Easy Homemade Carpet Freshener Recipe

Easy Homemade Carpet Freshener:

1 C. Baking Soda

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground cloves (optional)

Store in a glass jar with a perforated lid. 

Sprinkle all over carpet and leave on for 10-30 mins. 

or as long as you like.Vacuum as usual. Makes your

home smell like you've been baking all day.

I just found this great webpage: 75 Extraordinary uses for Baking Soda
I knew some of the uses posted on this page, but now I know even
more. I love stuff like this. 

Alternative Shampoo & Toothpaste

Okay, so I'm beginning a journey toward going more natural and greener. I'm definitely not there yet, but I'm on my way. I was referred to a website by my sister, Sara, for recipe alternatives to shampoo and conditioner. They're very simple, so I thought I would give them a try: Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda in 1 cup of water for the hair wash. For the conditioner/rinse mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to 1 cup of water in a container. I used this a few days ago to wash and rinse my hair in place of shampoo and conditioner. It's very cost efficient, but I don't think I am ready to let go of shampoo, and I honestly don't like the idea of washing my hair only once or twice per week, which is what you are supposed to do with the baking soda wash. I like to wash my hair every day to every second day, especially if I'm working out. I'll look for another natural recipe that's safe for daily use and feels like shampoo. Baking soda has multiple uses like cleaning and deodorizing the home; and body and facial scrub etc. Both apple cider vinegar and baking soda are safe and environmentally friendly. I also found some great toothpaste recipes that I'm looking forward to trying out. It's just a matter of obtaining the ingredients, because I don't just have this stuff hanging around in my cupboards like baking soda and vinegar. Click this link for some recipes: Homemade Toothpaste. (This webpage has a few interesting concoctions, including the recipe below.)

Toothpaste for sensitive teeth:
1/4 C. white cosmetic clay
1/4 C. vegetable glycerin
20 drops tincture of myrrh
4 drops orange essential oil
4 drops clove essential oil

You can also use baking soda to brush your teeth, but you can't use it everyday because it will wear down your enamel. I'd use it only once a week or so. Coconut oil, even just by itself is excellent for a toothpaste alternative. Again, it is safe and it's also anti-bacterial, and a little goes a long way. If you like coconut flavour, it tastes good too. I'm now looking into natural hair colouring alternatives as well. The last time I coloured my hair, I was sick for 2 days. I am very sensitive to the chemical laden hair dyes. I won't colour my hair with them again. I found a few products for hair colour but I have yet to test them out. It will be a while before my next colouring, but I will blog what I used and how it went.