Looking for some quick and easy, practical and earth-friendly gifts for friends and family for the holidays? Check out these three with baking soda as a main ingredient!

1. Make non-abrasive counter, tub and tile cleaner "Creamy Soft Scrub". Or maybe you'll try...

2. "Dishwasher Tabs" - an inexpensive DIY alternative to what you would by at the grocery store. Finally...

3. Feeling congested? Its cold and flu season, so friends and family might enjoy the soothing "Eucalyptus Shower Steamers".

Hope you'll try one, two or three and pass them on along with the recipes so that friends and family can continue the earth-friendly practices!

Step 1: Creamy Soft Scrub

Non-abrasive cleaner to use for all types of sinks, bathroom fixtures and counters.

Ingredients and materials:

sealable jar, small mixing stick, small sponge to fit in jar

baking soda

Castile soap

few drops of your favorite essential oil

Recipe:

Pour 1/2 to 3/4 cup of baking soda into jar.

Slowly squirt some Castile soap into jar. Mix and add until texture is like frosting.

Add a few drops of essential oil (I love the citrus scents for cleaning).

Add a small sponge (I just cut sponge to fit) and seal.

Add a label and you are done!

Step 2: Dishwasher Tabs

These tabs are quick and easy to make and after one day of drying time are ready to use. Just add one tablet into your dishwasher's compartment along with three drops dish soap, then splash 1/2 C vinegar on the bottom of the washer for sparkling clean dishes, naturally!

Materials and Ingredients

2 ice cube trays, sealed container or baggie

2 cups baking soda

2 cups Borax

1/2 cup Kosher salt

1/2 cup vinegar

15-20 drops lemon essential oil

Directions

Mix all ingredients together with a wooden spoon. Transfer the mixture into two ice cube trays and press down until each cube compartment is hard packed with detergent. Set the trays in a dry, sunny area to set for 24 hours. Unmold the tabs after a full day of drying. For ease in packaging, unmold onto a cookie sheet. Store in airtight containers or baggies.

These work really well when you add the suggested 3 drops of soap to the tab in the dishwasher compartment and 1/2 cup of vinegar to the bottom of the washer before turning on your washer.

Step 3: Eucalyptus Shower Steamers

Try one of these soothing shower steamers next time you feel congested!

Materials and ingredients:

bowl, spray bottle, hard plastic or metal soap molds (I used mini muffin tins), nonstick cooking spray, cookie sheet

witch hazel (less than 1/4 cup)

i cup citric acid

2 cups baking soda

20 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Directions:

In a bowl, mix citric acid and baking soda. Add the essential oil and mix that in well with your hands. Pour witch hazel into spray bottle and spritz some onto the top of the powder mixture. Mix witch hazel in quickly with your hands, spritz some more on top, mix again and repeat until mixture packs together easily. Make sure not to get it too moist or mixture will begin to fizz.

Scoop mixture into molds one at a time and pack tightly so it holds together. Spray a cookie sheet lightly with the cooking spray. Wipe cooking spray off, leaving a light film. Once molds are filled, unmold and flip them onto cookie sheet to dry in warm sunny place for 24 hours.

After the drying day, package into baggies or jars.

To use, place on of these on shower floor, and when you run warm water it will cause the steamer to fizz and melt, releasing soothing eucalyptus into the steamy air.