Not Folly

This week for #FridayFavors, I decided to do you all a favor and share my super-secret (okay, not really….) recipe for my very own Power Spray, which I think outperforms what you find on the market today. Last year, I gave bottles to all of my coworkers with rave reviews.

Due to some issues with a skin condition I acquired while serving in the Navy, I was advised by my dermatologist to try to use “cleaner” products around the house. This started the great homeopathic DIY phase of my life. At some time or other, I have made my own laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, shampoo and conditioner, and an emollient moisturizer that would rock your world (and protect your skin).

When I started down this journey, what amazed me was how inexpensive these products were in comparison to store bought – with the massive bonus of stripping out a lot of the unnecessary chemicals and things we really shouldn’t be exposing ourselves to.

But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:7 (NLT)

I admit that my attempt to recreate an effective Power Spray came from far less noble intent. A few years ago, the maker of the nationally marketed version of this product changed the scent. Ugh. I couldn’t stand it.

I started my journey to create something similar. It took more than a few tries to get it nailed down, but I honestly think it works much better than the original. The secret ingredient is the rubbing alcohol. Not just any rubbing alcohol. It is most effective as a degreaser if you use the 91% isopropyl alcohol. I promise you I’ve tried the others. While it works, if you are talking about crusty, dried, stuck on food, you HAVE to use the 91%. And it will work like a charm, even on the toughest culprits.

What’s even better is that I use this on EVERYTHING. Stains on clothes (depending on the material of course), hardwood floors, tile, counters, the bathtub…you name it.

The other great thing about it is the scent is fully customizable. Do you love certain cleansing properties of a particular essential oil? Add that. Do perfumed products give you a headache? Use unscented soap and skip the EOs. The ultimate results are the same.

One last note…. use whatever spray bottle you like. For general cleansing around the house, I have a glass bottle with a regular nozzle. For my dishes, to give similar spraying results as the original product, I found an amazing 24 ounce continuous fine mist spray bottle at a nationwide beauty supply store.

The recipe:

Pour the following ingredients into the 24 ounce spray bottle:

• 1/3 Cup Dr Bronners Castile Soap (any scent or unscented)
• 4 Tablespoons 91% Isopropyl Alcohol
• Up to 2-3 teaspoons of your favorite essential oils (optional…I love a mixture of orange, lemongrass and bergamot)
• Fill the rest of the bottle with approximately 20 ounces of distilled water.

After shaking to mix initially, you shouldn’t need to shake before use.

Enjoy this #FridayFavor and let me know what you think about my Power Spray recipe!