It has all sorts of recipes for various natural remedies and concoctions, including eau de cologne and toilet water. The basic ingredients are essential oils, vodka, and distilled water.
As a life-long Baptist who doesn't drink, I felt extremely out-of-place going into a liquor store to buy the vodka! But I felt proud of myself that I didn't confess to everyone there that I was buying the vodka for a project and not for drinking.
I didn't follow the book's directions exactly, as I used the scents I wanted in the proportions I wanted. (As a migraine sufferer whose headaches are often triggered by scents, I had to go with what I like and can tolerate.) Now it's a waiting game. The instructions for the toilet water say for it to sit for 2 weeks, being shaken daily. The eau de cologne sits for 4-6 weeks with daily shaking. The toilet water is colored with food coloring, per the book's instructions. I made lavender, which is in the book, but also peppermint, as that's a pick-me-up scent that actually helps me when I get migraines. I'm thinking of using it more as a room spray, though, than on my skin. I used lily-of-the-valley and French lavender for the eau de cologne.
It's not the cheapest of experiments, but I already had the essential oils, so I just had to purchase the vodka. If this works out, I think it'll be well worth the cost of materials. If not, well, it was worth a try.
Guess I'll let you know in a few weeks how it turns out!
8 comments:
I never thought of that! I will look for the book and try it this summer. That would be a great project with the kids, too! Of course, being boys, the smell would have to be more "manly". Lol!
All I have to say is... surely they can come up with a better description of that than "toilet water"!!!
And that book looks really cool. Have you found it useful?
Ashley, I haven't done much out of this book so far. I found it at a thrift store for $2. It's an interesting book to flip through, as it's full of natural remedies, some crafty stuff, recipes, home decorating techniques. Just a hodge-podge of info.
The only other thing I've done from this book is make a loaf of bread with olives and sun-dried tomatoes. We didn't like it, but that was probably more due to our palates than the recipe itself.
I've made some body sprays with cyclomethicone (a silicone oil) for a base. You can also use water and a polysorbate with the oils. Does the vodka make it smell like alcohol?
Hi, I surfed here from a comment you left on Ruthie's blog.
If this project doesn't work out, or if you end up with extra vodka, it can be used as a cleaning agent. Just do a web search on cleaning with vodka; it has tons of uses.
What an interesting project! Can't wait to hear how it turns out.
As a fellow tee-totaller, I had to chuckle at your vodka purchasing anecdote. With my luck, I'd be sure to run into the pastor or the women's ministries director if I were buying vodka for a project at the local supermarket...
I can see you in the liquor store like a lost little puppy. I love peppermint also. Let me know how it turns out!
Amy, I don't know if the vodka makes it smell like alcohol or not. I don't think I'm supposed to open the jars for at least 2 weeks. What little I can smell through the seals, though, smell like the oils and not the alcohol.
This may be a total flop; I just don't know. I'm just enjoying trying out the recipes in the book, even if they don't work out.
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