Homemade products sometimes work wonders

1 cup water

2 to 4 tablespoons baking soda, depending on desired thickness


10 drops lavender essential oil

1 or 2 drops avocado oil


Mix well. Apply to  face with damp cloth or hands. Massage and rinse.

 

Nontoxic heavy-duty cleaner

1 cup water

1 teaspoon Borax

1/4 cup vinegar

10 drops orange essential oil

5 drops lemon essential oil



Mix water and Borax and set aside. Combine remaining ingredients and add to Borax mixture. Pour into a clean spray bottle. Shake, wipe surface clean, and rinse. Ideal for grimy surfaces.

Option: Replace citrus oils with lavender or others as desired. Adjust amount for preferred scent.

 

Laundry soap

1 1/2 cups Borax

1 1/2 cup Arm and Hammer washing soda

1 bar Fels-Naptha soap, grated



Combine. Use 1 or 2 tablespoons per load.

 

Fabric softener

2 cups hot water

1 cup vinegar

2/3 cup Suave Naturals Refreshing Waterfall Mist conditioner


Combine. Use 2 tablespoons per load.



Alicia Notarianni is a reporter and feature writer for The Herald-Mail. Her email address is alnotarianni@aol.com.