Homemade Toothpaste, Dishwashing Liquid #3 & Oven Cleaner

I've been trialling recipes for homemade toothpaste for a couple of weeks, and I have to say that most were rather awful! Way too salty -although if a lovely salty aftertaste in your mouth as you are going to bed sounds appealing, then maybe you could try the others I googled! Anyway, the last one I have been using is OK, although still not perfect, in that it isn't like the regular stuff and my kids won't touch it. If you interested in having a go, here is the recipe:

Homemade toothpaste
3 tbs baking soda (bi-carb soda)
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbs glycerine
20-30 drops peppermint extract or essential oil
stevia extract to taste (optional)

* Mix the bi carb soda and salt thoroughly, then add the glycerine to form a paste. Add the peppermint and stevia sweetener if using and combine well. Store in an airtight container (I have an old, small squeezy bottle like you get conditioner in).

I have also been instructed by the Chief Washer-Upperer that Dishwashing Liquid #2 is not up to his standards, lol. So I have modified the recipe for Dishwashing Liquid #1, omitting the lavender that was offending my nose:

Dishwashing Liquid #3
3 tbs organic liquid castile soap
2 cups warm water
2 tsp vegetable glycerine
2 tbs white vinegar or lemon juice
10 drops lemon essential oil

* Mix thoroughly in a clean jar or bottle, and use 1 tbs at a time.

Since I have huge lemons hanging off my dwarf Meyer lemon tree at the moment, I used fresh lemon juice in this one - lemon is renowned as a great grease-cutter. I also use the lemon juice as an excellent oven cleaner:

Oven Cleaner
* Mix equal parts lemon juice and coarse salt and apply liberally. Leave for a few minutes and then remove with a clean cloth and warm water.

Couldn't be easier! And NO fumes, just a pleasant citrus smell in the kitchen, yum :-)