Natural Mosquito Repellent!

So we live where humidity + heat = mosquitos.

I have for the last 3 years been trying to find something, ANYTHING that would be natural and work.  So far I've been totally unsuccessful.  We had the mozzy bites to prove it.  But when the PIL came with the bees they also brought something I've been wanting to try out.  Lemongrass oil.  First off I couldn't figure out WHY would they be bringing lemongrass oil???  They are not exactly the natural "organic" type of people so I was confused.  Turns out lemongrass is used to attract bees when they swarm so you can capture them.  Now that you know that.....it is also AMAZING as a mosquito and tick repellent.  Here's how I use it.  I have repurposed a old bottle of organic hair detangler from the kids that had a fine mist.  I filled it with 8 oz distilled water and then 30 drops of lemongrass oil.  Shake and apply.  I will tell you that if your sweating like a pig...er...perspiring alot it might sting but that's nothing compared to days of itching or worse finding some creepy tick stuck on your scalp or worse.  The best part to all of this is you don't smell like some yucky deet bug spray but like lemons....cool!  You can find lemongrass oil online or at your local organic "groovy" store or Whole Foods Market (aka..whole paycheck).

Now go outside and enjoy your kids!

Home Made Dryer Sheets - Reusable

Adding to my previous post... here's another that's fantastic and really works. We use organic fabric softner for ours but I suppose you can use the old fashion kind ;0)

Reusable Homemade Dryer Sheets

Flannel pieces
4 TBS liquid softener
10 TBS water

• Cut fabric sheets from old flannel pajamas or leftover flannel fabric from sewing and cut into 3″ x 5″ strips (approximately).
• Stack flannel strips in a cleaned margarine tub (large size) or plastic container (cleaned baby wipes container works well too). Mix the liquid softener and water together, then pour evenly over top of stacked flannel strips.
• Seal container and shake well.

You can use several dozen strips with this mixture. Leave sealed for 2 or 3 days, then use one flannel strip per load–squeeze out excess if necessary (it should be just damp). Keep container sealed at all times. Wash strips after use, then use again to make another batch when needed.

Home Made Fabric Softner

I don't know about you but I love soft clothes but I don't like the weird chemical smells that most fabric softners have. Seriously, when I go down the laundry aisle at the store, both the kids and I start sneezing or complaining and we run for the hills..okay maybe it's the dairy section but it might as well be the hills. Maybe I should run to the chocolate sections..mmmm.. Anywho I've tried using vinegar but if you've tried it straight you probably found out like me that it will ruin any and all things elastic...ya that's great if you have underwear. So here's a recipe that will work great and if you want some smellies I suggest adding an essential oil like orange or lavender. Beware though...not all essential oils should be on skin!

Homemade Fabric Softener Recipe

1 part Vinegar
1 part Baking Soda
2 parts Hot Water

2T Glycerin

• Place a pail large enough to hold double the amount of ingredients in the kitchen sink or bathtub. Mix the baking soda and water in the pail, stir till the powder is dissolved. Then add the vinegar.
  
• Remember that baking soda and vinegar reacts with fizzing, so use a big pail to account for this. Once it’s stopped fizzing add gycerinand mix, pour into clean bottles, cap, then use 1/4 cup per rinse cycle.
• Updated Info: The baking soda won’t be completely dissolved, just shake the bottle to mix the batch up before adding to the rinse cycle.