zerowaste diy recipes
You will need:
100ml Apple Cider Vinegar
900ml Water
Bottle (1l capacity)
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Add vinegar, water and essential oil to your bottle.
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This recipe suits my hair the best but feel free to try using more or less vinegar to find your perfect balance.
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How to use:
After washing your hair with a hair soap, rinse first with water and then pour the hair rinse over your hair. Leave in for about a minute for best results. Rinse again with water.
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Tips - if your hair feels waxy after using a hair soap, try using more cider vinegar in your hair rinse. If your hair feels dry afterwards, use less vinegar.
Mix:
4 spoons coconut oil
4 spoons baking soda
1 spoon bentonite clay
few drops peppermint essential oil
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Coconut oil is antibacterial and can be bought from many supermarkets in glass jars
Baking soda is the cleaning power and can be bought unpackaged of in paper bags from zero waste shops
Bentonite clay absorbs toxins and moisture and also adds a nice consistency.
Essential oils - these are really personal preference but I like peppermint for toothpaste.
This recipe can be used for both toothpaste and deodorant!
Glue often comes in small plastic containers and is made from nasty chemicals
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This recipe is not only simple to make and cheap but its also made with just three edible ingredients that you probably already have at home.
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Equipment you will need:
Saucepan
Whisk
Empty Jar
Little brush / paintbrush
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Ingredients:
1 part sugar
1 part flour
2 parts water
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Method:
Add sugar and flour to your pan and slowly add the flour while whisking.
Heat while stirring until the glue forms a thick paste.
Remove from the heat and allow to cool before transferring to your jar.
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You can use any type of sugar, I used unrefined which is why the glue is brown but you can also use white sugar if this is what you have.
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Note - this recipe is from Fairyland Cottage.
She is also has lots of great zero waste / simple living tips :)
You will need:
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup citric acid
1 tablespoon grated dish soap mixed with water
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Mix all ingredients together well then press into a silicone mould (silicone makes it easier to remove from the mould).
Leave for a few hours to harden before removing.
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Tips - silicone moulds can often be found at second hand shops.
You will need:
1 teaspoon clay of your choice
water
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Add enough water (approx. 1 teaspoon) to your clay to form a paste.
The amount you will need will vary depending on the clay you use.
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Apply to clean skin avoiding eyes, nostril and mouth.
Leave on for 5-10 mins.
Rinse with warm water.
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Kaolin clay - very gentle, absorbs impurities, suitable for sensitive skin types.
Red clay - gentle, absorbs impurities, suitable for all skin types.
Green clay - absorbs toxins well, good for oily skin types.
Bentonite clay - very absorbing, suitable for oily skin types, not sensitive. Note - don't leave on for too long as it may dry your skin (5 mins max).
You will need:
I cup water
1 teaspoon baking soda
10 drops peppermint essential oil
2 drops - tea tree essential oil
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Add all ingredients to a glass bottle and shake well
Have you ever looked at the ingredients in your perfume? If you have, could you understand them?
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Here‘s an extremely simple recipe to make your own perfume so you know exactly what you are putting on your skin and breathing in. All you need is a small bottle to put it in, I already had this little glass bottle with a roll-on top.
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I used almond oil as a carrier oil but you can also use something like sunflower oil if this is what you already have at home. As long as it doesn’t have too strong a smell.
Use any essential oils you like the smell of, preferably organic.
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Fill an empty bottle almost to the top with a neutral smelling oil like almond oil or sunflower oil.
Add a few drops of your favourite essential oils*
*please check that the essential oil is suitable for skin (some are not) and do not use more than 1%.
That's it!