See this and other features in the spring edition of Southern Minnesota magazine. Stop by the Tribune for a copy!

As the eco-friendly movement increases in popularity, so have products made with all natural ingredients. You don’t need to buy everything from a specialty store to live a healthier, more environmentally friendly lifestyle. You may have some of the ingredients to success already sitting in your kitchen and bathroom cupboards.

Here are three recipes for all-natural products you can use on a daily basis. If you’re looking to lead a greener lifestyle or minimize the amount of chemicals in your home, try making your own laundry soap, dish soap and lip balm.

 

Homemade Laundry Soap

1 cup grated Dr. Bronner’s Bar Soap (equals one bar of soap)

2 cups baking soda

1 1/4 cup Borax

2 cups washing soda (optional)

3 mL sweet orange essential oil, or your choice of an essential oil for scent

 

Mix ingredients together and store in a container. Use 2 tablespoons per load of laundry. If you double the recipe, it should make about 2 quarts and about 65 loads. This is without adding the washing soda.

 

Automatic Dishwasher Soap

2 cups Borax

2 cups baking soda

1 cup kosher salt

1 cup lemonade Kool-Aid

 

The salt and lemonade are optional but help to remove film or residue from your dishes. Use 2 tablespoons per load of dishes.

 

Sweet Orange Lip Balm

3 tsp. grated beeswax

4 tsp. sweet almond oil

1/4 tsp. unrefined shea butter

3 drops Vitamin E gel capsule (a natural preservative and beneficial to healing skin)

15 drops sweet orange essential oil

You will also need small lip balm containers to pour the mixture into.

 

Melt the wax, almond oil, shea butter and Vitamin E in the top of a double boiler. Stir to melt ingredients together. Remove from heat and add essential oil and color. The color is optional, but you can use a sliver of your favorite lipstick to add tint. Pour into lip balm containers using a dropper. Wait a minute or two, keeping the reserved mixture melted, then top off the containers with remaining mixture.

This gives a nice, even looking top. Let cool (in fridge for faster cooling). For a waxier balm use more beeswax. For a glossier balm add more almond oil. This makes 2-4 short pots.