Paper garland

Homemade Eau de Toilette

Lately I have been trying to eliminate as many chemicals from our lives as possible. I now make my own cold process soap, switched to the no 'poo method (I added honey, it keeps my hair softer) and I make my own natural all-purpose cleaner simply by mixing grated handmade soap, baking soda and a few drops of essential oil.

What was missing was perfume. I tried solid perfume where you mix vegetable oil with beeswax and essential oils but wasn't quite happy with it. But I had a revelation when I was making natural vanilla extract for cooking and baking. It smelled so nice and I remembered how I used to love "Vanilla Fields" when I was 15. I decided to make my own.

To make it, you'll need:

• 400-500 ml cheap vodka 40% alc.
• 3 vanilla beans
• grated skin of 2 lemons
• essential oil(s) of your choice
• 2 glass bottles app. 200 ml
• a perfume spray bottle

First you have to make vanilla and lemon extract. Grate the skin of a lemon (or use a potatoe peeler) and put it in bottle. Add approximately 200-250 ml of vodka. Make sure there's hardly any air left in the bottle to avoid evaporation. Cut the vanilla beans open lengthwise and put them in a bottle with vodka. Put both bottles in a dark cupboard for 4-6 weeks and shake them daily. 

After 4-6 weeks, mix 2 parts vanilla and 1 part lemon extract in a perfume bottle of spray bottle. Add about 5 drops per 20 ml  of essential oil of your choice. I used orange but I think cinnamon or clove would be a great addition too. Without preservatives it will probably not stay good as long as store bought eau de toilette (because of the essential oils in it) so don't make too much at once. 

You can use the extracts for baking too. All natural real taste and it stays well for years as long as you don't add essential oils. Just make sure the beans and peels are always completely covered with vodka to prevent molding.

Not a fan of vanilla? You can extract scents from different plants and flowers like lavender, roses and herbs like rosemary and lemon balm.