a foaming hand soap, you’ll simply need to purchase a foaming hand soap container. Add the liquid soap to the foaming hand soap dispenser and you now have your own foaming hand wash! If the soap is super thick, you may need to dilute it with water.

What makes foaming soap foam?

If you’ve read my post on how to make hand soap, you’ll notice the ingredients are the same. The only difference between liquid hand soap and foaming hand soap is the bottled used to dispense the soap.

The soap container is what takes a liquid soap to foaming and even increases the lather for a natural hand soap like castile soap. You can also make DIY foaming body wash using liquid castile soap and a foaming soap dispenser container. 

Favorite refillable foaming hand soap bottles:

• Mason Jar Glass Dispenser: If you love the mason jar look and you’re looking for a glass bottle, this is the best option. Try this 16-ounce dispenser with labels or this 16-ounce dispenser.
• Plastic Dispenser: If you have kids using this hand soap in the bathroom or kitchen, a plastic container may work best. Try this 12-ounce dispenser or this 8-ounce dispenser. I’ve seen people drop a couple of Lego pieces at the bottom of the container for a fun “kid touch.” 
• Mason Jar Foaming Dispenser Tops: If you have extra mason jars sitting in your pantry, turn one of those mason jars into a soap dispenser by adding a foaming top like this.

Print

DIY Foaming Hand Soap

Can you make your own DIY foaming hand soap? Yes and you only need a couple of ingredients to do so! Easy, non-toxic, and super effective!

Keyword DIY hand soap, foaming hand soap, homemade hand soap

Servings 16 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1 cup water distilled water is the best
• 1 cup liquid castile soap any variety of castile soap, scented or unscented
• 1 TB olive oil almond oil, grapeseed oil, vegetable glycerin, or jojoba oil (optional)
• essential oil (optional for scent), just a few drops of your favorite essential oil: lavender, citrus, peppermint, etc.

Special Equipment

• 1 foaming soap dispenser

Instructions

• To a foaming soap dispenser, add the water first (to prevent bubbles) then the liquid castile soap followed by the oil. Shake the ingredients together.
• Shake the soap dispenser before using, then squirt a small amount on your hands as needed, rinsing with water.
• If you use distilled water, the soap will last at least a month. If you use tap water, use quickly within a week or two.

Notes

The idea is equal parts water and castile soap. Adjust the amounts according to the size soap dispenser you're using, reducing the oil as needed. 

What type of soap dispenser should you use? 

A foaming soap dispenser must be used. You can refill an old foaming hand soap dispenser, like a Mrs. Meyers bottle, or buy a new bottle off Amazon or a home store. Either option works, just be sure it's a foaming soap dispenser. My favorite foaming hand soap dispensers:

• Mason Jar Glass Dispenser: If you love the mason jar look and you're looking for a glass bottle, this is the best option. Try this 16-ounce dispenser with labels or this 16-ounce dispenser.
• Plastic Dispenser: If you have kids using this hand soap, a plastic container may work best for you. Try this 12-ounce dispenser or this 8-ounce dispenser.

4 More Ways to Use Liquid Castile Soap

• DIY Foaming Body Wash
• Homemade Honey Face Wash 
• How to Make Homemade All-Purpose Surface Spray
• Homemade Dusting Spray

The post How to Make Your Own Foaming Hand Soap in 2 Easy Steps appeared first on Live Simply.

Well, that’s alarming.

There are 80,000 chemicals on the market today, but many of these chemicals don’t have any safety data to back them up. This is particularly an issue in the skincare, beauty, and cleaning industry.

When you take a deep dive into researching these products and ingredients, it can be concerning to read about the impact they have on the body.

For example, “fragrance” is considered a trade secret that is commonly found on the ingredient list of products.

Most of us are fooled into believing (thanks to marketing and imagery) that the rose fragrance found in our favorite facial cream is derived from roses grown on a picturesque farm in France. But that’s not the case…

This ingredient can be made with hundreds of different chemicals, including phthalates which are believed to disrupt hormones, cause reproductive health issues, be carcinogenic, and may be linked to asthma.

Since fragrance is a “trade secret,”companies are not required to list the ingredients used to make their formulations. (See an example here.)

Fragrance is just one example of the questionable ingredients used to make skincare and beauty products. The very products marketed to us as “safe.”

How to Make The Switch to Non-Toxic and Natural Skincare Products

Now that we’ve talked about the sneaky side of the beauty/body industry, let’s focus our attention on changes we can make.

While it would be great to see change in the regulation of beauty products, and we can certainly advocate for such changes, that change isn’t here just yet.

So let’s focus on the steps we can take right now that make a direct impact on the products we use on our skin and in our home.

There are two ways to go about this…

Make your own products (there are many recipes here on the blog and even more in my body book)

Buy products from transparent companies doing things differently (or as they should be doing)

What You Need to Know About the Natural Beauty Industry

First, cost…

The prices on most non-toxic skincare brands and products that are made with safe-for-you-ingredients aren’t going to be the cheapest. The do-it-yourself route can be more affordable, but DIYing isn’t an option for everything, particularly when talking about hair products or SPF face products.

Second, the term “clean beauty” or “non-toxic skincare” has zero regulation behind it…

Just about any company can claim to be “clean” or “green” or “natural.”

The EWG and Think Dirty can be helpful resources when looking at specific products and ingredients. I’ve also found that it’s helpful to get to know companies (ask questions, ask for full disclosure of ingredients and why ingredients are used) and continually support the ones that are 100% transparent. (Check out this post for an example of a correspondence I had recently with a company that claims to be “natural” and “clean” but isn’t transparent–a big warning sign!)

The Best Non-Toxic Skincare Products and Brands

The following list is what I consider at the moment (as there are always new companies emerging or companies I don’t know about yet) to be the best of the best in the green beauty industry for skincare products. If you love a brand that’s not featured on this list, please leave a comment and share.

You don’t need to swap out all of your skincare products at once. The key to sustainable change is baby steps. And you don’t need to make the switch to one of my favorite non-toxic skincare brands. I’m simply sharing this list to provide a place to start, a list of brands that I personally love and buy from.

NATURAL EVERYTHING BODY

• Dr. Bronner’s: Bar and liquid body soap and toothpaste
• Plant Apothecary: A variety of body wash scents
• Schmidts: My favorite deodorant brand. Check out all the brands I’ve tried and enjoyed over the years, here.
• All Good: Body Lotion and sunscreen
• OSEA: Body oil (a great alternative to lotion)
• True Botanicals: Body oil (a great alternative to lotion)
• Suntegrity: Sunscreen for the face and body. I like the stick version which I keep in my purse for running/walking. Check out other great sunscreen options, here.
• David’s: My favorite toothpaste. The closest thing to Crest that I can find. Check out more toothpaste options, here.
• Aila: The best nail polish.

NATURAL FACE SKINCARE

• Marie Veronique: I was introduced to this brand to help calm hormonal acne. Marie is an OG in the green beauty world (before it was cool) and an amazing chemist. My favorite products are the Pre + Probiotic Daily Mist (use as a toner), Intensive Repair Serum (great for hormonal acne), and facial cleanser.
• True Botanicals: Great for aging and acne-prone skin. Just an all-around fantastic skincare line. I love the True Radiance Oil for a facial moisturizer.
• Blissoma: This is a company I was recently introduced to thanks to my holistic esthetician. I love the Rejuvenating Gel Cleanser and Makeup Remover,  Flawless Clear Condition Facial Oil and Sensitive Care Moisturizer for a moisturizer, Smooth A Correcting Serum for acne prone skin and calming breakouts (apply before a moisturizer), and the exfoliators.
• OSEA: The Ocean Cleanser is my favorite cleanser of all time. This company makes all-around fantastic skincare products. Use coupon code livesimply to take 10% off an order of $90+.
• CocoKind: I love this brand’s toners (applied after a facial cleanser and before a moisturizer). I use the Raspberry Vinegar Toner. The Rosewater Toner is also fantastic.
• Laurel: Fantastic facial oils (to use a moisturizer)
• Osmia: Blemish oil for spot treatment and face cream.
• Leahlani: Amazing face masks and exfoliators, serums, and facial oils.
• Josh Rosebrook: I love the Cacao Antioxidant Face mask and Daily Acid Toner. Everything Josh makes is amazing.
• Evan Healy: An herbal line of natural skincare found at Whole Foods and on Amazon. I love the shea butter moisturizer (a great night moisturizer), face cleanser, and hydrosols (for toner).

NATURAL MAKEUP 

• Josh Rosebrook: Makes a great tinted SPF moisturizer.
• ILIA: My favorite foundation when I want something for going out: true skin foundation and the best tinted moisturizer. I also like the brow gel and mascara.
• Alima Pure: foundation setting powder to go over foundation
• W3LL People: My favorite all-around makeup company that’s affordable and functional. I use the setting powder, bronzer powder, brow gel, and concealer. Their mascara is also fantastic. This is my daily go-to makeup.
• Kosas: I love the tinted facial oil as a foundation. Light and breathable coverage.
• Honest Beauty: I love the cream blush from this brand. They also make the best mascara. And kudos points for affordability and being easy to find (Target, etc.)
• BeautyCounter: Okay, I’ll be honest. I’m not a huge fan of this brand (and yes, I’ve tried many of their products and even signed up to be a rep with them when they first got started). That said, I do think they have the best eye shadow on the market.

The post The Best Non-Toxic Skincare Brands appeared first on Live Simply.

If you peeked under my sink a few years ago, you would have counted at least 12 “different” products. I never sat down to calculate how much money I spent on all those products (most of which I didn’t use), but I’m sure the annual cost was quite significant.

After making changes to the way we eat (going from a diet of highly processed food to one of healthy, real food), I started to question the cleaning products used in home. I was curious (just as I was about food): what ingredients were used to create my favorite cleaning products? Why did my favorite beauty products smell a certain way? What ingredients were used to make the products sprayed in my home and layered on my body and were they safe? I also started to question whether so many different cleaning products were essential.

I was shocked to learn that cleaning and body products are not required go through rigorous testing or approval. In fact, cleaning companies are not required to disclose their ingredients (beauty product are required).

When you take a deep dive into researching these products and ingredients, it can be concerning to read about the impact they have on the body. For example, “fragrance” is considered a trade secret that is commonly found on the ingredient list (if disclosed) of products. This ingredient (which can be made with hundreds of different chemicals, including phthalates which disrupt hormones) is top secret and incredibly concerning in terms of toxic ingredients. This is just one example of the concerning ingredients that can be used to make a product.

Sure, maybe a small amount of these ingredients aren’t harmful (as companies say), but when you consider how many products we use in a day (or week or month), we aren’t using a trace amount of these chemicals in our homes and on our bodies. We’re burdening our systems with all these ingredients and the cumulative effect of using so many potentially-toxic chemicals.

You’ll find a lot of natural and green marketing words used to describe cleaning and body products today. These terms have no regulation, so full transparency of ingredients is all we have to help us navigate products and make informed choices.

A company should be completely transparent about their sourcing and ingredients, particularly a company that claims (on a website or packaging) to be “natural” or “non-toxic.” There should be nothing to hide. Instead, such a company should be proud to disclose their ingredients. This includes companies making both body and cleaning products.

At the time (remember, this was 9 years ago), there weren’t many transparent brands on the market making ready-to-use, multi-purpose cleaning products, so I decided to research the idea of making my own products. My research led to the discovery of a natural product that cleans anything and everything: castile soap.

What is Castile Soap?

Castile soap is a plant-based soap made from vegetable oils (olive, coconut, palm) and plant oils. Here’s the exact definition and ingredient list from Dr. Bronner’s  (a popular castile soap brand).

“Castile soap is a concentrated vegetable-based soap with easy to recognize ingredients:Water, Organic Coconut Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Organic Palm Kernel Oil, Organic Olive Oil, Lavandin Extract, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Lavender Extract, Citric Acid, Tocopherol.” 

Want to learn more?  In this guide, learn everything you need to know about this traditional soap, how to use it, 7 amazing benefits, the best brands, and warnings.

History of Castile Soap

Castile soap isn’t a new fad. It’s been around since the 11th century and was first made in the Aleppo of the Levant region (modern day Syria). The Crusaders learned about this soap which was, eventually, duplicated in Europe without success. That is, until a region in Spain (called Castile) was able to get the recipe right and successfully made what we know today as “castile soap.” The soap became popular with Spanish royalty and eventually by the 1500’s made its way to England.

3 Reasons to Use This Soap

Besides being an ancient and traditional soap, there are several reasons why castile soap is awesome…

• Super Versatile: Castile soap is super versatile. You can make cleaning and body products with the same soap.
• Inexpensive: A 32-ounce bottle of castile soap will cost $17. Yes, this is more expensive than a bottle of all-purpose cleaner, but it will last you for months! Castile soap is highly concentrated so a little bit goes a long way.
• Non-Toxic: Castile soap is made with easy to recognize, simple, non-toxic ingredients. This is why you can use it on your skin and the surfaces in your home.

How to Use Castile Soap

When using castile soap to make household cleaners, there are a few things to keep in mind…

• Dilute: Castile soap isn’t meant to be used as-is, unless you’re buying the bar soap for your body. It’s intended to be diluted before use. This chart is a great cheat sheet.
• Don’t Mix Castile Soap with Vinegar: I see this all the time on Pinterest. Please do not mix your castile soap with vinegar. You will not make an amazing cleaner. You’ll end up with a mess. When combined, vinegar (an acid) and castile soap (a base) cancel each other and create unsaponified soap. This reaction reduces the soap back to its original oils. If you try mixing the two ingredients you’ll immediately notice the castile soap curdles and feels very oily.
• Castile Soap is Safe for Most Surfaces: Unlike vinegar (which shouldn’t be used on marble or granite or unsealed wood), castile soap is safe to use on most surfaces in your home. The only one caution I would advise is to avoid using castile soap on waxed floors to avoid build-up.
• Castile Soap is Skin Safe: It’s not only safe for most surfaces, but also safe to use on the skin. Just be sure to dilute.

Where to Buy Castile Soap

You’ll find castile soap in most stores, from Target to Walmart to Whole Foods and the down-the-street grocery store. Many times, castile soap won’t be found in the cleaning section, so be sure to check the body care section. You can also buy castile soap on Amazon.

I recommend Dr. Bronner’s brand. I’ve tried other brands in the past, but haven’t been pleased with most options. Dr. Bronner’s makes several options for scents. I prefer the baby mild since I can add my own essential oils (for scent or additional antibacterial properties) or just go free of any scent. If you want to try a scented castile soap (the scents are completely natural and not made with the hormone disrupting ingredients found in “fragrance”), here’s what I recommend…

For cleaning products: Lavender, Tea Tree or Citrus

For beauty products: Lavender, Tea Tree or Baby Mild

7 Money-Saving Recipes Using Castile Soap

I don’t make all of these products today (9 years after I learned about castile soap and started making products at home). There are quite a few store-bought options now on the market, so most of my skincare is from brands I love and trust. I still make the most of my own cleaning products with laundry soap being the one exception. I find that making my own cleaning products to be the most affordable option for natural cleaning.

This list is to give you an idea of all the different products you can make with one bottle of castile soap. Using this one ingredient to make multiple products saves money and allows you to know exactly what’s going into your products.

1. All-Purpose Cleaner Spray

My favorite cleaning product that will clean nearly every surface in your home. Use this cleaner in your bathroom and kitchen, your sinks, stovetops, even your toilets.

• 2 cups distilled water
• 2 TB liquid castile soap
• 15 drops essential of choice, such as: lavender, tea tree, orange, or peppermint
• 16-ounce glass spray bottle

Pour the water into the spray bottle (use a funnel, if needed). Add the castile soap and essential oil. Gentle shake the cleaner. This cleaner may be stored at room temperature.

2. Hand Soap

With two active kiddos we go through a lot of hand soap in our house. A bottle of natural hand soap costs $3.99-$6 a bottle, depending on the brand. One 32-ounce bottle of castile soap makes approximately 8 homemade bottles of hand soap. If you don’t like the liquid feel of this hand soap, use a foaming hand soap dispenser instead of a regular soap dispenser.

• 1/2 cup distilled water
• 1/2 cup liquid castile soap
• 1 TB sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, avocado, or olive oil (optional, for moisturizing)
• 15 drops tea tree essential oil (optional, for bacteria-fighting properties)
• 5-10 drops lavender essential oil (optional, for bacteria-fighting properties)
• soap dispenser or foaming soap dispenser bottle

More Recipe Ideas

SEE ALL RECIPES

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner (Just 3 Ingredients!)

How to Make DIY Homemade All-Purpose Surface Cleaners 

DIY Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Homemade Stain Remover Recipe For Clothes

Cleaning With Castile Soap (15 How to Use Recipes & Tips)

The post 7 Money-Saving Recipes Using Castile Soap appeared first on Live Simply.

We all probably have that “man” in our lives. In your life, that person may be your grandmother, grandfather, brother, mother, or aunt. For me, that person is my dad.

My dad is a quiet guy who enjoys the same routines day in and day out: reading, work, more reading, and rest. It’s really hard to purchase gifts for him, because his simple life doesn’t demand much. My parents don’t even own a modern TV, so even a Netflix subscription or a funny movie is out. And what about a good ol’ polo shirt? Every man could use a new shirt in his life, right?! Well, I just gifted him a few new shirts for his November birthday. I feel like there’s an unspoken rule that you can’t gift the same thing to a person twice in two months.

For some reason, despite my mom sharing the same lifestyle, my Christmas gift ideas always overflow for her. There’s a monthly Pure Barre membership, and homemade beauty products. My mom also loves new outfits, and she doesn’t take the time to treat herself, so that’s always an option.

On Friday night, I attended a Christmas lighting event in my parent’s town (think: a Mayberry R.F.D.). Before the tree lighting ceremony, we met at a local pizzeria.

And this is where I’m going to sidetrack from my story, just for a second. If you live in Tampa Bay, you must visit Pizzeria Gregorio. Greg, the owner and chef, sources the ingredients locally, and his pizza crusts are made from a 150 year-old sourdough starter. His pizzeria is our family’s go-to restaurant. And now, back to my story…

Upon sitting down at one of the outdoor tables, my dad pulled out a bottle of hand sanitizer from his pocket. Yep, regular store-bought hand sanitizer. He squirted a small amount on his hands, and then set the bottle down momentarily to rub his hands together. He picked up the bottle and proceeded to pass the hand sanitizer around the table. It was at that moment, and with this upcoming do-it-yourself recipe post in mind, that I knew exactly what my dad needs for Christmas: his own stash of homemade hand sanitizer.

I’m thinking that a basket of homemade hand sanitizer ingredients, along with a bottle of ready-to-go spray, and a recipe instruction card is the perfect gift for him. It’s practical and thoughtful; just like my dad. Plus, I think he’ll find the gift to be a bit comical, since everyone (including the internet now, lol) knows about his hand sanitizer obsession.

Today’s recipe, a homemade hand sanitizer spray, is made with ingredients that are grandpa-friendly (hi, dad) and grandchildren-friendly: high-proof alcohol, vegetable glycerin, and essential oils. My dad can use this hand sanitizer spray on his own hands, and he can also share a spritz with his grandchildren.

This hand sanitizer spray comes together in just two minutes, once you’ve gathered the ingredients (a few of which you probably already own), and it may be stored for a couple of months.

Before we get to the recipe, I’d like to share my opinion on using hand sanitizer, even if it’s homemade hand sanitizer. I believe that hand sanitizer should be used sparingly versus multiple times during the day. I recommend using this hand sanitizer (or this gel option) when it’s needed: after pumping gas, when you’re traveling with no running water in sight, etc.

As always, do your own research with essential oils, particularly when using essential oils around/on children and pregnant women. The essential oils in this spray are considered kid-safe/friendly, which is why I feel comfortable using them in diluted form on my kids.

• Homemade Disinfecting Spray: a spray for counters and surfaces made with tea tree essential oil, vinegar, and water.
• Homemade Hand Sanitizer Gel: Want a gel instead of a spray? This recipe is for you.
• Natural Ways to Boost the Immune System: My tried-and-true ways to naturally maintain a healthy and happy immune system.
• Homemade Elderberry Syrup: A homemade remedy that’s delicious and beneficial.

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Homemade Hand Sanitizer Spray (Kid-Friendly)

A kid-safe hand sanitizer that's made with alcohol, glycerin, and essential oils. This simple recipe makes one bottle of one-the-go hand sanitizer spray. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Hand Sanitizer Spray

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 2-ounce spray bottle

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin This will provide moisturizing benefits as well since alcohol can be very drying. If you choose to skip the essential oils (which are optional--see the notes under the recipe), you could use aloe vera instead.
• 20 drops tea tree essential oil*
• 10 drops spruce essential oil**
• 6 drops lemon essential oil***
• 3-4 TB 190 proof vodka (alcohol) or at least 120 proof alcohol or 70% or higher isopropyl rubbing alcohol (the original recipe called for witch hazel, however, alcohol is considered the best and what's currently recommended in light of recent issues). Don't use other types of alcohol (methanol, butanol) since they're toxic.

Instructions

• Add the glycerin and essential oils to a 2-ounce glass spray bottle. Add the alcohol until the bottle is almost full. Place the cap on the bottle and shake well to combine the ingredients. 

To Use:

• Gently shake the bottle. Spray liberally on hands and rub together until dry. 

Video

Notes

CORONA VIRUS UPDATE: With coronavirus on the rise, this post is particularly helpful from a pediatrician. She specifically addresses coronavirus. I'm not a doctor or disease specialist. Please consult your doctor and the CDC website to do your own research about the best ways to protect your family. The CDC recommends hand sanitizer that's at least 60% alcohol. The power of this hand sanitizer comes from the alcohol, so if you don't have the essential oils, no worries. The important part is the alcohol!  

This recipe has been adjusted to increase the alcohol, making it at least 60% alcohol. If you don't want to add essential oils, you don't have to. These are optional. The alcohol in the recipe is plenty. 

*This is about a 2% dilution. 5-15% dilution is considered safe for skincare. 

**This is about 1% dilution.

*** This is about a .5% dilution. Anything under 2% does not cause photo-toxicity, and up to 5% dilution is considered safe for skincare. 

If you don't want to purchase individual essential oils, another option is to use a kid-safe essential oil blend, like Germ Destroyer from Plant Therapy. If you go this route, Plant Therapy shares dilution directions on their product page. This isn't sponsored by Plant Therapy. I just have positive personal experience with using their kid-safe blends. 

Disclaimer: The DIY recipes on this website are based on my personal experiences. I am not a trained chemist, cleaning specialist, or skincare expert. The DIY recipes shared on this website haven’t been tested in a lab. Information about my products or recipes haven’t been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a doctor or specialist for specific concerns about any skincare issues, cleaning products, or dietary needs. Please use your discretion, based on your own research, when making homemade products.

The post Homemade Hand Sanitizer Spray (Kid-Friendly) appeared first on Live Simply.

I understand that summer is supposed to be a hot weather season, but living in Florida takes this reality to an extreme. Just walking outside your front door to retrieve the mail brings on a workout-style sweat session. This means a Florida gal needs a hard-working (natural) deodorant and a really good way to wash off all that sweat at the end of the day.

Friend, let me introduce you to my Easy DIY Foaming Body Wash.

This body wash only contains 4 natural ingredients, all of which come together to gently and effectively wash away the summer sweat and dirt. The ingredients are all liquid, which means they are pretty watery (and hard to work with as a body wash) without the secret “ingredient” that takes this body wash from a runny liquid mixture to the ultimate foaming soap: a foaming soap dispenser. Let’s take a look at each ingredient…

Rosewater: Rosewater is simply a flavored water that’s created by distilling the petals of the rose with steam, or steeping the petals in water. The result is a fragrant liquid that boasts anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Thanks to these anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, rosewater has been hailed as an amazing skin spray, toner, and a wonderful addition to lotions and creams. Rosewater is a refreshing addition to this summer body wash (which, by the way, may be used all year long, not just during the summer).

Witch Hazel: Witch hazel is a natural astringent, and is used to fight acne due to its anti-bacterial properties. Witch hazel is added to this recipe to help remove excess oils on the skin. I purchase alcohol-free witch hazel so it doesn’t try out my skin. While witch hazel is a gentle pH neutral product, you may leave this ingredient out and add more rosewater in its place if you have very sensitive skin.

Castile Soap: Castile soap is a concentrated vegetable-based soap made of ingredients you can actually pronounce. This soap is gentle on the skin and effective in the fight against dirt and unwanted germs. When it comes to using castile soap on my body (it may also be used in cleaning products), I prefer Baby Mild Unscented Castile Soap. Lavender and citrus castile soap are two great options if you’d like a scented body wash. Since this body wash also includes witch hazel, I only use two tablespoons of castile soap in this recipe. You’re welcome to increase this amount, if desired, but adding more castile soap with the witch hazel may cause your skin to feel dry.

Nourishing Oil: Since oil dissolves oil, it’s only natural to add a nourishing oil to a cleansing body wash. The nourishing oil also helps keep the soap and witch hazel from drying out my skin. I prefer to use 2 tablespoons of almond, jojoba, or olive oil (depending on what I have available). I recommend starting with 1 tablespoon, testing the body wash on your hands, and increasing the nourishing oil until you feel comfortable with how your hands feel once they’re dry.

Each ingredient in this simple body wash, including the special foaming soap dispenser, may be used to make multiple other DIYs.

Rose Water may be used as a replacement to water in any DIY beauty recipe, or used as a facial toner (my favorite way to use rosewater). Witch hazel may be used as a gentle facial toner or refreshing summer spray (this spray is perfect to use after a workout). The castile soap–probably the most versatile ingredient–may be used to make multiple homemade products, from an all-purpose cleaner and dusting spray to facial wipes. Finally, the nourishing oil may be used for cooking purposes (if you use olive oil), or added to any body-care recipe, such as: facial cleanser or facial wipes.

Even the body wash itself may be used in multiple ways. I use this foaming soap during the summer as a refreshing, natural body wash, but it may also be used as hand soap or a face wash. As always, I recommend testing a small amount on your skin first before liberally using it all over your body, just to make sure it agrees with your skin, particularly if you’re going to try it out as a face wash.

Florida, let’s do this summer thing! I’m ready for you.

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Easy DIY Foaming Body Wash (Multi-Purpose)

A homemade body wash recipe made with castile soap and natural ingredients. This DIY gentle body wash is easy to make in under 5 minutes!

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Body Wash

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 8 ounce soap dispenser

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rosewater
• 1/3 cup alcohol-free witch hazel
• 2 TB baby mild castile soap
• 1-2 TB jojoba oil or almond or olive oil (optional)
• foaming soap dispenser Without this product the body wash is very watery.

Instructions

• Combine all the ingredients in a foaming soap dispenser, adding the castile soap as the last ingredient.
• Gently shake the bottle, with the top on, to combine the ingredients. Store the body wash for up to 3 weeks.

To Use:

• Press the pump down to dispense the body wash. Use your hand, a washcloth, or a puff to massage the body wash over the skin. This body wash may also be used as hand soap or a face wash.

Video

Notes

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

The foaming soap dispensers I purchased from Amazon last year aren’t available anymore. You can find a foaming soap dispenser at most home stores (like Target, HomeGoods, or Walmart), or via Amazon.

Rosewater can be a pricey product, so feel free to use distilled water instead to reduce the overall cost of this body wash, or use 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup rosewater.

If you’d like to add a scent to this body wash, and you’re using unscented castile soap, add a few drops of a skin-friendly essential oil.

From my home testing, this body wash has a pH of 7.

More Body Wash Recipes

SEE ALL RECIPES

How to Make Your Own Foaming Hand Soap in 2 Easy Steps

The Best Non-Toxic Skincare Brands

7 Money-Saving Recipes Using Castile Soap

Homemade Hand Sanitizer Spray (Kid-Friendly)

Easy DIY Foaming Body Wash (Multi-Purpose)

Homemade Moisturizing Shower Gel

The post Easy DIY Foaming Body Wash (Multi-Purpose) appeared first on Live Simply.

Although I love a good homemade product, there have been many products I just can’t seem to successfully create at home. A few of these products include: dishwasher soap, mascara, eye shadow, adult shampoo and conditioner, and liquid foundation. I’ve tried countless times to make these products, but time and time again my efforts result in nothing but failure, at least when you compare them to the store-bought versions.

Through my failures, I’ve come to the realization that it’s okay to not make everything from scratch! In fact, sometimes it’s better for both my sanity and the strangers I must stand next to in public to actually buy certain products. Store-bought shampoo is a prime example–it’s good for my sanity and the stranger standing next to me in the Target line. You’re welcome, Mrs. Stranger.

Just a note here…For the products I still purchase, I try to choose the best options available, meaning the products with a minimum amount of bad stuff.

Two years ago, I was overjoyed to discover homemade body wash.

Homemade body wash is super easy to make, and in my opinion, it works just as good if not better than the store-bought alternative. It’s a home run win! I’ve received many comments asking various questions about how to create a thicker consistency.

For a number of months now I’ve been working quietly behind the scenes of Live Simply trying to figure out how to create a thick and creamy body wash, almost more of a shower gel. I’ve tried numerous methods to thicken my current recipe, but every effort resulted in DIY failure. Finally, a few weeks ago, I decided to start from scratch and create a brand new recipe in hopes of achieving a thick, moisturizing shower gel. And guess what?

SWEET SUCCESS!

To create my successful homemade version of shower gel, I used: shea butter, glycerin, a nourishing oil, water, castile soap, and the secret ingredient…xanthan gum! Of course, the point of today’s post is to share my homemade shower gel with you–it’s dreamy, my friend! Trust me, you’ll never go back to store-bought shower gel.

Before I share, let’s take a look at each ingredient:

Shea Butter: This ingredient is one of my absolute favorite DIY products. Shea butter is an amazing moisturizer and contains healing properties (thanks to the Vitamin A). Shea butter is also super versatile. It can be used to make everything from homemade lotion to lip balm to shower gel.

Nourishing Oil: Since oil dissolves oil, it’s only natural to add a nourishing oil to a cleansing shower gel. The nourishing oil also adds moisturizing properties to this gel. I’ve used jojoba, grapeseed, and good ol’ olive oil with great success.

Castile Soap:  One of my favorite multi-purpose DIY ingredients. Castile soap is a concentrated vegetable-based soap with easy to recognize ingredients.  I use castile soap for everything from homemade laundry detergent to body wash and hand soap. I recommend using either the Baby Mild Castile Soap or Tea Tree Castile Soap for body-care products.

Glycerin: Glycerin adds nourishing moisture without weighing down the shower gel. This ingredient also helps dissolve the xanthum gum, which makes it absolutely necessary–sorry, no substitutes this time. Glycerin sounds like a fancy ingredient, but most drug stores sell it in the beauty or medicine departments for a fairly low price.

Xanthan Gum: This is the secret ingredient that’s absolutely necessary for creating a creamy shower gel! Xanthan gum is sold in the baking aisle (I like Bob’s Red Mill brand) and is often used to help thicken and stabilize foods, particularly gluten-free foods. This next part may gross you out, but I think it’s important to know the details about the products we use on our skin (and in our body)….

“Xanthan gum is a sugar-like compound made by mixing aged (fermented) sugars with a certain kind of bacteria.” (source) Yes, I’m asking you to put a bacteria on your skin, but rest assured, this is a perfectly safe ingredient. Hey, I also asked you to drink a colony of fermented bacteria, so…

Xanthan gum is expensive (around $15 per bag) and you only need a very small amount of it to make this shower gel. This means one $15 bag will last quite a long time.

And without further ado, I present to you a creamy and moisturizing homemade shower gel. Lather up!

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Homemade Moisturizing Shower Gel

I present to you a creamy and moisturizing homemade shower gel. Lather up!

Course Homemade

Cuisine Body

Keyword Shower Gel

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 8 oz

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 2 TB shea butter melted
• 2 TB jojoba oil or grapeseed, and extra virgin olive oil with good success.
• 1 TB vegetable glycerin
• 1 tsp xanthan gum or guar gum -If you're using guar gum try 1/4 tsp for starters since some readers have reported the gel is too thick with 1 tsp guar gum
• 1/3 cup castile soap I like to use Baby Mild.
• 1/3 cup warm water Distilled water for long-term use. The water doesn't need to be hot
• 10 drops lavender essential oil optional

Special Equipment:

• immersion blender

Instructions

• Add the melted shea butter, jojoba oil, and glycerin to a medium-size bowl. Sprinkle the xanthan gum over the top. Allow the gum to rest for 1 minute. During this time the powder should sink into the liquid. After 1 minute, use the immersion blender to dissolve the gum into the oil mixture--pulse the immersion blender for 1 minute. Add the castile soap and warm water to the bowl. Place the immersion blender at the bottom of the bowl. Blend the mixture with the immersion blender for 1-2 more minutes, pulsing up and down. The mixture should turn into a creamy lotion-like consistency during this time.
• Pour the shower gel into a soap dispenser. I found my container (pictured) at Target.
• While the mixture won't separate, I recommend giving the container a gentle shake before each use. When you introduce water into a product without a preservative you always run the risk of introducing bacteria, so use water-based products quickly.

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.

More DIYs You May Like:

 Homemade Foundation Powder

 Homemade Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (without coconut oil)

DIY Homemade Liquid Hand Soap

The post Homemade Moisturizing Shower Gel appeared first on Live Simply.

2016 Note: Since this post was originally published, I’ve learned a lot about making homemade products, including the safety side of ingredients. While this recipe is extremely gentle and luxurious, and many folks have loved this body wash, it must be used very, very quickly due to the coconut milk. This is a fun DIY to make and freeze, and pull out in a small batches to use “in the moment.” You can find my current body wash recipe over here.

For over two weeks now I’ve been enjoying regular dates in the shower with a super luxurious homemade milk and honey body wash that literally takes five seconds to make. And everyday I feel the weight of guilt. Guilt for enjoying such a luxury and knowing I can’t share it until March 28th.

So today, it’s time to share. No more long waits, because guys, I love you. Go grab a bottle (any bottle will do) and the five simple ingredients to make this DIY Homemade Milk and Honey Body Wash. It’s my gift to you! A surprise that’s just way too good to keep a secret.

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DIY Homemade Milk and Honey Body Wash

How to make a fun and luxurious homemade body wash with castile soap, moisturizing coconut milk, and hydrating honey.

Course DIY, Homemade

Cuisine Beauty, Body

Keyword Milk and Honey Body Wash

Prep Time 1 minute minute

Total Time 1 minute minute

Servings 1 1/3 cups

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup full-fat unsweetened coconut milk
• 1/2 cup baby mild castile soap
• 1/3 cup honey
• 7 drops sweet orange essential oil
• 2 tsp vegetable glycerin optional

Instructions

• Combine all the ingredients in a bottle.
• Shake the ingredients together until the honey is fully dissolved.
• Store the body wash in the fridge between uses. Use within one week.

Notes

This post was first published back in 2013 as I was just learning how to DIY in my bathroom. Since that time I’ve learned a lot about making homemade products, including the safety side of ingredients. While this recipe is extremely gentle and luxurious, and many folks have loved this body wash, it must be used very, very quickly due to the coconut milk. You can find my current body wash recipe over here.

More Natural Body Wash

SEE ALL RECIPES

How to Make Your Own Foaming Hand Soap in 2 Easy Steps

The Best Non-Toxic Skincare Brands

7 Money-Saving Recipes Using Castile Soap

Homemade Hand Sanitizer Spray (Kid-Friendly)

Easy DIY Foaming Body Wash (Multi-Purpose)

Homemade Moisturizing Shower Gel

The post DIY Homemade Milk and Honey Body Wash appeared first on Live Simply.

A couple of weeks ago, after publishing the DIY Honey Face Wash, a Live Simply reader commented, “Do you think this could be incorporated into DIY face wipes? Maybe not even disposable ones, but a jar of cloths that I washed regularly. I have gone to bed in make-up a few nights because I was just too tired.”  Immediately my head began spinning with DIY possibilities.

What a brilliant idea!

For this reason and so many more, I love each and every one of you. You’re the reason Live Simply is such an amazing community of like-minded people looking to simplify the often complex world of real food and natural living.

Reusable wipes are not a new thing here at Live Simply. Two of my favorite DIYs are the reusable floor and surface wipes. Both are super easy to make and leave my home sparkling clean (which is no small task with two dogs, two kids, one husband, and eight chickens).

While many people feel overwhelmed with the idea of making homemade cleaners, I’ve found both reusable cleaning recipes require less time and effort to make and use than ordering and/or going to the store for a bottle of cleaner. Plus the savings are quite significant.

When a homemade product is super simple to maintain and packs major cleaning power, I’m much more likely to incorporate the product into a long-term lifestyle. That’s why you will never find complicated homemade products here at Live Simply. Who’s got time for that? Not this gal. Simple is the name of the game around here.

DIY Facial Wipes are the epitome of a simple beauty routine. Baby washcloths are used to make the wipes extra soft, durable, reusable, and affordable. I spent $3.99 for a pack of four washcloths at Target. A simple cleansing solution is then poured over the washcloths. This solution is created by only using four natural ingredients. Let’s take a look..

H2O. Because this solution sits on the counter for weeks, I recommend using distilled or boiled water to keep bacteria from growing.

Witch Hazel. Witch hazel is a well-known, natural astringent that’s used to remove excess oil from the skin. Witch hazel is also known for the treatment of acne.

Nourishing Oil. Since oil dissolves oil, it’s only natural to add a nourishing oil to a homemade facial cleansing recipe.

Castile Soap. One of my favorite multi-purpose DIY ingredients. Castile soap is a concentrated vegetable-based soap with easy to recognize ingredients.  I use castile soap for everything from homemade laundry detergent to body wash and hand soap. I recommend using either the  Baby Mild Castile Soap or Tea Tree Castile Soap  for facial cleansing.

The creation of homemade facial wipes came at just the right time. Last weekend our family enjoyed a mini-vacation. We spent one night at a hotel and the following day at Disney World. I didn’t want to pack all of our personal care items for a 12 hour overnight vacation. Instead of packing a face wash or oil bottle, I grabbed two reusable facial cleansing wipes and placed them in a snack-size baggie. The facial wipes were the perfect travel solution!

If you travel frequently, these wipes will dramatically reduce the weight and volume of your suitcase. Trust me, I have first-hand experience. My only caution is to skip the castile soap if you don’t have access to water during your travels.

Even if traveling (let alone getting out of the house to go to the grocery store once a week) isn’t your thing right now, DIY Homemade Facial Wipes are an affordable time-saver for removing make-up at the end of the day, or facial cleansing without the need for an actual bottle of soap.

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DIY Homemade Reusable Facial Cleansing Wipes

DIY Facial Wipes are the epitome of a simple beauty routine. Baby washcloths are used to make the wipes extra soft, durable, reusable, and affordable.

Course DIY

Cuisine Beauty, Body

Keyword Facial Cleansing Wipes

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 7 Washcloths

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup distilled water boiled water will also work
• 1/2 cup witch hazel
• 1 TB jojoba oil or other nourishing oils: almond, avocado, olive, apricot, argan
• 1 TB castile soap Baby Mild or Tea Tree
• 7-10 washcloths
• 1 glass storage jar I found the jar pictured at Target

Instructions

• Place the baby washcloths in the storage jar. Set aside.
• In a medium-size bowl, combine the distilled water, witch hazel, nourishing oil, and castile soap.
• Pour the liquid solution into the storage jar, covering the baby washcloths with the solution. Press the washcloths down into the liquid.

Notes

To Use: Remove one washcloth from the jar. Use the washcloth to wash your face and remove make-up and dirt. Rinse the washcloth under warm water and then wipe your face with the clean washcloth. Moisturize your face with a coconut oil moisturizer, lotion, or facial serum.

 

 

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.

More DIYs You May Like:

 DIY Homemade Honey Face Wash

 Homemade Foundation Powder

DIY Homemade Facial Serum

The post DIY Homemade Reusable Facial Cleansing Wipes appeared first on Live Simply.

Conquering bedtime has been on my list of  my most-conquer-now tasks. I’m sure this task is on nearly every parent’s conquering list; along with laundry, dishes, and dirt. And “they” say, “Life doesn’t change once you have kids.” Or maybe I just didn’t listen?

In an effort to make bedtime a stress-free and enjoyable process, I created a simple bedtime routine for accountability. If you missed it earlier this week, you can find the bedtime chart and routine over here. Plus, a printable to get you started with making your own board for a stress-free bedtime.

Even with an amazing new system, a mom needs a few tools in her bedtime toolbox to help the process of those sweet Zzzzzzs along. Yes, there are books, quiet songs, and even the sound machine (you know, that machine that sounds like a mother’s womb or giant tug boat), and lots of cuddles, but there are also bath-time tools that can help relax the kiddos and encourage the lights out time.

One of my favorite bedtime tools is sleepy-time bath salts. A simple combo of dried lavender, lavender essential oil, and epsom salts. Lavender naturally encourages relaxation and epsom salts are rich in magnesium, and magnesium= sweet dreams. My bath salt recipe was original formulated for my kids, but I regularly enjoy a few scoops in a relaxing mommy-bath with a nice glass of organic red wine and raw brownies (which you need to make!). Natural, real food mommy-time at its finest.

While I love my sleepy-time salts, I don’t always have time to whip up a batch (and often forget to restock my supply of epsom salts). For this reason, it was time to formulate a new sleepy bath “tool.”

I started making my own homemade body wash a couple of years ago. That simple body wash was my second ever DIY recipe and it still sits in my shower (of course, I’m talking about the same recipe, not the same exact jar of body wash). My kids have enjoyed using my homemade body wash since they were tiny babies, but as they grow and mature into independent little people (a true joy to watch), they enjoy having their own unique products to use.

Independence and a desire for a Piper-and-Londyn-friendly body wash was the perfect time to experiment with a new homemade kid body wash recipe that could not only aid in cleaning, but also sleeping! A body wash that’s cost-effective and super easy to make was born! I promise, it really is simple to make!  Remember, “Live Simply?”

The base of this kid-friendly body wash is made with castile soap and water. This solution is then mixed with nourishing fractionated coconut oil, which unlike the coconut oil bought for cooking, remains at a liquid state despite temperature changes. This means the oil won’t clog your drain in the winter…woohoo!

Glycerin is added to enhance the bubbles…a kid’s best bath friend. Finally, the secret sleepy ingredient is added.

The top secret ingredient is called, “Kid Safe Nighty-Night Essential Oil.” This essential oil is a new blend introduced by Plant Therapy as part of their amazing new line of kid-safe essential oils formulated with the help of aromatherapy expert Robert Tisserand for kids ages 2-10.  The line not only includes this sleepy blend, but also oils for tummy aches, Eczema, allergy symptoms, headaches, and more.

With my secret sleepy body wash, lots of kid-friendly bubbles, and a bedtime routine board, nighttime is once again enjoyable and sweet Zzzzzs are conquered.

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DIY Homemade Kids' Sleepy-Time Body Wash

With my secret sleepy body wash, lots of kid-friendly bubbles, and a bedtime routine board, nighttime is once again enjoyable and sweet Zzzzzs are conquered.

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Sleepy-Time Body Wash

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 8 oz

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup baby mild castile soap I prefer "Baby-Mild" for kids
• 1/2 cup water Clean tap water is fine for short-term use. Use distilled or boiled and cooled water for long-term use.
• 2 TB fractionated coconut oil you can substitute coconut oil with another nourishing oil, if desired.
• 1 tsp vegetable glycerin optional
• 10 drops lavender essential oil or favorite calming essential oil

Instructions

• In a jar or soap dispenser or jar, add the water first (to prevent bubbles) then the liquid castile soap, followed by the glycerin and oils. Shake the ingredients together.
• Shake the ingredients before using. Use a small amount on a wet washcloth or sponge. When you introduce water into a product without a preservative you always run the risk of introducing bacteria, so use water-based products quickly.

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.

Ingredient Notes

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 homemade body wash can also be used as shampoo. I don’t have success with castile soap and my hair, but it works wonderfully on my kids’ hair. If you plan to use this as a kids’ shampoo leave out the nourishing oil (coconut oil) as it may cause greasy hair. I also like to use my foaming body wash.

*Castile soap is a concentrated natural vegetable-based “soap” that greatly differs from the toxic soaps we are accustomed to on store shelves.

The “where to buy” links provide you with information on the products I use to make this soap and many other DIYs. Lavender essential oil may also be used in this recipe in place of the Nighty-Night Essential Oil. 

The post DIY Homemade Kids’ Sleepy-Time Body Wash appeared first on Live Simply.

There are few issues that stir up a group of “crunchy” (naturally-minded, real-foodie, homemade) ladies as much as hand sanitizer.

Okay, maybe vaccines. But, we’re not going there. Let’s stick with dirty hands and the clear liquid found in millions of purses and classrooms across America.

Before kids I had a “thing” (me and my “things”) against dirt, but oh my, how things changed once my first baby entered the picture. Suddenly messes and dirt (and other unmentionables) stuck to my hair, clothes, skin, and house like cheese on a good grass-fed burger. The need to embrace dirt (not being dirty, just a few extra clingy good germs) became apparent.

Here’s the funny thing about dirt: the more I embraced it, the less we got sick. I’m sure a good diet also helped, along with natural preventives such as: probiotic kombucha, elderberry syrup, and homemade chicken broth.

Now, please hear me out. I’m not talking about smothering our bodies in buckets of dirt and rubbing our hands on every public grocery cart in the store. Please don’t do that! Instead, let’s avoid the constant urge to sanitize our living conditions with millions of toxins in a state of paranoia. Cleaning is good, very good! But a little bit of healthy dirt (allowing our kids to run around outside, garden, and get dirty every now and then) is wonderful for the immune system. In fact, our guts need good bacteria to fight off the bad guys–this is an important aspect to having a healthy and thriving immune system.

Before we throw away our soap and hand sanitizer, I would like to tell you that I believe in cleanliness. I believe a good liquid hand soap is important to stock in the kitchen and bathroom, laundry soap is a necessity (obviously), and body wash is a smart choice.  I also believe hand sanitizer has a time and place: after handling money or touching the never-washed grocery store carts.

For those times when good ol’ soap and water just aren’t available, and hands needs to be washed, I keep a homemade hand sanitizer in my purse, made with a few simple ingredients.

Let’s embrace good hygiene, naturally. I promise it can be done.

More Natural Ways to Protect Against Unwanted Germs

• Homemade Hand Sanitizer Spray: A simple spray for when you need to wash your hands and don’t have soap and water. If you want a spray instead of a gel, this recipe is for you.
• Homemade Disinfecting Spray: A spray for counters and surfaces made with tea tree essential oil, vinegar, and water.
• Natural Ways to Boost the Immune System: My tried-and-true ways to naturally maintain a healthy and happy immune system.
• Homemade Elderberry Syrup: A homemade remedy that’s delicious and beneficial.

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Hand Sanitizer

For those times when good ol’ soap and water just aren’t available and hands needs to be washed, keep a homemade hand sanitizer (made with a few simple ingredients) in your bag.

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Hand Sanitizer

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 2 oz

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 3 TB 190 proof alcohol or at least 120 proof alcohol or 70% or higher isopropyl rubbing alcohol (the original recipe called for witch hazel, however, alcohol is considered the best and what's currently recommended in light of recent issues). Don't use other types of alcohol (methanol, butanol) since they're toxic.
• 1 TB aloe vera (this is to prevent hands from drying out from the alcohol)
• 1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin or vitamin E oil (optional, again adds moisturizing properties to the hand sanitizer to benefit your hands)
• essential oil (optional, like a few drops of tea tree or lavender essential oil) see note below

Instructions

• Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
• To use the hand sanitizer store in a small jar or a squeeze tube (like this). This recipe will make 2 fluid ounces (one tube.) If you prefer to make a spray, use this recipe.

Notes

Please consult your doctor and the CDC website to do your own research about the best ways to protect your family. The CDC recommends hand sanitizer that’s at least 60% alcohol. The power of this hand sanitizer comes from the alcohol, so if you don’t have the essential oils, no worries. The important part is the alcohol! 

The original recipe included essential oils, but they aren’t necessary. The necessary ingredient is at least 60% alcohol, so to simplify this recipe and make it as easy as possible, I’ve adjusted the recipe to reflect this. 

More Natural Remedies

SEE ALL RECIPES

Moisturizing Lanolin Lip Balm Recipe

Homemade Bug Spray Mosquito Repellent (Essential Oils)

Podcast 050: CBD Everything You Need To Know

Podcast 047: Why and How to Detox the Body with Joy from Joyous Health

6 Natural Ways to Keep Your Immune System Healthy

Homemade Cooling Eye Masks (For Puffy Eyes)

The post DIY Hand Sanitizer appeared first on Live Simply.

If a prize were to be given to the “world’s greatest dad,” I know just the man to win.

Okay, so maybe I’m a tad bit biased, but my father would certainly be a top qualifier. While not perfect (I’m sure he’ll agree), he’s the kind of man that makes the word “father” a warm, cozy feeling of nostalgic memories.

Growing up, my mom worked the weekends at the local hospital which meant my dad was on mommy/daddy duty every Saturday and Sunday. He did his very best to provide me with the weekend adventures every young girl dreams of: trips to Home Depot and the dump yard. (Seriously, I enjoyed every moment of our weekend trips.) And he always made Saturday mornings extra special with Bisquick pancakes and syrup (we didn’t know about real food just yet).

One of my most vivid memories of our weekends together will always be hand-washing. Silly, right? But, it’s true.

My dad was all about hand-washing! In the early 90’s little bottles of on-the-go soap weren’t available, but that didn’t stop my dad. Hand-washing was a habit he intended to instill in me. Along with flossing and brushing my teeth (probably due to his large investment in my pearly whites). Braces are not cheap, folks!

I still have happy thoughts when I look at a bottle of yellow Dial soap. Nostalgia!

Life is different from when I was five. I’ve learned pancake syrup isn’t real (sorry!), but maple syrup is pure heaven. I’ve also discovered pancakes can still be enjoyed every Saturday, made from a delicious homemade recipe versus a yellow box. Of course, with a switch to homemade, I’ve also discovered that orange soap is far from “healthy” or enjoyable (desert-dry hands anyone?).

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not all about natural perfection. But when a natural alternative is as easy as mixing a few simple ingredients in a jar and calling it a day, I’m all over it!

Homemade liquid hand soap is one of the simplest natural recipes you can make. In fact, it really doesn’t even need a recipe, but I’ll give you one. Homemade hand soap is a bit different in consistency (watery) from the orange thick soap my dad regularly squirted on my hands, but it does the job just the same, if not better.

So, suds up the kids and share the hand-washing love. My dad will thank you!

How to Make Homemade Hand Soap Video

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DIY Liquid Hand Soap

Homemade liquid hand soap is one of the simplest natural recipes you can make. In fact, it really doesn’t even need a recipe, but I’ll give you one.

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Hand Soap

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup castile soap liquid
• 1/2 cup distilled water
• 1 TB vitamin E oil (optional)
• 1 TB sweet almond oil or olive oil or jojoba oil (optional)
• 15 drops tea tree essential oil optional
• 5-10 drops lavender essential oil optional

Instructions

• In a mason jar or recycled soap dispenser, add the water first (to prevent bubbles) then the liquid castile soap, followed by the oils. Shake the ingredients together.
• Shake the soap dispenser before using, then squirt a small amount on your hands as needed, rinsing with water.

Video

Notes

You don't have to use the essential oils. You're welcome to skip the essential oils or experiment with other options (lemon, grapefruit, peppermint, etc.). 

The oil and vitamin E are added to moisturize the skin. You're welcome to skip these ingredients. Any oil will work: olive oil, avocado oil, skincare oils, etc. The oil won't blend with the water, so you'll need to gently shake the soap before use. 

Castile soap is a plant-based soap made from vegetable oils (olive, coconut, palm) and plant oils. There are several reasons why castile soap is awesome…

• Super Versatile: You can make cleaning and body products with the same soap.
• Inexpensive: A 32-ounce bottle of castile soap will cost $17. Yes, this is more expensive than a bottle of all-purpose cleaner, but it will last you for months! Castile soap is highly concentrated so a little bit goes a long way.
• Non-Toxic: Castile soap is made with easy to recognize, simple, non-toxic ingredients. This is why you can use it on your skin and the surfaces in your home.

When you introduce water into a product without a preservative you always run the risk of introducing bacteria, so use water-based products quickly. If you don't have distilled water, use filtered water and use the soap quickly. 

The “where to buy” links provide you with information on the products I use to make this soap and many other DIYs.

The post DIY Homemade Liquid Hand Soap appeared first on Live Simply.

2016 Note: This post was first published back in 2013 as I was just learning how to DIY in my bathroom. Since that time I’ve learned a lot about making homemade products, including the safety side of ingredients. While this recipe is extremely gentle and luxurious, and many folks have loved this body wash, it must be used very, very quickly due to the coconut milk. This is a fun DIY to make and freeze, and pull out in a small batches to use “in the moment.” You can find my current body wash recipe over here. 

Being a mom is dirty business.

Literally.

Within a few hours minutes I can go from fresh, clean and smelling fabulous to, “When’s the last time she bathed?” How is it that every piece of dirt, marker, food crumb, and well,  you know what else, ends up being worn by mom? I truly cherish the dirt and whatever else happens to find its way onto my skin, clothes, and hair, each day. Let me rephrase that. I truly cherish the little people who lovingly adorn me with such well-earned souvenirs. This OCD (or is it CDO?) woman is truly learning to embrace the dirt that comes with the role of mommy-hood.

While I truly am learning to love this stage of dirtiness and fun, I am all for a good scrub down. You’re welcome, honey.

This past year I have been challenged to “clean-up” the non-food items in our home. I’m talking about the products we use on our bodies: soaps, toothpastes, lotions, deodorants, and make-up. Anything that comes in contact with our skin and within seconds our bloodstream.

Nothing like a super clean system filled with pastured, organic meats and good fats, organic fruits, and veggies, soaked organic whole grains, fermented and proboitic goodies and then adding in a large dose of daily toxins.

As I have shared in the past, I have fallen in love with developing my own recipes for toothpaste, lotion, lip balm, and laundry soap. I’ve even ventured down the road of making my own make-up. I’ve also found a local lady who makes wonderfully nourishing homemade soaps. Life has been good.

My beloved soap lady went on vacation last month. I intended to order lots of back-ups, but life got the best
of me, and I forgot.  After a few days of grieving and wondering how I would survive a month, inspiration came knocking on my natural door. I decided to try making my own soap, more of a body wash to be exact.

I have a great love for Dr. Bronner’s Soap. If you haven’t tried Dr. Bronner’s you really must. No toxic ingredients and a thousand and one uses (okay, maybe more like ten) for just one bottle of soap. This body wash uses Dr. Bronner’s as well as coconut milk as the main ingredients. Please buy real coconut milk , usually found in a can, not the coconut beverage sold in cartons.

This soap is gentle enough I have also been using it on my children. The lavender is perfect for a nighttime bath!

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Nourishing Homemade Body Wash

 I decided to try making my own soap, more of a body wash to be exact. homemade-body-wash-recipe. This soap is gentle enough I have also been using it on my children. The lavender is perfect for a nighttime bath!

Course DIY, Homemade

Cuisine Beauty, Body

Keyword Homemade Body Wash

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 12 oz

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup full-fat unsweetened coconut milk canned
• 2/3 cup castile soap I prefer the lavender or Baby Mild
• 3 tsp vitamin E oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 tsp vegetable glycerin optional

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients in a bottle. Shake and use on a washcloth.
• This body wash has a very short lifespan since it lacks preservatives and contains coconut milk, so it's best to keep this body wash in the fridge and use it within a week. If you don't think you'll use this body wash quickly, reduce the recipe, or freeze the extra in an ice cube tray to defrost in small batches. See the 2016 note below. The glycerin may be left out if you don't have any on hand. As an alternative, you can use a nourishing oil, like jojoba, almond, or olive oil.

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.

*This recipe needs to be used quickly due to the coconut milk. If you’re looking for a body wash that can be stored at room temperature with a longer shelf-life, I recommend use this recipe.

2016 Note: This post was first published back in 2013 as I was just learning how to DIY in my bathroom. Since that time I’ve learned a lot about making homemade products, including the safety side of ingredients. While this recipe is extremely gentle and luxurious, and many folks have loved this body wash, it must be used very, very quickly due to the coconut milk. This is a fun DIY to make and freeze, and pull out in a small batches to use “in the moment.” You can find my current body wash recipe over here.

With the cleaning power of Dr. Bronner’s and the antibacterial properties and hydrating moisture of coconut milk mixed with the antioxidant powers of Vitamin E and Essential Oil, this body soap is a perfect combo for both fighting the dirt and helping this mom relax at the end of a fun, messy day.

More DIYs You May Like:

Homemade Honey and Aloe Facial Cleanser

DIY Homemade Facial Cleansing Wipes

Homemade Foundation Powder

The post Nourishing Homemade Body Wash appeared first on Live Simply.