REPELLENTS
Are liquid compounds that when applied on the surface of the skin, prevent insect bites to a certain degree. They are categorized according to their ingredients, and their duration of effectiveness.
Some repellents are pretty strong, while others are more natural, therefore, these are less effective. Different kinds of insects react differently depending on the repellent being applied.
Also, there are several factors that reduce the effectiveness, such as the person’s sweat, humidity, and temperature of the environment. These factors also affect the type of absorption it will have on the skin, as well as the duration of the effectiveness.
Organic repellents (as their name indicate) are made of plants that, after going through a special extraction process, become essential oils. As long as they come from a safe place, these essential oils usually contain many beneficial properties which makes them perfect ingredients for making organic repellents.
Materials
Photography: Ana Icaza
To prepare your very own organic repellent, the ingredients you need are fortunately easily accessible in any supermarket or department store. There are many essential oils that contain properties that help repel insects, the most common and most used are; citronella, clove, eucalyptus, basil, rosemary, lavender, cedar, among others.
YOU WILL NEED:
• Alcohol
• Clove essential oil
• Citronella essential oil
• Lavender essential oil
• Demineralized water
• Glycerin
• A sprayer
• A mixer
1. First, pour 50 ml of alcohol into a measuring cup. That will help the essential oils dilute correctly, and will also work as a setter.
Photography: Ana Icaza
2. Add 10 to 15 drops of clove essential oil.
Photography: Ana Icaza
3. Add 10 to 15 drops of lavender essential oil.
Photography: Ana Icaza
4. Add 20-25 drops of citronella essential oil, since this is the most important ingredient in this recipe. If you have more essential oils at home and you would like to add them to the mix, now is your chance.
Photography: Ana Icaza
5. Stir the mix intermittently for 15 minutes so that the aromas fuse with the alcohol, and thus reach a higher duration.
Photography: Ana Icaza
6. Add 250 ml of demineralized water to the mix with the help of your measuring cup.
Photography: Ana Icaza
7. Add natural glycerin, mix for about 15 minutes, and your organic repellent will be ready!
Photography: Ana Icaza
8. Finally, pour your mix into your sprayer, and if possible, make sure your sprayer is amber-colored to help protect the mix from sunlight so it can be better conserved.
Photography: Ana Icaza
Once you apply this repellent, it will have a duration of effectiveness of about two hours. We also recommend that you use it over the course of one year and that after one year you consider any leftover repellent as “expired”, and make a brand new batch to replace it.
“Organic repellents, are made of plants that, after going through a special extraction process, become essential oils”.
