Deodorant Update

After using the homemade deodorant for a whole week, I wanted to give you a product review. This is the best deodorant I have ever used! I apply it once in the morning and it has kept the stinks away! I did a smell check after sweating, at the end of the day, even the next morning....no smell! None! I've never had a deodorant work this well! I have even made a man's version for the men in my life. Same recipe, but added pine essential oil instead of grapefruit. And once it was mixed I put it in an old deodorant tube so it was easier to apply for my little guy (that would be Evan....not Tony). I hope you have tried making your own. If not, why not this week?! Let me know if you love it as much as I do.

Homemade Deodorant

Yep, you read that right.

But, why would....? I know!
And how come....? I know!
Why wouldn't you just....? I know!

And the answer is because I can't find a decent deodorant that doesn't contain aluminum. Even those crystal deodorants that say they don't contain aluminum actually do (it's labeled as potassium alum) Or if it doesn't contain aluminum, it is super expensive.

So, I was excited to find out an old friend from high school was making some homemade deodorant this weekend with her mom and she posted the recipe on her blog. Yeah! (Thanks Jess and Grandma G!)
I already had all the ingredients on hand, so I just whipped up a batch.

Homemade Deodorant
from How about Orange

1/4 c baking soda
1/4 c arrowroot powder or corn starch
4 T coconut oil
10 drops grapefruit essential oil
a tin or jar with a lid

In a bowl, stir together dry ingredients, then add oils gradually until you like the consistency, mixing with a fork.
Store in a closed container at room temp. (If the mixture seems too soft, try refrigerating it for a bit to firm up.)

To apply, scoop up a bit with your finger, hold it against your skin for a couple seconds so it melts, then rub around.

Homemade Wipes

I first saw this idea at a baby shower. The supplies were given as a gift to the new mom. I decided to try out the idea because I was getting tired of buying wipes every time I went to Walmart or Target. Here's what you do.

1. Cut a roll of paper towels in half. A serrated knife works well. I used the Bounty Select-a-Size towels, because then you get more sheets.
2. Find a container with a lid that your half a roll of paper towels will fit into.
3. Mix 2 1/4 cups water with 2 T baby shampoo and 1 T baby oil.
4. Pour over the half paper towel roll in it's container.
After it has soaked in the solution for a few minutes you can easily pull out the cardboard center. Start using your wipes from the center of the roll.

I've used these for a week now and I really like them. I'm only about half done with the first half of a roll. So I think they'll last longer than regular wipes. I don't use any more per diaper than regular wipes and they smell nice.

I can't bring home the bacon

Tony works hard and provides well for our family. I don't make money being a mom, but I can save his hard earned money. I like being thrifty and finding ways to make the $ stretch.

Here's some of the things I do:

~ wait to wash until there is a full load (laundry or dishes)
~ use coldest water possible
~ don't use as much soap as suggested on laundry detergent bottle. Test to see how much you can really use and still get your clothes clean.
~ tear fabric softening sheets in half. Half a sheet still works just as well and you get twice as much out of a box.
~Cut napkins in half. The generic brand Homelife has really hefty napkins and 1/2 a napkin works fine. Plus the kids enjoy the task of cutting up the napkins.


What do you do to save money?