Few things irritate me more than itchy mosquito bites. So I spritz on this all-natural DIY bug spray. It smells great and has citronella oil and other all-natural ingredients said to help repel insects — a plus for us, because I’d prefer not to use chemical bug sprays on my kids. Bonus: It takes less than two minutes to make.
Supplies:
- small 3-ounce spray bottle
- liquid aloe or aloe juice
- witch hazel
- citronella oil
- essential oils (I use a combination of lemon and grapefruit!)
- water (distilled or boiled and cooled)
Instructions:
Step 1. Fill your bottle halfway with water. I like to use a 3-ounce bottle, so it won’t take up too much room in the diaper bag.
Step 2. Add 2 tablespoons of witch hazel. (Fun fact: Witch hazel is a natural astringent that can be used to soothe skin redness, tighten pores, and relieve swelling and burning.)
Step 3. Add 1 teaspoon of the liquid aloe vera. Soothing aloe gives the spray a refreshing twist.
Step 4. Add 1 teaspoon of citronella oil.
Step 5. Add 1/2 teaspoon of lemon oil and 1/2 teaspoon of grapefruit oil, both of which can be purchased at health food stores, for a delightful citrus scent. Eucalyptus and tea tree oils are also great for homemade bug sprays.
Step 5. Shake, shake, shake! You’ll also need to give the bottle a good shake before you apply the spray each time.
And there you have it! Toss a bottle of this spray in your purse or diaper bag. It smells so much better than store-bought bug spray and is a lot easier on the skin — a win-win, in my book.
More Health Tips:
- What Are the Symptoms of Cradle Cap & How Is it Treated?
- How to Treat Baby Acne (& What Causes It)
- Everything You Need to Know About Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
Photos: Lexy Ward
