Eliminate 18 Products with Castile Soap

 

 In addition to being environmentally conscious, living simply, and saving some money, another one of our biggest motivations to “go green,” is to reduce the amount of chemicals that our children (and us) are exposed to.  Both of our sons have very sensitive skin.  My older son had eczema as a baby, and was prescribed steroid cream by his doctor at a very young age.  He seems to have mostly outgrown it, but our little one still struggles with this very much.  He gets frequent outbreaks on his cheeks, and the last time it was bad enough that he was bleeding.    His pediatrician prescribed him hydrocortisone, (also a steroid, albeit a lighter one than the prescription my older son was prescribed), and also an antibiotic cream.  I’m not a very big fan of constantly slathering my 2 year old with steroids and antibiotics.  I’d rather just prevent the problem proactively, instead of treating reactively.

Dr. Bronners Castile Soap

Castile soap is an organic, environmentally friendly, vegetable oil-based soap.  It gets its name because it was originally created in the Castile region of Spain.  It contains no chemicals, and thus should be very gentle on sensitive skin.  We could potentially eliminate up to 18 products with just one, environmentally-friendly, natural product.



Several of these recipes call for the use of Tea Tree Oil.  Tea Tree Oil is an essential oil that has antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic qualities.  Make sure to always dilute Tea Tree Oil somehow, do not put it directly on the skin.  We used the one pictured at left, but I don’t have any particular allegiance to it – I asked Chad to find the cheapest one, and this is what he found, so I used it.
We spent several weeks trying and testing the following uses for Castile soap.  We used Dr. Bronner’s peppermint, but there are other brands.  The peppermint has a very strong smell, so if you don’t really like the smell of peppermint, you’ll probably want to try a different scent.  It also comes in lavender, almond, citrus, and unscented.  We like peppermint just fine, but I think we’ll try the citrus next time!  Here’s our findings, reviews and flubs with using Castile soap
.
1. Shampoo – Grade: B

Method:
There are at least 3 ways to try this.

1. Use 1 drop, straight.

2. Use equal parts water to soap, shake in a bottle.

3. Add one part Castile soap to three parts water.  If you’d like to add herbs or fragrances, steep them in hot water as if you were making tea, then drain and add.  To add oils to moisturize and increase shine, you can use ten to 12 drops of essential oils or 1/2 tsp. of an oil like olive or jojoba works well.

- An additional suggestion is to add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to 1 cup warm water and use that to rinse.

Review:

1.  I didn’t like it straight.  It left my hair feeling very strange and filmy.  Also, one drop was definitely not enough, you need at least a dime-sized amount to get a decent lather.

2. This was definitely better.  It felt less filmy, but still filmy enough to be bothersome.  Even on the kids’ hair, it was tangly and hard to comb, and they’re boys with short hair.

3. I didn’t add the herbs and fragrances, but I did try adding oil.  I used this recipe: 1 oz water, 4 oz soap, and 1/2 tsp of olive oil.  I LOVE this for my kids’ hair.  The comb went through it like a hot knife through butter, and it feels so, so soft when it dries.  I will definitely be keeping this recipe for their hair.  For my hair though, I only like it, I still don’t love it.  It might be because I color my hair, or maybe it’s just a texture issue, but it still feels a little filmy, and if you don’t rinse it well enough, it feels pretty greasy.

While I did have reservations of using what basically equated to salad dressing on my hair, I did try the vinegar rinse.  I mean, it’s for science right?  That did help, but I’m not still sold.  I’m going to keep using it for now, but I’m on the lookout for other options.

2. Hand Soap – Grade: A+

Sudsy!

Method: Fill a foaming hand soap dispenser with water, add a squirt of Castile soap.  That’s it.  If it’s not sudsy enough, you can add more, but one squirt was plenty foamy!
Review:  This worked well!  Our hands felt and smelled clean, and it left them feeling very soft.  Plus, it takes so little soap – just one squirt – to make an entire dispenser of hand soap.

3. Dish Soap – Grade: A+
Method: Use in place of standard dish soap, just a few drops in the sink.
Review: This was great!  The peppermint smell was good, and it didn’t leave any film, we ended up with shiny dishes!

4. Body, Baby and Face Wash – Grade: A

Method:  For body wash and the kids’ baby wash, we used 1 part Castile soap to 4 parts water.  Squirt that on a loofah, and it makes a nice lather.  For face wash, I used 3-4 drops, straight.
Review:  I loved it for the kids’ bath wash.  My little one, who in the past has frequently cried when soap touches his skin, paid almost no attention to the fact that I was washing him.  I’m not even sure he noticed!  I was so thrilled about this – yay for happy babies!!  For the face wash, I was afraid that this was going to feel very filmy, or leave me with that tight-skin feeling like other soaps I’ve tried – but it did none of that.  It cleaned well and left no residue.

5. Use in Kids’ Bathwater – Grade: D

Method: Use a good squirt in the bathwater, no other soap needed.
Review: This is one that I found that I didn’t really “get,” but I tried it anyway.  It was just OK, it didn’t create any bubbles, like a bubble bath, so it didn’t work in that manner.  And, the kids still needed to be washed with additional soap, so I felt like it was kind of a waste.

6. Laundry Detergent – Grade: A

Method: Use 1/8 cup Castile soap in place of your regular detergent.  You may also add a dash of baking soda.  Or, you can stretch your detergent by diluting it into a solution of two parts water, one part Castile soap and one part laundry detergent.
Review: We tried it with baking soda and without, and liked both.  Clothes look clean and smell good, and they are much softer.  Side note: this one did involve some math to see if it was really cheaper.  It is more expensive per ounce, but it is much, much cheaper per load (1/3-1/2 of the cost), compared to the price we pay for the laundry detergent we use (All Free and Clear). Click to see the cost comparison.

 

7. Household Cleaner – Grade: A++
Method: Fill a spray bottle about a 1/4 full with white vinegar.  Fill the rest of the bottle up with water, then put in a squirt of Castile soap and add 3 or 4 drops of tea tree oil.
Review:  This was The Awesome.  I seriously love this.  See I even added a heart to the picture?!  It made our counters sparkle, and it cut through grease on my stove, and the food grime on the little one’s high chair like nobody’s business.

8. Toilet Cleaner – Grade: A
Method: Squirt in a bit of Castile soap, I just did a quick little ring around the whole toilet.  Add a little baking soda, and scrub!
Review: This worked really well, and people, I have a 4 YO boy and another who’s about to potty train, so toilets can be quite the job.

9. Glass Cleaner – Grade: A

Method: Mix a teaspoon or two of Castile soap (use more or less depending on how dirty your glass is), in a gallon of water, as hot as you can stand.  Use this to wash the windows, then dry with a paper towel or microfiber cloth.
Review: I didn’t try this method, because heating and using an entire gallon of water seemed wasteful and time consuming to me.  However, I did use the above cleaner with a microfiber cloth, and it worked beautifully!  No streaks!

10. Baby Wipes – Grade: A

Method: Fill a pitcher with warm water, add a splash of Castile soap, a splash of olive oil, and a drop of tea tree oil.
Review:  I’m thrilled about this one.  Hopefully we’ll see a big improvement in my little one’s sensitive skin.
Bonus Round!!  Here are other things that we found that we didn’t try, either because we were too chicken (brush my teeth with soap?  I couldn’t do it), it wouldn’t work for us, or because it isn’t a need we have.

11. Roach Repellant
Method: Mix 1 tbsp. of liquid Castile soap with 1 tbsp. of Tabasco sauce and combine with 4 cups of water in a spray bottle. Apply as needed to infested areas. The slightly viscous consistency of the Castile soap will help the Tabasco adhere to the surface. This preparation should maintain its effectiveness for approximately two months.
I’d be interested to try this one, but the weather is starting to get chilly, so we don’t have much of a problem with this.  I wondered also what would happen if my dogs get into this, would the Tabasco bother them?

12. Shaving Lather
I use razors with the shaving cream built in around the blades, so this isn’t necessary for me.

13. Toothpaste!
I just couldn’t make myself try this one.  ‘Nuff said.

14. Pet Shampoo
We didn’t try this one because our dog already uses an allergy shampoo (even our dogs have sensitive skin around here), and I was too nervous to try it with her skin.


15. Automatic Dishwasher Soap:

Method: Another one with at least three ways to try:

1. Straight

2. Castile soap and baking soda

3. This recipe:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup liquid Castile soap
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
3 drops tea tree oil
1/2 cup white vinegar

Stir all ingredients together until blended. Store in a squirt top bottle. Use 2 tablespoons per load of dishes, shake well before use.

Review: We didn’t try this one because our dishwasher is set up in a way that it only takes solid dishwashing soap.  I got as far as mixing up the recipe, then discovered it wouldn’t work.  Boohoo!!  If anyone else tries it, I’d be really interested to hear how it works!

So, in addition to being environmentally friendly and helping our kids with sensitive skin issues, by using Castile soap, we’ve gotten rid of 13 products: Shampoo, baby shampoo, shower gel, baby wash, baby wipes, household cleaners, toilet cleaner, glass cleaner, dish soap, glass cleaner, laundry detergent, face wash, and hand soap.  All from one product!  Wow!  What could be more simple or green than that?!


 http://www.hotmesshouse.com/2011/10/10/castilesoap/

Talking Kitty Cat - Wake Up Kitty 18

20 Unusual Uses for Olive Oil

Olive oil glides into place as a must-have household and beauty product.
Life without olive oil would be sad indeed. Since antiquity, this miracle substance has been revered for its wonderfully fruity flavor, but it’s so much more than a healthy topping for salad and a heavenly dip for fresh-baked bread. Olive oil has dozens of unusual uses around the house, not to mention its powerful moisturizing and healing properties on the hair and skin.  Check out 20 reasons why you should never be caught without it.

Paint clean-up
When your hands are covered in paint, sap or any other sticky substance that’s hard to remove, try scrubbing them with olive oil and a little salt or sugar. The paint will come right off and your skin will be soft and exfoliated.
Eye makeup remover
Even the heaviest, drag-show-worthy makeup job can’t stand up to the removal power of olive oil. Dab a little on a cotton pad and your eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara – including waterproof formulas – will wipe right off.
Furniture polish
Olive oil helps remove dust from furniture and gives it a shine. Add a teaspoon to a quarter cup of lemon juice, and you’ve got a non-toxic, petroleum-free polish that also gently cleans wood surfaces.
Skin moisturizer
You might think using olive oil as a moisturizer would leave you with oily skin, but that’s not the case. Used in small amounts, it seeps in completely, eliminating dryness and reducing the appearance of wrinkles without clogging pores.
Shoe polish
What, exactly, is it in shoe polish that has such a headache-inducing smell? It could be any number of potentially toxic ingredients. Banish them from your house and use olive oil instead. Just buff onto your leather shoes with a cloth.



Hinge lubricant
WD-40 shouldn’t hold a monopoly on squeaky door hinges when simple, natural olive oil works just as well. Wipe it on with a cotton ball or use a spray bottle to lubricate the hinge and eliminate that annoying creak.
Bath oil
Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil and you’ve got a custom bath oil that will gently scent and moisturize your skin.
Stainless steel shine
Olive oil alone will buff stainless steel and brass surfaces to a brilliant shine. Just wipe off any debris and allow the surfaces to dry completely, then pour a little oil onto a clean, soft cloth. Buff in circular motions with firm pressure.
Smooth shave
Slick and moisturizing, olive oil will help your razor glide along your skin for a super-close, smooth shave with fewer nicks.
Throat soother
Got a big singing performance or speech coming up? Swallow a tablespoon of olive oil just before you step on stage and you won’t have to clear your throat nearly as often. This trick also works to soothe itchy throats and lubricate the back of the mouth and tonsil area, which may lessen snoring.



Hair treatment
Sure, you could buy a fancy commercially-prepared hot oil treatment for your hair – or you could just grab the bottle of olive oil that’s already sitting on a shelf in your kitchen. Apply a few tablespoons of warmed olive oil to damp hair, massage into the scalp and rub through the ends, then leave it on for thirty minutes to an hour. The oil will clean and condition the scalp, soften the hair and help the cuticles lay down flat for a sleek look.

Ear ache relief
A little warm olive oil is a fast, effective means of relieving painful ear aches. Just place the bottle in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes, then pour a few drops into the affected ear. To cure ear infections, infuse the olive oil with a crushed clove of garlic, strain the garlic out and drip into the ear.

Sticker remover
Dab olive oil onto a sticker or label, let it sit for a few minutes and the sticker will peel right off. No scraping needed, no annoying residue left behind.

Lice treatment
Olive oil has long been a preferred natural treatment to eliminate dreaded head lice. It reportedly helps to dissolve the exoskeleton of these little parasites, and smother the ones that are resistant. Pour it on to dry hair liberally, comb out any visible lice with a nit comb and then leave it on under a shower cap for up to 8 hours. Follow by coating the hair in apple cider vinegar; leave it on overnight, shampoo as usual and then comb out any remaining eggs.

Hairball prevention
Nobody likes the sound of a cat loudly hacking up a hairball, especially since it always seems to happen when you’re trying to eat or sleep. Help it pass through your cat’s system more easily by adding 1/4 teaspoon of olive oil to his or her food each day.




Lamp fuel
A blizzard just hit, the power’s out and you realized that you’re out of batteries and candles. Do you just sit around in the dark? No, you grab that bottle of olive oil – because by now you should know that it’s an absolute essential in your life – and use it to fuel a lamp. You can purchase specially made olive oil lamps, or simply pour it into a glass jar, poke a hole into the jar lid and insert an oil lamp wick.

Chewing gum remover
Whether your child comes home from school with a mass of sticky pink bubble gum in her hair or you find yourself the victim of a wayward wad, you don’t have to resort to any crazy tricks or – gasp – scissors to get it out. Apply olive oil to the gum and the surrounding hair, leave it on for five to ten minutes and then pull the gum out.

Leather conditioner
Just as it cleans and restores leather shoes, olive oil can be used to re-condition cracked, dry leather items like baseball gloves, car seats and saddles. It takes a bit longer to fully penetrate the leather than most conventional conditioners, but it works.


Psoriasis and diaper rash treatment
Olive oil soothes itchy, burning, irritated skin and may help rashes heal. Apply it to a baby’s diaper rash or directly to any eruptions on your own skin for quick relief. Consuming olive oil on a regular basis may also be helpful in the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis.

Personal lubricant
Squeaky hinges aren’t the only parts that work better when lubricated. But just because you’re in the mood for some slippery fun doesn’t mean you should grab a tube of KY. There are lots of safe, natural alternatives to potentially toxic personal lubricants, but plain old olive oil will do the trick nicely – just avoid using it with latex condoms.

 http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-tips-for-olive-oil-395/

Luxurious Shampoo Bar Soap Recipe

-9 ounces coconut oil
-9 ounces olive oil
-5 ounces castor oil
-3 ounces jojoba oil
-2 ounces shea butter
-2 ounces cocoa butter
-1 ounce beeswax

*Please note, all amounts are per weight. You will need to use a kitchen scale for these measurements.
-4 ounces water
-6 ounces coconut milk*
-4 ounces lye
*You could use only water, an herbal infusion, or any other type of milk. 

Optional Essential Oils
-Rosemary and peppermint for dark hair
-Lavender and lemon for blonde hair
-Lime and coconut for all types
*Use approximately 0.5-1 ounce of essential oils for this recipe. Yes they are a fun addition, but not necessary.

Directions:
1. Place the water and coconut milk into a large glass measuring cup.
2. Measure out the lye by weight into a 1 cup measuring glass.

3. Carefully add the lye into the liquid and stir to combine. (Adding the liquid to the lye could cause and eruption.) Be careful, the liquid is caustic and not to be touched in anyway. The outside of the bowl will be extremely hot as well. Note: Take the necessary lye precautions with this step.
4. Allow the lye mixture to stay under a vent and cool down while you prepare the oils.
5. Measure all oils, by using a kitchen scale, and pour into a pot.

6. Warm oils and beeswax on low heat until all are melted.
7. Pour melted oils into a crock pot. Be sure the crock pot is on the lowest setting. Note: Do not allow the oils to get to hot.
8. Add the lye/liquid mixture to the oils in the crock pot and stir. Note: Any equipment the lye touches needs to be neutralized in a mixture of vinegar, soap, and water. Vinegar will neutralize the lye.
9. After a brief stir, grab your stick blender and get to work! Blend the oils, lye, and liquid in the crock pot for at least 3-5 minutes. We are working toward ”trace.”

10. Blend until the mixture becomes a thick, pudding like consistency.
11. Once the mixture is pudding-like, cover the crock pot and “cook” the soap for approximately 1 hour.
12. By the end, the mixture should have folded in on itself and it should be completely transparent. Turn off the crock pot.
13. Now it’s time to prepare the molds. I just use a standard glass loaf pan greased with coconut oil and it’s always worked perfectly.
14. Now is the time to add the essential oils (if using).

15. Spoon soap mixture into molds.
16. Allow soap to cool and harden for 24 hours.
17. Remove from mold on to cutting board and cut into 1 inch thick bars.

18. Place bars on a tray with good airflow so that they can harden further. But go ahead and use your first bar!!!
Notes
This is the most amazing natural hair product I have used! My hair is so shiny, soft, and manageable. And the real test…my husband even uses this shampoo bar soap and LOVES it!
-When showering, be sure to complete the use of this shampoo bar soap with a 1 part apple cider vinegar and 3 part water conditioning hair rinse. I like to put this in a spray bottle and spray my hair with it just prior to leaving the shower. I do not rinse it out (more conditioning that way). The smell of vinegar will dissipate once the hair dries.
 http://frugallysustainable.com/2011/12/shampoo-bar-soap-recipe/

How To Make Magnesium Oil

Many people are deficient in this vital mineral that the body uses for hundreds of reactions. Every cell in the body needs magnesium in some way, and it is vital for bone, tooth, muscle and joint health as well as for optimal sleep and stress reduction.

Deficiency of magnesium is widespread because many of us have lifestyle factors that actively deplete magnesium such as lack of sleep, excess stress, or alcohol/caffeine/sugar consumption. On top of that, many natural sources of magnesium are becoming depleted (such as the soil due to over-farming and high pesticide use) and water filtration systems remove much of the naturally occurring magnesium in water.
The ocean is still a wonderful source of magnesium and trace minerals, but for those of us who don’t have daily access to a beach, transdermal magnesium oil can be the easiest and most effective way to increase magnesium levels. It has been found in research that adequate magnesium can do everything from reduce stress to improve sleep and even eliminate morning sickness!

By taking magnesium internally and use it on my skin daily in the form of magnesium oil.

[Note: Ancient Minerals, maker of the Magnesium Oil I use, recently posted about the small differences between homemade magnesium oil made from magnesium flakes and their pre-made magnesium oil. I'd still feel comfortable using a homemade version, especially if the alternative was not taking/using magnesium at all, but you can read the differences here.]

What you need:

•  1/2 cup Magnesium Chloride Flakes
• 1/2 cup distilled water
• a glass bowl or glass measuring cup
• A glass spray bottle (plastic will work too)

What to do:

Boil the distilled water. It is important to use distilled to extend the shelf life of the mixture. Put the Magnesium Chloride Flakes in the glass bowl or measuring cup and the pour the bowling water over it.
Stir well until completely dissolved. Let cool completely and store in the spray bottle. Can be stored at room temperature for at least six months. I keep in my bathroom to use daily.

To Use:

Spray on arms, legs and stomach daily. I use 10-20 sprays per day. It will tingle on the skin the first few times it is used, and this is normal. It should fade after a few applications, but you can dilute with more water if it bothers you too much.
You can leave on the skin or wash off after 20-30 minutes. I usually apply after a shower and then use coconut oil or a lotion bar to moisturize about 5 minutes later.
Have you tried magnesium to help reduce stress, improve sleep or for another reason? Share below! 

http://www.herbsandoilsworld.com/how-to-make-magnesium-oil/

How To Grow Roses From Cuttings

Propagating roses by cuttings is easy, and it brings certain side benefits, says Kris

(1) In an out-of-the-way part of the garden, which gets some shade during the hottest part of the day, dig a trench that has one vertical side. It should be around 6in (15cm) deep; place an inch or two of sharp sand in the bottom.

(2) Choose a stem – about the thickness of a pencil – from the rose you wish to propagate. The wood should be straight (no kinks), ripe (tell by being able to break a thorn off cleanly), and young (from this year’s growth).

(3) The cutting should be about 9in (23cm) long. Cut just below a bud at the base. Then remove the leaves and thorns from the bottom half. You can leave a couple of leaf systems at the top of the cutting if you wish, but I’ve removed mine.

(4) Insert each cutting so that it is two-thirds buried, making sure that its base is well into the sharp sand. Firm the sand around the base, to exclude as much air as possible. Cuttings should be set about 6in (15cm) apart.

(5) Replace soil into the trench and firm it in place; don’t damage the cuttings as you do this. Keep the cuttings watered throughout summer. By November they should have rooted well and be ready for transplanting.

Roses in spuds

My allotment neighbour has a row of roses, which he took as cuttings. I asked how he took them. He simply plunges the cuttings into the ground. But his secret of success is the humble potato! Before planting cuttings, he pushes the bottom end into a small potato, which he believes keeps the cuttings moist as they develop  roots. It sounds crazy, but his row of allotment roses is proof it works. Try it, and let us know how you get on.
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Zamfir - The lonely shepherd