Not comfortable spraying Off or other store-bought chemical-laden insect repellents on your children this summer?
Neither am I.
So I make my own. It’s cheap, easy, and best of all, it’s all natural. Simply spray a light mist on skin and clothing as needed.
Here’s how to make it:
You’ll need:
- one lemon, sliced thin
- 1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary, crushed
- 4 cups boiling water
- spray bottle
- funnel
- strainer
- medium bowl
Steps:
1. While water is coming to a boil on stove, strip rosemary leaves. Then cut and mash pieces as small as possible.
2. Slice lemons. Place in bowl. Then sprinkle crushed rosemary on top.
3. Pour boiling water over lemon and rosemary and allow to steep until cool.
4. Pour mixture through strainer, into large bowl.
5. Pour mixture through funnel into spray bottle.
Homemade Insect Repellent
You’ll need:
- one lemon, sliced thin
- 1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary, crushed
- 4 cups boiling water
- spray bottle
- funnel
- strainer
- medium bowl
Steps:
1. While water is coming to a boil on stove, strip rosemary leaves. Then cut and mash pieces as small as possible.
2. Slice lemons. Place in bowl. Then sprinkle crushed rosemary on top.
3. Pour boiling water over lemon and rosemary and allow to steep until cool.
4. Pour mixture through strainer, into large bowl.
5. Pour strained mixture through funnel into spray bottle.
yay! i love this! does it last for a while? or can you store it?
i despise insect repellent, but i’m loving this. : )
Hey Kassi! I actually have wondered myself how long this stuff can be kept around……but I was thinking….since lemon juice is an acid, and we can keep lemon juice in our fridge for forever, I think it’s a long time…..BUT, I’m going to look into it some more just to be sure.
I love how simple this is! It’s so nice when something has only a few ingredients. I’ve been wanting to make my own insect repellent – this looks like one I need to try.
Thanks for the recipe.
Stacy!!! I just LOVE your blog!! I am going to be trying several of your homemade body wash type recipes very soon!! Also, I’ve been wanting to post a recipe soon for a soothing/calming room spray…..I didn’t look for one on your site, but I bet you know what I’m talking about.
Oh, I’ve been meaning to post a room spray! Haven’t done that yet. Will do right away
This is great! I love Burt’s Bees insect repellant product, but it’s pricey….I’m wondering how long this recipe would last too. Also, I’m thinking that you could, as an alternative, simply use a few drops each of lemon and rosemary essential oils. I already have lemon so I’m halfway there.