This post contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase via one of the links, I will receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only link to products that I know and love. Thank you for supporting my blog!

The Ultimate Mother’s Day Eco Gift Guide

Mugs & Warm Drinks

Who doesn’t love things for coffee, tea, and hot chocolate? There’s a ceramic mug with a bee of course, an electric milk frother/heater, my absolutely favorite electric tea kettle (that I’ve had for five years and use every day!), organic mushroom matcha mix, and the ultimate french press made of just metal and glass (no plastic here!).

Kitchen & Baking

Dream of summers outside on the patio or tea in the garden with these sustainable kitchen items.

Beeswax Wraps

These are the ultimate swap for plastic wrap! Store cheeses or half finished avocados by wrapping food and pressing with the warmth of your hands to seal.

If you are feeling crafty, check out my tutorial on how to make your own beeswax wraps!

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The cutest little bee hive muffin tin, compostable Swedish dish cloths, ceramic pinch bowls, washable silicon muffin liners, and cotton oven mitt are all great, useful additions to the kitchen. All of these are made from natural materials and look aesthetic too!

Home Office & Stationary

I love stationary! Picture this, your mom or grandma sitting down to pen a letter to a friend with a candle burning and the window open to a nice spring breeze. I love to journal so you’ll see some of the products that I am constantly recommending with my own journal spreads.

Kraft Paper Journal

Kraft paper is the most sustainable paper because it’s not dyed or treated, retaining its natural color. Linen cover and crisp pages, these journals lie flat and are perfect for any type of journal keeping.

Use my code HF10 for a discount on all Archer & Olive products.

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From my favorite new fountain pen to a funny soy based candle, these fun items will be welcome in any office and can help make it super cozy. A gold geometric plant hanger and a pair of macrame wall hangings can help decorate the walls while gold minimalist binder clips can organize her desk.

Beauty

Mine own beauty routine is very minimalist, so why not get mom some beauty items that help make her beauty rituals sustainable and simple. The Ilia tinted face serum with SPF 40 has become my ultimate eco-beauty item. You put it on clean skin and it hydrates and provides an amazing foundation at the same time! They have a ton of skin tones so you’ll be able to match perfectly.

At night, why not give her Honest Beauty’s organic facial oil. It’s enriched with natural botanicals and is made without parabens, silicones, paraffins, dyes, or synthetic fragrances. Ilia’s two-in-one multi stick can be used on cheeks and lips! There are six different colors but I’m a huge fan of their berry color! I think it’s flattering on all skin types.

If mom needs a night for self care how about some soaking salts, and then follow up the relaxing bath with my favorite body lotion!

Tech & Travel

For the mom who loves to travel, get her some of my favorite items that can be used for travel but at home too!

Kindle Paperwhite

Reading is easy and beautiful with an elegant white e-reader that’s not harsh on the eyes. While this is the most expensive of the list, it is worth every penny!

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My mom loves her hydro flash! She uses it at work everyday and it keep ice cold frozen for two days. Since she loves it I know other mom’s will too! Get everything for travel including a hydro flash, a mess market tote bag, a set of reusable bamboo utensils with a carry pouch, a portable charger, and cotton curling iron holder.

I hope you found something here that speaks to your mom while being low waste! Besides the kindle, everything here is under $50! I personally will be getting my mom the bee hive tin (so don’t tell her!). She loves to bake and I can’t wait to see what she makes with them.

Happy Mother’s Day!

The best thing you can do is use what you already have! And if things break, make sure to recycle them sustainably. If something no longer serves you, gift it to a friend or donate it. Now lets get into five low waste options for all your hair needs.

This post contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase via one of the links, I will receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only link to products that I know and love. Thank you for supporting my blog!

5 Sustainable Hair Accessories

1. Organic Cotton Hair Ties

Looking for a traditional hair tie? The compostable, organic cotton hair ties by Kooshoo are the best! They have a variety of colors and I purchased their pack in blonde. You get five hair ties for less than twenty dollars which may seem pricey but they are incredibly durable. Even great for thick hair! I don’t really tend to use them that often so I haven’t lost one yet in the six months I’ve had them.

2. Metal Hair Forks

These are by far my favorite accessory on this list! They hold so well and look so chic. They are curved so they are comfortable on your head. They don’t pinch or give me headaches like bobby pins can. They sit perfectly along your head and I weave them up and down to hold my hair.

They cost $2 a piece and come in a pack of four. I use two at a time for buns and french twists. They only thing about these is that the packaging is not sustainable! They come wrapped in plastic bags so be sure to recycle responsibly.

These are made of metal so they will last me my entire life time! Since they are made of metal they are infinitely recyclable.

3. Bobby Pins

Bobby pins are a classic choice. Just make sure to buy ones that are completely metal and do not have any plastic that makes them “sticky.” They are also another super reasonably priced item! They are made of metal so, again, they are infinitely recyclable.

I like using bobby pins for put my hair half-up or twisting it on the sides and securing near my ear. Just be sure not to lose them! I store mine in an up-cycled glass jar that a friend gave me. With a vintage label, it looks great on my beauty counter.

4. A Chopstick, Pencil, or Wooden Hair Stick

Very similar to the hair fork, a chopstick or pencil works great in a pinch. I always have my bamboo utensil kit by To Go Wear in my bag where there is a set of chopsticks. I prefer it’s smooth texture and cute, simple design. I twist a ballerina bun and then weave the chopstick up and down, making sure to catch the hair near my scalp.

5. Found Scrunchies and Hair ties!

If you are brave enough, pick-up lost scrunchies and hair ties! I’ve gotten all of my scrunchies this way. I’ve also inherited few from my mom. It might seem gross but tossing them in the wash will kill any germs and get rid of dirt. I don’t often use hair ties but pick those up off the ground too! You can disinfect them with vinegar or rubbing alcohol.

Kooshoo does have some bio-degradable scrunchies as well. But just picking up lost ones off the ground is cheaper and more sustainable!

1. Organic Cotton Hair Ties by Kooshoo | $19
2. Metal Hair Forks | $8
3. Bobby Pins | $7
4. Bamboo Chopstick | $0-$12
5. Organic Cotton Scrunchies by Kooshoo | $0-$20

It’s amazing to think how far zero waste has come in the last couple of years! There are easily accessible sustainable options for everyone. Do you have a favorite hair accessory? I didn’t even touch on silk scarves or hats! Those are some other favorites that are a fashion statement as well as help keep hair styled. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Happy Day-

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Journaling has become an important part of my life and an important part of my business! My blog expanded three-fold when I started posting my bullet journal spreads. The act of writing things down—whether it’s a grocery list or a diary about your day—is therapeutic and slows me down. It’s helps me keep track of my goals and helps me let things go (onto the page) so my mind can focus on other things. Without journaling, I know that I wouldn’t haven written two novels (and started work on my third)!

That’s how I really came into the purpose of my blog—

I’m here to share my creative journey and to show you that living the life you choose is the bravest thing you can ever do. With journaling and slow, sustainable living, you can pursue your passions and live a life of your own design.

For me, journaling is an act of intention. That’s half the battle when striving to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Are you doing something with purpose that contributes positively to your life? When something is important you find a way to make it work.

And I’m happy to share, that there are supplies that can make journaling zero waste. I have a lot more journaling supplies than this. But then again, half my business and a huge chunk of my life revolves around stationary. You don’t need a lot to get started! Really just two things: a journal and pen.

This post contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase via one of the links, I will receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only link to products that I know and love. Thank you for supporting my blog!

How to Journal Zero Waste

There are some practices that can help you journal zero waste. But in the end, journaling is personal. It’s what you need individually that makes it so special. I’m constantly posting about how my journaling journey is evolving. In terms of shopping, here are some tips:

1. Use supplies you already have! Most people have junk drawer so utilize those supplies while you can before recycling them or gifting to a friend.
2. Shop second hand! Facebook market place and variety sections of a thrift shop carry loads. Easier for some supplies than others. No one wants a half filled journal!
3. Buy from a small business and be mindful of packaging.
4. Recycle with TerraCycle when a product has reached the end of its days.

So without further ado, let’s get into my favorite part: stationary STUFF.

My Zero Waste Journal Supplies

Despite my previous minimalist list of bullet journal supplies, this really is the ultimate minimalist list. At least for me! I’m sharing six items that I adore and make my journey towards zero waste easier and prettier!

As a writer, I love (and need!) to write by hand. The act of putting pen to paper slows down my thinking and lets me focus on poetic language or organizing my thoughts. My writing notebook is something that is entirely zero waste! It’s simply a eco-friendly journal and a fountain pen!

I have been raving about Archer and Olive journals since I started using them at the end of 2019. They are durable and beautiful notebooks that come in a ton of different sizes and paper styles. Plus, they have low waste packaging! Their journals come in a cardboard box with paper. The boxes are beautiful too!

Archer and Olive have replaced almost all packaging with recyclable or compostable shipping material and they aim to eliminate all single use plastic from ALL  packaging by the end of the year. They only work with trusted manufacturers with FSC certification.

Peep my actual writing journal! I have this stunning dot grid journal with kraft paper. Kraft paper is more sustainable to produce than regular paper. It retains its natural wood color and has less chemical treatment. It’s not dyed/bleached, plus I love the aesthetics of it. It gives me such a vintage vibe and is great for drawing! I have character sketches and MAPS. Yes, all the maps for fantasy writing. I’m not one to reveal too much about my writing before it’s published. Here are some notes on theme:

Another cool thing about the Archer and Olive journals is they have a place for your pen with a little elastic loop. There is also a pocket in the back. It lays completely flat and has two ribbons for keeping your place. This journal is in the B5 size! It has 160 pages and so much space for keeping all the secret notes of my WIP.

I also use my journals as places to create freely and make art. I’ve really embraced minimalist art, capturing lines and florals. Archer and Olive can hold up to acrylic paint, watercolor, and all the ink, and the pages don’t bleed or wrinkle.

Fountain pens! Why reinvent the wheel when fountain pens are the best. The writing is flawless and I have no issues with mine from Dryden. I have a complete guide to using a fountain pen below. It fits nice in the hand and clicks when the cap is attached. I feel fancy and vintage! In terms of cost, it’s the same as buying about thirty gel pens. That may seem like an insane amount but it would probably take about two or three years to go through them. After a year of using my fountain pen, I know I’ve saved a lot of plastic packaging from going to waste and reduced the carbon emissions by not purchasing new product.

When it comes to fountain pen ink, all ink is not made the same! I had some old ink for art project and using it in my fountain pen was not great. It was old ink and the pen didn’t write as smoothly. Getting a liquid ink is important! The Parker Ink comes in a glass bottle and cardboard box packaging. It has a tight lid so the ink won’t congeal or dry out.

I have a couple of other supplies including a brass ruler and metal binder clips. But my other most used zero waste journal item (that I have yet to blog about) is my pocket journal. It’s a simple kraft paper cover with blank pages that I use as a common place book. It’s something I keep in my purse and on my bedside. I jot down quotes or thoughts or little ideas or lines of prose. It’s something I will definitely be talking more about! With the Archer and Olive journal, I slip the pocket notebook in-between the elastic. Great for on the go!

Here is my full list of supplies. Most come in cardboard packaging that can be recycled. The pocket journals came wrapped in plastic as well as a seal on the ink bottle. Some things are a bit unavoidable. These items stand the test of time and will last me years upon years. Investing in things you love will help you keep them around a lot longer.

1. B5 Dot Grid Notebook (Night Sky) with Kraft Paper | $37
2. Pocket Journal with Kraft Cover (3) | $10
3. Gold Metal Wire Binder Clips (12) | $10
4. Midori Brass Ruler | $12
5. Dryden Bamboo Fountain Pen | $29
6. Parker Ink Bottle | $10

How to Use a Fountain Pen

Investing in a fountain pen was by far my favorite zero waste purchase last year. I use it every damn day! It’s a dream to use and I’m so impressed with how smoothly it writes. I write in cursive most of the time and it makes for flawless writing and fast note taking. Oh and signing books with it! Amazing! And what’s great is that if I ever reach a stage in my career where I have to sign lots of books, I can simply refill the same pen with ink.

I purchased a Dryden fountain pen. It’s bamboo and comes in a bamboo box. It’s mostly made of wood and metal with the convertor made of plastic. The amount of plastic is negligible considering I’ll be using this for years! It has amazing reviews too. It hasn’t let me down!

Does it leak?

I have taken this with me all over and its been thrown around it my bag all day with no issues! You better believe I take my writing journal with me in case I get inspiration.

How often does it need new ink?

Because I use my fountain pen so frequently, I add more ink about every ten days. You may have noticed that I journal and write a lot. I expect most people would need to fill the fountain every couple weeks or every month or so.

How does it compare to a regular ball-point pen?

The writing is flawlessly smooth. The ink does take more time to dry so you do have to be more careful of smudging. But not much. It has a medium-nib and is comparable to a regular pen in its width when writing.

I actually love the weight of the pen in my hand.

Okay, you convinced me! How does it WORK?

My fountain pen has a converter which means I can draw up ink. It can get a bit messy so I often place newspaper or use a blank page of the journal. After unscrewing the barrel, I un-pop the convertor. The convertor has a twisted suction. I dip it into the ink and twist to draw up the ink. Then I simply pot the plastic back into the section and reattach the barrel.

It can take some practice. The first time I got ink all over my hands!

As a historical fiction writer, it’s wild for me to put something like this in perspective. All that was used in the twentieth century was fountain pens! I’m sure there were guides for using them back then too. We can learn so much about sustainable practice by seeing what people did in the past.

Yet, I am happy to live in this time too. I love having beautiful stationary shipped to my door within days. What is a journal item you love? I’d love to hear!

Happy Journaling-

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This section contains affiliate links. See my full list of journaling supplies in this post.
I only link to products that I know and love. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Use my code HF10 for 10% Archer and Olive Journals

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In my first tutorial, I made five wraps and have since lost one… It’s probably floating around my kitchen somewhere. Of the four remaining wraps, I composted one that had some stains. Here is how my beeswax wraps look after a year:

They didn’t even fray! It proves that you don’t need any fancy equipment or ingredients to make them: simply beeswax and fabric.

This post contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase via one of the links, I will receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only link to products that I know and love. Thank you for supporting my blog!

How to Revive Beeswax Wraps

Time: 15-20 minutes

It took me about 15 minutes to revive 3 and make 2 new ones.

Difficulty: Easy

Materials

• Old beeswax wraps, and scrap cotton or linen fabric for new wraps
• Beeswax pellets*
• Pinking shears or scissors
• Parchment paper (optional but highly recommended)

Parchment paper is compostable in at home or commercial composting. This* is the parchment paper I used and it says it’s compostable right on the box! Wax also decomposes. Although wax does take longer to rot than paper.

I suggest using parchment paper to save you on clean up time! It’s easy to just compost the paper after you are finished. I used the same paper for all 5 wraps that I made. If you don’t use parchment paper, just use a standard baking sheet and scrap excess beeswax with a bamboo scraper before washing.

I recently invested in pinking shears which are made for trimming fabric so it doesn’t fray. They can be expensive though… Especially high-quality ones that will actually cut fabric. If you are going to buy them, make the investment. Thank goodness for JoAnn coupons, amiright?

Directions

1. Throughly wash your beeswax wraps and let dry.

Unlike when I usually wash them after use, I washed them using HOT water to get rid of any lingering bacteria or debris. It’s okay if some beeswax gets displaced because we will be fixing that soon.

2. Preheat oven to 180F and trim fabric if needed.

You can see that the edges of my wraps held up fine but I used the pinking shears to trim the existing wraps and cute two new ones–one circle and one square.

When using 100% cotton, linen, rayon or any natural blend of fabric, you can compost the trimmings.

Here I am tracing my favorite bowl so that I can make a new beeswax wrap to fix over it. After tracing, I used a ruler to mark 2″ from the circle and draw a bigger one. The circle wrap is approximately 10″ in diameter.

I also made another square one since I can’t seem to locate my original square one…

3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay a wrap on the parchment paper and sprinkle with beeswax pellets.

4. Put the tray in the oven for about 2-3 minutes.

After about a couple minutes, I give it a peek and see if there are any spots that are less “dark” aka not covered in wax. I sprinkle a bit more beeswax on the fabric and let them melt for another couple minutes.

PRO TIP: If you are reviving wraps and then making some new ones (like I did), revive the old ones first. Then there will be extra beeswax on your parchment paper that you can just lay down the fabric to absorb all the extra. Like I did here:

5. Remove from oven and with your fingertips carefully grab a corner and let harden.

Since the oven is not that hot, I’ve never had any trouble grabbing the corner of the fabric and peal it off the parchment paper. Last time, I hung them up to dry with a little clothespin set up, but this time I just held them until they were cool enough. About 3 minutes. Do not leave on the parchment paper or it will stick!

How do you know it’s time to compost your beeswax wraps?

There can be many signs it’s time to say goodbye. An obvious one, is excessive damage, stains, or tears. Don’t feel guilty if you have to toss them! You avoided so much single-use plastic or plastic cling wrap by using these instead. Plus, they are so inexpensive to make that you can easily make a few more

If you used 100% cotton or linen fabric, your beeswax wraps are compostable! Just toss them in your at-home compost bin or commercial composting. You could also use them as a fire starter!

Another sign that “it’s time,” is if the beeswax wrap loses its stickiness or if there are lingering smells/funkiness going on. I once wrapped a bagel and lox in a beeswax wrap and the smell of salmon never left… It was more than time for it to be composted.

I hope you enjoy this little tutorial! In my first post about beeswax wraps, I explained how you could revive them so it’s to be able to prove it These are one of my favorite zero waste alternatives! What zero waste swaps have you made in the kitchen?

Happy Making-

*Affiliate Link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my disclosure page for more info.

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But it was totally worth it because I’ve got a relatively easy recipe that just rocks! Learn how to make this yourself and how to infuse oil with natural botanicals.

If you didn’t already know, traditional antiperspirant is full of chemicals and blocks your pores. This recipe is for deodorant, not antiperspirant. So you will still sweat! Although, after detoxing and switching to natural deodorant three years ago, I sweat significantly less because my body is not overworking trying to rid itself of the pore blocking aluminum. When I know I’m going to be sweating significantly more (like during a workout or on a hot summer day), I wear a tank top or cooling, breathable natural fibers like linen. Easy, breezy, and smelling fresh.

This post contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase via one of the links, I will receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

How to Make Infused Oil

Infused oil adds scent and well as properties that the various herbs or flowers can benefit your skin. You can mix and match the herbs or flowers for your own infused oil. A lavender sage would be lovely too! My shampoo and conditioner from Plaine Products are scented with lavender so I love incorporating lavender and citrus into my eco-beauty recipes.

The ratio of this 1:2 plant matter to carrier oil.

• 1 Tbsp rosemary (dried or fresh)
• 3 Tbsp lavender (dried or fresh)
• 1/4 cup of melted coconut oil
• 1/4 cup of sunflower oil

Mix in a jar. Seal and let sit by a warm spot or on a sunny window sill for 2-6 weeks. I stored mine next to my kombucha.

How to make lavender rosemary-infused solid deodorant

Ingredients

Yields about 6-8 fl oz

• 1/2 cup of infused oil (or 1/4 cup of coconut oil and 1/4 cup liquid oil like sunflower oil, olive oil, or almond oil)
• 1/4 cup of beeswax pellets or grated beeswax
• 2 Tbsp shea butter* or mango butter* (hard oil)
• 2 Tbsp cornstarch
• 2-8 Tbsp of baking soda (depending on preference. I usually put around 4 Tbsp, or 1/4 a cup)
• 20 drops of essential oil (optional)

If you are sensitive to baking soda, replace with arrowroot powder. Arrowroot powder is just as effective but not as easy to obtain. I always have baking soda lying around the house!

Directions

1. Strain the infused oil with a fine mesh strainer. I strain the infused oil again with a tea basket strainer. Measure out ingredients.

2. Mix and melt infused oil and beeswax. Either in a double boiler or a water bath. I put about 2 inches of water in a pot and simmer. Then I put a metal bowl in the water bath.
3. Once melted remove from heat and stir in shea butter. Stirring constantly until the shea butter has melted.
4. Add the powders, stirring constantly until combined and the mixture has started to thicken.

5. Pour into an empty deodorant container and/or a mold. Let set for a couple of hours before using.

This recipe makes enough to last me an entire year! No joke. I pour the extra into a silicon soap mold and then when I run out of solid deodorant in my tube, I melt it down again and pour it into the tube. It makes the perfect amount for the size of my container, just under 3 oz– the normal size.

Why I Love this DIY

• Completely natural and easy to obtain ingredients
• Non-toxic and chemical-free
• Inexpensive and takes less than fifteen minutes to make
• Zero waste and effective!
• Ability to control the fragrance and ingredients
• It lasts a long time and is shelf-stable

I think one of the most convenient things about this deodorant is that it travels well. Hopefully, I can see just how well it travels sometime soon. Until then, I’ll be soaking up summer (smelling like lavender and rosemary) and planning another staycation! Have you made your own deodorant before? Let me know how this works for you if you try it!

Happy Making-

*Affiliate Link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my disclosure page for more info.

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As a note, mixing vinegar and soap is counterproductive. Vinegar (an acid) causes a process called unsaponification, basically un-soaping soap. Soap is very basic (on the pH scale) so mixing vinegar and Castile soap (for example) causes the lye and oils to unbind. Generally don’t mix vinegar with any acid. (Soap and lemon juice for example.) Use the soap to clean and then vinegar to further rinse. This is especially great if you have hard water and after cleaning with soap and water, a film is left behind.

This post contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase via one of the links, I will receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only link to products that I know and love. Thank you for supporting my blog!

10 cleaning products to start making instead of buying

1. Disinfectant Spray

It’s always a good idea to disinfect surfaces but especially now. Rubbing alcohol of at least 70% kill viruses, so using at least 70% for it to have disinfecting power.

• 1 1/2 cups of rubbing alcohol
• 1/4 cup of white vinegar
• 1/4 cup of water
• peels from 2 lemons
• 3-5 sage leaves
• 25 drops of orange essential oil (optional)

Mix ingredients and if you add botanicals (like sage leaves, lavender, rosemary, etc.), let infuse for one to three weeks before straining and storing in a spray bottle. Good for up to 5 months.

2. Glass and Surface Cleaner

This is my go-to zero waste cleaning recipe that I use to clean almost everything! Just mix and store! I love to use old rags or t-shirts to clean mirrors.

• 1 part vinegar
• 1 part water

Related: 35 Things You Can Clean with Vinegar

3. All-Purpose Cleaner

Again, another super simple recipe for cleaning almost everything. Between this and the vinegar spray, I can clean every surface of my home. Mix and store in a spray bottle for convenient cleaning.

• 1 cup of water
• 1 Tbsp liquid Castile Soap

4. Shower Scrub

I have asthma so any cleaning product with harsh smells or strong perfumes really bother me. Instead of using a Clorox bleach scrub, I make my own paste and scrub my shower and sinks with it.

• 3/4 cup baking soda
• 2-3 Tbsp hydrogen peroxide
• 2 Tbsp liquid Castile soap

Mix and store in an airtight container. To use, take a generous amount with a bristle brush*. I use an old one (too degraded for kitchen use) as well as use an old toothbrush to scrub tight corners, etc.

5. Wool Dryer Balls

Another cleaning product I don’t go without is my wool dryer laundry balls. They help reduce static and soften wrinkles.

1. Wrap the end of the thread around two fingers a couple of times before wrapping the yarn around the middle. This will start the ball.
2. Continue wrapping the yarn around itself, until the entire skein has been used.
3. With a crochet needle (or similar instrument such as a crochet hook, knitting needle, fork, chopstick, etc.), thread the end of the yarn through the ball of yarn.
4. Place the balls of yarn into a stocking foot and tieing with a bit of acrylic yarn to separate.
5. Wash the stocking containing the wool balls in the washing machine or sink on the hottest possible setting.
6. After they dry, store them in near your dryer to easily throw them in with any load!

Use about 3 for a normal sized load and up to 6 for a large load. You can also add a couple of drops of essential oil to the balls to give your laundry a natural scent boost.

5. Bleach Alternative

This is a super toxic cleaner to have in your house. I only used to use it before to get my whites white. Now I use this instead!

• 3 1/2 cups of water
• 1/3 cup of hydrogen peroxide
• 1/3 cup of baking soda
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice (optional)
• 5-10 drops of lemon essential oil

Mix and store. Use 1/3 cup per load. This recipe actually works best if you continue to wash on a cold cycle. I only wash my clothes with cold water because it saves on electricity and is just as effective.

6. Laundry Soap

Most laundry soap (or detergent) comes in plastic, plastic, plastic. Skip the packaging and mix these ingredients together instead.

• 1 cup of borax
• 1 cup of washing soda
• grated bar of soap
• 10 drops of your favorite essential oil (I use lemon and lavender!)

Mix and store in an airtight container. Use 2 tablespoons for a normal load and 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) for a large load.

7. Fabric/Ironing Spray

As a sewist, I always need some liquid nearby to help steam iron my clothes/fabric. This Febreeze spray alternative is safe and chemical-free.

• 1 part vodka or witch hazel
• 1 part water
• 1/4 tsp essential oil (optional but recommended if using vodka)

Spray on fabric or upholstered furniture. Do not soak and let evaporate. I love to spray pillows!

8. Reusable Dust Wipes

This is my favorite new zero-waste cleaning recipe! It’s super effective and with the oil in it gives shine to wood surfaces. Dust and grime cling to the moist fabric.

• 1 cup of water
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp vinegar
• 10 drops of lemon essential oil

Use old cut-up t-shirts (cut approximately 6″x8″), roll up, and submerge in mixture. Wring out excess moisture before using. Simply wipe down dust coated surfaces

9. Produce Wash

Fruit and vegetables come coated in residual pesticides and wax. Soak or scrub produce with this simple mixture. Using soap to wash produce is not advisable since some fruit/vegetables are porous and will retain the soap.

• 1 cup of vinegar
• 1/2 cup of lemon juice
• 1 cup of water
• 2 tsp baking soda (optional)

10. Dish Washer Detergent

If you have a dishwasher, make this detergent instead of buying soap that usually comes bottled in plastic.

• 1 cup of washing soda
• 1 cup of baking soda
• 1 cup of citric acid*
• 1/2 cup salt

Mix and store in an air tight container. Make sure it isn’t exposed to moisture! Scoop 1 Tbsp per load.

Along with a dishwashing block* and plant-based cloth*, these are all the things I use to for a toxic-free clean home! Cleaning is important but it can be safe and too. No need to run to the store when you can whip up your own product right at home. Do you use any of these recipes?

Happy Cleaning-

*Affiliate Link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my disclosure page for more info.

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Almost all of these recipes also have in-depth blog posts so you can learn about the ingredients and the process a bit more if you are keen. But rest assured that they are chemical-free and completely natural. These are the recipes I use the most and find myself referencing often! I’ve rounded up all the recipes into one blog post for convenience, yours and mine

This post contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase via one of the links, I will receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only link to products that I know and love. Thank you for supporting my blog!

10 beauty products to start making instead of buying

1. Brightening Toner

After cleansing at night, I apply about 1/2 tablespoon of toner with a reusable cotton round. The acid helps further clarify the skin of bacteria and debris so face oils can do their job. In the morning, I apply pure witch hazel as a toner. Using lemon juice or apple cider vinegar balances the pH of the skin that might have been lost after washing (especially if you use bar soap like me which is very basic on the pH scale).

• 1/4 cup acid: either apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup of witch hazel or more water
• 10 drops of tea tree essential oil (optional)

2. Face Oil/Serum

I’ve been oiling my face for 2 years now! It’s the best and leaves my skin hydrated and soft. It might seem counterintuitive but actually oil dissolves oil so the vitamin-rich oil combinations will dissolve and replace the oil on your face.

I have oily/acne-prone skin so I use the last combination. Jojoba oil and sunflower oil are both non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog pores. I often use pure sunflower oil as a moisturizer on my face but have experimented with combining oils to get the benefits that different oils offer.

For dry skin:

• 1:1 liquid coconut oil and olive oil

For normal skin:

• 1:1 olive oil and sunflower oil

For oily/acne prone skin:

• 1:1 sunflower oil and jojoba oil or almond oil.

3. Hair Powder/Dry Shampoo

I love adding powder to my hair! I often feel like a 17th-century lady. The powder absorbs oil and can add volume. I apply it to my roots with an old makeup brush. I often keep the powder white (read: feeling like a 17th-century lady) since it will match your hair color if you are careful about only adding enough for the oil to absorb.

1:1 baking soda and cornstarch

• 2 Tbsp baking soda
• 2 Tbsp cornstarch
• Cocoa powder, cinnamon, and/or turmeric to add color

4. Deodorant

• 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp) cornstarch
• 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp) baking soda
• 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp) coconut oil*
• 25 drops essential oil (optional)I used about 10 drops of tea tree and 15 drops of lavender*

Soften the coconut oil and then mix in the powders and essential oil. Let cool before whipping with a fork.

5. Body Butter

• 1/3 cup coconut oil*
• 1/3 cup shea butter*
• 1/4 cup sunflower oil
• Essentials oils (optional)
  • I used this* lemon essential oil and this* lavender essential oil

Soften the coconut oil and shea butter. Add the sunflower oil and essential oil and stir. Let cool and then whip with a mixer or whisk.

6. Lip Balm

• 1 Tbsp coconut oil*
• 1 Tbsp beeswax pellets*
• 1 Tbsp almond oil or sunflower oil
• 3-4 drops essential oil or extract

Melt oil and beeswax. Add essential oil and stir. Pour into a container and let cool.

7. Sea Salt and Lavender Bath Soak

• 1 cup of fine sea salt
• 3-4 tablespoons of dried lavender

Add a couple tablespoons to a bath for a luxurious soak that helps heal the skin.

8. Reusable Cotton Rounds

• Cotton fabric (doubled) and cut into 2.5″ circles

To make, simply sew a zig-zag stitch around the edge of the circles. These are my reusable cotton rounds after three years of use!

9. Toothpaste

• 1 cup of coconut oil*
• 2/3 cup of baking soda
• 1-2 tablespoons of peppermint extract (depending on your taste preference)
• 2 pinches of sea salt

Melt the coconut oil and mix in the rest of the ingredients. Let cool before whipping with a fork to add a creamy texture.

10. Hair Gel

This is by far my most popular and my absolute favorite thing to make! It’s incredibly simple and so effective.

• 2 Tbsp flaxseeds (purchased in bulk)
• 1 cup of water
• 2-4 drops of essential oil (optional)
  • I used this* lavender essential oil

1. Bring water to a boil. Add flaxseeds and stir constantly.
2. After 3-5 minutes, strain the gel from the flaxseeds into a bowl with a fine-mesh strainer.
3. Strain again into your container with a tea infuser. (Strain quickly so it’s still liquidy and goes through the fine mesh. See some of my tips in my post.)
4. Add essential oil and stir.

And that’s it! Make sure you’ll here in two weeks when I’ll share 10 cleaning products you should start making instead of buying! Making your own products is a less daunting then it seems and I hope these ten simples recipes showed you just that! What products do you love to make at home?

Happy Making-

*Affiliate Link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my disclosure page for more info.

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I am ecstatic to have found Raw Elements that have certified natural and reef safe sunscreen! It was developed by a beach lifeguard! They have amazing ethics and all-natural ingredients. A lot of their packaging is also zero waste and plastic-free. As a company, they spread awareness about sun-protection and are committed to education and environmental awareness.

Today I’m sharing ten summertime outdoor activities for a great staycation! And no time in the sun is complete without some sun safety. Cute wide-brim hats notwithstanding, I’ve found the perfect zero waste sunscreen for wide spectrum protection.

This post was not sponsored by Raw Elements but I am a part of the Raw Elements affiliate program. This post contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase via one of the links, I will receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only link to products that I know and love. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Raw Elements Review

Y’all! I am obsessed with Raw Elements. Their active sun protector ingredient is non-nano zinc oxide and let me tell you, it’s super effective! I’ve tested their products and they seriously hold up.

You can use my code HF20 for 10% off your Raw Elements order!

Why I Love Raw Elements

• Reef-safe! Sustainable! Cruelty-free!
• Broad-spectrum sun protection with SPF 30
• Safe for all ages and never runs or stings the eyes
• Ultimate water and sweat performance
• Hypo-allergenic with no fragrances, preservatives, or chemicals
• Certified natural and organic ingredients
• Zero waste!

Sunscreen

I’m never leaving the house without my sunscreen tin this summer! A little goes a long way with this sunscreen and it soaks in very similarly to “traditional” liquid/chemical sunscreen. It does not leave a ‘white’ sheen on your skin and has a pleasant smell. I have severe allergies and I’m very sensitive to smell. Anything with fragrance really bothers me; this has no added fragrance just the natural zinc oxide aroma.

Lip Products

Raw Elements does use plastic for their lip products. I make my own lip balm which is great during the winter months but lips can become sunburnt as easily as skin so I need SPF! My lips can get cold sores if they burn. No bueno. I’m not going to compromise my health! Plus I think the rest of what these lip products offer outways the small fact that it’s in plastic.

Tinted Products

I’ve added the Raw Elements tinted moisturizer and their tinted lip balm to my daily skincare regime! (And I’ll definitely have to update my zero waste skincare routine blog post…) A friend of mine is an esthetician and I think she almost fainted when I told her I didn’t wear SPF daily. I mean me! The lifeguard should know better! But if my journey to zero waste has taught me anything, it’s as important what you put on your body as in it.

I wasn’t going to settle for any old product. And now, I don’t have to settle! Both the moisturizer and lip balm have SPF 30. Their tinted moisturizer soaks in beautifully and acts as a nice base for applying makeup. It might be a tad dark for some lighter skin tones but it works for me and I usually put powder on top of it anyway. The lip balm is quite thick but does have a nice natural shade and shimmer to it!

My Raw Elements Favorites

1. Face and Body Sunscreen Tin | $19
2. Tinted Face Moisturizer Tin | $18
3. Pink Lip Shimmer SPF 30 | $6
4. Lip Rescue SPF 30 | $6
5. Herbal Rescue Lip Balm | $4

Remember you can use my code HF20 to get 10% your Raw Elements order.

10 Outdoor Summer Staycation Ideas

Memorial Day weekend is when my local pool usually opens and it just makes me so sad that I don’t know when I’ll ever be able to swim in chlorine again! But I’ve come up with ten ideas to pretend you’re not ~actually~ in your parent’s backyard. Sometimes it’s about the state of mind rather than the place that can make you feel like you’re on vacation!

1. Set-up a beach chair in the yard and (after lathering yourself with sunscreen ) soak up the sun! You can play some beach/ocean sounds and pretend you’re on the sand.
2. Lay your favorite blanket or towel on the grass and have a picnic.
3. Sit under an umbrella with a cozy summer book and let the hours fade as you read the day away.
4. Cool off by filling a bucket with ice water and soaking your feet. Play your favorite summer hits and do some dancing if you feel keen.
5. Take a walk or go for a bike ride.
6. Have a photoshoot in the garden or in the yard. Capture you and your family like you would when you’re on vacation!
7. Camp in your own backyard (or your parent’s backyard ).
8. Have dinner delivered and eat it outside! Set up a card table and really make a table-scape à la ‘Lady and the Tramp’ set with candles or lanterns and a tablecloth. Decor can really set the mood and make you believe you’re not just a couple yards from home.
9. Use a sprinkler and run through it like you did when you were a kid.
10. Pretend you’re on a yoga or meditation retreat and practice some mindfulness and/or movement outside.

Take advantage of the nice weather and get outside! I always feel so much lighter after spending a day in the sun rather than inside. Even if it’s just writing this blog post outside in a chair It never fails to boost my mood. How do you love to spend time outdoors at home?

Happy Day-

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I’m still at home social-distancing so keeping my living spaces clean has really been a priority for me. Spring is just around the corner but the weather is a bit too cold yet. So I’m spending these final cooler days doing a deep clean. Yay, spring cleaning!

This post contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase via one of the links, I will receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only link to products that I know and love. Thank you for supporting my blog!

I’ve curated a list of fifty things you can clean today with simple vinegar and water. I use a ratio of 1:1 with distilled white vinegar and distilled water stored in a glass spray bottle*. You can make your own orange peel vinegar spray for a scented all-purpose spray!

This list is as much to give you ideas as to inform you about what things you can safely clean with vinegar. Most materials like plastic, glass, and metal are great to clean with vinegar!

What to clean with vinegar

1. Mirrors
   • Yes, really! Spray with half vinegar, half water mixture and dry with a rag or microfiber towel. I use Bambooee reusable towels*. I purchased 1 roll about 2 years ago and they work great! I’ve only used about 4-5 sheets and continue to rewash them. They work best on mirrors and glass surfaces since they do not leave little fuzzies and are streak-free!
2. Bathroom sink
3. Toilet surface
4. Toilet bowl
   • Pour a cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl. Scrub with a toilet bowl brush and let sit for up to thirty minutes before flushing.
5. Sink and shower drains
   • Bring a kettle of water to boil. Let cool a bit and then pour hot water down a drain. Then pour a cup of vinegar down the drain.
6. Shower/tub
   • You can clean the surface with vinegar/water spray unless it’s tile. Avoid using vinegar on tile and grout.
7. Showerhead
   • You can even remove your showerhead and let it soak in a mixture of water and vinegar. I usually just spray the showerhead and let soak it for 10-15 minutes before I take a shower.
8. Safety razor
   • Soak your safety razor in a cup of warm water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Let sit for up to an hour. Do not leave longer. Afterward, scrub with an old toothbrush and rinse with water.

Related: How to use and maintain a safety razor // zero waste shaving

9. Makeup brushes
   • Soak your makeup brushes in the cup of warm water with a tablespoon of vinegar.
10. Your hair!
    • Clarify your hair by rinsing it with a tablespoon of vinegar and a cup of water. It will get rid of build-up in your hair, condition it, and make it shiny!
11. Hairbrush
    • Remove as much hair from the brush as possible before soaking the brush in a bowl of warm water and vinegar for 15 minutes. Leave to dry on a towel with the bristles facing downwards.
12. Windows
13. Picture frames
    • Both the frame and the glass can be wiped down with vinegar and water!
14. The entire surface of a laptop
    • Never spray directly onto a laptop! Just wet a cloth with vinegar spray and then wipe.
15. Phone screen
16. Phone case
    • Soak in a bowl if it needs a serious detox
17. Headphones
18. Tablets and e-readers
19. Yoga mat
    • You may want to scrub the surface with soap and water first (depending on how dirty your mat is… haha mine was gross). Then spray and wipe with vinegar and water.
20. TV remotes
21. The surface of a television

As with all technology, spray a towel or rag with vinegar and then wipe glass, plastic, or rubber surfaces with the damp cloth.

22. The outside surface of a refrigerator
23. The inside surface of a refrigerator
24. Garbage disposal
25. Microwave
    • You can heat a bowl of water and vinegar for 1 minute before wiping the interior surface with a cloth.
26. Dishwasher
    • In the top rack of a dishwasher, place a bowl with vinegar. Run the dishwasher and the vinegar will evaporate and get rid of build-up on the entire interior.
27. Washing machine
    • In the place of fabric softener, run a cycle with vinegar to get rid of build-up inside the machine. This is great if you have hard water! You can even replace fabric softener with vinegar when washing your clothes!

Related: DIY low waste wool dryer laundry balls

28. Smelly towels
    • Soak smelly towels or rags in a sink with vinegar and warm water. Do not ring out. Put in the washing machine and wash normally. (I also wash with cold water so that’s why I soaked in warm water and vinegar beforehand.)
29. Carpets
    • Spray carpets with vinegar/water spray to eliminate odors. Let air dry.
30. The interior of your car
31. The interior windows of your car
32. Desk/office area
33. Pens, scissors, and other office supplies
34. Walls
    • Get rid of scuff marks and other dust that’s built-up on interior walls over time.
35. Doorknobs

What to Avoid Cleaning with Vinegar

The general rule of thumb is not use vinegar on porous/natural surfaces because of how acidic vinegar is for it can eat away vanish. I do use vinegar and water on painted wood because the paint acts as a barrier. Avoid using vinegar on:

• Granite or marble surfaces
• Wood
• Stone floors, tiles, or fireplaces

For these surfaces, it’s just best to use soap and water. These natural materials are porous so they absorb liquid and other materials. Most of these materials have finished and vinegar will break them down.

Cleaning with vinegar and water is incredibly cost effective! You can get distilled white vinegar for as little as $0.02/fl oz. I usually buy the biggest container I can (even it’s in plastic) to reduce on packaging overall.

I hope you are safe and healthy during this season of change. What ways do you like to clean sustainably?

Happy Day-

*Affiliate Link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my disclosure page for more info.

This post contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase via one of the links, I will receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only link to products that I know and love. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Zero Waste Tea Essentials

You don’t need much to make the perfect cup of tea. I’ve been using the same four supplies to make tea for years. I first purchased an electric tea kettle in college and I would never go back! It’s great because it boils water quickly and silently. It was great for my college dorm and then the studio apartment I shared with my roommate. I could silently brew a cup of tea without waking her up and head to class.

I bought this ceramic travel mug when I was in college as well. Despite being ceramic, it’s incredibly durable! I’ve dropped it before and it holds up. I love the texture of the mug and its simple, elegant look.

I buy my tea in bulk at my local Wegmans grocery store. I fill homemade cloth bags and then transfer the tea to elite pint mason jars when I get home. Storing tea in mason jars or other upcycled glass jars keeps it fresh! I bought my ForLife tea strainer basket at Wegmans, as well. Its extra fine mesh makes sure no tea sediment gets in the drink.

Three Ways to Brew the Perfect Cup of Tea

1. French Press

A French press isn’t just for coffee anymore! I love it to make loose leaf tea. You can brew one to three cups in a French press. I actually got this French press at my local thrift shop. Thrift shops always have French presses, kettles, and mugs! Always choose to buy second-hand over new if you can.

To brew, I put 1-2 tbsp of loose leaf tea and pour boiling water over. Give the tea a swirl with a spoon and leave it to steep until it’s reached its desired strength. I love to steep the first cup for about three minutes and then leave the rest to sit and get darker. I love a good super black cup of tea by letting the leaves sit for ages!

This is a great way to brew a couple cups for you and a friend. Scones optional but highly recommended

2. Cloth Tea Bag

I love to use cloth tea bags for herbal tea! I made my own cloth tea bag last autumn, learn how to make it here. Using a cloth tea bag is great when the tea has extra fine bits.

To brew, just fill the tea bag with up to 1 tbsp of loose leaf tea. I often use a cloth tea bag when using my to-go mug. I can quickly pour hot water over the bag and head out the door, leave it to steep as I run to work or an event.

You could also make your own tea blend and steep it with the cloth tea bag. Adding lemon, ginger, mint leaves, or other botanicals would make a great zero waste infusion.

When finished brewing, turn the cloth bag inside out and rinse thoroughly. I often don’t wash mine until after a couple of uses. And then I’ll throw it in the washer with tea towels and my reusable cotton rounds. Or you can heat the kettle up again and soak the bag in a bowl of hot water for a couple of minutes.

3. Metal Tea Strainer

Metal tea strainers are probably the most popular way to brew zero waste tea. There are tons of options like mesh balls, mesh snap ball with a squeeze handle, or a mesh basket. I’m partial to the basket kind! I think they do the best job at brewing and keeping loose leaf tea in the mesh.

With up to 2 tbsp of loose leaf tea, pour hot water over the tea and basket and let to steep. I often leave mine until it’s cool enough to drink, making a perfectly dark cup of tea.

The great thing about a basket strainer is that it’s super easy to dump in the compost bin. If you like to reuse your tea, you can leave it in the basket and brew another cup. The ceramic dish is great for that!

I hope you enjoyed today’s tutorial! No matter the weather, I always look forward to a nice hot cup. How do like to enjoy a cup of tea?

Happy Day-