Do It Yourself

• DIY Liquid Laundry Soap for Only 25 Cents

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  Liquid Laundry Soap Recipe.

  

  A few months ago I posted my recipe for homemade oatmeal laundry soap and someone asked me for a liquid recipe, as some prefer a liquid detergent. So, liquid laundry soap reader – this post is for you homemade liquid laundry soap!

  Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Natural Oatmeal Soap (or any other bar soap), Finely Grated
  • 1/2 Cup Borax
  • 3/4 Cup Washing Soda (recipe here)
  • 1/2 Cup Baking Soda

  
  To turn this into a liquid laundry detergent, simply:

  Boil 12 cups of water.

  

  Remove water from heat and stir in 1/2 cup of the above recipe. Stir until the soap flakes have melted.

  

  Allow to set for 6 hours, or until cool, stirring occasionally. The mixture will look like a liquidy gel.

  

  

  

  Pour into an old laundry detergent bottle. This recipe makes just under 3 litres of laundry detergent.

  Shake well before pouring 1/2 – 1 cup into your washing machine with your laundry.

  I find the detergent very effective in the liquid form. Any extra stain fighters (Shout, OxiClean, Resolve) could be added for stubborn stains. In my home, for stubborn stains, I pop the clothing in a pail with water and a bit of vinegar and leave it in the sunshine.

  The Overall Cost

  The original powdered laundry soap cost $2.30. Since we are using only 1/2 cup of this mixture, our cost is lowered considerably.

  3 litres of this laundry soap will cost less than $0.76, which makes it only $0.25 per litre!

  For that price, it is certainly worth a try – don’t you think?

  Have you ever made liquid laundry detergent?

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• Recipe for Homemade Disinfecting Wipes

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  DIY Disinfecting Wipes.

  

  I’ve been trying to move to more reusable products, but one thing I have not been able to eliminate from my cupboards is disinfecting wipes. I use them a lot in the kitchen and bathrooms and I’m in love with how easy it is to wipe something off and discard the dirty wipe.

  However, I know that this is wasteful, so I recently attempted to make my own homemade disinfecting wipes.

  I’ve been using these wipes for a few weeks now and I must say, they do a great job. I still haven’t found the perfect recipe that will allow me to completely rid myself of disposable disinfecting wipes, but for now, this one is working well enough for me to at least stop using my disposables as much as I used to.

  Want to make your own disinfecting wipes? Here’s the recipe:

  Items Needed

  • Small Container (I used an empty baby wipe container)
  • 1/4 Cup Rubbing Alcohol
  • 1 Cup Water
  • 2 Tablespoons Dawn Dish Soap

  Instructions

  The first thing you want to do is cut up some old, thin towels (t-shirts would work well, too) and put them into your small container. I cut mine into a size that would fit into my wipes container.

  

  Mix rubbing alcohol, water and dish soap in a medium bowl.

  

  Pour mixture over your cloths, making sure to cover them all completely.

  

  That’s it! A simple recipe to make your own disinfecting wipes. Once they’ve been used, wash, dry, and repeat this same process.

  Have you ever made your own disinfecting wipes?

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• Natural Deodorant Recipe

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  Natural Deodorant.

  

  Deodorant is something most couponers have stocked to the rafters! So why, you may ask, would this be something you would like to make yourself?

  Making your own deodorant is so easy. It requires 3 ingredients – and a fork. That’s it. It’s also inexpensive. It could be as inexpensive as pennies, depending on the ingredients you choose.

  Here is a recipe for a safe, effective, and easy to make homemade deodorant.

  Ingredients

  • 1/3 Cup Coconut Oil (or a very thick lotion)
  • 4 Tablespoons Baking Soda
  • 4 Tablespoons Cornstarch

  

  Why these ingredients?

  1. Coconut oil is very nourishing.
  2. Baking soda acts as a natural deodorizer.
  3. Cornstarch acts as an antiperspirant and will help control wetness.

  Instructions

  Put coconut oil (or lotion) into a small bowl. Add the baking soda and the cornstarch. Use a fork to mash it all together.

  

  Store in a lidded jar or an old, cleaned-out, deodorant container (though, should the container get warm, the coconut oil will melt).

  

  Coconut oil is rather costly, so you may choose to use a thick lotion in its place – this is perfectly fine. The role of the coconut oil is to nourish and make the deodorant into a more desirable consistency. Any thick lotion should do the trick just as well.

  Should your stockpile begin to dwindle, or should you wish to try a more natural approach to deodorant, I would recommend giving this recipe a try.

  Have you ever made homemade deodorant?

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• Picture Frame Craft – DIY Write-On Frames

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  Picture Frame Craft Idea.

  

  Did you know you can write on the glass part of a picture frame with a dry-erase marker? And if you did, why didn’t you tell me? All these years, I could have been dry erasing!

  I am excited to share today’s DIY project because it is simple, involves inexpensive items, and has many applications.

  Supplies Needed

  • Picture frame
  • Patterned paper or photos
  • Dry-erase marker/crayons
  • Velcro (optional) to attach the marker to the frame

  
  The only item I had to purchase was a dry erase marker. Black markers definitely work best.

  Here are a few picture frame ideas:

  1. Encouragement Frame
  Turn a regular picture frame into a spot to write quick love notes for your significant other. Ours was from a True Relationship seminar that my husband and I attended.

  They ran out of the actual frames, but the speaker kindly gave me the printed background to frame myself. Keep a dry erase marker close by and write notes on a regular basis.

  You could also make a simple version (like this) for your bedside table. Use a small frame, and lined paper.

  

  2. Breakfast-in-Bed Tray

  My husband gave me this tray for Christmas but I wasn’t sure which photos I wanted to put into it. Eventually, I decided to adapt this idea:

  I found scrapbooking paper that coordinated with our bedroom colours. I put the coordinating paper in 3 squares, and added white textured paper in the 4th square.

  This way we can make each other breakfast in bed (or at least coffee) and write a note on the blank square.

  

  3. “I See in You” Pictures
  Add new life to photos of your children. Take a framed picture of them that has a mat around the edges. Write, ”I See in You” plus one attribute you have notice they exhibit.

  For example, I See in You: kindness, generosity, genuine joy, courage, peacemaking.

  By using a dry-erase marker, you can readily change the message. The kids could also write messages to each other.

  

  4. My Wish For You

  This is similar to number 3, but the message has a different focus.

  For example, “My Wish For You” is to make a new friend, to be healthy soon, to shine at your soccer game.

  

  5. A Pattern For All Seasons

  Choose patterned paper that suits the current season. Hang it in a prominent place. Take turns writing inspirational quotes on it. I am going to launch ours with a quote from my favourite deep thinker, Winnie The Pooh:

  “We’ll be Friends Forever, won’t we, Pooh?’ asked Piglet. Even longer,’ Pooh answered.”

  

  6. Bring a Smile

  Choose a silly picture and take turns writing captions.

  

  You could also draw a pair of glasses in the middle of a mirror. Works well, but not easy to take a picture of!

  7. Other Ideas

  For teachers: Frame patterned paper and make an “I Appreciate…” frame your child can fill in.

  For birthdays: Frame a picture of the birthday recipient and write an inspiring quote to start their next year well.

  For Christmas: Frame Christmas paper and write down special Christmas memories or traditions. You could make a new one each year and display them all on a mantel.

  Dollar stores have many options for frames and mats or you can usually find a Michael’s 40% off coupon to purchase from their extensive collection. You probably already have frames on-hand that could be repurposed. And of course, don’t forget about yard sales and thrift stores.

  Tip: Glue a large pom pom to the end of the dry-erase marker to be an eraser.

  There are so many applications of this project. Really, the sky is the limit. What idea are you going to try first?

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• Homemade Baby Cereal With Only 2 Ingredients

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  Make Your Own Baby Cereal.

  

  Well… it’s happening. Though I keep telling him not to, my baby is growing. The time has come for him to begin eating baby cereal. I went to the store, as I did with my other two when they were babies, picked up a pack of the $5 baby cereal and groaned.

  I knew the cereal would last only 1 week. A $5 box of baby cereal would add a minimum of $20 a month to my grocery bill!

  I make my own fruits and veggies – but what is it about baby cereal that makes it so expensive? Is there any way I could do it myself and save money? A bit of research confirmed that yes, yes I can make homemade baby cereal!

  I found the original recipe for homemade baby cereal on Momtastic. The only issue with that recipe is that it requires about 10 minutes every single time you make it.

  Through my own experimenting, I found you can make a large batch of this baby cereal and freeze it in ice cube trays – a big time saver!

  If you’re like me, you won’t believe how simple this baby food is to make (and it’s inexpensive, too!).

  Ingredients

  • Whole Grain Oats (Any kind – rolled or steel cut)
  • Water

  Instructions

  Put your oats in a food processor, blender or magic bullet and blend into an “oat powder” – this powder can be kept in the fridge for 6 months.

  

  Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan.

  Whisk in 1/2 cup of the oat powder.

  

  Whisk constantly for 10 minutes

  Pour mixture into ice cube trays and freeze.

  

  Once frozen, these can be stored in a zip-top bag in the freezer.

  To use your homemade oatmeal, thaw in the fridge overnight (or in the microwave ). It thaws a bit pasty/glue-ish, but just add breast milk or formula and whisk until smooth.

  Note: You can do this with any grain – long grain brown rice, barley, etc.

  One package of rolled oats can cost $5 or less and will last you months. This recipe is also very pure and simple, as baby food should be!

  Note: Homemade baby cereal is not iron fortified, and most doctors recommend adding iron to a baby’s diet by 6 months of age. You may wish to speak with your doctor about adding iron drops to your cereal.

  Do you make homemade baby cereal?

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• Why You Need to do More DIY Projects

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  Do it Yourself Projects.

  

  In my childhood, I always looked up to my mother for her sewing abilities. It was incredible to see how she was able to alter my sister’s hand-me-downs to make the perfect clothing for me. The feeling of trying on my clothing after it was sized to fit me perfectly was very inspiring. My mother showed me the importance of having a skill such as sewing and how useful it would be for the rest of my life.

  Let me back up a little. First of all, you may be wondering – what is DIY? It stands for “do it yourself” and it is the ability to do or make something with or without formal training. DIY-ers are usually creative people but it is crucial to know that you do not have to be creative to do DIY projects! Just about anything can be DIY-ed; cooking, sewing, cleaning, building, plumbing etc. You can go from hemming a pair of pants to building yourself your dream home.

  

  A common question about DIY projects is this: “why should I spend my time on DIYing?”

  Here are a couple of benefits:

  You can learn new skills

  When you begin a DIY project, you’re able to challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone. The process of researching for a new project can bring you knowledge that you may not have expected to learn. The best way of learning a new skill is by doing; the internet is an endless resource where you can easily find a combination of expert and amateur advice.

  Exercise your creativity

  Everyone has their forté and creativity does not come naturally to everyone, but that’s alright! You can start small and use resources such as Pinterest for creative inspiration!

  

  Customization

  In a world filled with cookie-cutter and mass produced goods, this is your chance to create something to fit your own personal preferences. The beauty of DIY is that your unique creation will not go unnoticed – everyone will notice!

  Save your money

  In many cases, cost of materials and labour can be much lower than purchasing goods or paying for someone else’s labour and this can save you significant amounts of money. For example, you could look up a gourmet cupcake recipe with many positive user reviews and tips, versus purchasing them from a gourmet cupcake shop. This will definetely save you a good amount of money.

  Feeling of fulfillment

  There is no better feeling than completing a project that you started from nothing. It’s truly a rewarding experience. You can be proud of your achievement and tell your friends and family what you’ve made! You can record your progress to look back on later.

  A new hobby

  For the times that you find yourself bored on a rainy day or a Sunday afternoon, you can work on your new found hobby. You may find yourself sitting in your living room and watching a movie or television show; you could multitask by knitting a scarf or restoring an old guitar (if those are your new hobbies).

  Being able to give a heartfelt gift

  During the events such as Mother’s or Father’s day, there are so many retailers calling out to you to purchase their products. Everyone knows the feeling of receiving store bought gifts but most people, especially your parents, will absolutely love your DIY present.

  

  Selling your new skill

  With enough practice, there is definitely potential to sell your handmade products or labour! If you’re a stay at home mother or father that loves to sew, bake or do carpentry work – you can sell your goods (and your time) to earn a supplementary income on sites such as Etsy and Ebay, or at local bake sales or trade shows.

  The possibilities are virtually endless with DIY. Now that you’ve heard of some benefits, what type of DIY projects would you try? Or have tried? What will you always DIY as opposed to buying from a retailer or paying for the service?

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• Homemade Lip Balm

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  How to Make Lip Balm.

  

  I have been making my own homemade lip balm for about three years now. It is natural and very inexpensive. There are many things that can be added to the balm to specialize it for you, too – but for now, here is a super simple basic recipe.

  You can re-use old lip balm containers (just sterilize first by boiling in water) or purchased at Michael’s or your local dollar store.

  I will also share a few “add-ins” that can be used with his basic recipe to change it completely.

  Ingredients

  1/4 Cup Grated Beeswax
  3 Tablespoons Coconut Oil

  Instructions

  Grate the beeswax with a cheese grater, or chop it up small with a knife.

  

  Add the coconut oil and then melt everything, either on the stove or in the microwave (if using the microwave, stir every 30 seconds).

  

  Pour into small containers and allow to harden (about 20 minutes).

  

  Optional add-in to each recipe:

  Vitamin E – I add 1 teaspoon every time I make this. It helps to nourish and moisturize your lips.

  Now for the fun stuff – customization! For each of the recipes that follow, begin with the basic recipe.

  Sunscreen Lip Balm
  Add 1 teaspoon of red raspberry seed oil – this addition protects your lips from sun damage.

  Chocolate Mint Twist
  Add 1 teaspoon cocoa powder (this makes the balm have a yummy chocolate smell). Add 1 teaspoon peppermint oil (this provides a lovely cooling sensation on your lips). Note: This is a great gift idea, especially for Christmas!

  Super Moisturizer
  Add 1 teaspoon shea butter. Shea butter is a wonderful moisturizer and will provide a creamier texture to your lip balm.

  Tinted Lip Balm
  Add a small dash of beet root powder – just a dash will give you a beautiful, brightly-coloured lip balm.

  Flower Power
  Add 1 teaspoon of rose oil. This adds a natural scent and has moisturizing properties. Note: This makes a lovely Mother’s Day gift!

  Homemade lip balm is very simple to make and provides an easy outlet for creativity. Add a pinch of this and a dash of that and you may have a new family favourite!

  I love making this to accompany gifts for Christmas, birthdays and other holidays. It adds a nice personal touch to any gift.

  Have you ever made homemade lip balm?

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• Homemade Diaper Rash Cream

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  Diaper Rash Cream DIY.

  

  Did you know you can make your own homemade diaper rash cream? You can – and you should, too. Here’s why:

  Penaten cream costs how much?! And what’s in it?!

  

  No thank you – Mama’s cream is much better.

  Penaten diaper cream costs over $8 and is full of chemicals. This homemade version costs about $2 (and makes a much bigger batch than Penaten) and is completely natural, and safe for baby’s bum.

  Furthermore, if a rash should occur, with the addition of one simple ingredient, it can be made medicated and still only cost you $2.70 for a great big tin. And I bet it’s an ingredient you already have…

  Ingredients

  • 3/4 Cup Coconut Oil ($1.50)
  • 3/4 Cup Cornstarch ($0.25)

  

  Instructions

  Put 3/4 cup of coconut oil into a mixing bowl and beat with electric beaters for about 8 minutes.

  

  Coconut oil is very soothing and nourishing to your baby’s sensitive skin. It also has anti-fungal properties.

  Add 3/4 cup of cornstarch and stir until well mixed.

  

  Cornstarch acts as a natural (and much safer) talcum powder, protecting your baby’s bum from wetness.

  Store in an air-tight container for up to one month.

  If you would like this cream to be thicker – more of a Penaten consistency – add more cornstarch. Vitamin E can be added to help keep your baby’s bum soft as well.

  Total cost = $1.75 (non-medicated)

  

  Should your child develop a rash that is not going away with just the above cream ingredients, you can make it medicated to stop that rash right away.

  Simply add to the above recipe: 1 Tablespoon Polysporin ($1)

  Stir in to your cream. Polysporin is not natural, and does have a petroleum base. For this reason, I would only use it on my baby for a very short time and only if the above cream is not working. As soon as the rash is under control, I would return to the natural cream.

  Total cost $2.75 (medicated)

  The best way to prevent diaper rash is to ensure your baby’s bum stays dry. Changing his or her diaper often and using a diaper cream that protects the sensitive skin of the bum will help you beat that diaper rash once and for all!

  Having a baby can be expensive (or can it?), but there are many ways to keep the costs under control. Making your own baby products is a great way to save your family money and protect your little one from unnecessary chemicals.

  Other posts you may be interested in:

  • Homemade Baby Lotion Bars
  • Homemade Baby Wipes

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• Homemade Baby Lotion Bar

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  Make Your Own Baby Lotion Bars.

  

  Baby’s skin is so naturally soft and sensitive. There are countless choices of lotions and creams to put on your babe – but most are expensive and actually full of questionable ingredients.

  This is a recipe for a very simple, nourishing, and safe baby lotion bar. I prefer to use the bar instead of plain ol’ lotion, as it is less oily and messy, providing a smooth and thin layer of cream.

  It is also wonderful for rubbing on your hands and giving your baby a gentle massage.

  Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Coconut Oil
  • 1 Cup Beeswax
  • 1 Teaspoon Vitamin E (Optional)

  Instructions

  Melt 1 cup of grated beeswax.

  

  I buy a large block of beeswax and grate it myself (actually, i just cut it into small pieces), as it is much cheaper then buying the little pellets (the pellets are more convenient, though, if that’s what you’re looking for). Beeswax can be purchased at many places: local markets, online, or at Michael’s.

  Remove from the heat and stir in 1 cup of coconut oil.

  

  Raw coconut oil has anti-fungal properties. For this reason, I try not to “cook” the coconut oil, just melt it in the warm beeswax. It still gets to a smooth consistency with a wire whisk.

  I then stir in 1 tsp of vitamin E, but this is optional.

  

  Pour into silicone moulds, cookie tins, or a loaf pan. Once it has set (it will feel set in minutes, but try to leave them for a few hours) pop them out of their moulds, or slice into bar shapes. This batch makes about 10 good size bars.

  

  I love the bars just like this, but if it is too oily for your liking, try adding 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.

  The cost breakdown:

  1 cup coconut oil = approximately $1.75 (this can be bought at any grocery store)
  1 cup beeswax = approximately $2 (I bought a one pound block from Michael’s for $20 – this gives me at least 10 cups)
  1 tsp vitamin E = approximately $0.50 (I bought mine at Rexall, but this is certainly not the cheapest place – I just got it while redeeming points)
  Total cost: $4.25 divided by 10 bars = $0.43 cents a bar

  This is just with regular-priced items at regular stores – buying in bulk, online, with coupons, and on sale will lower this cost considerably!

  

  One bar lasts us at least 2-3 weeks, used almost daily. A much smaller batch could be made, but I love to give bars away to friends and family with wee ones. I am always asked for them.

  Making your own baby lotion is a great way to save your family money while purchasing baby items. They are also great to give as gifts!

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• Homemade Baby Wipes

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  Make Your Own Baby Wipes.

  

  In our household, we have two in diapers. This means that we go through a lot of diapers and a ton of baby wipes. As far as I am concerned, baby wipes are the most overpriced baby item out there.

  Making your own wipes is actually very easy – majorly cost effective. Here is the recipe for homemade baby wipes that we use at our house:

  Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon of Grated Tea Tree Oil Soap OR 2 Tablespoons Liquid Baby Soap
  • 2 Cups Boiling Water
  • 1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil or Olive Oil

  Instructions

  Bring your 2 cups of water to a rapid boil for 5 minutes (this will sterilize it).

  

  Remove from heat and stir in your soap and oil. If you are using baby soap, your wipes will only last for 1 week unless you add tea tree oil. I use the tea tree oil soap as it is by FAR the most economical way I have found to buy tea tree oil.

  I purchase the tea tree oil soap for $1.99 at Bulk Barn (Well.ca sells it, too) and will get at least 15 tablespoons out of it. This makes the cost 13 cents per batch of homemade baby wipes.

  

  

  Once the mixture has cooled, you have two choices: pour into a spray bottle, or pre-make your baby wipes.

  As of lately, I have been using the spray bottle (as paper towels can be costly). I have a pile of cut up old receiving blankets, and a roll of paper towel. I remove the diaper and decide on my plan of attack. If it’s a doozy – I spray the paper towel, wipe and toss. If its not too bad, I spray the cloth (the cut up receiving blanket), wipe and wash.

  To pre-make the baby wipes

  1. Cut a good quality roll of paper towel in half and remove the cardboard tube (Bounty works best).
  2. Place into a container with the cut side down (a container with a lid).
  3. Pour the solution over the paper towels.
  4. Pull the wipes up from the middle.

  
  You can also use cut up old receiving blankets, baby wash cloths, or white t-shirts, and pre-soak them in the solution to re-use.

  

  The cost breakdown:

  • Solution = $0.10 cents for soap, 10 cents for oil
  • Paper Towels = $2 (but cutting the roll in half, so $1 per batch – less if you buy on sale)
  • Total Cost = $1.20 per batch if using disposable paper towel or 20 cents if reusing wipes

  
  Consider making homemade baby wipes for your child – at least in part. It will save you money and reduce your footprint on the earth. It took me awhile to muster up the courage to try, but it really wasn’t that bad and now – I actually prefer homemade baby wipes over store-bought.

  Do you make any homemade baby items?

  
  Note:It was brought to my attention by a reader that Tea Tree Oil (melaleuca oil) may pose a health risk to boys. I have two boys myself, and use my products on them regularly, so took a long look into this issue. After my research, and after speaking with a professional, I feel comfortable continuing to use these products on my children.

  Melaleuca Oil is used in most purchased natural baby products as well. If you prefer to not use Tea Tree Oil, please simply omit, using instead another soap. If you do omit the Tea Tree Oil, you may wish to make a smaller batch of the soap, as it will only keep for about one week.

  Everyone should make their own decisions with this matter after doing their own research. My decision may not be right for you. I respect your decision and ask that you please respect mine.

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