Homemade Power Scrub (ie Comet)

I saw this tutorial over at DIY Natural a few months back, and have been waiting for my bottle of Parmesan to be empty to make it.  Well, this week was the week.

You will need:

• 1 cup of Baking Soda
• 1/2 cup grated bar soap
• 15-20 drops of essential oil (I used Melaleuca/TeaTree, Lemon, and Eucalyptus)
• Jar with shaker lid
• Food Processor/Blender

I doubled the recipe and used 10-13 drops of each of my chosen essential oils.  The next step is to blend it all together in a food procession, but I don't have one, so I tried to use a blender instead.  It didn't really work.  The soap gummed up the blades as I tried to run it, almost breaking the blender.  I had to keep turning it off and re-starting it, and several times I had to just stir it by hand to get the clumps out.  Not ideal

As a cleaning agent, though, it works great!  Once your mixture is all powdery, you simply transfer it to a receptacle of your choice, preferably a shaker-topped jar, and use.  I have a shower that doesn't drain very well, combined with hair that sheds like a dog in July, and bi-weekly egg, mayo, and honey hair treatments that get left all over the shower floor.  Needless to say, I'm always looking for a better, more long term cleaner, and I think I've found it.

It was super easy to use!  I just sprayed a bit of water in the tub, sprinkled the powder in, and then massaged it around with a wet sponge until it easily coated the bottom.  I left it on for about 20 minutes, and then wiped it off with clean water, and I had the most beautiful sparking tub!  It even stayed that way after two showers, and it wasn't until the third that it started to get scummy again!  Horah!

I highly recommend this.  It's super easy to make, pretty cheap, and works great!

I, however, wasn't able to fit the plastic top onto any of my glass jars, so I just left it on the Parmesan plastic.  I probably should label this in case someone gets hungry!  Good thing I don't have any kids!

Homemade Disinfecting Wipes

Getting on the Simplicity wagon means doing things for myself, being in charge of my own home, and being able to simplify my consumerism.  It also means using fewer processed foods and cleaning supplies to keep my body on simple, wholesome nutrients.  And therefore I bring you home-made Disinfecting Wipes!

I started using these a few weeks ago, and I'm here to report that they work wonderfully.

The recipe I use right now comes from DIYNatural.com, but I have been experimenting with other combinations and I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

You will need:

• 1 large-ish glass jar
• a decent amount of rags or cut up t-shirts
• 1/2 c water
• 1/2 c distilled white vinegar
• 15 drops of lemon essential oil
• 8 drops of lavender essential oil
• 4 drops of bergamot essential oil

Directions:

• Pour water, vinegar, and essential oils into a cup.  Swirl the contents to mix them.
• Squish as many rags or squares as you can into the jar, and pour the mixture over them.  Tighten the lid to store.
• As needed, pull out a rag and clean a surface.  When you're done, put the rag in a "dirty rag" box or basket, and then just throw them in the wash next time!

A few hints:

• If you mix the liquids in the jar itself, then squish the rags in, it would be best to store the jar upside down for the first few days to get all of the rags wet.
• The lid will be nearly impossible to get of the first time.  You might need two people.  If that's a problem, use some tinfoil or cling wrap that's secured tightly with a rubber band instead.
• I have a bog pile of rags that I've cut up and I just squish in as many as I need.  Don't worry about folding or rolling them.
• Use a jar with a wide enough opening that you can get your hand in to grab the rags.

Best of luck!

Homemade Composter!

As part of my effort to live more simply, I have started the adventure of owning my own worm colony!

I hear the questions already. How in the world is that simple?

Simplicity means not having to worry about the trash as much.  It means not having to walk across down dragging a wire cart to get a bag of soil for your three potted plants that you'll only use a quarter of.  It means having everything you need, and being able to get it within your own power.  It means buying less.

I throw all my food trash (except for dairy or meat) in the bucket at night, and I am left without having to worry if the trash will rot or if I need to take it out before it's full.

I throw all my papers that need to be shredded in the bucket and let the worms turn them into dirt.  I don't have to worry about shredding them by hand and throwing them out at different dates.

I know that I am doing my part to minimize landfills, and so I sleep easier at night.

When I need fertilizer for my plants, I take some leachate from the bottom bucket, which is right on hand when I need it.

When I need dirt, there's handfuls of it right in the bucket for me to grab.

It doesn't look glamorous, but I don't mind.  My head it much clearer.  It's just another step toward peace.

For anyone interested in making their own bucket, I followed this tutorial for two 5-gallon buckets, and it has been working wonderfully for almost two months now.  (Yes, I did wait to make sure I didn't get pests or smell before posting, and I haven't gotten either!)

Simplicity: Page Post

(After being posted, this article will be transported to the "Simplicity" page.)

So much of our lives is a rush.

Rush out of bed.  Rush to work.  Rush to lunch.  Rush back.  Rush home.  Rush through dinner.  Rush through the laundry.  Rush to bed.  Rush to wake up again.

Sometimes, it's important to stop.

Stop.

And let the ripples settle in the pond so you don't drown in the waves.

That's what the Laboratory is about.

Finding ways to slow down and enjoy life.
Finding ways to smile.
Finding ways to live a life that is less stressful, less rushed, and less chaotic.

For some, these ideas might seem to add more stress.  That's fine; disregard them.

I am just one humble woman sharing her escapades into serenity and inviting you to join me.

Shall we?