Seeing as we put toothpaste directly in our mouth, you’d think it would be one product that’s always chemical free. Use this DIY toothpaste recipe for a bright smile without the chemicals and toxic ingredients added to the mix.

Herbal toothpaste brands are a step in the right direction, but unless you make it yourself, you truly be sure of what you’re squirting on your toothbrush.

Toothpaste often contains sodium fluoride (which is also used in rat poison), crude oil, the dangerous foaming agent sodium lauryl sulfate, the pesticide tricosan, and the tooth-enamel-damaging hydrated silica. Yes you read that right: most conventional toothpast contains an ingredient that actually hurts your teeth.

This homemade toothpaste recipe is devoid of all those irritating additives and is natural, effective and aromatic. Take the mystery out of toothpaste and ensure you’re getting a healthy clean each time you scrub. Enjoy!

Homemade Toothpaste Recipe

Makes about ½ cup

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon hydrogen peroxide
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil, in liquid form
• 5 drops peppermint oil
• 5 drops lemon oil

Directions: Mix all the ingredients until evenly combined. Add more baking soda or coconut oil to adjust consistency. It should be on the thicker side, not runny. Store in a small glass container with a lid in your toiletry cabinet.

Related on Ecosalon:

3 Simple, Natural Ways to DIY Your Personal Care Products

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Teeth Whitening Minus the Fancy Strips

Image Credit: ToastyKen

The post How to Make Your Own Natural Toothpaste appeared first on EcoSalon.

Instead of buying commercial toothpaste, deodorant, and shaving cream, try making your own personal care items. These personalized, homemade toiletries will help you avoid superfluous packaging and plastic waste — plus, DIY products are easy on your wallet.

1. TOOTHPASTE

When it comes to making your own toothpaste, baking soda (for oxidizing stains and removing plaque) is the key ingredient in most personal care recipes. Additional ingredients can include coconut oil (which has antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial properties), a dash of sea salt, and an essential oil for flavor. We’ve included one of our favorite recipes below; for comparison, Mother Nature Network has three simple recipes with slight variations (including a vegan option). Experiment and make a paste that works for you!

DIY Toothpaste Recipe

Mix together a 1:1 ratio of coconut oil to baking soda until it becomes a paste. Add essential oil if desired, roughly 5 drops per tablespoon of paste; try rosemary, peppermint, thyme, or spearmint. Add sea salt sparingly. For 2 tablespoons of baking soda, a dash of salt will suffice. Store in a glass jar.

Note: The colder the toothpaste, the firmer it will become. You can make a tablespoon at a time or make a mason jar’s worth, it’s up to you.

(Of course, if you’d still prefer to buy toothpaste from the store, we have a few eco-toothpaste suggestions.)

2. DEODORANT

Using nearly all the same ingredients that you used to make the toothpaste, you can make your own deodorant.

DIY Deodorant Recipe

Take equal parts baking soda and cornstarch and add coconut oil at a ratio of 1:4 (baking soda + cornstarch: coconut oil). Add a few drops of essential oil, like tea tree, lavender, or lemon grass.

Store in a glass jar.

Variation: Wellness Mama recommends adding shea butter to the mix. Try it for yourself and find out what works best for you.

3. SHAVING CREAM AND RAZORS

Note that the EPA estimates that 2 billion razors are thrown out every year in the United States. Somewhere along the way, we switched from purchasing a quality product, which lasted a lifetime, to cheap disposables. Reusable razors are a better personal care option, but the replacement blades come packaged in unnecessary plastic containers. The alternative? Shave like your grandpa by switching to a safety razor or a straight razor.

Making your own shaving cream is a bit trickier than making your own deodorant or toothpaste but you use nearly all the same ingredients. Consider this recipe and store it in a DIY mason jar soap pump.

Know of other ways to make your own toiletries? Leave a comment below and share your favorite recipe! –Christine Coester

This article appears courtesy of Sierra Magazine

Christine Coester is an editorial intern at Sierra. A fan of flora and fauna, she has a passion for conservation and environmental stewardship. Currently a graduate student at the University of Missouri-Columbia, she is studying journalism with the hopes of making the world a better and greener place.

Image: fixcinater

The post 3 Simple, Natural Ways to DIY Your Personal Care Products appeared first on EcoSalon.