 I know that there this recipe for laundry detergent has been out there for awhile but I still hear folks talking about wanting to save money and would like to learn how to make their own laundry detergent. Here is a step by step picture tutorial on how to make you very own detergent. Let me start out by saying that there are many variations to this recipe that probably work just as well as this version, this is simply the tried and tested version that I use. This takes a little work but you can make an approximate 6 month supply of laundry detergent for $35.00. It took me about an hour to make 3 gallons of detergent. Ingredients1- 3 pound box of Washing Soda 1- 5 pound box of Oxi Clean 2 - cups of Baking Soda 1- 4 pound box of Borax 3- 5.5 ounce bars of Fels-Naptha (this is light yellow and has a clean scent) 2- 28 ounce bottles of Purex Crystals 20 drops Lavender Essential Oil (optional) 20 drops Lemon Essential Oil (optional) 
Step 1 Grate your 3 bars of Fels-Naptha soap. Now this is the most tedious part of the entire process. It isn't hard work but if you do this manually your hand may get a little tired. I just used an old cheese grater I have and used the fine part of the grater so that the soap was in tiny particles. I find that this helps the soap dissolve faster and more easily in cool water. I did this while talking to the kids and it really was not that bad at all. Next time, I will get one of the older kids to grate :) It took about 10 minutes per bar going at a nice constant rate. Step 2Now that your soap is grated, combine all of the ingredients with color together. As you can see the yellow of the soap and the greenish/blue of the crystals make a pretty combination. Also notice how fine the soap is grated, the extra effort is well worth the trouble later. Make sure to mix all of the ingredients very thoroughly in a bowl and set aside until later. Step 3Mix all of the white ingredients together in a tote or any kind of storage container that has a lid. I used a 3 gallon Rubbermaid tote that is the perfect size for this project. It is large enough to hold all of the ingredients but is also small enough to fit easily into the pantry without taking up too much room. Step 4 Your almost finished! It's time to mix your ingredients together. Since the white ingredients are already in the tote, I mix 1 cup (at a time) of the colored mixture to the white mixture until it is all mixed together evenly. This is another part where your arm may get a little tired. I find that mixing 1 cup at a time helps to even everything out. Step 5If you so wish, you can add EOs to the detergent at this time. The recommended dose is 40 drops for this amount of detergent. You can use any combination that you like, for this batch I used Lemon and Lavender mixed. Some popular choices are: Lavender - nice scent that you will love Lemon - disinfecting and cleaning properties Thieves - disinfecting properties, also has a great scent I only use therapeutic grade oils when making medicinal mixture however with a project like this, I would definitely consider fragrance grade oils to save money. Step 6 For the sake of convenience, you can fill a container with the detergent and place it close to your washer. Here is the finished product, again about 1 hour of work for 1 person. If you have any questions or comments just post them here.
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Copaiba Oil Eases Physical Discomforts Copaiba Oil is one of my favorite EOs. Hmmm, (I'm pretty sure that I have said that about all of the EOs I have written about) but seriously, I use this oil everyday. If you go back and read my blog on arthritis you will understand why. Copaiba is a wonderful essential oil that reduces the body's natural response to injury or irritation and supports healthy digestion. It also will minimize discomfort related to occasional muscle stiffness. From the oleoresin of the Copaiba Tree, it is harvested similarly to how we collect maple syrup! It is taken right from the tree through a pipe drilled into the tree! The essential oil is then produced by steam distilling the copal (oleoresin collected from the tree). Did you know that copaiba oil known to have some of the highest levels of beta-caryophyllene in the world? Yes it has been documented to contain 50 percent beta-caryophyllene. What is Beta-Caryophyllene?Beta-caryophyllene has been extensively studied for its ability to modulate the body's response to irritation. The significance is that it is approved by the FDA as a dietary cannabinoid (substance that naturally occurs in the nervous and immune systems).
How can Copaiba Oil be used?Use diluted - 50:50 dilution (one part essential oil: one part of carrier oil). Then,
Featured Product- Muscle and Joint Pain Be Gone! I cannot tell you how much I LOVE this cream. If you have any kind of arthritis, muscle or sciatica pain you have to try this.
Copaiba does not have a strong scent, I would say that it is very light and when I mix it with a carrier oil, I usually can only obtain the scent of the carrier. Copaiba is one of the main ingredient EOs that I use in the Muscle & Joint Pain Be Gone. I like the cream because it is very light and spreads easily, the base is designed to melt right into your skin. I not only use Copaiba in the cream form but also just mixed with a carrier oil and applied to the soles of my feet every morning to help with joint stiffness. This is hands down my best seller and I need to start a testimonial page so that other people can tell you how this oil has helped them (putting that on my to-do list now). I have not ingested this oil yet but I plan to, I've read testimonials from others that have had wonderful results with arthritis pain. I'm also in the process of testing a new product for pain that includes Copaiba, it is much more concentrated than the cream and hopefully if testing goes well, it will be released soon. It is a mixture that will be used for more severe or acute pain. Oh as an FYI, I apply the cream directly to the area where I have pain but as a preventive you can apply Copaiba to the soles of your heat. Also remember when applying cream or mixtures for pain that the origin of pain may not be where the pain is felt. For example, your wrist my be hurting but the origin of your pain may be generating from higher up on your arm. So when you apply cream make sure to cover the area that is giving you pain and also the surrounding area. I will keep you updated and please post a reply and let's keep the conversation going. This blend has endless options Thieves Oil is great! If you could only have one oil in your collection, Thieves would be a great place to start. Thieves Oil is a mixture of 5 different EOs that are mostly used for their antibacterial and antiviral properties. Thieves Oil comes premixed for your convinenience or you can blend your own. I have personally used this to ward off the flu in our house this year. Every night I put a drop or two on the soles of my kids feet before bed, this acts as an immune booster. Whenever someone gets congested or starts to get a little cough, I have them drink hot tea with 2-3 drops of thieves added. This seems to help them quickly get over whatever little germ they contracted. I have used this mixture on the outside of my neck when I have a sore throat which usually takes care of the soreness by the next morning. Also, I've used this for years on any little bumps or cuts to keep them from getting infected, especially with MRSA being such an issue these days. The Blend The recipe for this blend is believed to have originated from thieves during the 15th century. According to popular theory, the concoction was created by a group of four thieves and grave robbers to protect themselves from contracting the plague while robbing the bodies of the gravely ill and deceased. When apprehended, the thieves admitted to using the formula and disclosed the recipe in order to receive a less severe punishment for their crimes. This is a classic recipe, but you can customize it by adjusting the quantities or adding other antibacterial essential oils such as Tea Tree, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Ravensara, Lavender, Juniper Berry, Hyssop, Bay Laurel, or Scotch Pine. Ingredients:
CLOVE oil, nature’s richest source of eugenol, is the highest-scoring single ingredient tested for its antioxidant capacity on the ORAC scale. Clove is also known for its immune-enhancing properties. With 68% d-limonene, LEMON oil is a powerful antioxidant known for its ability to act as a natural solvent and cleanser. High in antioxidants, CINNAMON BARK has a reputation for relieving discomfort during the winter season and supporting the digestive system. As one of the most versatile of the eucalyptus oils, EUCALYPTUS RADIATA has many health-promoting properties. This powerful essential oil contains eucalyptol as one if its major elements, which in laboratory tests has been reported as being effective against bacteria in topical applications. ROSEMARY oil is naturally energizing and may be beneficial for helping restore mental alertness when experiencing fatigue. Featured Product
50 Ways To Use Thieves Essential Oil
 Detox your body, mind and spirit Well the Holidays are over and everyone is preparing for the new year. For many of us, we have made new year resolutions, made our to-do lists and reflected on this past year. For some of us 2014 was a great year, for others it was not so great. One thing is for certain, life is life and we all experience the bad with the good. We all deserve to start the new year right by getting rid of the "toxins" that are in our systems left from 2014. I'm not just speaking of detoxing our bodies (that is easy), but to include our minds and spirits in this detox process. Adding a detoxifying cleanse to your annual routine can help increase your energy flow and help with your overall well-being. Forgiveness is Critical to Detoxifying your mind and spirit which will benefit your body.
Find YOUR Mountaintop! Most of us have probably not climbed a mountain but I'm sure we all have been at a higher elevation where you look down and realize the smallness of the world. In that moment you are not trying to make everyone happy or multitasking your life away, YOU are just simply enjoying the view from "your mountaintop" happy and content with life. Why does it take a mountaintop experience to make us set back and just be in the moment? Let's all try to find our mountaintop (regardless of what that is) in 2015 and spend as much time there as we can, just living in the moment being happy and content. Detox with Essential OilsIf you are interested in removing the toxins from yourself and starting out 2015 with a fresh start please read about what these EOs can do. Using EOs to help with detox is a safe and natural way to achieve your detox goals. I personally drink water with 2 drops each of lemon and grapefruit EOs added every morning. I feel that this energizes and prepares me for my day. I do stress that if you ingest any EOs please make sure that they are truly graded as therapeutic. I researched long and hard before going with a company that I felt comfortable with. I use Young Living EOs but there are a few more companies that provide therapeutic grade EOs, just do your research first if you plan to take EOs internally. If you have questions please post them here, or you can contact me. 
1. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil can be used in the bath, can be consumed, and can be applied topically. If you want to drink it, you only need a few drops of it for it to be effective. You can add it to a detox smoothie or simply add it to water. Peppermint oil can also help you regain or maintain your concentration, and can soothe the digestive system. Peppermint oil is taken from the peppermint plant, which itself has been used medicinally for thousands of years. You’ll often find peppermint oil mixed with other essential oils in a detoxifying blend. 2. Juniper Oil Juniper oil comes from juniper berries, Juniper berries themselves are good for the body thanks to their antioxidants. They can also be used to aid in the digestive system, and can be used as a diuretic. When you use essential oils you are capturing the essence of their source without actually having to use the source plant itself. Juniper oil can help relax the mind and get you to stop stressing out, and can help alleviate pain. As a diuretic it can help flush out toxins and excess water weight, including excessive amounts of sodium. 3. Grapefruit Oil Perhaps you’re used to eating grapefruit, but didn’t know that an oil can be extracted from it that can help the body in numerous ways, not least of which is detoxing? It may be one of the most helpful oils you’re not using, and you don’t have to limit its use to a one-off detox program, you can use it daily to help keep yourself as healthy as can be. It’s been noted for helping to kill viruses within the body, as well as microbes within the body that can cause problems. It is also a diuretic, helping the body flush out waste and toxins. 4. Rosemary Oil Rosemary may be in your herb collection in the kitchen, but the oil derived from this plant can help in your detox efforts, as well as your overall health and wellbeing. By taking the properties of rosemary and putting into an essential oil you’re able to get benefits like improved digestion, improved circulation, anti-inflammatory benefits, and diuretic properties. It can even make you feel better, and has been shown to be a way to ward off cancer and memory loss. You can inhale the oil as a form of aromatherapy, or take a bath with it, or even use it in combination with a massage oil during a massage. 5. Laurel Oil Laurel oil comes from laurel leaves, which have been shown to have large amount of antioxidants that will help the body in numerous ways. Rather than trying to consume or use laurel leaves you can use the essential oil instead, and still derive the benefits. The number one aspect of any detox process is getting the digestive system to function at its best. Laurel essential oil can improve digestion, and only a small amount is needed to get this benefit. You can also use it in a diffuser which helps it to enter the body through respiration. 6. Mandarin Oil Mandarin oil is derived from mandarin oranges and has been shown to help with relaxing the nervous system, one of the best things you can do to get the body into a better state and prepare it for detoxification. It can also help to purify the blood and improve the circulatory system. Because it comes from mandarin oranges it has a nice citrusy aroma to it as well, and using it as part of an aromatherapy program. It helps the liver function, and the liver is the most important organ when it comes to detoxing the body. A liver that is not performing at its best has a domino effect on the rest of the body, and should get top priority with any detox plan. 7. Lemon Oil Lemons have long been known as having astringent properties, and there is even the Master Cleanse which relies on a sort of lemonade concoction that is designed to clear out the body. You’ll often see lemon oil added to cleaning products for the fresh scent it provides and the feeling of clean it produces. Some of the purported benefits of using lemon oil are that it can prevent cancer, free up the lymphatic system and respiratory system, and can be used to reduce inflammation in the body. You can start using lemon oil in baths or using it in a detox shake to add this to your lifestyle. 8. Patchouli Oil Patchouli oil comes from the patchouli plant which has been shown to help improve the mood, and can even improve your sex drive. It’s one of the essential oils that doesn’t get put into the spotlight too often, but has great benefits to it nonetheless. You can use it to detoxify both the body and the mind by taking a bath that has drops of patchouli oil added to it. If you want to benefit from its diuretic properties you’ll need to ingest it, which is easy enough by drinking a few drops in water or making a tea from it. 9. Hyssop Oil Hyssop oil is a lesser-known essential oil but one that will likely grow in popularity as its benefits become clear. It is often given to help treat digestive issues, and an improved digestion is what we’re going for when we start to detox the body. The digestive system is the most important part of the process because that’s what helps to eliminate the most toxins. If it grows sluggish then the body is at risk for many different diseases and conditions. Using an oil like hyssop oil to gently and gradually improve the digestion is a great way to take a step forward towards improved health. 10. Helichrysum Oil You’d probably have a hard time trying to figure out how to get more helichrysum into your daily life, which is what it’s a good thing that you can simply buy helichrysum oil. Helichrysum is made up of the sunflower family, and it has plenty of benefits. Many of these benefits are for the skin, and since the skin is the largest organ of the body it only makes sense to help it out and keep it as healthy as possible. It can help lower the amount of inflammation in the body, and can even help regenerate cells. |
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