Homemade Feminine Pads

Well since I did a post on the family cloth I thought I should go ahead a do one on  homemade feminine pads. Once again some of you may think yuck and that there would be no way, but just think about it, and the money you would save. Not only the money you would save but you wouldn't have to worry about having to store big bulky packages of pads every where or worry about not having them when you need them, or running out. You also don't have to worry about the harsh chemicals that are in store bought pads.

They are very simple to make you can go here to get a pattern.

 

I  copied the pattern onto some cardboard. 

 

cut them out.

 

Place on your fabric then I use a sharpie to trace around the patten.

 

Cut them out.

 

This is what you should have one top and two bottom pieces.

 

This is an optional step. I had some fabric (not real sure what it is) that was covering the boat but ripped so we had to take it off I took the cover and washed it. It is water resistant so I used some on the bottom of the pads. So if you use a water resistant fabric cut two bottom halves.

 

 

Place the resistant fabric on the underside of the two bottom pieces and iron over a small fold on the edge.

 

stitch these down I used a zig zag stitch.

 

Then set the two bottoms on the top

 

pin in place.

 

Sew around the edges.

 

Then turn inside out.

 

Iron down and sew around the edges of the turned out pad.

 

For the inside take two squares of fabric sew together and turn inside out and run a few seams on the inside kind of like quilting it. (Sorry it is kind of hard to see in the picture)

 

Fold this in to thirds

And insert into the pad.

 

You can use Velcro or snaps on the wings.  This one I just stitched a piece of Velcro on the wings.

 

On this one I used snaps.

 

 

After it is all done it can fold up like this. They are very simple to make.

 

You can use them for pantie liners , just don't put in the insert.

 

There are a couple things you can do with them after you use them. Some people have a bucket of water that they put them in after they are used, or you can put them straight  into a bucket and cover with a cloth. To wash if you put them in the water just drain the water and throw in the washer, with the dry bucket when you get ready to wash add some water and rinse then throw in the washer. I haven't used the water method, I would think the water would get smelly so I have a small bucket that I cover with a small towel to put them in I pull out the insert this way it all gets air I haven't had a problem with the smell but I do keep them washed up at least every other day.

 

So do you think this is something you would do? I was  a little sceptical at first but I have to say I like them a lot better and they are more comfortable then the store bought pads.

 

 

Make your own Sugar Wax

 

 

I love this stuff, I don’t use it as often as I should.  It is so good to know how to make so if you don’t have a razor you won’t have to be hairy ape. Plus it is so much cheaper then buying the wax or for that matter razors.

This works best on hair that is 1/8” to ¼” inch long. Your skin must be dry to do this you can use a thin layer of baby powder or cornstarch if it isn't real dry like if  just got out of the shower.

Here is how to make it.

 

 

 

 

In a pan mix

2 cups of sugar

 

 

 

¼ cup water

¼ cup lemon juice

 

 

 

 

Put over a med heat Stirring occasionally till you bring it to a slow boil then turn the heat down to low and simmer until you get to 250 degrees about 25 minutes.

 

It will change to a honey color

 

 

Pour into a glass container let cool for about 30 minutes.

Have several strips of cloth about 2 to 3 inches wide and about 6 to 7 inches long. I just use a old sheet cut into strips.



 

I use a large popsicle stick to spread.

Spread a thin layer

 

 

then use a strip of fabric and pat it down on top of the layer ( I used my arm to show, it was easier to show then my leg ).

 

After you have the strip on quickly pull it off.

 

It is kind of hard to see but it does pull the hair off.

 

 

Clean up is easy just use soap and water.

you can wash your strips to reuse.

　

It is a lot easier if you have some one who can help with the back of your legs

Make your own Hair spray

Make your own Hair spray

This recipe is so easy and you have the ingredients right in your pantry. This stuff really works, really holds, is really cheap and it contains no harsh chemicals. You may need to do a little bit of adjusting until you find the ratio that works best for you (maybe only 3 teaspoons of sugar for super fine hair or 5 for coarse hair...).
Ingredients
1 Cup water
1 Tbs. Sugar
1 Tbs Vodka or rubbing alcohol ( optional, acts as a preservative)
Spray bottle that produces a fine mist
3-5 drops of essential oil if you would like it scented

Directions:
Place water in a pot and boil. Once boiling turn off heat and add sugar. Stir to dissolve. Let cool add alcohol, cool and add essential oils and place in spray bottle .
To use: Spray bottle should be on its finest mist. Lightly spray a thin coat of hairspray on hair once dry you can reapply. Warning: don't just go crazy with it or else you will end up with a wet head. Do apply in very thin coats.
Be sure to label the contents of your bottle.

Make your own Sugar Scrub

Up until about a month ago I had no idea what sugar scrub was, I had seen it in stores and had seen recipes for it but had no idea. Well last month at the Ag expo someone was selling some so I asked her what it was. She said it was an exfoliate. You use it in the shower or bath right before you get out all you do is rub this all over and then rinse it off and when you get out just pat dry. So I decided I needed to try this so I came home and made some. The stuff is wonderful and so easy to make and a fraction of the cost of store bought. You can make it any scent that you want, I made orange because I have some orange powder that I made that I need to find uses for. I liked it as did my daughters,They liked the scrub but not the orange smell ( They thought it smelled like furniture polish).

Sugar Scrub
You can use salt or sugar. Sugar can be gentler on the skin. Just make sure to choose a sugar or salt that has small granules that won't tear at skin. A basic table salt or sugar works wonderfully. If you have super sensitive skin, you might opt for a dark brown sugar. I did make some with salt It seemed to burn my skin a little my youngest used it and said the same thing. I haven’t tried the brown sugar since it is getting pricey.

Chose oil, any oil will work, coconut oil, almond oil, safflower, vegetable oil, Olive oil. The choice is yours I used half-olive and half-vegetable just because the vegetable is cheaper.

Essential oils whatever Kind you prefer I have seen some recipes tat use vanilla extract or almond I do plan to try that.

All you do is mix one part oil to two parts sugar and add your EO .Put in a jar to store I used a pint jar. It will separate a little It should keep fine if you use it pretty quick or you can use a natural ingredient such as vitamin E oil or sea salt as a light preservative.

The shower floor may get slick from the oil – use caution

Homemade toothpaste

I have started making my own toothpaste because it is a lot cheaper then the store bought kind and it is a lot better for you and it has no fluoride which is extremely harmful.
　
　　
Here is how I make my homemade toothpaste:

½ Cup Baking Soda
2 TBL Glycerin
1 tea peppermint extract.

     Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl, I store mine in small glass jars every one has there own jar of toothpaste. Just dip your toothbrush in and scoop out.
     I have also made a cinnamon variation. Instead of using peppermint oil, I added a teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a few drops of cinnamon oil. This did turn out a little bit hot for the girls, and I'm not sure if I like the ground cinnamon in the paste -- cinnamon oil only might be a better choice This toothpaste recipe is very easy to experiment with as far as flavoring,

Here is another recipe that I found I haven’t tried it yet .
2 tablespoons coconut oil
3 tablespoons baking soda
1/2 small packet of stevia powder
20-25 drops of peppermint oil*
1. Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl, using a fork.
*Add about half of the amount of peppermint oil to start, and test the toothpaste to see how much you want/like.