How To Make Hygiene & Cleaning Supplies – Rogue’s 31 Days To Readiness [Day 29]

Have you ever thought about how to make your own hygiene and cleaning supplies? It’s so much easier than people think and in most instances, more affordable and better for you.

Part of being prepared means finding alternative ways of doing things. Look at how certain things are made and ask yourself, “can I make that?” Chances are the answer is yes. But keep in mind, it most likely won’t look exactly like how it does when you buy it from the store.

But that’s ok! Don’t be afraid to use your own homemade supplies.

Here are some cleaning and hygiene DIYs that every prepper should know:

Make your own toothpaste

Take baking soda and water, mix them together to make a paste, then use it. You may add peppermint oil if you desire.

Make your own deodorant

Take 3 tbsp coconut oil, 3 tbsp baking soda and 2 tbsp corn starch. Add any essential oils that you’d like, optional. Mix it all together. Place in fridge overnight to let it set then apply with a wooden applicator or another type of applicator. Let dry before putting on a shirt (only takes a couple minutes). Won’t stain clothes!

Make your own lotion bar

There are tons of variations to this, but the basic is:

• 1 cup coconut oil
• 1 cup shea butter (or cocoa butter or mango butter)
• 1 cup beeswax pastilles
• essential oils (optional)
• 1 tsp vitamin E oil (optional)

Instructions

• Combine ingredients except essential oils and vitamin E in a glass mason jar.
• Place the jar in a saucepan of water and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until ingredients are melted.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in essential oils and/or vitamin E.
• Carefully pour the mixture into molds to let them harden. I used a silicone ice tray.
• Allow the lotion bars to cool completely (usually overnight) before using.

DIY soap bars

There are so many variations on how to make soap. Instead of offering instructions, I’m going to send you to a couple websites to learn more. I would also highly recommend researching how to make shampoo bars. Here’s a link to several different soap bar recipes. A quick note when it comes to making ANY soap: LYE IS REQUIRED. However, there are ways that you can avoid working with lye and one of the ways to do that is by purchasing pre-made bases. However, ALL soap has lye in it, but you can avoid using lye by purchasing a soap base.

DIY floss

Take some thing string, such as the inside strands of paracord, rub some wax on it and use it as floss.

DIY disinfecting wipes

Take a paper towel roll and cut it in half then place inside of a container. (NOTE: this can be done with reusable cotton wash cloths) Take 2 cups water, 1 cup isopropyl rubbing alcohol, 1 tbsp regular dish soap. Mix it all together then pour the mixture over the paper towels or the cotton wash cloths. Let it soak in for a couple minutes, then use it. Place a lid over the container to keep it from drying out if you’re in a dry area. If you’re in a humid area, slightly crack the lid a little.

DIY laundry soap

• 1 bar (or 4.5 ounces) shaved bar soap (a homemade laundry bar, Dr. Bronner’s, Kirk’s Castile Soap or Ivory)
• 14 ounces borax
• 14 ounces washing soda

Stir it all together and use it. If you want, mix it in a blender to create a powder.

DIY all purpose cleaner

Mix 1 cup of water and 1 cup of white vinegar in a spray bottle. Optional, add some lemon juice or lemon essential oil in. Be careful not to use this cleaner on granite or marble.

Vodka or rubbing alcohol may also be used as a cleaner when mixed with equal parts water.

When it comes to making your own items, the options are limitless. Baking soda, rubbing alcohol, vinegar, borax and castile soap are a few of the items that I use quite regularly around my home.

Look up some recipes and get to DIYing!

See you in day 30!