Sprouted Wellness

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Homemade, All-Natural Mosquito Repellent

Homemade Mosquito RepellentHoly mosquitos!  We joke that mosquitos are the state bird of Alaska so mosquito repellents are definitely a must for us.  The problem is that I refuse to put DEET on my family’s skin and even those insect repellants not containing DEET still have a list of chemicals that I don’t feel comfortable applying to our skin.

DEET is a common ingredient in insect repellents.  The EPA Fact Sheet lists it in toxicity category III.   DEET has been implicated in causing seizures in children along with other possible adverse affects.  It should also be noted that it is intended for spare, infrequent use.  None of these statements reassure me that I should be using such products, especially on our children.

That’s why I was thrilled to find dōTERRA’s TerraShield!  It is an all-natural outdoor protectant, works well, AND smells good.  Perfect, I’ll take it!

TerraShield is made up of citronella, cedarwood, and a blend of 11 other therapeutic-grade essential oils blended in a base of pure fractionated coconut oil.  A primary function of essential oils in plants is protecting against insects and other predators. Unlike other products that contain synthetic and toxic chemicals, TerraShield is a natural approach to managing exposure to biting insects.  It makes for a great outdoor spray!

I like to use a combination of direct application to skin along with misting a TerraShield/water combo all over. [Read more…]

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Green Cleaning: Homemade Fabric Softener

Fabric SoftenerThis week’s Green Cleaning post is a recipe for Homemade Fabric Softener.

I don’t know if you can really call this one a ‘recipe’ with only two ingredients but we’ll go with it!  Vinegar + Essential Oil = Fabric Softener!

A while back, I came across multiple posts that suggesting using white vinegar in the rinse cycle as a fabric softener.  I wasn’t too sure since I don’t love the smell of vinegar but once I made the switch from dryer sheets to wool dryer balls I decided to jump on the vinegar rinse bandwagon.

I find that it works well for us.  I have a dispenser in my traditional top-loading washer that I fill up (approximately 1/4-1/2 cup) and it is dispensed in the rinse cycle.  There is no trace of vinegar smell once the clothes are dry either.

Side note: if you don’t have Wild Orange essential oil on hand, feel free to try out another variety.

I can confidently say that I don’t miss the overwhelming smell of dryer sheets.  Am I the only one who chokes when walking down the laundry aisle of a store?  [Read more…]

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Green Cleaning: Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Toilet Bowl CleanerNext up in the Green Cleaning Series is a recipe for Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner.

I love how easy and convenient this toilet bowl cleaner is to put together. I always have baking soda and vinegar on hand and now that I use essential oils in our household, Melaleuca Oil (a.k.a. tea tree oil) is a staple as well.

Traditional toilet bowl cleaners are usually made of sodium hypochlorite or bleach. The EPA says that “most disinfectant cleaners are very irritating to your eyes and skin and will burn your throat. It’s a good idea to wear latex dishwashing gloves to help protect your skin from splashes when using toilet cleaners. If you splash some on your skin wash it off immediately.”

I don’t know about you but I prefer to clean with as few toxic chemicals as possible. I remember cleaning bathrooms at one time where the fumes almost knocked me out. Between the toilet bowl cleaner and bathtub cleaner it was enough to make me gag and run out of the room for some fresh air. You won’t have either of those reactions with this recipe! [Read more…]

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Green Cleaning: Homemade Glass Cleaner

Homemade Glass CleanerThis week’s Green Cleaning post is a recipe for Homemade Glass Cleaner.  I love this stuff!  When I first made it we had the cleanest windows and mirrors for weeks.  I love when I get excited about cleaning.  Oh, the little things in life.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m in love with using essential oils in my cleaning products!  Not only do they smell great but many of them offer antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties that make them perfect for homemade cleaners. 

The lemon essential oil is anti-fungal, antiviral, and refreshing.  Paired with lavender oil, it makes for a nice aromatic combination to clean with.  In this glass cleaner, the essential oils are mainly for aromatic purposes.  Feel free to use any combination of oils that you have on hand to find the combination that you like best (I like Lemongrass in this one as well). [Read more…]

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Green Cleaning: Homemade Soft Scrub

Homemade Soft ScrubThis week’s Green Cleaning series features the Homemade Soft Scrub Recipe that I use.  (In case you missed it, last week I shared with you my favorite homemade All-Purpose Cleaner recipe)

One of the reasons I like using homemade cleaners is that I can let the kids help me clean and not worry about what they might be handling.  Kid friendly, mom approved!

The baking soda is great for scrubbing, the castile soap removes dirt and grime, while the lemon essential oil disinfects.

I love using this one to clean my sink.  It’s white and tends to get dingy over time, especially when I wash my cast iron pan and it rubs off in there.  The homemade soft scrub cleans it up nicely, back to a shiny white!  I also like to use this in the bathroom sinks and the bathtubs.
[Read more…]

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