How To Make Homemade Hairspray.

Are you looking for a natural and wallet-friendly hair spray to keep your ‘do in place? Hairsprays often contain obnoxious fragrances that can trigger allergies. In addition to the holding agent, you’re spewing aerosol propellants around your room and chemicals you may not fully understand. Wouldn’t it be great to use hairspray that is all-natural and you can spritz on with confidence? Then, give this simple, two-ingredient recipe a try

Difficulty: EasyTime Required: 20 minutes or less

What You Need to Make Homemade Hairspray

1 lemon2 cups waterA potStovetop or hot plateA strainerAn empty, clean spray bottle

Here’s How to Make Homemade Hairspray

Slice the lemon into wedges.Place the lemon wedges in a pot, and cover with two cups water.Heat the lemons and water to a boil and keep it boiling until only half of the liquid remains.Allow the boiled lemon water to cool.Strain the lemon water and place in a clean spray bottle.Label the spray bottle with its contents, “Homemade Lemon Hairspray,” the date you prepared it and the date it should be discarded (one week from preparation date).If the finished spray feels sticky to the touch, dilute it with a bit of water.You can store your hair spray in the refrigerator for up to one week.To extend the shelf life of your homemade hairspray, add a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol to the spray bottle when you fill it with the strained lemon water. With this addition, the hair spray can be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks

If the hairspray becomes cloudy, shows mold growth or smells musty, discard it.

Tips and Modifications for Homemade Hairspray

If you have dry hair, try an orange instead of a lemon.You can customize the scent of your hair spray by adding a couple drops of your favorite essential oil.

Advantages of Homemade Hairspray

You know the ingredients. You won’t be exposing yourself and your hair to chemicals you don’t understand, unnecessary aerosol propellants

You won’t be disposing of aerosol cans, you will be reusing a spray bottle.It’s very cheap, especially if you grown your own lemons or other citrus.You won’t be exposing yourself and others to artificial, cheap scents and perfumes. These can trigger allergies in you, people around you, and your pets.

Disadvantages of Homemade Hairspray

This formula will probably work differently on your hair that what you’ve become used to with your current hairspray. You’ll probably need to experiment with it to get the hairstyle you prefer. You may want to use some hair gel or other product in addition to the homemade hairspray to get the same effects.You’ll have to make new hairspray each week to two weeks. This is probably more often than you need to restock cans of hairspray, and it takes some time and effort.

How To Make Spray Starch

Spray starch is a traditional aid for ironing. With spray starch, you can enjoy crisp collars and pleats. Quilters find it is one of their best tricks for piecing different fabrics and weaves, making and applying appliques. For many sewing projects, a bit of spray starch can make the job easier. Besides, starching clothes makes them last longer because dirt and perspiration stick to the starch and not to the fabric.

Here’s how to make your own spray starch with items you already have in your pantry and save substantially.

What You’ll Need

Four everyday items are all you need to make spray starch you feel comfortable using—1 heaping tablespoon cornstarch, more or less depending on the stiffness desired, 2 cups cold water, optional 1 to 2 drops essential oil for fragrance, and 1 clean spray bottle.

Preparation

Combine the cornstarch and water in a bowl and stir until the cornstarch is completely dissolved. (The mixture will be milky in color.) Add 1 to 2 drops of essential oil for fragrance if desired and mix well. Transfer the mixture to a clean spray bottle and use.

Label the bottle “Spray Starch” and you might want to add, “Shake well before each use” to remind you of that important step.

Your homemade spray starch should last for a couple of months but it can eventually degrade. Toss it if you see any mold or if the solution becomes discolored.

Preparation Alternative

Some people prefer to heat the water to dissolve the cornstarch first. Do this by heating 2 cups water in a pan on the stove until boiling. Add the 1 heaping tablespoon cornstarch, boil for 1 minute to dissolve. Cool the starch mixture before transferring it to the spray bottle.

Tips For Using Homemade Spray Starch

For best results, shake before each use. The starch will settle, and it needs to be remixed with each use.A little goes a long way, so use sparingly.If you get starch build-up on your iron, wet a cloth with white vinegarand iron it. This will refresh your iron.

Why Making Your Own Spray Starch Is a Good Idea

You can buy spray starch in aerosol cans. These, of course, contain propellants that are often flammable alcohols. They also contain other additives that keep the starch in solution and keep it from degrading. This may include formaldehyde and other chemicals you are probably better off avoiding. Often a fragrance is added, which can be an allergy trigger. If you get a headache or sniffles when using scented products, this could be a culprit.

Eco-friendly brands come in spray bottles and are made with cornstarch, as is done here. However, you don’t have control over the scent and you can make your own for pennies. By using this recipe, you have full control of the amount of starch and whether you include a scent or not. You also won’t be disposing of the cans or bottles

How to make powdered Onion.

Are you tired of forking over big bucks for a little jar of onion powder? Then you'll definitely want to learn how to make it at home. It's extremely simple and you can save a lot of money while keeping this staple in your spice rack.

Ingredients

There is no great secret to onion powder and all you need is a few fresh onions. It's the perfect way to use up onions that are just starting to get past their prime as well.

In an hour or so, you can have enough onion powder to last for quite a long time and it can also be used to make onion salt. 

One or two onions are often enough for the average family's use for a few months or more. You can always add more onions and make a larger batch if you like. If you find you have too much, give jars away to family and friends.

Preparation

Begin by peeling your onions and chopping them finely. Spread the onion pieces out on a tray and heat in a 150 F oven or in a food dehydrator until dry. The onions are done when you can easily crumble the chopped pieces in your hand.

Allow the dried onions to cool before grinding into powder. Grind them up with a coffee grinder, spice mill, food processor, or mortar and pestle until it reaches your desired consistency. 

Storage and Shelf Life

Store your finished onion powder in an air-tight container in a cool, dry spot. You can also freeze any excess.

As with any dried spice or herb, it's best to shake the container at least once a day for the first week. This will distribute any leftover moisture evenly and prevent mold from growing.

Be sure to label the jar so you don't mistake it for other spices like garlic powder. An inexpensive option is a piece of masking or painter's tape on a recycled spice jar.

These tapes won't leave a sticky residue and are easy to remove, but they will adhere well until you wash the jar again.

Onion powder has a surprisingly long shelf life. A commercially dried powder can last as long as three or four years. However, your homemade version may not meet such exacting standards. Depending on how well it's dried, expect your onion powder to stay flavorful for up to a year in a well-sealed container. Since this is so easy and cheap to make, you might even consider making a batch as often as twice a year.

About Coffee Grinders

Coffee grinders make quick work when it's time to grind any spice. You'll get the finest onion powder from one and can always grind less if you prefer it a little more coarse.

It is best to designate separate grinders for your spices and your coffee. Things like onions and garlicare very pungent and the smell can be very difficult to remove from the grinder. Unless you enjoy onion-flavored coffee, this is not the ideal situation.

The good news is that coffee grinders tend to be pretty inexpensive. You can pick up a simple one just for your spices and keep your good one with all the bells and whistles for coffee.