Thursday, April 26, 2012

Making Bug Spray with a Crocheted Cozy


This is my first time making bug spray so I am just sharing what I am doing but welcome any suggestions.
I followed the basic recipe from Soulemama's book - The Rhythm of Family and just changed it a bit.
All but the witch hazel, which can be found at your local grocery store or pharmacy, I purchased at Mountain Rose Herbs.

Using a 4 oz glass jar with a spray pump top -
add 3 1/2 - 3 3/4 oz witch hazel 
1 teaspoon lemongrass oil
1 teaspoon eucalyptus oil
1 teaspoon citronella oil




Then, because the bottle is glass, I used some wool to crochet a cozy and added a little felt embroidered label - 
and then added a birch button with a loop for easier carrying.

Do you have a favorite bug spray recipe?
warm wishes,
Tonya



15 comments:

  1. Thank you Tonya, I can't wait to try this here. I love the wool holder for your bottle, what a great idea.

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  2. I usually just make lavender oil with water...this spray seems to keep the bugs while I am gardening especially, away from my skin and my face. I also spray it on my dog and my cat.

    But I am going to try this one this summer...

    So simple and yet so potent! Thank you for sharing this recipe Tonya :)

    m.

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  3. we just made lavender oil to help ease our mosquito bites. it also works as a repellant! we have some lavender growing here so it's perfect for us!

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  4. sounds great Tonya thanks, I'm off to the shelf for Amanda's book now:)

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  5. Fantastic idea. I'm going to give this a try. Thanks for sharing.

    I also wanted to let you know I featured one of your etsy items on my blog here: http://plain-jane-remembrances.blogspot.ca/2012/04/in-honour-of-mothers.html

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  6. Hello Tonya, I've been thinking about buying one of soule mama's books. Are they worth it? Hope they are. She seems to be a wonderful person. I've been following her blog for a while and like it very much... as well as yours. Sorry for my english!! :)

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  7. I actually saw this recipe soemwhere else (can't remember now where) but it was the same one that you are using. I am hoping it will work and we can get rid of spraying stinky, disgusting chemical sprays!

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  8. Good recipe! Thanks for sharing. Just to be on the safe side though, particularly with children, you may want to dilute this quite a bit more (unless you're just using it on clothes and surroundings). Here's a couple of sites on dilutions:
    http://www.naha.org/articles/How%20To%20Use%20Essential%20Oils%20Effectively.htm
    http://www.naturesgift.com/methods.htm

    Another repellant I've used with my son is:
    15 drops catnip
    7 drops rose geranium
    7 basil
    4 oz. oil (it can act as an additional barrier)

    We also use lavender hydrosol on our dogs, and babies.

    Blessings!

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  9. One I've used with my son is

    15 drops catnip
    7 rose geranium
    7 basil
    4 oz. oil

    also lavender hydrosol with dogs and babies.

    Good recipe, however, If I were you, I would dilute it more if I used with kids (unless you just spray on clothes and surroundings). Here are a couple of great sites on dilution:
    http://www.naha.org/articles/How%20To%20Use%20Essential%20Oils%20Effectively.htm
    http://www.naturesgift.com/methods.htm

    Thanks for sharing!

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  10. Awesome idea! I know what I'll be making next week :)

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  11. Thank you for sharing this. I hate using commercial bug sprays, so this will be a great alternative to try!

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  12. tonya i love your cozy. i just bought a bottle today of bug spray for an upcoming trip. it has the same ingredients you've listed with the addition of cedarwood, peppermint and castor oil. i'm going to write down your recipe for the future though. thank you so much for sharing.

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  13. Thank you for this, I shall be trying it out :)
    I love the crocheted cover!

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  14. Our recipe is similar, but adds lavender and cedarwood as they are both know to repel ticks. Love the cozy. What a great idea to prevent a bottle break! Blessings~ Elizabeth

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for this recipe Tonya, and for everything else you share. I don't often comment, but I really enjoy and am inspired by your world. Thank you!

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