D.I.Y. Household Recipes by Mia LaVada, Melanie Pores, Georgia Julius
Staying home during the COVID-19 pandemic upended most of our normal routines. We cooked more, we organized more, and we created more. We became more resourceful when grocery store shelves were empty and budgets became tight. DIY projects seemed to be everywhere.
The following recipes can be simple, cost-effective, and eco-friendly approaches to managing your home. Start with simple steps like using white vinegar instead of store-bought cleaning products to clean your kitchen and bathroom. Scrub your pots and pans with coarse sea salt and a lemon cut crosswise for a fresh scent. Once you’ve got these basics down, try out some of our DIY household recipes below.
Melanie’s Favorite Homemade Body Butter Cream by Melanie Pores
This recipe is for homemade body butter that is easy to make, smells really good, and makes your skin feel nice and smooth. I've enjoyed making and using it for years, both for myself and as a gift for friends and family, and I'd love to share the recipe with you!
What You Need: ● ½ cup Cocoa Butter ● ½ cup Mango Butter ● ½ cup Coconut Oil ● ½ cup Avocado Oil ● 30 drops of your favorite blend of essential oils* 10
The Steps: ● In a double boiler or glass bowl, combine all ingredients except the essential oils.* ● Bring to medium heat and stir constantly until all ingredients are melted. ● Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Add essential oils if using. ● Move to the fridge and let cool another hour or until the butters are starting to harden but are still somewhat soft. ● Use a hand mixer to whip for 10 minutes until fluffy. ● Return to the fridge for 10-15 minutes to set. ● Store in a glass jar with a lid and use as you would regular lotion or body butter. If your home stays above 75 degrees, it may soften and need to be kept in the fridge, but it will stay whipped at a temperature lower than that. *You can also melt the butters and oils (excluding the essential oils) in a microwave, stopping and stirring frequently, to ensure the butters melt completely. In relation to the essential oils, I’ve used lavender in the recipe, and rubbed the body butter on before bedtime for a sense of calm. A yummy combination of orange and vanilla essential oils smells like a creamsicle. The possibilities are endless, so be creative!
D.I.Y. Laundry SOAP by Georgia Julius
Super cheap and easy all-natural liquid laundry detergent that costs pennies per load! I make five COOP SCOOP
