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A super safe, all-natural, non-toxic outdoor spray for the whole family! No DEET or other nasty chemicals in sight – as pure as the outdoors, you'll be able to enjoy with this spray on!
One of the biggest differences in moving from the northeast USA back to the south this past summer, besides the sweltering heat, was the killer mosquitos. Yikes! Gabriel's legs looked like he got in a fight with a red marker, and it was obvious who had won! Until I started using my homemade outdoor spray and my homemade anti-itch rub, the itching would wake him up at night as he scratched until he bled, risking infection and misery.
I had to do something to take care of it or risk not playing outside at all (and that's like blasphemy in this family!), but I just couldn't bring myself to spray him with Off! Insect Repellent, even though I know it works. Why? Maybe because one of the first lines on the back of the spray can is “Hazardous to Humans.” Then, “Use sparingly on small children.” “After returning inside, wash affected skin with soap and water.” Not to mention that it contains DEET, which according to Wikipedia, can be harmful to humans if exposure is great.
“The Pesticide Information Project of Cooperative Extension Offices of Cornell University states that “Everglades National Park employees having extensive DEET exposure were more likely to have insomnia, mood disturbances and impaired cognitive function than were lesser exposed co-workers”.
When used as directed, products containing between 10% to 30% DEET have been found by The American Academy of Pediatrics to be safe to use on children as well as adults but recommends that DEET not be used on infants less than two months old.”
Interestingly, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) does statethat it is safe for humans with no age limit if used according to the directions. Well, there are quite a lot of directions, several of which are almost impossible to follow with small, rambunctious children –
- Do not apply over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
- Do not apply to hands or near eyes and mouth of young children.
- Do not allow young children to apply this product.
I've always hated the smell and stickiness of insect repellent anyway, so it was high time to make my own, which is safe and all-natural. (For more information on the ingredients of Off!, check out the EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, where it gets a 6 out of 10 for toxicity.)
So, to find ingredients that actually work, I scoured the web and found many different recipes and created my own recipeinspiredby ones from some of my favorite sites,Frugally Sustainable and Wellness Mama.
What I love about this recipe is that it's powered by essential oils – so it has a wonderful woodsy smell, even after you shower and wash it off. The oils and Vitamin E Oil really leave our skin so soft, so it moisturizes while keeping bugs away (where to buy high-quality essential oils).
I found this recipe wasn't effective until it was 10% essential oils. Gabriel and I both got bitten until I added more oils.So, if you make a smaller or bigger batch, make sure it is 10% essential oils.
The Recipe
- 1 4 ounce glass bottle (where to buy)
- (a little less than) 4oz. Witch Hazel(or 1/2 cup) (where to buy) or water and a pinch of salt
- Note:I like the alcohol-free variety – almost all witch hazel is sold as a tonic and contains 14% alcohol, so read the ingredients carefully if you don't wantalcohol. Witch Hazel is a natural alcohol.
- 1 teaspoonPurification Essential Oil Blend (where to buy)
- 1teaspoon Citronella, Lavender or Cedarwood Essential Oil (where to buy) (not pictured, I used 2teaspoons Purification for this batch)
- Optional: 1 teaspoon Vitamin E Oil
- Note: for added moisturizing and skin protection, it is not essential to keep the bugs away
Mix all the ingredientsin your four ounce glass spray bottle.
If using water, put the pinch of salt at the bottom of the bottle first. Add your essential oils to it and let sit for one minute or until it dissolves. add the water. The salt disperses the oil so it spreads throughout the water. Witch hazel does the same thing, so you can use either!
Shake before using (the oils separate from the witch hazel) and apply liberally. I find I usually have to rub it in. Do not spray on your face (the oils will irritate the eyes), instead, spray on your hands and rub onto your face and neck. This recipe should last a few months, however, that all depends on how often it is used and how much you apply. We use it daily and apply it liberally, so it has lasted us about a month and a half.
The Free Printable Label –Click Here
The Free Printable Label –How to print: Make sure to unclick, Print to Fill Page, and print with Avery Labels 80508 – round scallops (where to buy). Or, just print it like I did on plain paper cut out a circle or a square from the label and tape on. Either will do!
