Cleaning

Homemade Dog Shampoo for Sensitive Skin

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When I fell in love with my dog Usha, I was fostering her because she had a doggie cold. Even though she was under the weather, it never affected her cheerful personality and exuberant energy. This girl loves to play. And play, and play. To Usha’s great pleasure, there’s an amazing dog park near us, and right next to the French Broad River to boot. Nothing like a great romp with friends, followed by a swim!

It’s dirty and fun, and watching dogs play is better than any t.v. show I’ve ever seen. Swimming all the time gave Usha some itchy skin though, which only got worse when I’d wash her with regular shampoo.

In my desire to make as much of my own products as possible, I came up with this recipe for her, which has been amazing. It’s mild, soothing, easy to make, and works great.

DIY Oatmeal Dog Shampoo

1 cup Oatmeal Water (directions below)

1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

1 cup Castile Soap (I used Dr. Bronners lavender scent because I love the smell, and fleas don’t)

To make oatmeal water, put 1 cup rolled oats (old fashioned or quick cook) in a bowl and add about a cup and a third water. Let this sit at least 8 hours, overnight is what I did. Strain the water from the oatmeal, you can use a coffee filter, tea strainer, cheese cloth,whatever you have that’ll get the job done. 

 I strained directly into my storage container, which is a 33 oz. seltzer water bottle. Add your cup of vinegar and soap to the water, cap it and shake well, and you’re good to go!

It really does work wonderfully. Just a few tips: It’s not a high suds soap, but a little does go a long way. I also choose to store mine in the fridge, I don’t know if this is exactly necessary, but I know it can’t hurt. And give it a good shake before use, the ingredients will separate over time.

Bath time on the porch. 🙂

If you use it, or have a recipe that you prefer, I want to hear about it!

Happy bubbles,

Angie

(Originally published 10/23/12)

Amazing Benefits and Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide

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Hydrogen peroxide is the only germicidal agent composed only of water and oxygen. Like ozone, it kills disease organisms by oxidation! Hydrogen peroxide is considered the worlds safest all natural effective sanitizer. It kills microorganisms by oxidizing them, which can be best described as a controlled burning process. When Hydrogen peroxide reacts with organic material it breaks down into oxygen and water.

Whiten Clothes – An Alternative to Beach


Add a cup of Peroxide to white clothes in your laundry to whiten them. Peroxide is great to get rid of blood stains on clothes and carpets. If there is blood on clothing, just pour directly on the spot, let it sit for about a minute, then rub and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

Health

Your body makes Hydrogen peroxide to fight infection which must be present for our immune system to function correctly. White blood cells are known as Leukocytes. A sub-class of Leukocytes called Neutrophils produce hydrogen peroxide as the first line of defense against toxins, parasites, bacteria, viruses and yeast.

Rejuvenating Detoxifying Bath

Use about 2 quarts 3% Hydrogen peroxide to a tub of warm water. Soak at least 1/2 hour, adding hot water as needed to maintain a comfortable water temperature.

Foot Fungus

To cure a foot fungus, simply spray a 50/50 mixture of Hydrogen peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.

Colonic or Enema

For a colonic, add 1 cup (8 ozs.) 3% H202 to 5 gallons warm water. (Do not exceed this amount) For an enema, add 1 tablespoon of 3% H202 to a quart of warm distilled water.

Infections

Soak any infections or cuts in 3% for five to ten minutes several times a day. Even gangrene that would not heal with any medicine has been healed by soaking in Hydrogen peroxide. Put half a bottle of hydrogen peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus or other skin infections.

Bird Mites Infections

Patients infected by tiny mites report that hydrogen peroxide effectively kills the mites on their skins. They spray it on their skin a couple of times (with a few minutes in between the applications) with amazing results.

Sinus Infections

A tablespoon of 3% Hydrogen peroxide added to 1 cup of non-chlorinated water can be used as a nasal spray. Depending on the degree of sinus involvement, one will have to adjust the amount of peroxide used.

Wound Care

3% H2O2 is used medically for cleaning wounds, removing dead tissue, and as an oral debriding agent. Peroxide stops slow (small vessel) wound bleeding/oozing, as well.

Some sources recommend soaking infections or cuts for five to ten minutes several times a day. However, washing and rinsing action is sufficient. You shouldn’t leave the solution on open tissue for extended periods of time as, like many oxidative antiseptics, Hydrogen peroxide causes mild damage to tissue in open wounds. Therefore it is important to use with caution.

Personal Care

Healing Properties: Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. You will not have canker sores and your teeth will be whiter. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% Hydrogen peroxide into your mouth and hold it for 10 minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.

Mouthwash

Many people don’t realize that hydrogen peroxide makes a very effective and inexpensive mouthwash. Use 3% H202 – add a dash of liquid chlorophyll for flavoring if desired.

Toothpaste

Use baking soda and add enough 3% H202 to make a paste.

Toothbrush

Or, just dip your brush in 3% H202 and brush. Soak your toothbrush in Hydrogen peroxide to keep them free of germs.

Tooth Ache

Hydrogen peroxide is not a pain killer; however, as an anti-viral, antibacterial and anti-fungal agent, it is effective at treating the pathogen that is causing the infection. The following is from my own personal experience: My dentist wanted to give me a root canal some time ago as one tooth was inflamed and, in her opinion, would die. I felt some discomfort but told her that I would give it chance to heal. I rinsed with hydrogen peroxide (several times a day) as well ascoconut oil (once a day). The discomfort went away and I have had no further problems with the tooth.

Tooth Whitening

Having used 3% Hydrogen peroxide as a mouth wash for sometime ago, I am thrilled to note that my teeth have been beautifully and effortlessly whitened. I used to pay so much for professional whitening, those silly strips and uncomfortable trays. Live and learn.

NOTE: Do not swallow any peroxide. When the peroxide rinse is done, be sure to rinse out your mouth with water.

Hair Lightening

Peroxide is a bleaching agent and is used for lightened hair. Dilute 3% Hydrogen peroxide with water (50 / 50) and spray the solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages, but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, faddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually so it’s not a drastic change.

Contact Lenses

Hydrogen peroxide is used as a disinfectant in CIBA Vision’s Clear Care no rub contact lens cleaning solution, due to its ability to break down the proteins that build up on the lense from the eye’s immune response, resulting in increased comfort for those with sensitive eyes.

Sanitizing / Disinfectant / Cleaning
Straight or Diluted Hydrogen Perioxide

Clean your counters and table tops with hydrogen peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters. Use hydrogen peroxide to clean glass and mirrors with no smearing.

Keep a spray bottle of 3% (straight) to disinfect the interior of the refrigerator and kids’ school lunch boxes.

In the Dishwasher

Add 2 oz. of 3% Hydrogen peroxide to your regular washing formula.

Mold

Clean with Hydrogen peroxide when your house becomes a biohazard after its invaded by toxic mold, such as those with water damage.

Humidifiers/Steamers

Use 1 pint 3% Hydrogen peroxide to 1 gallon of water.

Laundry
Stain Remover

3% Hydrogen peroxide is the best stain lifter if used fairly soon – although blood stains as old as 2 days have been successfully lifted with Hydrogen Peroxide. Although it will bleach or discolor many fabrics. If a little peroxide is poured onto the stain it will bubble up in the area of the blood, due to a reaction with catalase. After a few minutes the excess liquid can be wiped up with a cloth or paper towel and the stain will be gone.

3% H2O2 must be applied to clothing before blood stains can be accidentally “set” with heated water. Cold water and soap are then used to remove the peroxide treated blood.

Laundry

Washing

You can also add a cup of hydrogen peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

Food Preparation
Vegetable Soak

Use as a vegetable wash or soak to kill bacteria and neutralize chemicals. Add 1/4 cup 3% H202 to a full sink of cold water. Soak light skinned (light lettuce) 20 minutes, thicker skinned (like cucumbers) 30 minutes. Drain, dry and refrigerate. Prolongs freshness.

If time is a problem, spray vegetables (and fruits) with a solution of 3%. Let stand for a few minutes, rinse and dry.

Sprouting Seeds

Add 1 ounce 3% Hydrogen peroxide to 1 pint of water and soak the seeds overnight. Add the same amount of hydrogen peroxide each time you rinse the seeds.

Read more–  <3, Angie

(Originally published on 4/2/13)

Easy Citrus Vinegar All-Purpose Cleaner

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Today’s modern home is loaded with toxic and polluting substances designed to make domestic life easier. In the US, 1 in 3 people suffer from allergies, asthma, sinusitis or bronchitis (US National Center for Health Statistics). Treatment for these conditions should include reducing synthetic chemicals in the home environment. 

This cleaner is ridiculously easy to make, and works gently and effectively in every way you’d need it too, except maybe windows. It’ll clean them, but the citrus oil will leave streaks.

I know this recipe isn’t a new one, but in my opinion, if your only going to make one cleaner from scratch to replace something store bought and full of chemicals, this one should be it. 

Happy Scrubbing! 

(Originally published 2/20/13)

Homemade Laundry Detergent Concentrate

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I have been making my own laundry detergent for a couple years now.  I started for three reasons: one, I love to make useful things- two, I couldn’t resist the fact that it would save me SO much money- and three, I have always had easily irritated skin, and making my own detergent is a good way to monitor if anything makes me itch, and tweak my recipe accordingly.

Every recipe I’ve found and tried has worked well for me, and the changing of recipes I’ve done has been to up the cleaning power, and change the bar soap to a glycerine bar for my sensitive skin. Oh yeah, and I also ditched most of the water so I didn’t have to lug up and down the stairs a 5 gallon bucket of backache.

So it occurred to me that I was adding a completely useless amount of water, because instead of adding a cup of detergent, I could just leave out most of the water and add a quarter of a cup instead. After all, this is pretty much how they sell it in the stores these days, less water, less detergent.

And guess what, it’s amazing! It works beautifully, and I get to think of myself as a genius, win-win!

Here is the recipe that I use:

Laundry Detergent Concentrate Recipe

  • 1 bar of Glycerin or Castile soap, shaved
  • 8 cups of hot water to melt the soap
  • 1 cup of borax
  • 2 cups of washing soda
  • 1 cup of baking soda

Here’s what to do:

Grate the soap into a saucepan. You can use either a box grater or a food processor for this. It’s not a good idea to use the same grater that you use for the cheddar, get yourself a separate tool at a thrift store or a yard sale.

Add 4 cups of hot water to the pan.  Simmer on low until the soap melts completely into the water.

Add the other 4 cups of water, borax, washing soda and baking soda to the pot. Simmer on low until it dissolves with the soap.

(Here’s where the other recipes want you to add this mixture to 3 or 4 more gallons of water. Silly water adders.)

Let the soap cool overnight. It turns into a thick, gooey gel. At this point, I bust out my hand mixer and give it a wiz, it works well to emulsify everything back together and I’ve found it stays that way, and all I have to do is give it a little stir with my measuring cup every now and then. Use 1/4 to 1/3 cup of this homemade laundry detergent per load of laundry.

Since I have switched to this less water method, I have also simplified my storage method. I use one of my older 8 quart pots to warm and mix the soap, and I decided there was no reason to put it into a different container. I have a lid for this pot, and if I use it for my storage container, I can bring it back up and set it right on the stove to brew a new batch when it’s empty.

I *love* making my own detergent. It’s easy, it’s nice to my mother earth, and it’s cheap, cheap, cheap. I hope you give it a try, and if you try this recipe, let me know how it goes for you! I love hearing folks’ stories about product independence!

Happy cleaning!

(originally published 8/13/12)