Homemade Natural Cleansers

As I’ve begun making my own home cleansing products in the past couple of years, I’ve noticed a trend among all the ‘recipes,’ namely that they use castile soap.  So I got a bottle and decided to try my hand at it.....and it was really much easier than I had feared!!

Maybe you’ve heard of castile soap, but aren’t really sure what you can do with it?  Here are several different options of how to use this one simple bottle (see extra notes below) :

1. General Cleanser :  Mix 2 cups of water, 1 teaspoon castile soap, 1 tsp borax, ½ tsp washing soda (NOT the same as baking soda), and lemon or other citrus essential oil (just a few drops) in a spray bottle.  Shake it up, spray it, and use as an all-purpose cleanser.
2. Fruit and Veggie Wash :  Mix 1 tablespoon castile soap with 2 cups of water; shake it up, squirt it on, and use it to wash produce so that it will last longer and remove pesticide residue.
3. Shampoo : Mix 1 tablespoon castile soap with 4 tablespoons of water (or mix up a spray bottle with that ratio).  Throw in essential oil (a few drops) for scent – rosemary is good for the scalp!
4. Soft Scrub : Same ratio as shampoo, but without the essential oils.  Sprinkle the spots you want to scrub with baking soda first and let it sit a minute.  Then, spray with soap solution and use a brush to scrub it all away.
5. Carpet Cleanser :  Mix ¼ cup castile soap with  1 cup of water.  Scrub into carpet and let it soak, then scrub it out.  Does the same job, but without the harsh chemicals!
6. Soap (for dish washing, body wash, or hand washing) :  Mix 1 cup castile soap with 2 cups water.  Shake up well and use as normal.
7. Floor cleanser :  Mix 3 tablespoons castile soap with 1 gallon hot water.  Wash it suds up and work just as well as that harsh stuff you’ve been using.
8. Laundry Soap :  Grab a gallon-sized ice cream tub for this one.  Mix 1 ¼ cups vinegar (white, not apple cider), 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup washing soda (NOT the same as baking soda), 1 cup borax, and ¼ cup castile soap.  You may also use a couple of drops of essential oil, if you want.  Mix them in this order and stir, stir, stir.  At first, it’ll look like a big, goopy mess, but if you keep stirring, you’ll get a powdered detergent.  (And if you don’t keep stirring, you’ll get a rock hard mess when you go to use it.  Think of it as an upper body workout…)  Use ¼ cup for each load of laundry.  (Here is some information about use in HE washers.)

• Two good brands of castile soap :  Natural Way and Dr. Bronner's
• A note on spray bottles :  Glass bottles will not react with any of the ingredients, and just look nicer around the house.
• A note on essential oils : As these are not going to be ingested, you can use a lower-quality one that is a fraction of the cost of the big name brands.  I recommend Plant Therapy, because they smell good, and we've had no skin issues from them.

Blue Jeans & Pearls

As Christmas approaches, it can be a challenge to juggle your budget with the gifts you want to give.  One way that we stretch our budget is through crafts.  The big kids are always wearing holes through their jeans, and when they can no longer be patched, it's time to upcycle!  Today, we're making some wine bags to use as hostess and thank you gifts...

After cutting the legs off of your adult-sized (or teen-sized) jeans, just below the knee, make the outline of your design in tailor's chalk.  Paint over the design with a fine-tipped or firm-edged paintbrush.  Allow your design to dry overnight.

Sew the bottom of the pant leg together, just above the thick portion.  If you try to sew over too thick a seam with a regular sewing machine / needle, it will break....and you don't want that to happen at high speed!  (You can also use heavy duty needles.)

Turn the pant leg inside out, fold down two 3/4" sections, and make a seam.  Be sure to leave the space between open, as this is where you'll run your drawstring.  Again, be cautious when going over the pant seams, or simply skip that small section altogether.

Cut a length of ribbon just a few inches longer than the circumference of your pant legs (twice the measure of the top when laid flat).  I used a 1/4" white ribbon that was silver-edged to dress these up a bit.  Use a safety pin to run the ribbon through the opening at the top of the bag, then clip a tiny hole to pull out through the top, as shown in the photo above.  Tie your ribbon (which will act as the drawstring), and VOILA!  Easy, homemade wine bags for gifting! 

Advent Calendar --> A New Approach

Everyone is getting excited about Christmas.  They're putting up decorations and pulling out advent calendars....maybe the Lego one or a chocolate-filled one...but do we truly remember the meaning of Advent?

Advent means 'Coming' in Latin, and the season is about celebrating the coming of Jesus into the world. Christians use the period of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas..or they used to.  Now it seems that many folks are more interested in whipping through the season as quickly as possible to get to the big show...and that's not how we want to live anymore.

What's the deal with the calendar?
Paper calendars were first popular in Germany in the early 1900's, although people made their own ones from the 1850's.  During World War II, the production of Advent calendars stopped due to a shortage of cardboard.

When they were first made, scenes from the Christmas Story and other Christmas images were used, such as snowmen and robins, but now many calendars are made in the themes of toys, sports, and candy.  The first calendar with chocolate in it was made in 1958, although they didn't become really popular until the 1980's.

Time for a Change

We are fortunate enough to have a warm home, food to eat, and all of the necessities.  Not everyone in this world, or even in this country, can say the same.  In this time of celebrating Jesus' birth, why not spread the love by sharing our wealth with those less fortunate?

Take a box, basket, or tote and each day, place a non-perishable food or toiletry item into it.  Each child can fill their own basket, or you can have one for the family.  At the end of the season, either on Christmas or in January (Three Kings' Day / Epiphany), take the items to a shelter or food bank.  

A Few Extra Thoughts...

• I recommend the latter date because after the hustle of donations throughout the holiday season, pantry shelves tend to become more barren in the early winter months of January and February.  
• In addition to canned and boxed food items, consider dish soap, laundry soap, toilet paper, personal hygiene products, trash bags, and sponges. 
• If you happen to travel frequently, collect the unused sample sizes for shelters.  These are the perfect size, as folks are typically only there for a couple of days.

Below is a picture for sharing on social media, if you'd like to help spread this mission!

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One lucky reader will win a gift bundle of Our Favorite Things!  This surprise box will include items from some of our favorite places, such as Lake Union Publishing, the Wordy Traveler, TalkBox.Mom, Sparks Forge & Armory, and more...  (Giveaway ends 12/24/25.  Winner will be announced by 12/31/25.  Winner has 48 hours to confirm shipping address or another winner will be drawn.  Unfortunately, due to shipping costs, this is open for US-only entrants.)

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Homemade Bone Broth --> Nourish Your Body & Soul

For centuries, people have known that you use the whole animal when cooking – not just select parts.  Bones are traditionally used for stocks and broths, which are the foundation of cooking.

Bone broths are extraordinarily rich in protein, and can be a source of minerals as well.   They support detoxification, better digestion, and good skin health.  And, as we all know, chicken soup (especially made with real broth) helps to overcome colds and flu.

However, what we’re seeing on the store shelves today is nothing more than a chemical cocktail designed to look like traditional broth.  If you want the real thing, and its benefits,  you’ll have to put in the effort.  No worries….it’s not that much effort!

Bone Broth Recipes

Simple Stock

• 6 c chicken bones
• 2 chicken feet (or 1 pig’s foot)
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 tbsp vinegar
• Cold water

Let all stand in container 30-60 minutes.  Then cook 24-72hours on low, making sure remains just covered by water.  Remove bones with slotted spoon.

Get-Well Soup

• 1 whole chicken, with head and feet
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 4 qt water
• 1” grated ginger
• 3 cloves smashed garlic
• 1 sliced onion
• 2 sliced carrots
• 2 sliced celery sticks
• 3 c. assorted veggies (leafy greens, potatoes, misc veggies)
• Sea salt

Put everything in stock pot and bring to simmer.  Simmer 2 hours (after a boil, to cook chicken).  Remove chicken meat from bones (keep about 1 c there for soup ; use rest for other dishes).  Return bones to pot and make more stock.  Can add noodles, if desired.

Stock Eggs

• 2 c. homemade stock
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 eggs

Bring stock to boil.  Add salt and 1 tbsp vinegar.  Reduce to simmer and crack eggs into mix.  Simmer 3 minutes, or until cooked.  Top with rest of vinegar and serve.

Bone Meal

Clean bones after making broth.  Roast at 400 for an hour, or until they become dry and brittle.  Let cool.  Place in a sack and pound to break into small pieces.  Use food processor to grind into meal.  Can be added into broth to provide calcium and nourishment.

Gingered Borscht

• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 diced onion
• 3 diced beets
• 2 diced carrots
• 1 diced red pepper
• 1 diced apple
• 1” diced ginger
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 6 c bone broth
• Salt

Heat butter, olive oil, and onion in large pan.  Add beets, carrots, pepper, apple, ginger, cumin, and 1 cup of broth when onion is soft.  Cover pot and allow veggies to sweat.  After 10 minutes, add other 5 cups of brother.  Bring to boil, then reduce heat.  Simmer 30 minutes.  Turn off heat.  Once cooler, blend veggies with immersion blender.  Salt to taste.

*************

Tips :

• Try to add chicken or pig’s feet to the pot to thicken the gelatin.
• Water should just cover the bones.  For chicken, 3-4 pounds of bones per 4 quarts of water.  For beef, seven pounds of bones for 4 quarts of water.

Homeschool on the Range

About Yvie
With 20+ years experience in education and counseling, I have a passion for helping other homeschool moms!

I've worked in elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as at the collegiate level, in both a teaching and school counseling capacity. For over ten years, I have been homeschooling our two boys - one gifted and one special needs - and understand the struggles that many moms face.

I teach blended online classes for high school language arts and history, as well as offer school counseling assistance, at Sparks Academy.

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About the Homeschool On the Range
After years of constant travel with work, our family has settled onto a small acreage in the country and is looking forward to practicing the art of simplicity.

We homeschool our boys and are learning about homesteading, and we will be sharing our adventures here.  We utilize a combination of Charlotte Mason and unit studies methods, and love reading aloud together - even with teens! 

Here you'll find homeschool posts (mostly aimed at middle and high school age, as that's what we have), animal husbandry and gardening posts, recipes, and the occasional book review.

Visit my Published Works

Welcome to our little slice of heaven!

 

Vacationing in Cabo - 2017                     Teaching an Online Class - 2021

Email to grlrunner82 (at) gmail (dot) com.

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A World of Adventure!

We headed in a new direction this year, with a boxed curriculum.  To get the kids excited about the new curriculum, I unrolled six feet of butcher paper and had them make a large mural to show what we will be learning.

First up this year?  Six weeks on Ancient Egypt!  Leaving Egypt with Cleopatra, we will travel to Ancient Rome....home of the Spartans, Caesar, and some pretty neat Lego sets that the kids already have their eye on.  Naturally.  They're doing a good job of 'selling it' under the guise of "but it's educational!  it's what we're studying!"

After Rome, we will hop over to Ancient Greece and study Greek mythology and Aesop's Fables.  Our second semester will be begin in the Dark Ages, the Medieval Times.  I foresee a trip to the Dallas area to visit the Medieval Times arena...  Following the Dark Ages comes the Age of Enlightenment....the Renaissance & Reformation.  If we're able to find a Renaissance Faire during our spring travels, it will be a great addition to this unit!  Finally, we will wrap up our general study of world history with six weeks on the Age of Explorers.  This will take us from the 15th century through the early 19th century!   

Having never used a boxed curriculum before, I'm excited to have less 'planning' responsibility this year.  Sure, we're supplementing with art projects, short unit studies, and some additional workbooks.  I felt that the grammar section was weak, so each child has a language arts workbook.  Also, math & typing are not included in this unit, so they each have their Saxon books and spend ten minutes each day typing and playing computer games.  Finally, they have Latin workbooks, as we continue our foreign language studies.  It will be interesting to see how this year compares to the previous ones, on both learning & ease of the school day!



Here's a breakdown of the curriculum we used for the first year of AWOA:

• A World of Adventure - one year unit study
• Song School Latin 1 & Song School Latin 2 w/ online games
• Saxon Math 2  & Saxon Math 5/4
• Sing, Spell, Read and Write : Level 2 (more info here )
• Spectrum Reading & Grammar
• Life of Fred Elementary Series *supplemental use*
• BBC Dance Mat Typing & ABCya online learning games

Home School Mascots??

One of the (many) perks of homeschooling is the ability to be flexible and to change the rules mid-stream.  While home schools don't actually need a mascot, we've always chosen one.  Unlike most schools, however, we didn't just pick a mascot and stick with it.  Where's the fun in that?

 
So each year, based on whatever we will be learning in our year-long unit study, we select a different mascot.

• One year, when we were studying ancient history, we became the Spartans.  
• Another year, they named themselves the Bumblebees in honor of their aunt.  
• Still another, they selected the Patriots, since we were studying early American history and the Revolutionary War.  

Last year, as we head into the Westward Expansion and Civil War, they decided to choose an animal - something that exemplified the Old West.  Well...that was the intention at the beginning...

I'd like to thank the good people of Deadwood, South Dakota for their winning enthusiasm and infectious sense of humor.  Thanks to them, for the next year, we are going to be the Ghost Chickens.

To be honest, it's somewhat fitting, since our house also seems to be where good poultry comes to be eaten by coyotes and hawks.  But that's beside the point.  How does one keep a straight face when announcing that they are a Ghost Chicken at school functions?  I love it.  

I look forward a deliciously silly year!  Bock, bock, bock, boooooooooooooooooock!

Ghost Chickens in the Sky 
v.1 A chicken farmer took a walk out on his farm one day
He paused by the coop as he went along his way
When all at once a rotten egg hit him in the eye
It was the sight he dreaded, ghost chickens in the sky
(Squawk and Cluck)

v.2 He'd been a chicken farmer since he was twenty four
Working for the Colonel for thirty years or more
Killing all them chickens and sending them to fry
And now they want revenge, ghost chickens in the sky
(Squawk and Cluck)

v.3 Their beaks were black and shining, their eyes were burning red
They had no meat or feathers, these chickens were dead
They picked the farmer up and he died by the claw
They cooked him extra crispy (pause) and ate him with coleslaw
Ghost chickens in the sky (Cluck)

Looking for a different grade?  Check out our other curricula reveals!

• 4th & 7th Grades
• 6th & 9th Grades
• 7th & 10th Grades
• 8th & 11th Grades
• 9th & 12th Grades

Homeschool Plans 4th & 7th Grade

One of the biggest challenges to your homeschool year is having the right curriculum.  Each family is different; each curriculum is different; and there's no 'right' curriculum - only the one that is right for your family.  

Find out more about different homeschool styles here.

For a few years, we used A World of Adventure, and we loved it!  Sadly, though, the author quit writing it halfway through the series.  I set off on a mission to find something similar to AWOA, where the subjects were streamlined.  

So what does this year bring?

Fourth

• Core
• Saxon 6/5
• Tiner Medicine & Dr. Bonyfide**
• TG&TB History Year 1**
• TGTB Handwriting
• TGTB Language Arts 3 
• Electives
• Song School Spanish
• Boy Scout Merit Badges
• Civil Air Patrol curriculum
• Ballroom Dance

Seventh Grade

• Core
• Saxon 8/7
• Tiner Physics, Chemistry, & Astronomy**
• TG&TB History Year 1**
• TGTB Handwriting
• TGTB Language Arts 5
• Electives
• Latin for Children - A
• Great Courses : Hieroglyphs & Archaeology
• Memoria Press : Ancient History
• Ballroom Dance

**Block scheduling for history and science...alternating days...allows for more in-depth lessons.

We've allowed the boys to pick their own electives, based on their own interests, this year and will be doing them a few times weekly.  However, as their responsibility charts indicate, core school work must be completed before they begin on any elective classes.  The only exception here is P.E., which will be completed daily....since all children need to get out and about and run around!

A little more about The Good & The Beautiful....  

Peek inside Language Arts, Sciences, and History in our YouTube videos! 

Language Arts

The language arts programs cover several different subjects at once - including character, literature, geography, spelling, writing, reading, art appreciation, and grammar.  This kind of streamlining is not only good for the soul, but it's good for taking up less space in the car!  (Which, you know, is important when you're living out of the car while travelling from one job to the next.)  Levels 1-5 are available as free downloads, so that you can check it out and see if it's right for you, but I promise that it's a lot cheaper to buy their print version!  This is hands-down the most affordable curriculum we've ever seen.

History

In the classical style, this is a four-year program that wraps around to begin again after completion.  Each year comes with four different sets of printable pages, spanning kindergarten to twelfth grade, with age-appropriate work.  There are timelines, audio adventures, craft projects, and Charlotte Mason-style read-alouds.  

One of the things that makes this different from a traditional classical curriculum is that each of the four historical eras (Ancient, Middle Ages, Early Modern, Modern) is covered during each year.  Each year, however, a different aspect of that era is covered.  (ie, for Ancient : Year 1 = Egypt, Year 2 = Greece)  

Handwriting

When is handwriting not just handwriting?  When it pulls double duty by reinforcing other subjects!!  The handwriting courses include artwork, poetry, Bible verses, and quotes that support character qualities. The courses also help provide practice with drawing skills.

Extras - We've worked with other TGTB moms to compile video playlists and other extras to accompany this curriculum.  You can find those at this link.

High School - See how TGTB is used in the Upper Grades levels.

Looking for a different grade?  Check out our other curricula reveals!

• 2nd-6th Grades
• 6th & 9th Grades
• 7th & 10th Grades
• 8th & 11th Grades
• 9th & 12th Grades