Lindsey Barger is our guest contributor today. We love her product-stretching hacks that solve some real head scratchers...How do you get the kids not use half of the shampoo in one shower? And what do you do with empty oil bottles? Read on and then check out the rest of her posts here.
If you are like me, you probably had a little bit of sticker shock when we joined Young Living. It seems like quite a lot for just a little. As time went on, I began to understand the quality and purpose put into each and every product that Young Living creates. It is kind of frustrating to think back to before I joined the company and realize how much money I was actually wasting on day-to-day products.
Back in the Day: The Biggest, Cheapest Shampoo
Back in the day of weekly trips to Walmart, I would browse the shampoo aisle for the biggest, cheapest bottle of shampoo. I recall going through those massive bottles so fast that shampoo was a frequent item on my shopping list. I would always run out of conditioner first, even after buy two bottles to the one bottle of shampoo. Comparing that to my family’s wash routine now blows my mind. All of those bottles add up! Not only was it harming the pocket book, but our skin was absorbing all of those dangerous synthetics!
A Better Alternative
Don’t freak out, people! There is a better alternative.
If you are a Young Living product user you know “a little goes a long way.” Everything is very concentrated. Or is it just that everything else is so watered down? Whichever perspective you use, we can both agree, we want more bang for our buck. Now, how can you do that without sacrificing quality? If you answered Young Living, you are right! I’ll share with you a few of my product extending hacks.
Even Better: Product-Extending Hacks
Hack #1: Foam Pumps FTW!
Let’s see a raise of hands from those of you who have children with soap moderation issues. You know what I mean. You’ve just purchased a new bottle of shampoo, you’ve sent the kid to be responsible and wash their own hair and body. And to NOT make a mess! (Why do we do this to ourselves? We know they are incapable.) When you do follow up with the process, you know you will find the bathroom flooded and the brand-new bottle of shampoo half-empty. Oh, wait! And the top of your precious child’s head is still dry. Am I right? Where did that soap go?!
Foam pumps means you don't have to monitor your kids' shampoo habits. A win all around.
Prior to this my husband or myself would have to ration the Young Living Shampoo. They were not allowed to dispense their own shampoo. It was just too costly to watch swirl down the drain.
The day I came across this trick I nearly fell out of my seat. (I can’t recall who it was but whoever you are THANK YOU!)
Drum roll please!...........
Foam pumps! Yes, you can put shampoo in them too! And the kids won’t go through it all in one night! I know, right? Why didn’t I think of that sooner!
So here we are with a 8oz Lavender Volume Shampoo, $19.75 (wholesale), $25.99 (retail). I tell you they can last as long, or longer, as giant bottle of shampoo without all of the unwanted additives.
You can also duplicate this with Young Living’s Bath and Shower Gels.
When it comes to the conditioner it’s just so thick that you can feel that it will take a fraction of the average big glob of the standard store-bought kind.
Stretch this awesome face wash for a year of use with our foam pump hack.
You can use a foam pump for the Orange Blossom Facial Wash too. This is especially nice with the face wash. I have used and love the Art Cleanser, which is already in a foam pump. However, I can make the Orange Blossom last much longer. I’ve had my tiny 4oz bottle for more than a year and I think it will last a couple more months. Note that I wash my face twice a day. Paying $41.00 (wholesale), $53.95 (retail), for luxurious face wash that will last almost a year and a half, I would say, is well worth it.
Hack #2: Empty-Bottle Solutions!
When you’ve been using oils as much as I have, over the years you acquire quite the collection of empty bottles. I know that I don’t want to throw them out because they still smell so strongly of oils it seems like a waste. I have learned a few tricks for squeezing out every last drop of oil from the bottle.
Option 1: Oil-Infused Soaking Bath
My favorite way to make use of these beautiful empty bottles is to toss the separated orifice reducer, lid and bottle into a bath with Epsom salt and baking soda. Make sure the bottles you choose are not of the hot oil variety for a soaking bath. If you prefer a shower put these things into a big bowl on the floor of the shower, allowing the water to collect in the bowl. This will have a similar effect with the diffused steam. You will be surprised at how much oil still resides in those empty bottles. It is a great way to ensure you have used every last drop available.
Option 2: Oil-Powered Baking Soda
These bottles are good to the last drop! Don't miss even one with this awesome (and easy) natural cleaning hack.
Try making an powering baking soda with essential oils. Baking soda can be such a blessing when it comes to cleaning house. Having Purification scented baking soda, Thieves scented baking soda, or any innumerable combinations of oily smells, would be even nicer. Just open up and uncork an empty bottle and seal all three parts of the bottle in a bowl of baking soda. Now you can freshen a smelly trash can, a cat litter box, a musty broom closet, smelly sneakers, the list goes on. A bowl ready with a little scoop inside for scrubbing the bathtub and toilet is another of my favorite ways to make use of empty bottles. Chemical free cleaning, that smells great, brought to you by an empty bottle. Pretty cool, huh?
Hack #3: Double the Use of your Seedling Baby Wipes!
Make your Seedling Baby Wipes last twice as long: You just need scissors and five minutes, woo hoo!
I have one last trick for you.
Have you smelled the new Seedlings Baby Wipes? If you haven’t you are missing out! They are AMAZING! I don’t have babies anymore but I love the smell so much I have found a few good reasons for keeping them handy. A package of 72 wipes is $11.75 (wholesale), $15.46 (retail). How about doubling those wipes? Do you remember those refillable flushable wipe containers? They are half the size of a standard baby wipe container. Now the Seedlings wipes are really sturdy wipes. They are almost wash cloth material! I believe half of a wipe could hold up better than a full store bought wet wipe any day. Take one package of the Seedlings Baby Wipes, with a good pair of scissors, and cut them in half. You could divide them between two refillable wipes containers or into one or more zip storage bags. I keep some in my car, a few in my purse, and of course in the bathroom as well.
Any Hacks to Share?
With great products comes great responsibility! How will you extend the life of your Young Living treasures?