Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts

18 Awesome And Unexpected Ways To Use Essential Oils In Your Everyday Life

♠ Posted by Unknown in ,,,,
When you think of essential oils, you probably think of aromatherapy, spa treatments, and other luxurious treats. Sure, it's great to spend a day pampering yourself with rose, peppermint, and tea tree oil, but did you know that essential oils can be used for so much more than fancy facials? They can take nasty stains off your walls, tame an upset stomach, and freshen your breath. To find out how to hack into the full power of essential oils, check out the 18 ideas below.

1. Dab lemon oil onto a towel and use it to wipe crayon markings or stickers off walls.

iStock

2. Mix your favorite essential oils with one part water and one part vodka. Put the mix into a reed diffuser to make your home smell clean and fresh.

iStock

3. Put a few drops of tea tree oil into smelly shoes to deodorize them.

iStock

4. If you're having cramps, take a bath infused with rose oil; its antispasmodic characteristic means it'll sooth your muscles.

iStock

5. Use hot water and lemon oil to clean wood cutting boards instead of soap. It will keep them splintering.

iStock

6. If your kitchen is filled with lingering cooking odors, put your favorite essential oils in a pot of boiling water to get rid of them.

iStock

7. Love the taste of cinnamon? Add a few drops of cinnamon oil to any recipe for an extra kick.

iStock

8. Tangerine oil can help neutralize stomach acid. If you aren't feeling well, try drinking it with your water.

iStock

9. Put a few drops of any essential oil in your laundry for all-natural fragrance.

iStock

10. Citronella oil is found in candles and torches, but you can apply it directly to your skin to repel mosquitos.

iStock

11. After cleaning out a stinky fridge, rub a mixture of water and essential oil on the shelves for a fresh scent.

iStock

12. Putting germanium oil on your dog can keep ticks from burrowing into their skin.

iStock

13. Add flavor to bottled water with a drop of lemon, lime, or orange oil.

iStock

14. Keep a small bottle of peppermint oil with you when you're on the go. It's a great all-natural breath freshener.

iStock

15. Lime oil is an astringent, so dab it onto under-eye circles to tighten the skin.

iStock

16. Rosemary oil can help make thin hair feel full. Add a few drops to your shampoo next time you wash your hair.

iStock

17. Put your favorite essential oils in a warm bath to relax after a long day.

iStock

18. If you have a sore throat, try drinking water mixed with a few drops of basil oil to help cool your throat.

iStock
(sources The How To Crew, Dr. Axe)
I love the smell of lavender, and these ideas have inspired me to take a long bath infused with lavender oil when I get home from work. I'm definitely going to try putting peppermint oil in my next batch of laundry, as well. Which one of these tricks will you try first?
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He Broke Down Some Cardboard Boxes To Make Something You Need To See To Believe

♠ Posted by Unknown in ,
Where's your favorite spot in your home? We're going to venture a guess that it's probably on the comfiest couch or the loungiest lounger. Either way, odds are that piece of furniture is covered in leather, suede, or some sort of soft material, making it a perfect place for a quick (or extended) nap.
Ultimately, comfort is number one, right? That's why, at first glance, this DIY project is a little bit confusing. These two guys wanted to build a lounge chair, but rather than building it out of something more common, they went with a material that isn't particularly sturdy...or comfortable: cardboard.
This seems like it would be a bad idea from the start, but it turned out differently than you might expect.

They started by tracing the design provided by designer Erik Campbell.

Imgur / ManeBit

When their tracing method failed, Campbell sent them a computer image they could use to get the dimensions correct.

Imgur / ManeBit

They projected the graphic image of the design against a piece of cardboard on the wall.

Imgur / ManeBit

This made the process of tracing much easier and more exact.

Imgur / ManeBit
Imgur / ManeBit

After they'd cut out the pieces, they began drilling holes where the supports for the backrest would go.

Imgur / ManeBit

It was time to start putting the thing together.

Imgur / ManeBit

Cardboard cylinders were used to connect different sections of the chair.

Imgur / ManeBit
Imgur / ManeBit

It's starting to look like an actual chair!

Imgur / ManeBit

The cylinders were aligned to help distribute weight evenly.

Imgur / ManeBit

Looks pretty great, but they need to add one more thing...

Imgur / ManeBit

These cardboard supports will help keep the chair upright when someone sits in it.

Imgur / ManeBit

And here's the finished product!

Imgur / ManeBit

It doesn't collapse!

Imgur / ManeBit
(source Reddit)
For being made entirely out of cardboard, this chair actually looks pretty comfy. Just one thing...if you make one for yourself, don't let it get wet! (Although, apparently cardboard is more resilient than we ever knew.)
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Think Cardboard Doesn't Do Well In Water? These Guys Are Here To Prove You Wrong

♠ Posted by Unknown in ,,,
One of the most important steps in any DIY project is making sure you have the right materials — without the right materials, your project is doomed from the start.
A couple friends wanted to make their own boat modeled after Viking rowboats. That's a pretty cool project, right? There's just one thing...they decided to build it using cardboard. That's right, these guys wanted to make a boat out of cardboard -- that material that wilts and gets all soggy when it gets wet.
Why did they do it? Who knows. It's how they did it that's much more interesting...

This boat wasn't just going to be a couple pieces of cardboard glued together. This would be the real deal.

Imgur / rdeans

They had to go around to different supermarkets in their town to get the amount of cardboard they needed for the project.

Imgur / rdeans

They started by constructing the keel beam and building ribs that would help make the boat's structure more stable.

Imgur / rdeans

As they went along, they continually reinforced the boat with structural supports made from cardboard and tape.

Imgur / rdeans
(That doesn't sound like good structural support...)

Once the hull was finished, they installed the deck and the seats.

Imgur / rdeans

This was very important because without the proper weight distribution and supports, the boat would sink as soon as they got in.

Imgur / rdeans

They added a few more layers of cardboard, tape, and varnish to the hull of the boat.

Imgur / rdeans

Then it was judgement day.

Imgur / rdeans

They placed their boat in the water. At least it floats. So far so good!

Imgur / rdeans

Next, one of them got in the boat, and it stayed afloat!

Imgur / rdeans

Another friend got in the boat as well and the boat didn't sink, proving that this truly was a success.

Imgur / rdeans

But the ending of this story is bittersweet...

Imgur / rdeans

The hull had sustained too much damage to repair, so they decided to give it a true Viking funeral.

Imgur / rdeans
(source Reddit)
It must've been sad to see their cardboard boat go. But this is still an awesome example of the amazing things people can do when they put their heads together -- and go hunting for cardboard boxes.
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Are You Using Your Attic For Storage? These 16 Ideas Will Make You Think Twice

♠ Posted by Unknown in ,,,,,
In most homes, the attic is an afterthought. It's a place to store extra furniture and old things you no longer use. But with their angled ceilings and interesting layouts, attics can be just as homey as any other part of your house. With the 16 ideas below, it's easy to upgrade your attic to something beautiful. Check out the inspirational photos below and get designing.

1. Do you need another bathroom in your house? Turn your attic into a unique bathing space.

Velux

2. Make it a home theatre with a few love seats.

The Patriotic Peacock

3. Install skylights for a cool view.

Imgur / IamSkeletor

4. Make it fun by adding a swing to the rafters.

Lloyd Hotel & Cultural Embassy

5. If you're particularly athletic, you can turn your attic into a rock climbing gym.

Thoughts About Rocks / Alli Rainey

6. An attic makes a great play area for kids.

Katie Grace Designs

7. Attics make great kids' bedrooms, too, because of their low ceilings.

House To Home

8. If you like photography, turn your attic into a studio.

Newborn Photography

9. If music is more your thing, turn your attic into a recording and mixing studio.

Reddit / NatahanStudios

10. Is crafting your creative hobby? Attics are perfect workshops, too.

Frivole

11. An attic makes a great office space, quietly above the hustle and bustle of the house.

Style At Home / Michael Graydon

12. No space for a living room downstairs? Move it up to the attic.

Elle Decor

13. A few bookcases and some shelves can turn an attic into your own personal library.

Quinn Cooper Style

14. If you have a big extended family with many kids, turn the attic into a guest room just for them.

Something Blue Living

15. Add a foosball table or a pool table to turn it into a game room.

Deep Dale House LLC

16. If you're low on space, turn your attic into a walk-in closet.

Houzz / Kasey Buick
I love the idea of turning your attic into a library. It'd be so nice to have a quiet area to read. But I also need a space to do craft projects. Now I have to decide which one of these ideas I'll take advantage of! It's going to be hard to figure out how I'll remodel my attic after seeing all of these inspirational ideas. Which one struck your fancy?
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