Anyone interested in a substitution thread?

[naturalmama]

I'm thinking of things that we might normally buy that we could share alternatives for? I know there are a lot of ideas that are pretty well known on this board, but it won't hurt to list them anyway for mamas new to the ideas etc...

In particular, I am interested in deodorant recipes and possibly shampoo recipes or really good directions for going without shampoo.

For deodorant I have used apple cider vinegar or alcohol. And I know you can use bar soap for shampoo w/ herbal apple cider vinegar for conditioner, but thinking someone else may have better ideas.

So, please post away your ideas and any questions you may have..

Aileen

[mamabear]

Cool!

For deodorant I dust my pits with baking soda when I first come out of the shower. It keeps me fresh for a day. A light dusting is all you need; then I pat the excess off so I don't end up with white powder on my clothes.

One thing I've read about but have yet to try is making shampoo from a plant: soapwort. My essential oils book has a recipe.

[waterlily]

baking soda doesn't work for me but liquid chorophyll does. Not thrifty but healthful!

[MMJoiner]

For deo I need a little more that just baking soda or corn starch. I mix half and half corn starch and baking soda then put 1/2 tsp or so of lavender EO in the jar. Mix it up and let is sit for a couple days to absorb the EO then dust it under my arms. Works great. The lavender helps kill bacteria that makes us stinky.

For shampoo I've used a mixture of castille soap (either liquid, or bar that has been grated adn heated in water to disolve.) diluted with tea. Depending what kind of hair you have you may want a rosemary tea, or chamomile tea, or calendula, or whatever. It does not suds like commercial shampoo for those of you who are suds addicts.

Sunflower seed oil is great for removing make up, I've also used olive oil. Olive oil can be used to soften skin in plae of lotion, I've also infused it with calendula for this purpose. And face mask (dry skin) from whipping cream and avocado.

plain gelatin for hair gel. (if your hair is warm from the shower-- it will melt and run!)

water and lemon juice for hair spray.

In a pinch, you can buy really big bottles of cheap conditioner and use it in place of shaving cream. Protects and softens skin.