| How to Make Your Own Body Lotion Posted: 15 Dec 2020 12:00 AM PST Making homemade body lotion is a fun project that you can complete in less than an hour! The ingredients are easy to get your hands on and all you need is a blender to combine them. This recipe is gentle and fragrance-free, making it safe to use on sensitive skin, but you can easily incorporate a subtle scent using your favorite essential oils. If you're making large batches of lotion to sell commercially, consider adding skin-safe mica, oxides, or specialty extracts to make your product colorful and unique. [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Simple Fragrance-Free Body Lotion - 1 cup (230 grams) of unrefined, 100% organic shea butter
- of coconut oil
- of vegetable glycerin
- of vitamin E oil
- 2 ounces (60 ml) of extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon (3 ml) of essential oil (optional)
- Skin-safe mica, oxide, or powdered pigments (optional)
- Specialty extracts for added properties (optional)
Makes about 20 ounces (600 ml) of body lotion [Edit]Making a Simple Body Lotion - Scoop 1 cup (230 grams) of shea butter into a blender. Use a measuring cup to portion out 1 cup (230 grams) of unrefined, 100% organic shea butter. Scrape the shea butter out of the measuring cup into a high-powered blender with your fingers or a spoon.[1]
- Be sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect your blender first!
- If you plan to make lotion regularly, you may want to buy a dedicated blender for this instead of using your everyday kitchen blender.
- Add of coconut oil to the blender. Measure out the coconut oil and dump it into the blender with the shea butter. It's totally fine to use the same measuring cup that you used for the shea butter without rinsing it out first.[2]
- Pour in the vegetable glycerin and vitamin E oil. Measure out of vegetable glycerin and dump it into the blender with the shea butter and coconut oil. Then, do the same with of vitamin E oil.[3]
- Buy vegetable glycerin and vitamin E oil at natural food stores, specialty shops, and online.
- Get the highest quality products you can afford if you plan to sell your lotion.
- Add 2 ounces (60 ml) of extra virgin olive oil to the blender. Measurements don't have to be precise, but about 2 ounces (60 ml) is recommended. Olive oil is nice and thick, so it's great for body lotion. However, if you prefer, you can substitute the same amount of:[4]
- Jojoba oil
- Avocado oil
- Sweet almond oil[5]
- Blend the ingredients on high speed until they're fully incorporated. Body lotion is thick, so stop the blender occasionally and scrape down the sides to ensure ingredients distribute evenly. Pulse the blender for 1-2 minutes total. Scrape down the sides a final time once the ingredients are thoroughly blended.[6]
- Check the consistency by dipping a finger into the lotion and massaging it into your hand. If there are still lumps, blend the mixture for another 1-2 minutes.[7]
- Transfer your lotion to a 20 ounce (600 ml) container with a lid. You should be able to pour the lotion straight from the blender into the container, but if you made yours super rich, grab a spoon to help you transfer the mixture. It's best to store the lotion in an air-tight container, especially if you don't plan on using the lotion right away. Glass and plastic containers work great.[8]
- If you're making lotion to sell, definitely store the lotion in an air-tight container.
- If you're making the lotion for yourself, feel free to screw a pump dispenser onto the mouth of the container instead.
- Store the body lotion in a cool, dry area for up to 18 months. Since this lotion is oil-based rather than water-based, you don't have to worry about mold and bacteria growing during storage. However, oil is prone to oxidation and degrades over time. For the best results, use your homemade lotion within 18 months.[9]
- Be sure to store your body lotion out of direct sunlight.
[Edit]Adding Scent, Color, and Extracts - Add 1 teaspoon (3 ml) of essential oil to the mixture, if desired. If you want to jazz up your lotion with a subtle scent, add your favorite essential oil to the mixture while it's still in the blender. You can use a single essential oil or a combination of several—it's completely customizable. If you aren't sure what scents you like, you might try:[10]
- Lavender oil for a relaxing, slightly herbal scent
- Rose oil for a classic floral fragrance
- Citrus oils like sweet orange and grapefruit for a bright, energetic scent
- Patchouli or cedarwood oil for a deep, woody scent
- Myrrh, frankincense, or benzoin for a dramatic, resinous scent
- Blend the lotion for 1-2 minutes to incorporate the essential oil. At this point, test the lotion on your hand to see how you like the fragrance. If you want a slightly stronger scent, add another teaspoon of essential oil and blend the mixture again. However, avoid using more than a total of 2 teaspoons (6 ml) of essential oil.[11]
- Essential oil is very concentrated and can irritate the skin if it isn't properly diluted.
- Use skin-safe mica, oxides, and powdered pigments to add color. These products are oil-soluble, so they're perfect for this recipe. Instructions will vary by brand, but the process typically involves dissolving the pigment in oil and blending it into the lotion mixture with the other ingredients. Shop at specialty stores and always check the packaging to make sure products are skin-safe. Keep in mind that adding color only affects the way your lotion looks, so using it is completely optional.[12]
- Some skin-safe mica formulas can even add a little sparkle to your lotion!
- Check product instructions for how much pigment to use with the amount of lotion you made.
- These pigments are potent and intended for use in big batches of lotion. It will be hard to add them to a small amount of lotion.
- Add extracts to enhance your lotion with special properties. There are many extracts out there and the properties are different for all of them. You can buy extracts at specialty soap-making and beauty stores. The general usage rate is of extract for every 1 pound (453 grams) of product, so it's difficult to use them unless you're making big batches. Check individual instructions for different products for more information. [13]
- For example, chamomile extract has anti-inflammatory properties and can soothe irritated skin.
- Green tea extract and aloe extract are skin soothing extracts.
- Evening primrose and buckthorn extracts are often used for their anti-aging properties.
- Oat extract soothes irritated skin and is a great option if you have sensitive skin.
- Mallow extract has intense moisturizing properties.
- Add powdered zinc oxide if you want the lotion to have SPF. SPF 20 is a pretty standard amount and offers great daily sun protection. To calculate how much zinc oxide you need to add to achieve SPF 20, multiply the total amount of lotion you have by .20.[14]
- For example, if you have 4 ounces (113 grams) of lotion, you would use .8 ounces (22.6 grams) of zinc oxide.
- Use a digital kitchen scale to measure out the zinc oxide for the most precise results. If you don't have a kitchen scale, measuring cups and spoons will work fine.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Blender
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Regular spoon or spatula
- Air-tight container that can hold 20 ounces (600 ml) of product
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Posted: 14 Dec 2020 04:00 PM PST Freezing temperatures, falling snow, and icy roads can make driving in winter weather tricky. Don't worry, though! We've compiled the best tips to help you get your car ready for winter so that you can get wherever you're going safely. [Edit]The Basics - Air up your tires to the recommended PSI. Pull out your car's owner manual and see what the recommended tire pressure level is for your vehicle. Test the air pressure with an air pressure gauge, and compare the results to your car's recommended PSI. If the tire PSI is a bit lower than it should be, swing by a gas station to air your tires back up.[1]
- To be safe, check your tire pressure once a month to make sure everything looks good.
- Test your tires with a coin to see if there's enough tread. Grab a small coin that has a person engraved on the front, like an American quarter. Stick this coin in "head-first" between the tire treads and take a closer look. If you can see more than the top of the head sticking out, then you need to replace your tires.[2]
- Your tires need a lot of treads so they can tackle the winter weather, like snow and ice.[3]
- Switch out your regular tires for winter tires if you can. Snow tires are thicker and have better treading than your average tires. If you're interested, stop by your local auto shop to give your car an upgrade.[4]
- Snow tires are bulkier than normal tires, so your mechanic might need to make some adjustments to your car after the fact.
- Look for snow tires with siping, or extra slits cut into the treads. This can give you a little more traction during the winter weather.
- Look into getting tire chains if you live in a really snowy or icy area. These can give you some peace of mind when you're driving during the winter months.[5]
- Examine all your lights and replace any burned-out bulbs. Turn on your car and test all the interior and exterior lights. If any of these bulbs are burned out, stop by your local car supply shop to pick up a few replacements.[6]
- During the winter months, visibility on the road isn't always great. While you can't control how much light is outside, you can definitely test and replace any faulty lights in your car.
- Install new windshield wipers if your old ones look a little run-down. Replace your windshield wipers every 6-12 months, especially if they're looking a little worse for wear. Pick up a new set from your local auto shop whenever your wipers start squeaking or sticking to the windshield.[7]
- Switch to wiper fluid designed for winter. Pick up a bottle of winter windshield wiper fluid from your local auto shop and refill the reservoir. You don't have to drain your reservoir completely—just top it off with the winter fluid, so you can keep your windshield clean throughout the winter.[8]
- In the winter, regular windshield cleaning fluid may freeze when it touches your window, which is very dangerous. Winter fluid is safe to use in the colder weather.
[Edit]Winter Maintenance - Refuel your car often so there's always ½ tank of gas or more. Empty gas lines are more likely to freeze when the weather gets cold. Before driving anywhere, check your gas levels to see how fuel is in the tank. Throughout the winter months, try to keep your car at least halfway fueled, so your gas lines won't freeze over.[9]
- Top off your coolant if it's low. Pop open the hood and take a look at how much antifreeze your vehicle has.[10] If you're running low, refill the reservoir with a diluted mixture that's 60% antifreeze and 40% water.[11]
- Your antifreeze helps keep your car's radiator from freezing and keeps your car in working order.[12]
- Test your battery to make sure it's working. Grab a multimeter and set it to DC volts, so you can get an accurate reading. Clip the positive multimeter probe to the positive terminal on your battery, and the negative probe to the negative terminal. Check the multimeter and see what it says—if your reading is below 12.45 volts, then your battery needs to be recharged.[13]
- Test your battery immediately after turning the car off for a more accurate reading.
- Winter weather can put a lot of strain on your battery, so it's important to check out your battery ahead of time.[14]
- Check your car's heat and defrost settings. Turn on your vehicle and press the heating and defrost buttons. Feel around your car's heating vents and feel for warm air. If you don't feel any air coming out, bring your car to a mechanic to tune up the heating system.[15]
- Get your car inspected by a mechanic. Ask the mechanic to take a look at your car's fluids, brakes, tires, and battery.[16] A professional should also look over the fuel system, ignition system, belts, wipers, cooling system, lights, and oil to make sure everything's in tip-top shape for the winter weather.[17]
[Edit]Before You Drive - Pack a winter supply kit in the back of your car. Store a flashlight, a whistle, a first aid kit, a cell phone, extra medicine, several blankets, a charged cell phone, warm clothes, and 3 days' worth of food and water in your car before the winter weather hits. If your car should get stuck or stranded along the road, these supplies will keep you safe and warm while you wait for help to arrive.[18]
- Road flares and jumper cables are also useful to have on hand.[19]
- Keep an extra ice scraper in the back of your car, just in case.
- Scrape off any ice or snow before leaving your home. Grab an ice scraper and get rid of any snow or ice that's stuck to the top of your car, as well as your windshield and side windows. Double-check that all the snow is cleared off, even from your trunk and roof.[20]
- If ice or snow slips off your car while you're driving, you may put other drivers at risk.[21]
- In some places, you can get in legal trouble if you don't clear off the snow and ice.
- Remove any snow or ice from the exhaust pipe. Squat down near your exhaust and take a peek inside. Scoop out any ice or snow that's clogging the pipe, so your car doesn't get filled with any noxious fumes.[22]
- If your exhaust pipes are a bit clogged up, carbon monoxide can potentially leak into your car.
- Avoid driving in any bad weather if you can. Tune into your local weather station to see if any blizzards, ice storms, or other icky weather are heading in your direction. If the weather isn't looking too great, stay home until the roads clear up a little more.[23]
- Winter weather can be really unpredictable. It's best to stay home whenever possible, even if you're a skilled driver.
- If you end up driving in wintry weather, call up the friend, family member, co-worker, or any other person you're traveling to. Let them know that you're caught in some bad weather and that you'll probably be late.
- Unfortunately, there's not much you can do if you're already on the road when a storm hits. If you get caught during some bad weather, do your best to drive safely.
- Run your car heater for a few minutes instead of leaving it on during the entire trip. This can help save you some gas in the long run.[24]
- If you end up stuck on the side of the road, place reflective triangles behind your vehicle, so emergency services can find your vehicle more easily. You can also slip into a reflective vest.[25]
- Your car's paint job might look a little worse for wear after being splattered with slush, road salt, and dirt. During the colder months, consider applying a coat of wax to help keep your car protected.[26]
- Store important documents, like your car's registration, in a waterproof container, so they stay safe and dry during the winter weather.[27]
- Secure your floor mats to the bottom of the car with retention clips. This way, they won't move around beneath your feet while you're driving.[28]
[Edit]Warnings - Don't panic if you get stuck in the snow. Call an emergency car service and stay bundled up in your car until help arrives. While you wait, tie something brightly-colored around your antenna, so emergency services can find you more easily.[29]
[Edit]References |
| How to Make Herbal Bath Teas Posted: 14 Dec 2020 08:00 AM PST Herbal teas are remarkable for their distinctive aromas and calming properties. Depending on the ingredients, an herbal tea can soothe, relax, or energize you. Instead of drinking herbal tea, try soaking in it! Run a bath and toss in a tea bag full of dried herbs. Then, get in the tub and soak while your bath tea steeps. Breathe deeply and enjoy a naturally calming bathtime experience. [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Rejuvenating Bath Tea - 1 teaspoon (0.7 g) of dried comfrey
- 1 teaspoon (0.7 g) of dried alfalfa leaves
- 1 teaspoon (0.5 g) of dried parsley
- Peel from 1 lemon
- Peel from 1 orange
Makes enough for 1 bath [Edit]Sleepy Time Bath Tea - 1 tablespoon (2.5 g) of dried lavender flowers
- 1 tablespoon (2 g) of dried chamomile flowers
- 1 tablespoon (2 g) of dried peppermint leaves
Makes enough for 1 bath [Edit]Skin-Nourishing Bath Tea - 1/8 cup (5 g) of lavender flowers
- 1/8 cup (4 g) of chamomile buds
- 1/8 cup of (4 g) of calendula buds
- 2 cups (480 g) of Epsom salt or sea salt
- 1 cup (180 g) of baking soda
- 1/2 cup (62 g) of powdered milk, optional
- 15 to 20 drops essential oils of your choosing, optional
Makes enough for 5 baths [Edit]Rejuvenating Bath Tea - Peel 1 lemon and 1 orange. Rinse the fruit and use a vegetable peeler to cut away the peel from the lemon and orange. If you prefer, peel the fruit with your bare hands or use a small knife to carefully cut away the peel. Don't throw the peel away since you'll be using it for the bath tea.[1]
- If you don't want citrus that's been treated with pesticides, purchase organic fruit.
- You won't need the fruit itself for the bath teas.
- Put the peels in a muslin bag with comfrey, alfalfa, and parsley. Get out a large muslin tea bag and put the peels from the orange and lemon into it. Then, add 1 teaspoon (0.7 g) of dried comfrey, 1 teaspoon (0.7 g) of dried alfalfa leaves, and 1 teaspoon (0.5 g) of dried parsley.[2]
- Comfrey may reduce pain and manage inflammation, muscle strain, and arthritis while the citrus can lift your mood.
- Parsley contains anti-inflammatory flavonoids that can calm an upset stomach.
- Tie the bag to the bathtub faucet. Pull away the drawstrings from the sides of the bag to close it and use the strings to tie the bag closed. Then, tie the strings to the tub's faucet so the tea bag hangs below it.[3]
- If you prefer, toss the tea bag directly into the tub.
- Run a bath. Turn on the water so it's your preferred temperature and fill the tub as high as you would like. Then, turn off the faucet and untie the tea bag. Drop it into the tub and enjoy as you soak in your bath tea![4]
- Discard the tea bag after 2 days since the tea will begin to mold.
[Edit]Sleepy Time Bath Tea - Fill a tea bag with equal parts of dried lavender, chamomile, and peppermint. Get out a muslin tea bag with a drawstring or a disposable tea filter. Then, put 1 tablespoon (2.5 g) of dried lavender flowers, 1 tablespoon (2 g) of dried chamomile flowers, and 1 tablespoon (2 g) of dried peppermint leaves into the bag or filter.[5]
- Lavender and chamomile are known for their soothing and relaxing qualities.
- Tie the bag or filter closed. If you're using a muslin tea bag, pull the drawstrings tightly and tie them together. If you're using a filter, use a piece of twine or a rubber band and wrap it tightly around the open end of the filter so the tea doesn't fall out.[6]
- If you can't find any filters, put the tea into a clean sock. Then, tie the end of the sock closed so the tea stays in the bottom of the sock.
- Secure the bag to your tub's faucet. Use the bag's drawstrings or attach twine to the filter so you can tie the tea bag to the bathtub faucet. The water will flow from the faucet through the tea bag as you bath runs.[7]
- Fill the bath with water. Turn on your water and adjust the temperature until the water is as hot as you like. Keep running the water so the tub fills up with your sleepy time tea.
- Check the water as you're filling the bath so you can adjust the temperature if needed.
- Remove the tea bag and toss it in the tub before you soak. Untie the drawstring or twine and squeeze the bag gently. Concentrated tea will fall into the bathwater. Then, drop the bag into the tub and get into your bath tea.[8]
- To save the bath tea for another bath, remove the pouch and squeeze it. Let it dry completely and use it again within 2 days.
- Throw away the tea bag after 2 days because it will mold.
[Edit]Skin-Nourishing Bath Tea - Put the lavender, chamomile, calendula, salt, and baking soda in a bowl. Get out a mixing bowl and place 1/8 cup (5 g) of lavender flowers into it. Add 1/8 cup (4 g) of chamomile buds, 1/8 cup of (4 g) of calendula buds, 2 cups (480 g) of Epsom salt or sea salt, and 1 cup (180 g) of baking soda.[9]
- Baking soda can soothe skin irritation and stop itching.
- Epsom salt is known for relieving muscle aches and it can act as an exfoliant to slough off dead skin.
- Add 1/2 cup (62 g) of powdered milk if you'd like creamy bath tea. Although there's no research showing that milk baths can relieve itchy skin or moisturize it, milk has been a popular bath addition for centuries. If you'd like to try a creamy herbal bath tea, put the powdered milk into the bowl with the herbs, baking soda, and salt.[10]
- If you don't feel like trying a creamy bath, you can leave it out.
- Include 15 to 20 drops of essential oil if you'd like a strong fragrance. Choose your favorite scents or look for essential oils that could help your skin type. For example, if you enjoy floral scents, use rose or geranium essential oils or if you have acne-prone skin, for instance, add tea tree oil to your bath tea. Research shows that this essential oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects that could soothe your skin.[11]
- Essential oils are never safe to apply directly to your skin, which is why diluting them in the bath is a good way to use them.
- Mix the tea and divide it between 5 muslin tea bags. Use a spoon or your hands to combine all of the herbal bath tea ingredients. Once the mixture is uniform, get out 5 muslin tea bags with drawstrings. Use a spoon or small scoop to divide the tea between each bag.[12]
- If you don't have muslin bags, fill large disposable tea filters with the tea and tie them closed with twine.
- Run a bath and drop 1 filled bag in the water to steep. Fill your tub with water that's as hot as you like and place a tea bag in the water. Leave the bag in the bath while you soak. Try to soak for at least 20 to 30 minutes so you can relax and your skin can soften.
- Use a new bag of herbal bath tea for each bath since the powdered milk, salt, and essential oils will dissolve completely in the bath.
- Play around with your favorite herbal combinations. You might want to write down which herbs you enjoy soaking in and note any effects you felt.
[Edit]Warnings - Although you could brew and drink these herbal infusions, you shouldn't drink bath tea that you've soaked in.
- Avoid using herbal bath teas if you're pregnant or nursing. Your skin can absorb the tea and some ingredients haven't been proven safe for use during pregnancy.
- If you're allergic to any of the ingredients listed for the herbal bath teas, don't use them.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Rejuvenating Bath Tea - Measuring spoons
- Muslin tea bag
- Vegetable peeler or small knife
[Edit]Sleepy Time Bath Tea - Measuring spoons
- Muslin tea bag or disposable tea filter
[Edit]Skin-Soothing Bath Tea - Measuring cups
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Muslin tea bags or disposable tea filters
- Airtight storage container
[Edit]References |
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