Cheap, Organic Face Wash

My month long challenge of slowly ridding our house of nasty chemicals began several weeks ago. Two weeks ago, I shared my Recipe for Facial Moisturizer  and last week-my DIY Organic Dishwasher Detergent.

I am concocting my own household replacements with little more than what I have on hand or what I can find at the organic market.

But the replacements must meet or exceed three important expectations for this frugal gal:
1. It must be easy to replace-no beakers or science lab experiments. Thank you.
2. It must be just as good or better than the current product I’m using and,
3. It must cost the same or less than the current product I’m using.

photo source unknown

If the product I create passes the final test-me using it for over two plus week to make sure it does its job-then I’ll be sharing it with you. I will break down the cost for you, provide you the recipe and give you my honest opinion of the final product.

Without further ado: here is Phase 3 of ridding my house of chemicals-Cheap, Organic Face Wash made from nothing other than oatmeal.

First things first-this ‘recipe’ is simple-so simple in fact, that it shouldn’t be called a ‘recipe’. Oatmeal naturally exfoliates the skin, reduces redness, fades out sun spots and leaves the skin feeling supple.

Here’s all that you’ll need for your Cheap, Organic Face Wash:

Coffee grinder or blender
Old Fashioned Oats (not the quick oats)
Jar

Grind about 1-2 cups of oatmeal in the coffee grinder/blender until it has become very fine.

There will still be a few chunky oats here and there, but for the most part it should be almost flour-like.

Throw the oats in a jar and label it with a cute label.

To use the Face Wash, grab a handful of the ground oats while standing over a sink.

Add a bit of water to the oats, until it feels more like a dry dough.

Humble yourself and take pictures as you apply the mixture to a dry face.

Rinse off with warm water. Take more humbling pictures of your crazy hair, sans make-up self that you share with the world.

This face wash costs approximately $.01 or less per usage. And I’ve noticed my sun spots fading. That’s stinking awesome.

Linking to this party, amongst others (here’s my full page of parties I link to): Today’s Creative Blog

Gross Things-Volume 1

For those of you who think I might keep a perfect house-it is now time for me to inform you that you are sadly mistaken. Over the next few days, I am going to get really real about what goes on in the Potholes and Pantyhose homestead.
Today, I am about to show you something that is rather embarrassing.

We have two very wonderful, but very furry kitties. I love the fur on their bodies. I don’t love it all over everything in my house. It’s gross.
But since they do super cute things like this, they are easily forgiven and doted over.

 

Change the scene to my sleeping habits. In typical girl fashion, I sleep under two extra blankets to Bicep’s one. Today was the day to wash aforementioned blankets.
I pulled what you see pictured here from my lint trap after blanket number one went through the dryer.

 

This is from one blanket. This is not built up over time. I clean out the lint trap with each load-I am totally anal about this.

 

This is disgusting. This is what I’ve been sleeping under.

 

This is pure fur.
The cats have managed to make a blanket for themselves out of their own fur.
It’s almost beautifully poetic, except that it is completely gross.

I almost didn’t show you this, for fear of judgement. But, it’s just too amazing though to keep to myself. I hope you enjoyed today’s “Gross Things-Volume 1”.

Don’t worry-there will be more Gross Things very soon.

Living Room & Dining Room Redo?

Last week, I guest posted a portion of this idea over at The Waffler–which is dedicated to helping people make decisions on anything they are ‘waffling’ about. I received some input on a few things I was ‘waffling’ about concerning my living and dining room.

But, here is the full and expanded version of just what is going on in my  silly little brain concerning remodeling our living and dining room. And, I need your help (in more ways than one….)

Here are my inspirations for my living room in a nutshell. But, I married a non-typical man that actually cares how his home is decorated. He has given me the green light to redecorate the joined living and dining room spaces.

This is the dining room at present. When we first moved into this house, we went very basic with the color choice in both of the rooms.

Here in the living room at present. I’m read for something a bit more bold, full of style and warmth.

Here are some more of my inspirations. And since the pictures deserve a bit more justice, I will now expand and explain.

(Courtesy Home and Decor)
This was the beginning of my inspiration-turquoise painted walls with orange accents. This was also the turning point for Biceps to be ok with adding a little bit of color to our home.

(Courtesy Cococozy)
I love these colors together and think I can pull it off in both rooms. The dining room chairs are presently a deeper orange than the above ‘cozy’, but you get the idea.

(Courtesy My Champagne Taste)
I loved the color of this room with the silver, black and fuchsia accents. My accents will be a bit more orange.

(Courtesy the Decorologist)
I am ready to dive in and paint the walls something similar to this color.

(Courtesy Brocade Home)
…throw up silver framed mirrors…

(Courtesy IPS Albania)
…and add a chandelier made from my backyard twigs and a brass light fixture spray painted white.

Here is where I need your help:
Do I keep the black couch in the living room (will it match the blue walls?) and the rugs that are currently in both of the rooms?

I think the orange chairs I already have will go with the turquoise walls-do you?

I would like to add window coverings-probably a soft ivory with a geometric border. What do you think?

Let me know what you think. I need you!
I don’t want to let Biceps down-he’s depending on me to make some good decisions. Once I see that turquoise on the wall, I may just loose it…..

Thanks -I can’t wait to hear what you have to say.

Organic Dishwasher Detergent

I am on a month long challenge to slowly rid our house of anything with nasty chemicals and large price tags. Just recently, I shared my Recipe for Facial Moisturizer.

I am concocting my own household replacements with little more than what I have on hand or what I can find at the organic market.

But the replacements must meet or exceed three important expectations for this frugal gal:
1. It must be easy to replace-no beakers or science lab experiments. Thank you.
2. It must be just as good or better than the current product I’m using and,
3. It must cost the same or less than the current product I’m using.

photo source unknown

If the product I create passes the final test-me using it for over two plus week to make sure it doesn’t stink-then I’ll be sharing it with you. I will break down the cost for you, provide you the recipe and give you my honest opinion of the final product.

Without further ado: here is Phase 2 of ridding my house of chemicals-Organic Dishwasher Detergent.

Although this Organic Dish Detergent isn’t as cheap as the current “Best Choice” Dish detergent I’ve been using, I can rest easy knowing I’m not putting chemicals down my drain-and it cleans my dishes better.

The “Best Choice” ends up being about $.15 per load, whereas this recipe will cost about $.25 per load. I’ll show a detailed breakdown at the end of this post.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your very own Organic Dishwasher Detergent:

4 C Liquid Castille Soap (I found mine at Whole Foods for the same price you can buy it online)
1 C White Vinegar
1 C Water
1 TBS Lemon Juice
1 tsp Tea tree oil

1 Recycled Squirt Top Bottle (I used a 55 oz Ketchup Bottle)

Start by pouring the 4 Cups of Castille, 1 Cup Water and 1 Cup Vinegar into the squirt bottle.

I recommend using a funnel.

Next, add the 1 TBS Lemon Juice.

Lastly, add 1 tsp (about 7 drops) of Tea Tree Oil.

Screw the cap onto the bottle and shake thoroughly.

Make a cute label for your detergent and store in the refrigerator. Use about 2 TBS per load.

That’s it. Pretty dang simple.

Here’s the financial breakdown:

$10 for 32 oz of Castille Soap
$2 for 32 oz of Lemon Juice
$13 for 2 oz of Tea Tree Oil
$2.40 for 1 Gallon of White Vinegar

Needed per 6 Cups/50 ounces:

4 Cups of Castille Soap= $10
1 Cup of Water= free
1 TBS Lemon Juice= $.03
1 tsp Tea Tree Oil= $2.16
1 Cup White Vinegar=$.15

TOTAL = $12.34 or $.25 load

My Detergent=$7 for 75 oz (need 3 TBS per load/49 loads)=$.15 per load

Linking up to this party, amongst others: