My Crazy Recipes!

I've had a request for some of my homemade recipes, so here we go!  Everything is SO expensive...if I can make it cheaper, and it works well, then that gives me more $$ to spend elsewhere.

Dishwasher Soap:
1 c. borax
1 c. washing soda
1/2 c. citric acid
1/2 c. kosher salt
*Use 1 Tbsp/ load
[The verdict is still out on this one...I've tried homemade dishwasher soap before and it didn't work.  This is a little different.  So I'll try it for another week or two, and see how it cleans.  I like my dishes to be sparkling!]

Deoderant:
Here's 1 recipe:
1/4 c. baking soda
1/4 c. arrowroot powder or cornstarch
5 T. coconut oil
--essential oils--optional (I use lavender or tea tree oil)

Here's another:
3 T. shea butter
3 T. baking soda
2 T. cornstarch
2 T cocoa butter
2 vitamin E caps opened and squeezed in
Essential oils

Really, I like both.  The 2nd one is a new recipe and I really liked the consistency. The ingredients I just happened to have on hand...they are rather unusual.  (I ordered them through Mountain Rose Herbs a few years ago, when trying to make lotion to help William's eczema)  The mixtures can be put into an old deodorant container or a small jar.  The only issue w/ the 1st recipe, is that if the air temperature is above 70 degrees, it'll liquefy your deodorant--may have to stick it in the fridge.

Toothpaste:
Now!  I've tried several recipes, some good, some not-so-much :) 
I'll post my 2 favorites:

Toothpaste 1:
2-3 T coconut oil
3 T. baking soda
1 1/2 t. salt
10-15 drops peppermint essential oil

Toothpaste 2:
Mix 4 parts baking soda with 1 part salt.  Add a few drops of peppermint or wintergreen oil.  This is a tooth powder.  The brushing powder will leave your mouth fresh and clean.  No worries about fluoride or strange chemicals or about your toddler eating it.  To make it into a toothpaste, take 1/2 cup of the tooth powder, and add 3 tsp. food grade glycerin and some more essential oil.  Spoon it into individual squeeze bottles (find them at Walmart in the health and beauty: travel section) 

I suppose, some of the ingredients are kind of expensive...but I do keep coconut oil, glycerin, essential oils on hand.  Beachy's or The Family Healthfood Store in Arthur carries all of the ingredients, as well as online stores.  

There you go!