DIY Off! Botanicals Spray!

 

Good afternoon, savvy savers! For this weeks Thrifty Thursday post, I want to bring you my recipe for Homemade Off! Botanicals Insect Repellent! Why share this blend so early in the season? This past weekend, I saw the first skeeter of the year! This hack was created last summer, as we in Mississippi had a very mild winter, and the droves of bugs did not have a chance to die off, and so I needed a blend that was both economical, as well as organic and pet, child, and elderly safe!

 

 

I am able to make this repellent for $0.15 for 3 cups of repellent, which is a 99% savings over the 1 ounce Off! Botanicals, which costs $6.98 here locally! I mix up a large bathc at a time, and using spray bottles from the Dollar Tree, I keep batches on my patio, garden area, mood room, garage, and one in the car for trips! This blend is a lifesaver for my family!

 

 

A word to the wise, this blend does have a slight odor, due to the vinegar, but dissipated within 10-15 seconds of spraying. I have used this blend on everything from myself, family, pets, and even garden plants and water fountains!

Here’s how I make it:

Ingredients:

1 cup boiled water
1 cup apple cider vinegar
2 table spoons vegetable glycerin
1/2 cup witch hazel
1 green tea bag
12 drops citonella essential oil
12 drops lemon essential oil
dried rosemary

Here’s how to make it:

1) Boil 1 cup water, and when water turns to a boil, turn off your stove. Add your green tea bag and dried rosemary, and steep for 5 minutes.

2) Remove your tea bag, and strain your tea of rosemary over a sive, then let your tea cool for 20 minutes.

3) Add your vinegar, glycerin, and essential oils.

4) Then add this blend to your spray bottle, then carefully add your witch hazel to your bottle.

5) Carefully swish your blend together, but do not shake your bottle.

6) Let the blend meld for 1 hour.

7) Shake bottle-up at this point.

8) Enjoy!