Yes, making my own household cleaning and personal care items continues in my kitchen. So far, the results of the deodorant, laundry detergent and liquid hand soap have been favorable. They have also inspired others to give it a try… like my mother, who thought I had either too much time on my hands or went all-out hippie. (Okay, so I do make my own granola and have made yogurt. Does that make me a hippie?) I digress.
A few Sundays ago, I made my monthly stock of deodorant, and figured that now was as good as time as any to try making toothpaste. My granddaughters were fascinated. I assume most kids watch their Mema make cookies. They helped me count and seemed to enjoy watching their favorite mad-scientist in action.
The toothpaste was super simple to make. I found it on Crunchy Betty’s blog, and modified it – of course! My concoction: 3 Tbsp of baking soda, 3 Tbsp of coconut oil and 25 drops of peppermint essential oil (I used more peppermint, but omitted the stevia and glycerin, as I don’t care for sweetened toothpaste.) Soften the coconut oil a bit, and mix everything together. I found little travel containers at Wal-Mart to put the paste in (one for me, one for hubby) and stored the rest of it in a small container to use as a refill. The batch cost about 38 cents to make, and it looks like it will last two weeks for two people. 
After hearing our rave reviews, my mom made her own toothpaste as well, and she is also enjoying the results. If you are not used to the baking soda taste, it is kind of salty/grainy at first, but it took me only two brushings to get used to the taste and texture. My mouth and teeth feel so much cleaner, and I think they look whiter, too.
Have you been inspired to try any of my “lab-tested” stuff? Let me know in the comment section below.
© 2012 – Lynne Cobb
Lynne – thank you for another great recipe, showing us how to save money on everyday essentials. The toothpaste sounds like a real dollar saver. I would have to used to the “salty/grainy” taste, though. I can just imagine that some day we could see some of “Lynne’s Products” on the Michigan Made shelves at Meijer!! Keep up the great work. Experiment with recipes and you may come up with a product that you could market! If it “takes off”, you could retire whenever you wanted. If not, just keep saving money at the store. Thank you for sharing so that can save too!
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Bob! My great-aunt is already calculating pricing for me! Let me know if you try it
It all looks great, wanna make some for me
But really I love your enthusiasm and creative side. Keep up the great work!
Thanks, Courtney. Let me know what you want to try.
I want you to know that every time you do this I become Susie’s lab rat as she tries out various concoctions based on what you have started…
This lab rat will get back in touch in a week or so to let you know how this round of Let’s Experiment on Stephen goes…lol.
Be encouraged!
Go Susie!! She can label her products “Stephen not harmed during testing!” LOL! Let me know if you and Susie like the toothpaste
I think I will try this toothpaste one : D~
Cool! Let me know what you think!
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