Tag: Month July Week 2

Patio Decorating Ideas: Turn A Small Space Into Paradise – Garden Therapy

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Decorating a small patio can be tough, but not if you have the right furniture and accessories. My patio just underwent an extreme makeover, and now, it better reflects my personal style. It’s my favourite place in the whole garden to chill and restore. Creating an outdoor room isn’t hard, but the benefits are well worth the decorating efforts. Here are some patio decoring tips I learned along the way.

Since my garden is still under construction, I spent a bit of time transforming the patio below my deck into an oasis I could enjoy while there was chaos everywhere else.

And I’m thrilled with how it turned out. It’s my new favourite place in the yard!

Many of the same rules around interior design also apply to patio decorating. You’ll quickly notice a theme here: I put a lot of stuff that’s meant for the indoors outside…and it elevated the space from patio to outdoor living room.

When you treat your backyard and patio as an extension of your living space, you’ll get an amazing retreat that I bet you’ll use more than your living room during the summer months.

Let’s get into the patio decorating ideas!

I have an eclectic style, and I love how this modern sectional ties it all together.

Sponsored content: This post has been sponsored by Crescent Garden. They were lovely enough to send me home with an InOu sectional they had on display at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival. I’ve long been a fan of Crescent Garden because they make THE best high-quality, sustainable garden containers and now, outdoor furniture!

Use the offer code GARDENTHERAPY15 to get 15% off Crescent Garden products. Offer expires December 31, 2024.

Help the Environment, Find Sustainable Designs

One of my biggest pet peeves about outdoor furniture is its lifespan. Yes, the outdoors is much harsher on our outdoor furniture, but when you’re investing money into it, you want it to last.

Most of us know all about fast fashion, but few of us talk about fast furniture. The EPA estimates that over 12 million tons of furniture waste was generated in 2018, and only 0.33% of that was recycled. Yikes!!

A big goal of mine for my backyard and my overall methodology is to use second-hand items whenever possible. My hot tub was entirely second-hand and used recycled wood for the surrounding walls.

When it comes to my InOu sectional, I know this will last me for decades. I first heard of Crescent Garden 15 years ago when I got some of their pots. And I STILL have them! I’ve seen many terracotta, ceramic, plastic, and wood pots break down in that time and my Crescent Garden pots still look brand new.

Crescent Garden’s InOu sectional has a premium warranty. All their products are designed for continuous use and made of 100% recyclable materials so that the material’s lifecycle is far longer than what is commonly on the market.

The teak legs are just stunning!

Find Your Central Furniture Piece

When you decorate a home in your house, you usually style the rest of the room around one piece of furniture, such as the couch, dining table, or bed. You want to do the exact same thing when patio decorating.

My InOu sectional is the showstopper of the patio, and it was what sparked the rest of the design. Originally, I had set it there in the winter while I designed and waited to build my deck and patio. It looked so good that I designed the whole space around it!

The sectional really takes the focus of the space. And that’s how it was designed. InOu (In/Out) looks so good, you can bring the furniture inside where it would be right at home.

I had a choice of colours and went with the parchment/linen colour combination with teak legs. There are other colours and leg finishes which you can see here. My sectional is a four-seater L-shaped sofa, and it’s actually modular, so I can move it around and pull it out into the yard if I’d like.

Being able to move it has actually been so helpful for me. My backyard is still in construction, and things are always changing. So, having flexible furniture has made my life much easier while I’m still planning.

But “linen?!” you say? “A light-coloured fabric for outdoors!?”

I have a cat, dog, and kiddo who immediately all jumped up on the furniture and made themselves comfortable.

Never fear, the cushions are Sunbrella fabric, which is the best of the best for withstanding the outdoor elements such as heat, humidity, and dirt. You can even remove the covers and wash them.

All in all, find the furniture that you just love, and the space will easily come together around it.

The sectional is cat, dog, and kid-friendly, thank goodness!

Tips for Decorating a Small Patio

These are the patio decorating ideas I used to transform a dark and unimpressive patio under the deck into an outdoor room with pride of place.

The patio looks especially lovely during dusk.

Pillows and Blankets Are a Must!

Marketed for ‘indoor” pillows and blankets make my outdoor space feel luxurious. Outdoor throw pillows are great for standing up against the elements but are not nearly as cozy. Using decorative pillows with natural fabrics and textures brings the indoor feel outside.

This summer has been exceptionally warm, so I haven’t had to worry about rain so far. My space is also more protected under my deck. That being said, it’s easy to store the pillows inside when not in use or in a deck box.

Make sure the pillow covers are removable and easy to clean.

I wanted waterproof blankets that would be nice to lounge under after being in the hot tub without soaking the furniture so I purchased waterproof dog blankets! They are sherpa on one side and velvety on the other. Super comfy and cozy and nobody would ever know they are pet blankets.

I store waterproof blankets in a wicker basket.

HANG REAL Artwork

Kiddo came home one day with a “treasure” he found on the side of the road. Bursting with excitement, he immediately shouted to me when he got home, “Look what I found! I can’t believe it was free.”

Kids. Gotta love them.

Thankfully, I had the perfect space for his masterpiece because artwork can also go outside (especially if you find it outside!) Some garden artwork, such as metal and wood, is meant to withstand the elements. But don’t shy away from other items that might not classically go outside.

The painting, entitled “the bottleneck,” is a depiction of a trail ride being stopped by a family of skunks. It’s faded and covered in water spots but a treasure nonetheless. It’s so funny and cute, and I had to hang it on the patio just for him.

I actually quite like the faded pinky-blue hues of the cowboy painting in the space.

Keep in mind that the artwork will fade from the sunlight, and it should be sheltered from rain. Thankfully I’ve mounted it to the wall where it will be protected.

On the wall behind the hot tub there are two built in shelves that are meant for displaying artwork. I decorated them with a metal piece of painted art, candles, shells, and houseplants. It really makes the area homey and peaceful.

This pothos looks good with how much it hangs down.

Add Rugs, Just NOt Outdoor Rugs

Like inside, a rug can really tie a whole space together. Textiles outside will make the space feel very inviting overall.

You can find outdoor rugs just about anywhere. The majority of the ones at big box stores are a plastic, weaved product with a generic pattern. They withstand weather, yes, but they look like plastic. Don’t get me wrong, I use those in other places, but for my covered space I opted for layering wool and cotton indoor rugs. Smaller rugs shake out easily and can be thrown in the washing machine to clean them.

Layering a few smaller rugs for a cozy seating area.

Make Things Easy to Clean

One gust of wind, and suddenly, you have pinecones and leaves everywhere. And pollen. And dust.

What’s a gal to do?

My rugs, pillows, blankets, and sectional cushions are all washable, and I can easily pop them in the washing machine. Thankfully, the light-coloured sectional is also a dream to clean with just a cloth and some vinegar.

When I first got my InOu, I had the choice of the colour of the furniture/cushions in Shadow/Slate or Parchment/Linen. (I’m so over “millennial grey.” Remember my short term rental home?)

Then I brought it home and remembered I live with a black cat, scruffy dog, and ice cream-covered kiddo.

Yikes!

I thought I had made a HUGE mistake and that my sectional would never be clean again. Thank goodness, I was wrong.

InOu in Parchment/Linen.

After those hooligans jumped all over the furniture for a few weeks and it stayed outdoors in the Vancouver winter, it was looking a bit shabby. I used my homemade vinegar cleaner and was flabbergasted by how quickly it cleaned up. I felt like I was in one of those viral cleaning videos. It was so satisfying.

The Sunbrella cushions can also be wiped clean. I’ve had the set outdoors now for 6 months and haven’t washed the cushions yet, just wiped them clean with a damp cloth.

These are the slate colour cushions. You can choose which colour of cushions you want when ordering the sectional.

Add Plants, of Course!

You’re outside, so plants definitely need to make an appearance in your patio decorating. You can go for flowers and colourful containers, or something more simple as a single plant.

I went with the simple route with hostas and ferns, since I’m more of a perennial gal and my space is in the shade. I like the fact that I can change it up whenever I want.

I planted this hosta in a 15-year old Crescent Garden pot. It just needs a spray with the hose to remove the soil and look brand new again.

Add Tables for Drinks

If you plan on entertaining or even just enjoying a morning coffee on your patio, you’ll want to ensure that you have somewhere to rest drinks.

I didn’t go with a coffee table, as I wanted the space open. Instead, I used a set of mismatched side tables. I can move them easily, depending on where people are sitting.

The side tables are made of outdoor-friendly acacia wood and can either nestle together or be set apart. I like how they reference the teak legs of the sectional and the wood of the deck.

Outdoor side tables can be moved around as needed for entertaining.

Lighting IS the Mood

My patio space was dark under the deck, but it means I have lots of overhead space to hang lights. I went with the classic outdoor string lights, securing them to the top of my deck. You can get them quite long, though, hanging them across your entire yard from the house to a tree or shed.

These have a remote control and a timer, so I can set them to different brightness and turn them off after 4 or 6 hours. I chose wired lights over solar-powered ones for longevity, which paid off as they are a year old and still work like new.

They’re all I need to light up the space at night, but they’re also not too overwhelming. It’s the perfect mood-setter.

String lights mounted under the deck for setting the mood.

I also have candles, of course. My essential homemade citronella candles to keep the mosquitoes away and tea lights all around.

My most recent lighting purchase was a set of electric candles, also on a timer and with a remote, that I have scattered around the space. I opted for this instead of outdoor light fixtures so I can set a warm glow at the flick of a switch when it’s dark out.

This candle sits on the ground, and it adds so much ambience.

Add Vases and Other Accents

Don’t forget about the little touches when patio decorating. So often we leave our outdoor space bare, but you should decorate it just as much as you would inside.

One of my go-to ways to style a table is by adding a vase of flowers. Even just a small one featuring some current blooms from the garden is all you need.

I also have different wired candle holders, like this birdcage-inspired one, which looks good even when the candles aren’t lit.

Put electric candles in hanging candle holders to make them easier to light.

A quick side note (which I hope you will read):

It’s a new day and age here in the world of writing about gardening. How we find art and information has completely changed since I started Garden Therapy in 2009. Much of what I’m working in 2024 wouldn’t be possible without sponsors, in particular, Crescent Garden. With their support I can keep creating beautiful projects, recipes, and articles on Garden Therapy. Read more about the changing world of gardening information due to AI here.

Exclusive Discount for Garden Therapy Readers

My friends over at Crescent Garden have extended their generosity to you as well.

Whether you want your own sectional or one of their self-watering planters, use the offer code GARDENTHERAPY15 to get 15% off Crescent Garden products. Offer expires on December 31, 2,024, and cannot be combined with other offers.

More Decorating Tips to Try

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Stephanie Rose

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July 22, 2024
All-Natural Rose and Lavender DIY Deodorant Spray – Garden Therapy

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This DIY deodorant spray with rose and lavender will make you smell like a flower, even when you are sweating it out in the garden! Made with gentle, all-natural ingredients that work hard and protect your health.

I could tell you all about this natural deodorant spray made with plant-based ingredients and how good it is for your skin.

I could go on and on about how it is packed with the skin-soothing benefits of aloe, witch hazel, lavender, and rose.

I could rave about it containing no harmful chemicals that can cause disease and impair your body’s natural functions. Or I could tell you that that it smells just like a floral garden in the summer.

But you don’t care about that, right?!

You just want to know if this DIY deodorant actually works! Well, let’s get into it.

Rose and lavender are my scents of choice, but you could easily adjust them for other strong, pleasant scents.

The Not-So-Pleasant Truth Behind Commercial Deodorant

The odour from your underarms is actually due to a collection of bacteria. As we sweat, we create a perfect little hangout spot for bacteria, and as they feast on the moisture, the waste creates a smell.

Yuck!

But when we use commercial deodorants and antiperspirants, they actually stop both the bad AND the good bacteria. When we kill the good bacteria that protect us from the growth of other bad bacteria, we can actually make the odour problem worse.

Deodorant can also mess with our skin’s pH, causing dryness and itchiness as the skin barrier gets messed with.

A natural deodorant won’t plug sweat glans. Remember, this is a deodorant and not an antiperspirant. If you’re making the switch to natural deodorant for the first time, you may notice that you will sweat more. This is because most commercial deodorants are also antiperspirants.

It may take a few weeks for your body to adjust to the new product as the good bacteria settle in once again.

This natural deodorant is made entirely of ingredients you can pronounce, and perhaps most importantly, it doesn’t contain any aluminum. It’s meant to work alongside your body’s natural functions, not against it.

Spray deodorants are easier to make than DIY deodorant sticks.

Formulating Natural Deodorant Spray Recipes

I started formulating homemade deodorant after sharing a room with my friend Crystal (the creative genius and my mom-spiration from Hello Creative Family), who used a DIY deodorant spray she had customized at an essential oils workshop.

The combination of fragrances she used smelled like a bakery: clove, cinnamon, and vanilla. YUM. I tried it out, and boy-oh-boy, did it ever work! But, using hot oils like clove and cinnamon caused my sensitive skin to have a reaction. It was nothing terrible, but I wondered if I could make a homemade deodorant that worked just as well and was calming for the skin at the same time.

I made a few different variations of simple spray bases and tested some combinations of essential oils until I found one that was soothing, nice-smelling, and did the job. Rose and lavender for the win! It’s pretty and floral, and more than anything else, it works.

Witch hazel and aloe vera are the base of this recipe, which are both AMAZING for your skin.

Testing My DIY Deodorant

I’ve tested it for years on myself, my family, and anyone else who will agree to it. After testing it in all four seasons in Vancouver, it went well. When I needed to turn up the volume a bit, I took it to southern Mexico and had some surprising results.

It worked just as well as it had at home, but I also ended up using it on my face and skin to soothe and cool down my freckly, over-sunned skin. And I learned that it works great on clothes, too. It not only prevents any odor from my underarms, but I was also able to use it on my clothes when they needed a bit of freshening up.

This spray is safe to use on clothes and all over your body.

Rose and Lavender DIY Deodorant Spray Deodorant Recipe

This recipe is not only good for your skin but also for the planet. I’m big on reducing the amount of packaging I use, and I love glass or stainless steel bottles that can be reused. Here are some pretty blue glass ones that I use.

Ingredients

Make It!

Measure all of the ingredients and add them to a fine mist spray bottle. Shake well to combine and spray on underarm area after showering or when your underarms need freshening up. Shake well before each use.

Store your deodorant away from sunlight and heat to prolong the shelf life.

FAQ About DIY Deodorants

What is the shelf life of homemade deodorant?

The shelf life of any DIY product will be the earliest expiry date on the ingredients you used to make the spray. For instance, if the aloe vera gel for this recipe expired in 12 months, but the witch hazel expired in 24 months, the overall expiry date for this deodorant would be 12 months.
For more on beauty shelf life, check out this post.

Can I use fresh aloe vera for this recipe?

To increase the shelf-life of my homemade deodorant, I use a pre-packaged aloe vera gel. Make sure it’s pure aloe vera gel (not the fake green stuff!). You can use fresh aloe, but it will only last for about a week and you will need to store it in the fridge.

More Natural Skin Care Recipes to Try

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Stephanie Rose

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July 19, 2024
How to Make Aloe Vera Soap (Skin-Soothing Recipe)
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This aloe vera soap recipe contains plant-based, skin-soothing herbs that help to repair and protect skin when hand washing. It is simple to make at home and can be customized to any scent that you like to use. As an added bonus, aloe is great for both the hardworking skin on your hands and the delicate skin on your face.

I have seen so many bars of aloe vera soap around. I’ve always wondered how beneficial they are to your skin.

After digging in and doing a bit of research, I’m happy to say that I was rather impressed by the benefits. So much so that I decided to make a batch of my own.

But for my version, I wanted to make a liquid soap! This soap is super easy to make up and is amazing for your hands.

So don’t be shy, and let’s lather up with this aloe vera soap recipe!

Put your soap in smaller containers to make them easily portable for trips.

Benefits of Aloe Vera

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is one of the oldest plants on record to be noted for healing properties. It has been cultivated around the world due to its highly adaptable nature and usefulness as a skin-healing herb.

Aloe is naturally anti-bacterial and contains antiseptics that help clean cuts and wounds by killing bacteria and fungi. Aloe’s pH level closely matches our skin, enabling it to gently (but thoroughly) cleanse our skin while also closing pores. Its anti-inflammatory qualities can calm inflamed skin.

I wanted to take this wonderful skin-healing herb and add it to soap. Just adding this one extra element can really help the drying and cracking that happens from washing hands so regularly.

This aloe vera soap only requires 5 ingredients!

We know that aloe vera is amazing for skin. It has been used throughout history to treat burns, rashes, wounds, and other forms of skin problems. It can also be taken internally as a laxative to aid in digestion and to help with inflammation.

But it’s usually prepared as a juice or gel for both internal consumption and external application. So when it’s added to a soap recipe, I wondered if the beneficial properties of the aloe gel added are minimized by the hot temperatures that this aloe vera soap recipe requires.

Thankfully, the answer is yes—the benefits of aloe vera seemed to be mostly intact.

I always recommend having an aloe plant in your home or garden as part of your herbal first aid kit. I have a lot of great info in my herbal guide to aloe vera about how to harvest the gel. Plus it shows you how to use it to calm down sunburns and other skin irritation.

Aloe vera is a powerful anti-inflammatory and is great for healing skin.

Fresh Aloe Vera vs Aloe Vera Gel

In this recipe, I’m using a pre-packaged gel because of the shelf life. However, as with many herbal products, there is a lot of confusion as to what is actually inside the bottle of aloe gel that you’re purchasing. If the fresh gel only lasts for a week or so in the fridge, then can the store-bought gel have the same properties and last for a year to two years?

The answer is certainly not, but it doesn’t mean that the gel that you buy from the store doesn’t have any beneficial properties. It just means that there’s a trade-off between the benefits and the shelf life. Any amount of processing of aloe reduces its effectiveness.

The best way to get the most potent aloe vera is to grow a plant in your home or garden. But a suitable alternative is to find a high-quality aloe vera gel that can be used in recipes like this liquid hand soap.

How to Make Soap with Fresh Aloe

You can certainly make this recipe with fresh aloe gel. However, you will need to keep the liquid soap in the fridge and discard it after one week. It is certainly possible to make a weekly batch as it’s quite easy to make.

But, if you want one that lasts for a bit longer then I suggest doing some research to find the best aloe vera gel with the least amount of processing.

I like using Lily of the Desert aloe gel as it claims to be harvested from the inner filet of aloe, processed minimally in their own facilities, and certified USDA organic.

Lily of the Desert aloe gel is food grade and contains over 99% organic aloe vera juice with a few other ingredients such as carrageenan (thickening agent), citric acid (pH stabilizer), and potassium sorbate (mold inhibitor).

By the way, they have not sponsored this post. I just have used the brand for years and haven’t had any problems with it.

For ease of use, I recommend making this with aloe vera gel.

How to Make Aloe Vera Soap

The base of this recipe is Castile soap, which is the name for the olive oil soap formulation that comes from Castile, Spain. I purchase liquid Castile soap from a local soap dispensary or Dr. Bronner’s brand online, and with these “Castile” refers to a plant-based liquid soap. It can be made from olive, coconut, avocado, or other plant oils.

This biodegradable, non-toxic soap comes concentrated so it should be diluted at different concentrations for various purposes. I always choose an unscented soap as my base, and add my own essential oils to the final recipe.

Ingredients

See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for exact measurements.

Jump to Recipe

I scented my soap with lavender and lime, but you can substitute it with any essential oil scents you prefer.

Make It!

Once you have your ingredients, making the aloe vera soap is quite simple.

First, whisk together water and aloe vera gel until it’s homogenous. Then, add in your castile soap and stir again to combine well. Add the essential oils of your choice—I used lavender and lime which is a lovely combination.

Thoroughly mix your soap in a container before putting it in the soap pump.

Then, pour it into a glass soap bottle and shake it well. I find it easiest to do this with a funnel.

A funnel will make it much easier to get into the soap pump!

Before using the soap, shake the bottle. A batch will last you for up to three months, but if you notice any discoloration or strange scent, discard it.

Replace any unused soap after three months.

FAQ About Aloe Vera Soap

Can I make this into foaming soap?

As this aloe vera soap recipe stands, it is too thick to work in a foaming dispenser. By adding more water, you can make it less thick. I go through how you can make your own foaming soap in this post, so feel free to adapt this recipe according to the instructions to make your own foaming aloe vera soap.

Can I use this recipe as a body wash?

You sure can! I personally like making my own bar soap for the shower as it’s even more moisturizing, but I recommend giving both a try and seeing which you prefer.

Is it safe to use aloe vera gel daily?

Yes, unless you’re allergic to it. Aloe is very good for sensitive skin, and has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, that make it very helpful for healing and soothing skin.

More Projects with Aloe Vera Gel

If you are looking for more ways to use aloe vera gel, give one (or more) of these projects a try.
DIY Aloe Vera Soap

If your hands are rough and raw thanks to an increase in washing and sanitizing, give them soothing relief with this DIY aloe vera soap.

Whisk together one cup of the water with the aloe gel until mixed.

Then add in the rest of the water and which well.

Add the Castile soap and stir to combine.

Add in essential oils and stir to combine.

Pour in a glass bottle using a funnel.

Cap the bottle and shake well to combine.

Shake well before each use for the first few days. Over time, the ingredients will combine permanently and shaking will not be necessary.

How to Use:
Apply one or two pumps of soap to wet hands and lather for 20 seconds. Use a nail brush to get the dirt that hides under your nails as well. Rinse well and dry with a clean towel.
Shelf Life:
This soap will last for up to three months. Discard if it becomes discolored or smells unpleasant.
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Stephanie Rose

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July 18, 2024
Aloe Vera Benefits: How to Use Aloe Vera for Sunburns
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Aloe vera is one of the true super plants. This plant is perhaps best revered for its ability to relieve pain from a sunburn. While this is certainly one of the uses, aloe can also do so much more. Read to learn about using aloe vera for sunburns, other aloe vera benefits, AND aloe vera plant care.

When I was a kid (a freckly, redheaded kid at that), I fondly remember visits to my grandmother’s place at the beach. She lived in a warm city where the sun shone relentlessly in the summer despite the fact that it was windy enough to keep us cool.

This meant more hours of fun in the sun, which was more than my skin could reasonably handle. Even when I did put on sunscreen and reapply regularly, the sun would win out by the end of the day. I would be left with those bright pink shoulders that radiated heat up to my ears!

With one aloe vera plant, you can get many sunburn treatments.

That was when my brilliant grandmother would cut off a little piece of her aloe vera plant, split it open with a knife, and apply it to my shoulders. It stung just a bit right at first but then cooled the sunburn down. The relief came almost instantly, and when I woke up the next morning, my shoulders were pink but not inflamed and not radiating heat like the sun.

That’s because aloe vera is a powerful anti-inflammatory, and it is most potent when applied directly from the plant. Since then, I’ve always kept at least one aloe vera plant growing in my house and have had some that have grown and provided me with the healing gel for many years.

Here’s a taste of what we’ll be covering today…

The main draw to aloe vera is its antiinflammatory properties.

The Quick History of Aloe Vera

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is one of the oldest plants on record to be noted for its healing properties. This plant is native to eastern and southern Africa—even Cleopatra and Nefertiti used it to help maintain their youthful appearance. Due to its highly adaptable nature, it has since been cultivated around the world.

There are many different kinds of aloe plants, but aloe vera refers to Aloe barbadensis.

Aloe Vera Plant Care: How to Grow Aloe Vera

Aloe vera, a succulent with thick, gray-green leaves that have serrated edges, is very easy to grow. Simply treat it like you would any indoor succulent or cactus, except that it is much more forgiving of low-light conditions.

To keep your aloe very happy, plant it in well-draining soil that is preferably equal parts potting soil and sand. The plant likes tight spaces and has shallow roots, so plant it in a pot that’s just big enough not to tip over from the weight of the plant.

Aloe plants prefer bright, indirect light. Keeping them in sustained direct light can cause the leaves to dry out too much and turn yellow.

As for water, aloe likes to have a good, thorough drink every couple of weeks with their soil drying thoroughly in between waterings.

If you tend to keep the soil moist and begin to notice brown or limp leaves, your aloe may have root rot. Simply back off the watering a little and let its soil dry out before watering again.

Check out this post for a full, detailed guide on how to care for aloe.

In my climate, I grow aloe vera as a houseplant.

Aloe Vera Benefits and Side Effects

In addition to its soothing, anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera is also used as a powerful laxative. However, as a laxative, it can be too effective. Aloe vera can cause intestinal cramping and griping if you take too much of it, so be conservative.

Additional internal benefits of using aloe include:
- Aiding indigestion
- Reduce inflammation
- Prevent and reduce the size of kidney stones
Externally, aloe can be used to help alleviate sunburns, wounds, frostbite, dermatitis, skin disorders, and burns from radiation therapy.

If you have lots of burns to treat, putting your aloe vera gel in a bottle is a great idea.

Different Uses For Aloe Vera

Aloe vera truly is a super plant! Here are a few powerful ways to use it.
- Relieves the pain from sunburns. Perhaps the most widely known use for aloe vera, this plant helps cool the skin and speeds up healing. It can also help reverse sunburn blisters if applied before they develop. Keep reading on to find out more.
- Relieves the itch from bug bites. The plant’s anti-inflammatory properties help relieve sunburns and the itching, swelling, and redness caused by bug bites.
Aloe is naturally anti-bacterial and contains antiseptics.
- Helps to cleanse and speed up the healing of wounds. Aloe is anti-bacterial and contains antiseptics which help clean cuts and wounds by killing bacterial and fungi. Aloe also helps promote quicker healing of wounds.
- Cleanse and moisturize skin. Aloe’s pH level closely matches our skin, enabling it to gently (but thoroughly) cleanse our face while also closing pores and tone skin. Its anti-inflammatory qualities can also help prevent breakouts. Try it in this DIY liquid hand soap.
- Helps reduce visibility of wrinkles, stretch marks, and scars. Aloe was called the “plant of immortality” by the Ancient Egyptians and helps promote skin tissue repair and healing.
How to Use Aloe Vera Plant For a Sunburn

The healing power of plants cannot be denied, especially when something as simple as an aloe vera plant can provide great relief to something so painful: sunburned skin. A classic use of aloe (and probably one of the most common aloe vera benefits), this sunburn remedy is one that I have been using for as many years as I can remember.

To use aloe vera gel on a sunburn is simple.

Cut a piece of aloe vera off of the plant with a sharp knife. Cut the tip off of one of the leaves; it can be as large as the whole leaf or as small as just part of the tip.

Place the cut piece on paper towel and let sit from 10 minutes to allow the dark yellow latex to drain. After 10 minutes, you can wipe the sides of the cut which will remove the latex from the inner filet. The latex can stain skin and clothes and can cause skin reactions in sensitive people.

Don’t forget to drain the latex from the aloe before you start using it.

Pro Tip: If you cut a section of a leaf off at an angle (and don’t cut the whole leaf off), the end of the leaf will seal up from the latex (that’s what it’s for!) and it will be available for cutting another time again.

Then, take a paring knife and split the leaf in half so that the gel inside has the most surface area. Take the leaf and rub it directly on the burn.

Note: de sure to test a small patch of skin before applying it en masse. Some people have allergies to aloe vera straight from the plant and you don’t want to cause a worse reaction!

Caution: do not use aloe vera on deep wounds.

You can also put the leaves in the fridge and use them as a cold gel to soothe the burn. It will feel good but will not add any additional healing properties so this isn’t an essential step.

Compost the leaves when you’re finished applying the gel to your skin and repeat every six hours if you’re still looking for relief from a nasty sunburn. Please note that this is for a typical sunburn. Serious burns with blisters, a headache, or severe pain should be seen by a doctor.

By putting the aloe in the fridge, the cool gel will feel nice on your skin.

Preventing Sunburns

Luckily, now that I am older and wiser, I no longer burn. Not because my skin has changed, but because I know the secret tips to keep my skin healthy:
- Staying out of the sun between 11:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. on hot days
- Wearing long-sleeved clothing and a wide-brim sun hat
- Always wearing sunscreen on exposed skin (even if it’s cloudy out)
For more tips on sun safety, please check out this article where I tell you all my must-know hacks and tips.

Preventing sunburns rather than treating them is much better for your skin.

FAQ About Using Aloe Vera

Is the yellow liquid in aloe vera bad for skin?

The yellow liquid that comes out of aloe is the plant’s latex. It can cause reactions to people with sensitive skin, as well as can stain the skin and your clothes. Before applying the aloe plant to your skin, you want to leave the aloe cutting on a paper towel for ten minutes to let the yellow latex drain out.

Can aloe vera reverse sun damage?

Aloe vera is amazing for the skin, helping to heal burns and wounds, clear acne, moisturize skin, and more. It can also help to reduce the visibility of scars and wrinkles, which can be a side effect of too much sun exposure.

What is the best aloe vera for sunburn?

While there are many aloe plants, aloe vera refers to the Aloe barbadensis plant. If you don’t have an aloe plant and are looking for the gel to apply to your skin, look for pure aloe vera gel (I usually shy away from that dyed green stuff).

I hope that this information about aloe vera and my instructions on using it for sunburns help you as much as they have helped me for all the years that I got sunburned. Now that you know some aloe vera benefits, I hope you’ll try growing one of your own (it’s great for green thumbs and black thumbs alike!).

More Summer Sun Recipes from the Garden
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Stephanie Rose

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July 17, 2024
How to Make Lavender Linen Water (DIY Lavender Spray)
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Lavender is one of my all-time favourite scents. Thanks to its calming, uplifting properties, I try to use lavender as much as I can throughout my home. One of my favourite ways to enjoy it is in this lavender linen water as I iron. Don’t let the name fool you, though. This can also be used as a lavender spray anywhere in your home to freshen up any space! Read on to learn how to make this 5-minute DIY.

To say that I love lavender would be a major understatement. In fact, lavender is one of my favourite plants to grow in my garden.

If you were to spend just a short time looking around this site, you would see that I have recipes for lavender ombre soap, lavender lemonade, and even my dried lavender wreath.

From health and beauty products to food and home decor (and everything in between), I love using lavender in my everyday life.

Now, I’m adding another use for lavender: a lightly scented lavender linen water spray that is a must-have for your laundry room.

This post will cover…

This linen spray has only 3 ingredients!

Why Use Lavender?

Lavender is an herb that has been long-known for its pleasant scent and calming properties. In fact, it has been used to cleanse and refresh since ancient times. The word “lavender” has its root in the Latin word “lavare,” which means “to wash.”

True to its namesake, ancient Romans used the flower to perfume their baths, bodies, beds, and clothing.

Those Romans were on to something. Not only does lavender leave linens smelling fresh and clean, but studies also suggest that lavender possesses anti-fungal, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties, which may prevent common skin infections.

The test of time certainly stands behind this scented herb. Lavender has been used in traditional medicine since ancient times and is gentle on skin. Plus, it smells wonderful.

So the way I see it, the more lavender I have in my life, the better! What better way to get all those awesome aromatherapeutic benefits besides surrounding yourself with the scent as you sleep? That’s why I love this DIY lavender spray.

The smell of lavender is known for it’s calming properties.

How to Use Lavender Water

First of ,all, yes you can buy lavender linen water, but you’ll end up paying a pretty heftforprice on something that you can easily (and inexpensively) make yourself.

Before we get into how to make this recipe, let’s talk about why you need it. Understandably, if you’ve never used lavender water before, you may be wondering what to do with it.

I originally made this spray myself to use when ironing. I quickly realized that this scent was a favourite of mine and started using it for so much more.

Of course, I still use this recipe for ironing too. To use this linen water when ironing, simply fill up your iron with it. It will freshen the fabric while pressing, and make ironing a much more pleasant chore.

Additionally, you can pour it into a spray bottle and mist linens fresh from the wash or those that have been stored for a while and need a refresh. And, if you’re like me and love the smell, you can use this lavender spray on SO many things, including spraying it in the air to deodorize the air.

Keep the linen water in a spray bottle for easy use.

It’s a really easy way to add a light scent to help freshen fabrics of all types. You can also use it on:
- Towels
- Curtains
- Furniture upholstery
- Throw pillows
- Dog beds
- Bathrooms
- As an air freshener
I use this linen spray for bedding, on my sheets, on dog beds, and on my son’s bed. I’ve even added it to a small spray bottle I keep next to my bed to use as a lavender pillow spray that helps me fall asleep at night. I might be just a little obsessed.

The all-natural ingredients mean that this spray is gentle with a delicate scent that doesn’t overwhelm the senses, making this a wonderful recipe to add to your regular laundry routine or pull out and use anytime you want to enjoy it.

Add a cute tag, and it will also make a great hostess gift.

Caution Regarding Lavender Linen Spray

One quick word of caution. While lavender is generally considered very safe, especially in a diluted form like this, use caution when using it around pregnant women, babies, and pets (especially cats).

Never spray this spray directly on pets, and always provide an avenue for fresh air in case the scent bothers them.

I have never had any kind of issue like this in my home or with my dogs; however, it’s always good to be cautious around animals as their noses are much more sensitive than human ones.

Lavender is a common scent in many skincare and cleaning recipes.

How to Make Lavender Linen Water

Now that I’ve told you all the fun ways to use this lovely spray let’s talk about how to make it. It takes just five minutes!

Ingredients

Make It!

Remove the spray bottle and pour the witch hazel into the bottle. Use a funnel if needed. Next, add your lavender oil to the bottle.

Add the distilled water to the bottle. Shake the bottle well for several seconds to mix the ingredients together. Also, shake again lightly before using this spray, as the ingredients can separate over time.

Shake before each use to ensure the ingredients are mixed together when spraying.

Use a Glass Spray Bottle

You will need a spray bottle for this recipe. When you use essential oils, use glass bottles because the essential oils can leach chemicals from plastic ones. Plus, it’s friendlier for both the environment and your budget as they will last a long time.

I like to recommend using a dark-coloured bottle to store your spray if you are going to be making a large batch. This helps preserve the essential oils by preventing UV rays from breaking them down. If you only have a clear spray bottle, that will work just fine too. Just make sure to store the spray bottle in a dark area like a cupboard.

Of course, if you are making this simply for linen spray, you will likely go through it fairly quickly. In that case, a glass bottle like the one pictured below works just fine.

You don’t need a spray bottle if you’re pouring the linen water directly into an iron.

Substitutes For Witch Hazel

Also, this recipe uses witch hazel to preserve the scent of your lavender oil. It should also help keep your oil dissolved in the solution (but I always shake it before using it, just in case). If you don’t have any witch hazel, you could swap it out and use unflavoured vodka or rubbing alcohol in its place.

Witch hazel helps to keep the mixture from separating.

FAQ About Linen Water

Can I add dried lavender to linen water?

While it will look aesthetically nice, it will end up colouring the water and could stain the linens.

Does the essential oil leave stains?

This recipe uses only a few drops of essential oil, and it’s well mixed in the mist. Therefore, you shouldn’t see any problems with oil stains.

Can I use my infused lavender oil instead of the essential oils?

I wouldn’t recommend using anything besides essential oils. They are highly concentrated, so you do not need to add much to the mixture. And in such small amounts, it doesn’t create oil stains. Meanwhile, an infused lavender oil will require more to get the scent and could leave behind oil stains.

Do I have to use distilled water for linen spray?

Distilled water is free from bacteria and other organic materials. This means that the likelihood that you’re adding contaminants to the recipe lessens, and the linen spray will last longer.

Try using this lavender linen water as a pillow spray to help you relax and sleep better. I hope you love this lavender spray as much as I do. Before you know it, you may also be spraying your kids’ pillows with it to help them sleep at night. Enjoy!

More Ways to Use Lavender
DIY Lavender Linen Water

This simple lavender linen water can be used for so many things. From refreshing clothing as you iron to being spritzed on your pillow at night, this lavender spray is a soothing, wonderful-smelling treat!

Remove the spray bottle top and pour your witch hazel into the bottle.

Next, add your lavender oil to the bottle.

Add the distilled water to the bottle.

Shake the bottle well for several seconds to mix the ingredients together.

Make sure to shake lightly before using this spray as the ingredients can separate over time.
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Stephanie Rose

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July 16, 2024