Everything here is made to be gentle, but homemade is not the same as risk-free. A few habits keep the making safe and the results reliable. Read them once before you
start.

Patch test anything that goes on skin.

Apply a little to the inner forearm, wait 24 hours and check for any reaction before
using it properly. This matters most with essential oils and any ingredient new
to you.

Spot-test surfaces and fabrics.

Test on a hidden patch first. Sealed stone, waxed timber and delicate fabrics can react even to gentle ingredients.

Follow the essential oil guidance.

The dilution guide on the Reference page, the Bergamot photosensitivity note and
the infant and pregnancy cautions on the Essential Oils page all matter. Stay
within them.

Keep essential oils and finished products away from children and pets.

Several oils are unsafe around infants, several around
cats. Check the Essential Oils page before using any oil in a home with either.

Preserve every water-based product.

Anything with water can grow bacteria, yeast or mould. Use the preservative and
clean-making method set out in Start Here, and discard anything that smells or
looks wrong.

Label and date what you make.

Respect the shelf life given with each recipe. Those dates assume normal storage; they are guidance, not guarantees.

Take care with flammable ingredients.

Isopropyl and perfumer’s alcohol catch fire easily. Keep them away from heat, flame and sparks, and store them upright and capped.

Mind allergies.

Nut-derived oils, beeswax and
botanical extracts can all cause reactions. If anyone in your household has a known allergy, check every ingredient first.

These recipes are shared in good faith. You make and use them at your own risk.