Friday, September 27, 2013

Kid-Approved Homemade Natural Bug Repellent Spray

Mosquitoes are extra hateful when they bite our precious kids! It seems so easy to just buy commercial insect repellent lotion, but think again. You can make your own homemade natural bug repellent spray in just three easy steps!

Before we begin, you have to understand why you must make your own repellent lotion or spray.

Do you have your insect repellent spray or lotion right now? Check its ingredients. What does it have? 

insect repellent commercial deet unsafe
For Kids, but "Keep out of reach of children"? 

Mine has N-diethyl-meta-toluamide 7.5%, or DEET. Studies are mixed on whether DEET is safe or toxic. One study, however, showed that deet can lead to "rashes, skin or mucous membrane irritation, transient numb or burning lips, dizziness, disorientation, and difficulty concentrating," while another study by Velri et al. (1994) stressed that: "Children were not more likely to develop side effects from DEET exposure when compared to an adult population."

Apart from these side effects, some researchers learned that DEET can "be toxic to the central nervous system." Researchers noted that additional studies must be done to verify the neurotoxicity of DEET to humans, "especially when deet-based repellents are used in combination with other neurotoxic insecticides."

DEET is potentially toxic to the central nervous system? And why are we even putting lotions with DEET on our children with their developing bodies?!

No wonder my insect repellent lotion also says: "Keep out of reach of children." It's crazy that it's made for kids, but it's also not entirely safe for kids! Of course I know that this warning means that this product is not safe to be eaten, but still...

So are you still going to use that DEET-based insect repellent stuff for your kids? 

I won't because I found this safe, natural, and homemade recipe for a bug repellent from Katie of Wellness Mama. She actually has several natural insect repellent recipes and they all sound so easy to make, but I'll just focus on the one I tried.

Natural Insect Repellent Spray Ingredients

  • Distilled or boiled water  

How to Make DIY Natural Insect Repellent Spray

  1. Fill spray bottle half-full with distilled or boiled water.
  2. Pour witch hazel to fill the rest of the bottle, but leave some space for your essential oils.
  3. Add 30 drops of essential oils. I mixed the following: Lavender, Lemongrass, and Eucalyptus, 10 drops each.
natural insect repellent homemade DIY natural deet-free
Homemade Natural Insect Repellent from Lavender, Lemongrass, and Eucalyptus Oils

Warning for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

Not all essential oils are safe to handle for pregnant and breastfeeding women. I'm copying the text in italics below verbatim from this article.

Essential Oil Guide for Pregnancy

The following list is from Everything Essential as a guide for using essential oils for pregnancy. If you have any question about using essential oils, seek out the guidance of a holistic healthcare practitioner.
Oils that are generally okay: 
  • Bergamot
  • Coriander
  • Frankincense
  • Geranium
  • Grapefruit
  • Lavender
  • Lemon
  • Sandalwood
  • Wild Orange
  • Ylang Ylang
Oils that for some would be better used diluted with a carrier oil (i.e. coconut oil): 
  • Clove
  • Cypress
  • Eucalyptus
  • Ginger
  • Helichrysum
  • Marjoram
  • Melaleuca
  • Myrrh
  • Oregano
  • Peppermint
  • Roman Chamomile
Consult with your healthcare practitioner before using these oils:  
  • Basil
  • Cassia
  • Cinnamon bark
  • Clary Sage
  • Lemongrass
  • Rosemary
  • Thyme
  • Vetiver
  • Wintergreen
  • White Fir

* Use peppermint essential oil sparingly near the end of your pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Mint is known to decrease milk production.

Expiration Date


I make a 60 ml natural insect repellent spray that gets consumed in a month, and so far, it's good enough to work and to not have any negative effect on my kids. If you think you won't be using too much, make your insect repellent spray in smaller batches (lesser essential oils needed), so you can have it fresh every week.

Your Natural Insect Repellent: Your Brand of Loving

There you go, your very own DEET-free, natural, homemade bug repellent. 

Now you can spray this on your kids without worrying of DEET. You'll love how it smells. 

Another great thing about this natural insect repellent spray is that it truly works. We have mosquito invaders every now and then, especially now that it's the rainy season, and after spraying this on my skin, I don't get any mosquito bite anymore!

Don't forget to shake well before every spraying because the oils float on top of the water after some time and to ensure that you dilute the oils well too. Also, you have to reapply if you have washed your skin or you have sweated a lot already.

Go ahead, try it and enjoy the scent of your DEET-free natural bug protection. 

Your skin will love you for it. 

Your kids will come running for it. 

But insects will hate you for being so vile to them with your natural insect repellent spray.

Have you tried any natural bug repellent product? What's your favorite combination of oils? 



Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Simple, Natural, No-Squeeze Remedy to Pimples

pimple squeeze pop natural remedy DIY we are practical moms
To Pop or Not to Pop?

Pimples beg for a squeeze, but do not give in too easily!

Popping your pimples can lead to scarring and infection. It can result to a painful blemish or a cyst, and you don't want any cysts at all because you'd need a physician for that, and that makes pimples doubly stressful (cyst plus expenses). 

There are homemade, natural, and practical remedies for pimples that you can try. American make-up artist, entrepreneur, and blogger Michelle Phan have several tips. 

I'm going to share with you only what I've tried because it worked for me.

Simple, Natural, and No-Squeeze Remedy to Pimples


Probably because of stress, I got a pimple yesterday. It's most conveniently located at that corner of my nose, where my nose meets my cheek, right there at the corner. Just by seeing it, I feel so stressful I could imagine it inflating from additional emotional stress.

Instead of popping it, I figured that since I love natural products, I'd research it first. I found out that baking soda paste can dry it instantly. By instantly, I'm not saying you just put it there and voila, the pimple is gone in a second, not even three seconds. By instant, I'm saying it's simple and easy to do.

What do I see after trying my DIY solution? You got that right, no more pimple! The pus is gone! 

Hurrah baking soda and water! 

What to Do to Annihilate that Zit
First, you need baking soda and a bit of warm water. 

You have to make a paste out of the water and baking soda. Just put a little baking soda and add some warm water (the warmer the better, but definitely not scalding hot) on a saucer and mix them. 

Don't add too much water because it will make it runny. You need the paste hard enough to stick on that nasty zit.

After the paste is ready, put it on your zit. You can feel a sting because baking soda is salty. Let it stay there for 30 minutes (I was cleaning our car while waiting for it to dry, so just do your own thing). 

After that, wash the baking soda paste out with warm water well. 

Simple, natural, no need to pop. Practical solutions are right there in your kitchen. It's that easy to make your own simple, natural, no-squeeze pimple solution.

Cheers to one more reason to love baking soda!

A Lifestyle that Fends off Pimples


Apart from quick and easy solutions, there are ways to help prevent pimples through making lifestyle changes (unless you already have this kind of lifestyle).

Ayren Jackson-Cannady of WebMD wrote the article "10 Lifestyle Changes You Can Make to Deal With Acne" that I will summarize for you.

Here are some important habits that can clear acne the natural way:

1)  Get enough sleep.

Stress increases glucocorticoid production, which can lead to abnormalities in skin structure and function, exacerbating conditions like acne,” says Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, a dermatologist in Danville, Calif. 

Sleep helps us manage stress, so getting enough sleep can diminish stress, and with reduced stress, the less prone you will be to acne.

What is the meaning of enough sleep?

How Much Sleep Do You Really Need

2) Cut back the sugar.

Some kinds of foods result to higher blood glucose which stimulates an insulin boost and produces inflammation on a cellular level, says Badreshia-Bansal

Too much insulin can can result to hormonal changes that can lead to an "overactive oil gland activity."

Eat more whole grains, beans, and vegetables to have fewer breakouts.

3) Exercise.

Exercise reduces stress, improves circulation that pumps up oxygen to our skin cells and removes cellular wastes, and boosts our immune system.

Shower after workouts though to remove perspiration that can cause breakouts. 

4) Drink enough H2O.

A study from the University of Missouri-Columbia showed that water enhances blood flow throughout the body and skin. Your skin must have enough water to remove waste materials that cause breakouts and drinking water greatly helps the waste-removing process.

How much water do you need?

Every day you lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water.

So how much fluid does the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate need? The Institute of Medicine determined that an adequate intake (AI) for men is roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day. The AI for women is 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day. From Mayo Clinic

5) Consume Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

Omega-3s can reduce the production of leukotriene B4, a molecule that can make sebum and create inflammatory acne. Foods that are rich in Omega-3 are walnuts, avocados, flaxseed oil, and salmon.   

6) Clean your face twice a day.

Clean your face twice a day, morning and evening, to remove the buildup of dirt and toxins that block your pores. 

I use baking soda (I put a dash of baking soda on warm water) to wash my face, and I follow it up with raw honey and let it soak in my skin for two to five minutes. 

After that, I use apple cider vinegar rinse for toning (1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of warm water). I then put light virgin coconut oil (VCO) for moisturizing. 

Moisturizing is still important even if your face is oily because it helps to naturally hydrate the skin, which can help control oil production. 

7) Exfoliate.

Exfoliating a few days a week followed by a natural moisturizer can help manage oil glands. I exfoliate every three to four days. Here are some natural exfoliating facial scrubs.

8) Clean your cellphones.

One of the causes of your breakouts might be your "dirty" cellphone. Wipe your cellphones clean with a sanitizer daily.

Basically, making your own simple, natural, no-squeeze remedy recipe is just a short-term fix. It's better to have a lifestyle that can help you avoid breakouts in the first place.

Reminder: Some Limitations


I used this remedy for a small zit, the one that has some pus in it. This remedy does not have a fast effect on larger pimples. For bigger pimples, keep your face clean by washing twice daily with any DIY face wash, and you can also try oil cleansing. Also, keep in mind that a healthy diet and natural-living lifestyle are also staples to removing pimples.

Bust that Zit

Bust that zit without popping it. 

Scar, not your face, but the habits and food that you think contribute to it.


Have you tried this simple, natural, no-squeeze remedy to pimples? What are the natural ways you do to remove your pimple? 

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Full

To live to work is to be a fool,
money and things deserve no drool.
Working to live, now that's a full.

People don't need to empty their pockets,
to earn a full life, it's not in the moneyed sockets,
but in the hands that are full
with works of love, so beautiful,
a soul that knows it's bountiful.

Let's be full, not fools.
Empty out the weight,
run to our destiny, claim our fate!



poem mom mother writing simple simplicity natural living dreams love family full life spirituality DIY
Money is good, but to pursue a full soul and life is even better.

The Thunder

It peels the sky,
smites with power, the silent fly,
but all rage and rapidity
is gone

when the rain comes,
the thunder sighs.



poet mother writer DIY parenting discipline love silence
Rain Mothers

Practical Moms, Practicing Poets

There is no frigate like a book (1263)
by Emily Dickinson

There is no Frigate like a Book 
To take us Lands away, 
Nor any Coursers like a Page 
Of prancing Poetry – 
This Traverse may the poorest take 
Without oppress of Toll – 
How frugal is the Chariot 

That bears a Human soul.

Who says practical, work-at-home moms can't be poets? Novelists? Writers? We are definitely scientists because of our systematic methods of finding inexpensive (relatively inexpensive at times because some organic products can be remarkably expensive) natural products for us and our family, and I say we can be poets too! 


writing moms DI writer blogger soulful family
Mom Writers in a Digital World



Dickinson is right on. We'll ride our Frigates and Prance our poetry. Let's have our Chariots running wild. We practical moms can ride them manically! Human souls, passing-by!

Let's write about poohs, poo-poo, and no 'poo,
about beauty, lifestyle, health, and stealth,
sex, money, or the lack thereof,
silly things, happy things, 
nothing that means something,
and nothing that means everything.

Women issues, parent issues,
marriage, global warming, and inner wars,
epic battles won, others still ongoing,
poems and novels, blogs and tweets,
Frigates and Chariots, fearless and free!

Do you write poems too? What's your inspiration in writing them?

#mompoets #writingmoms #momsathome #practicingpoets #literature #momwriters #chariots #dickinson #humansoul

The Future of DIY in WeArePracticalMoms


So many topics, so little time to do them all! 

I wish I don't need to sleep, so I can work on some of my DIY projects while my kids are asleep! I also yearn to read and learn more on DIY and homemade products! Aaaarrgh, sleep, why do you have to exist! 

Anyway, here are some of the DIY natural products I plan to do in the future, hopefully the nearest future:

1) Oregano oil- Because we have oregano plants and they are just wilting so needlessly. 
oregano DIY homemade oil remedies natural medicine
"Oregano is used for respiratory tract disorders such as coughs, asthma, croup, and bronchitis." Web MD

2) A more intensive and extensive discussion of baking soda's uses and risks/limitations


DIY baking soda uses homemade remedies natural beauty organic living safe useful
Is Baking Soda Truly Natural?

3) Making my own natural shampoo, soap, and insect repellent spray 
(done).

4) Making DIY products for Christmas (not done- sadly).

5) Writing about fluoride, do we really need it to have healthy gums and teeth? 

Any other suggestions? I am quite busy with family and research work, so I may not be as blog-productive as I want to be. 


But I will continue writing. 


In the name of DIY love, natural beauty, natural living, organic products, healthy lifestyle, and practical, positive parenting.



Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Three Easy Steps for Baking Soda Toothpaste (Safe for Kids)

Toothpaste is supposed to clean your teeth, leaving it smelling fresh and healthy. Supposedly. 

It is also supposed to be safe for kids, if it's made for kids. Supposedly

But is it just me or do I sometimes feel that my mouth is still not clean enough after brushing with toothpaste? 

How about those chemicals I can hardly pronounce in my baby's toothpaste? Are they really safe?

If you want to know more on why you should be making DIY toothpaste for your kids and yourself, read on, if not, meaning you're convinced you want to make a homemade toothpaste, you can proceed to the recipe at the end.

Commercial Toothpaste's Ingredients: Are They Safe? 


For the first time in my life, I checked the ingredients of my toothpaste (a local brand). I researched on what they are for and their risks/disadvantages. Below is a snapshot of my toothpaste's ingredients.


toothpaste ingredients DIY homemade toothpaste
What My Toothpaste Contains (Kind of murky-looking because of the shadows, and also perhaps because the murkiness foreshadows its deep dark secrets, scary musical background added)
Flouride, aka sodium monoflurophosphate, in my toothpaste, check. 

Sorbitol. What is this? I checked and when consumed in large amounts, it can lead to "a range of gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating," according to the The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and "Nausea, gas, diarrheastomach cramps or anal irritation" said the WebMD

Now I wonder how much sorbitol is in my toothpaste, hopefully not 10 grams or more

Okay, I am learning more about the science of making toothpaste.

Hydrate silica.  It seems safe, as a mild abrasive to clean teeth and to provide a gel-like quality to toothpaste.


Water is another ingredient of my toothpaste.


Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Another unknown entity for me. It is added to toothpaste because it serves as a surfactant. Sources are mixed on the safety level of this chemical. Some say it's carcinogenic, while others say it is not, although higher usage may lead to some problems, such as skin irritation. Okay, knowing that it can be an irritant and it may be carcinogenic just makes my toothpaste a lot less appealing.


PEG-12. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) lets the toothpaste foam and produces the smooth feeling after brushing. Is it safe? Not proven to be carcinogenic but it may "contain potentially toxic manufacturing impurities such as 1,4-dioxane." Manufacturing impurities. Interesting in a mood-deflating sense.


Cellulose GumGum seems nice, while cellulose sounds greenish and natural. Cellulose gum is a "a chemically-treated cellulose derivative" that comes from "cell walls of woody plants, most often trees and cotton." 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rates cellulose gum as GRAS/FS, or "generally regarded as safe, but subject to limitations in some foods."This means consumption must be limited and "in accordance with good manufacturing practices."


Cellulose gum is used in both edible and non-edible products. It does not really harm humans, but it cannot be digested, so it just goes out of our system as it is. It is in toothpaste because as a polymer, it lets different things that don't mix well to mix well.


Sodium Saccharin. It's an artificial sweetener. It has been linked to bladder cancer in rats, although one academic journal article suggested that it does not translate to bladder cancer among humans. 


MethylparabenMethylparaben belongs to the paraben family of preservatives that is commonly used in food, pharmaceutical, and personal care products. Parabens act like estrogen, so it may possibly disrupt the hormone (endocrine) system. Parabens have been linked to breast cancer and toxicity issues, though other studies do not find a connection between methylparaben and cancer.


Propylparaben. It is a fragrance ingredient that has the same risks as methyparaben.


Mica. Mica is a mineral that acts as an abrasive that cleans teeth and it gives a shimmering effect to toothpaste.


CI 42090. It gives my toothpaste its bluish color. It is not potentially toxic or harmful to people.


Basically, my reaction after doing my research is, whoa. That makes my toothpaste not exactly safe to use and healthy to me and my kids. It's definitely better to just make my own homemade toothpaste!

Enter, the Baking Soda

These chemicals that seek to clean my teeth and protect it from cavities have some health risks involved (not so kid-friendly!), so what should I do? What can I use as toothpaste?

BS. Yes, Baking soda! Baking soda will be my new toothpaste.


Why Baking Soda?
Contrary to (somewhat) popular (mis)belief, baking soda does not erode tooth enamel, according to the study of Menezes et al. (2004). 

Furthermore, baking soda, based on my experience and anecdotal evidence (users comments from Wellness Mama, for instance), can clean teeth and freshen breath better than commercial toothpaste brands and can result to strong, white, healthy teeth and gums because it can effectively remove plaque.

Finally, baking soda has no fluoride, so it's safe for babies and young kids. Although  for my toddler, I just use virgin coconut oil as his toothpaste (it has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties) because he might not like baking soda's salty taste.

Homemade Baking Soda Toothpaste Recipe
I searched for baking soda toothpaste recipes online and the one from Wellness Mama appealed the most to me because it is so easy to do and I have most of the ingredients at home. 

I have the simplest version, which is found below. That's my daughter, my toothpaste model :) 


how to make your own baking soda toothpaste that is non-toxic, natural, easy, and affordable

Here's another version of homemade baking soda toothpaste, as adapted from Wellness Mama.

Ingredients

  • 6 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil (warm enough to be liquid, which means above 76 degrees F)
  • Calamansi (lime) or lemon extract
  • 10 drops orange oil or other oils you think your babies would prefer (for babies and kids to like the taste)

Wellness Mama had the following additional ingredients in her toothpaste.
  • 2 small packets of stevia powder (for  sweeter taste because baking soda is salty)
  • 15-20 drops of peppermint or cinnamon essential oil (optional for taste)
  • 10 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract (optional)
  • 10 drops myrhh extract (optional)

What To Do: Three Easy Steps to Make Baking Soda Toothpaste

1) Melt the coconut oil if it has hardened. Combine and manipulate all ingredients, including essential oils, according to the taste and consistency you want. If it's too runny, add more baking soda. Too hard? Add more oil. 

2) After mixing everything, put your toothpaste into a small glass jar. Let it cool if hot. 

3) Dip your clean toothbrush into it every time you need it or use a small spoon to take out the toothpaste. It's important to keep your toothpaste clean because since it is natural-made, it can spoil if you put in something dirty. 

Brush like ordinary toothpaste, but limit it to two minutes at the most because baking soda can affect tooth enamel according to some users. 

Rinse mouth with water after. Rinse again if you still taste something salty on your mouth. Baking soda is salty by the way, so your toothpaste will taste salty.

Babies cannot gargle yet, but with a small amount of this toothpaste, you can be sure it's safer because it does not have all those questionable manufactured chemicals in them.

If your toothpaste has hardened, you can add a little more coconut oil to soften it or just get a spoon and scoop it out and press and spread it on your brush.

Expiration Date

The mixture may be enough to last a month or so, depending on how many are using it. Wellness Mama says hers lasted for six months without spoiling. Virgin Coconut Oil acts as a natural preservative, so your toothpaste should last long enough until you fully consume it. Make sure you mix well for the baking soda to absorb the oil well.

After You Baking-Soda Your Dental Care, What Happens?

seven surprising benefits of baking soda toothpaste

After I brush, my teeth and gums feel cleaner and my breath is a lot fresher. 

So far, I've personally experienced seven benefits of using baking soda toothpaste: 1) clean teeth, 2) fresh breath, 3) safe because of the absence of toxic chemicals, 4) kid-friendly because it has no fluoride, 5) decreases teeth sensitivity to coldness, 6) reduces plaque, and 7) so much affordable to store-bought brands.

I simply love my Homemade Baking Soda Toothpaste, enough said. It's an effective, safe, and practical alternative, especially when compared to more expensive toothpastes. 

Baby-Friendly Toothpaste

This toothpaste is baby-friendly because it does not have fluoride. In order to be more palatable to your kids, you can add orange oil or any other oil you think will make this natural toothpaste taste better for them. Or you can just use virgin coconut oil on your baby.

Where's the Fluoride?

Well, some dentists will hate me for saying this but it is not exactly needed to have clean and healthy teeth and gums. I will make a separate blog entry for that. Also, we regularly eat food with fluoride. 

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, these are several fruits that have some fluoride in them: 

  • Apple
  • Avocado
  • Banana
  • Cantaloupe
  • Cherries
  • Grapefruit
  • Peaches
  • Pears
  • Plums
  • Strawberries
  • Watermelon

Bananas are mainstays in our diet, while we eat avocados, watermelon, and strawberries, when they are in season and less expensive. 

Toothpaste Heaven
Heaven feels safe. Good. Natural.

That's what baking soda toothpaste is for me.

Toothpaste heaven without added artificial preservatives, colors, and other chemicals that are not needed to clean our teeth. 

Toothpaste heaven to share with you all.


Have you checked what your toothpaste has too? What are some chemicals in it that surprised you? 

Have you tried making your own toothpaste? How was the experience?


Sunday, September 15, 2013

Two Ridiculously Easy Steps to Heal Skin Rashes: Baking Soda Bath for Kids (And You Too!)

Is your baby crying because of diaper rash or any other skin rashes? Help is on the way!

Do you hate the idea of harsh chemicals found in baby soap and shampoo touching the skin of your most precious creation? Help is on the way!

What if I tell you that you can use something that is so ridiculously simple, it seems fake?

Help is on the way!

You don't need to buy expensive baby shampoo and soap, as well as diaper rash ointments, because you can use one product only!

I'm talking about baking soda bath (also called baking soda soak) that can heal skin rashes. 

I have tried it too and it feels great! 

My kids love it, especially my 5-year-old Zoe who uses it everyday. 

My children tend to have skin rashes because of heat and sweat and sometimes they have insect bites too, and baking soda soak helps in relieving and curing them. My toddler sometimes have diaper rash also and baking soda bath cured it.

Is natural, DIY baking soda bath a magical rash treatment? 

It is for me! I don't need to buy any of those expensive diaper rash creams anymore that I used to buy for them. 

Baking soda bath is magically practical. Seriously DIY. 

Things you need:

  • 1/2 cup of baking soda
  • Bathtub or basin
  • Optional: Fresh kalamansi (lime) or lemon extract
  • Optional: Essential oil like lavender, chamomile, or eucalyptus, for instance, as long as you and your kids are not allergic to it. You'd want this if you want a specific scent. 
baking soda DIY mama parent natural
"Baking soda is good for many things. Taking a bath with baking soda in the water can do everything from detoxify your body to help with diaper rash and infections. Try out these various baking soda bath ideas to find the one that suits your needs." Expert Clinic
microfiber cleaning natural
Microfiber can be used to clean a lot of things, including our face and bodies. Some people have completely forgone soap to use microfiber cloth and water only :)

What to do:

1) Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to warm water in a tub that has fresh kalamansi/lime/lemon extract (and 3-5 drops of essential oil if you want) and mix, mix, mix. (Note: Since we don't have a bathtub  we use a large basin.) 

2) I let Zoe stay there for 10 minutes and she cleans her body using loofah. You can use microfiber cloth for the body and face (microfiber facial cloth) too. 

That's it, soap and soak in one. No need to rinse after, or you can also rinse afterwards if you want.

The Good Baking Soda Does

1) Zoe's and Achi's skin allergies and "bungang-araw" or rashes dried up.

2) Baking soda can exfoliate skin, so it leaves soft and smooth skin.

3) This bath conserves water. Since baking soda does not lather, washing with water after to remove the soapiness is not needed. Practical Moms hurrah!

4) No need for soap and shampoo that tend to have harsh chemicals, which strip off skin's/hair's natural oil.

5) Baking soda bath relieves itchy insect bites and burns

6) Baking soda soaking can cure diaper rash.

7) Baking soda bath can also relieve yeast infection.

8) Natural Happiness! Zoe enjoys soaking and playing in the water and loves the warm, clean feeling afterwards. 

9) You have just successfully made your DIY bath soak. Independence from commercial baby and rash soap, shampoo, and ointments!

Some Downsides

1) No suds for suds lovers.

2) If you feel that your kid's skin dried up too much, decrease baking soda's amount. Too oily? Increase baking soda a little. A different problem? Check with your doctor. This baking soda soak works only for my and my children's specific skin concerns and my practical needs, so it's not a cure-all for every skin rash problem.

Practical and Easy Bathing for Kids


We practical folks want bathing simple and practical. Baking soda is one of the simplest, safest, natural ways of cleaning our bodies, next to water. 

Sometimes, it's hard to believe that something so ridiculously simple is true, but this time, IT IS TRUE. You just have to try it. What have you got to lose? Some inexpensive baking soda that can heal skin rashes?


Have you tried cleaning your body and your children's with baking soda? What's the experience like? Do you think baking soda can cure rashes and prevent them?