Month: September 2026

Beard Shampoo

Posted on by David Knight

Simple liquid Castile soap beard shampoo with jojoba or coconut oil, peppermint, and tea tree essential oils.

Beard Shampoo

Simple liquid Castile soap beard shampoo with jojoba or coconut oil, peppermint, and tea tree essential oils.
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Course Home & Body
Status To Try

Ingredients
  

  • 2 teaspoons jojoba oil or coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup liquid Castile soap
  • 1/8 teaspoon peppermint oil
  • 1/8 teaspoon tea tree oil
  • 1/4 cup distilled water

Instructions
 

  • Mix the Castile soap with the jojoba or coconut oil and the essential oils.
  • Add the distilled water last and mix to combine.
Keyword body-care, essential-oils, shampoo
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Source: Legacy Homesteading archive

Winter Salve-ation

Posted on by David Knight

A coconut-oil herbal salve with lavender, calendula, rose, beeswax and grapefruit essential oil.

Winter Salve-ation

A coconut-oil herbal salve with lavender, calendula, rose, beeswax and grapefruit essential oil.
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Course Herbs & Remedies
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Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup coconut oil
  • 1 part lavender
  • 2 parts dried calendula
  • 1 part dried rose
  • 1 ounce beeswax shaved
  • 15-20 drops grapefruit essential oil

Instructions
 

  • Combine the herbs with the coconut oil and infuse using a double boiler for 30–60 minutes at a simmer, taking care not to get water into the infusion. Alternatively, use a sealed jar for a solar infusion for 4–6 weeks.
  • Strain the infused oil through three layers of cheesecloth and squeeze out the remaining oil.
  • Melt the shaved beeswax over low heat and combine with the infused oil.
  • Stir in the grapefruit essential oil, pour into jars, and refrigerate for about 10–15 minutes to check the final consistency. Use less beeswax for a softer salve or more for a firmer salve.
Keyword herbs-remedies
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Source: Legacy Nextcloud archive

Aches and Pains Salve

Posted on by David Knight

An herbal salve made with meadowsweet, calendula, olive oil, beeswax and Roman chamomile essential oil.

Aches and Pains Salve

An herbal salve made with meadowsweet, calendula, olive oil, beeswax and Roman chamomile essential oil.
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Course Herbs & Remedies
Status To Try

Ingredients
  

  • 1 part dried meadowsweet
  • 1 part dried calendula
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 1 ounce beeswax shaved
  • 15-20 drops Roman chamomile essential oil

Instructions
 

  • Combine the dried herbs with the oil and infuse using a double boiler for 30–60 minutes at a simmer, taking care not to get water into the infusion. Alternatively, use a sealed jar for a solar infusion for 4–6 weeks.
  • Strain the infused oil through three layers of cheesecloth and squeeze out the remaining oil.
  • Melt the shaved beeswax over low heat and combine with the infused oil.
  • Stir in the Roman chamomile essential oil, pour into jars, and refrigerate for about 10–15 minutes to check the final consistency. Use less beeswax for a softer salve or more for a firmer salve.
Keyword herbs-remedies
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Source: Legacy Nextcloud archive

Hand & Body Soap

Posted on by David Knight

A basic cold-process hand and body soap made with coconut, olive and another liquid oil.

Hand & Body Soap

A basic cold-process hand and body soap made with coconut, olive and another liquid oil.
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Course Home & Body
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Ingredients
  

  • 2/3 cup coconut oil
  • 2/3 cup olive oil
  • 2/3 cup liquid oil such as almond, grapeseed, sunflower or safflower oil
  • 1/4 cup lye 100% sodium hydroxide
  • 3/4 cup cool water distilled or purified

Instructions
 

  • Cover the work area and put on gloves and protective equipment. Measure the water into a heat-safe jar, then slowly add the measured lye to the water while stirring. Avoid the fumes and allow the solution to cool.
  • Combine the three oils and warm them to about 120°F. Allow both the oils and lye solution to cool to between 95°F and 105°F.
  • Pour the oils into a mixing bowl. Slowly add the lye solution and stir by hand for about 5 minutes, then continue stirring or use an immersion blender until the mixture reaches trace.
  • Add any desired herbs, essential oils or other additions and mix thoroughly.
  • Pour into molds, cover, and insulate with an old towel. After about 24 hours, check the soap; if still warm or soft, leave it another 12–24 hours.
  • Unmold when cold and firm, cut into bars if needed, and cure for about 4 weeks, turning periodically so all sides are exposed to air.
  • When fully cured, wrap in wax paper or store appropriately. Clean lye-exposed equipment carefully.
Keyword soap
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Source: Legacy Nextcloud archive

Window Cleaner

Posted on by David Knight

Rubbing alcohol and ammonia window-cleaning spray.

Window Cleaner

Rubbing alcohol and ammonia window-cleaning spray.
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Course Home & Body
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Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
  • 1/8 cup ammonia
  • 1-2 drops detergent
  • water enough to fill the repurposed window-cleaner bottle nearly to the top

Instructions
 

  • Combine the rubbing alcohol and ammonia in a repurposed window-cleaner bottle.
  • Fill nearly to the top with water.
  • Add one or two drops of detergent and mix.
Keyword cleaning, household
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Source: Reformation Acres Homemaking Binder

Scouring Powder

Posted on by David Knight

Two-ingredient baking soda and washing soda scouring powder.

Scouring Powder

Two-ingredient baking soda and washing soda scouring powder.
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Course Home & Body
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Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup baking soda
  • 1/4 cup washing soda

Instructions
 

  • Combine the baking soda and washing soda.
  • Sprinkle as a scouring powder as needed. Use gloves to avoid skin irritation.
Keyword cleaning, household
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Source: Reformation Acres Homemaking Binder

Rust Stain & Hard Water Deposit Remover

Posted on by David Knight

Straight vinegar or lemon juice treatment for rust stains and hard-water deposits.

Rust Stain & Hard Water Deposit Remover

Straight vinegar or lemon juice treatment for rust stains and hard-water deposits.
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Course Home & Body
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Ingredients
  

  • vinegar or lemon juice full strength

Instructions
 

  • Apply full-strength vinegar or lemon juice to the affected spot.
  • Let stand until the spot disappears, then rinse.
  • Repeat if necessary.
Keyword cleaning, household
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Source: Reformation Acres Homemaking Binder

Mold Killer Spray

Posted on by David Knight

Full-strength vinegar spray used for mold treatment or prevention.

Mold Killer Spray

Full-strength vinegar spray used for mold treatment or prevention.
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Course Home & Body
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Ingredients
  

  • vinegar full strength

Instructions
 

  • Put full-strength vinegar in a spray bottle.
  • Spray on mold to kill it, or use regularly as a mold preventative.
Keyword cleaning, household
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Source: Reformation Acres Homemaking Binder

Mirror Cleaner

Posted on by David Knight

Vinegar and cornstarch spray cleaner for mirrors.

Mirror Cleaner

Vinegar and cornstarch spray cleaner for mirrors.
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Course Home & Body
Status To Try

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 cups warm water

Instructions
 

  • Put all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well to dissolve the cornstarch.
  • Spray liberally on the mirror, wipe with a clean cloth, and buff to a streak-free shine with wadded newspaper.
Keyword cleaning, household
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Source: Reformation Acres Homemaking Binder

Grapefruit & Salt Shower Scrub

Posted on by David Knight

Fresh grapefruit and salt used as a simple tub and shower scrub.

Grapefruit & Salt Shower Scrub

Fresh grapefruit and salt used as a simple tub and shower scrub.
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Course Home & Body
Status To Try

Ingredients
  

  • 1 grapefruit halved
  • salt as needed

Instructions
 

  • Score a grapefruit half and sprinkle it with salt.
  • Using the grapefruit as a scouring pad, scrub the tub or shower, applying more salt as necessary.
Keyword cleaning, household
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Source: Reformation Acres Homemaking Binder