posted March 05, 2014 11:44 AM            

We've resorted to using store-bought (allegedly eco-friendly, but probably not really) laundry detergent, dish soap, and hand soap. :/

My toothpaste is fine, but I've also had to go back to buying shampoo and conditioner (again, allegedly "natural", which is of course a dubious claim at best).

posted March 05, 2014 12:35 PM            

I really like the goats milk and almond or oatmeal, it makes your skin feel great!

The Dr. Bronners is used for everything they say. I think the Arm & Hammer is pretty bio-degradable. Some say add that oxyclean, but I'm not sure.

I have bought those Planet and stuff like that, don't always have the ducats, though.

These guys have a lot of supplies, got my soap from them, as well as many other things through the years.
http://www.earthguild.com/ http://www.earthguild.com/products/riff/rsoap2.htm

The guy who manned the phones on Saturday was a real Grouchypants.

posted March 06, 2014 12:31 PM            

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posted March 06, 2014 02:04 PM            

I was making my laundry detergent with Dr. Bronner's, but it just wasn't working. I can't stand using more chemical-laden stuff than is necessary, but I also don't like to shell out a ton of money for products.

For a while, I was washing my hair with baking soda, and using a vinegar rinse as conditioner. I kind of had to give up on that one, but I would prefer to make my products.

The pomade that I make with beeswax and coconut oil works well, and isn't particularly expensive (I need it for my crazy, curly hair), and baking soda + peppermint oil works fine for toothpaste.

But I'm at a loss as far as deodorant (I tried baking soda, water, and tea tree oil, but that didn't work). The crystal deodorant doesn't seem to last very long, in the sense that it's virtually useless after about a month.

Any ideas on homemade stuff from scratch?

I want to try to start making my own soap/lye from wood ash and rain water, but I haven't had the time (or the proper space, since you can't really do it inside).

posted March 06, 2014 02:35 PM            

Dina Falconi has a really good recipe book for many body products, "Earthly Bodies, Heavenly Hair," I think it's called.

Great Book.

About the second link:

posted March 06, 2014 02:40 PM            

It is too "healthy" i.e not usable imo

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posted March 06, 2014 06:07 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Ellynlvx:
That's what the glycerine soap is, it's melt and pour. You just melt it in a double boiler, and pour it into the soap molds. You can add anything you want.

Dina Falconi has a really good recipe book for many body products, "Earthly Bodies, Heavenly Hair," I think it's called.

Great Book.

About the second link:

Like I said, I haven't tried those guys, but they look good.

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Ahah...I see glycerin is a byproduct of making soap. I've always associated it with the synthetic glycerin, so I guess I needed to do a little more research there. Cool!

posted March 06, 2014 06:10 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Ami Anne:
I don't like Dr Bonners

It is too "healthy" i.e not usable imo

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I like Dr. Bronner's for some things (it's okay for a body wash for me, or for making laundry detergent), but I find it too expensive, as I use a lot of it when I make the detergents and whatnot.

posted March 08, 2014 03:46 PM            

By-product?

No, glycerine is glycerine. It's vegetable-based.
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/vegetable-glycerine/profile

It's soap, but you don't go through the chemical process, all you have to do is melt it.

posted March 09, 2014 12:51 PM            

Laundry- Try putting the washer on a more agitating setting with more water and less clothes. You have to balance priorities here. are you saving the environment by using more natural resources and less chemicals? What's your reason for "natural"? If it's because of allergies you will have to weigh things differently.

Baking soda and vinegar works great for household cleaning. Baking soda and peroxide for teeth.

My mom and I removed a red wine spill from a white carpet with seltzer water and towels. Lots of towels, stepping and blotting. Took a long time, relatively speaking, but just constant soaking and blotting with pressure removed it all. All of it. Completely. Like a miracle. And no chemicals.

The trick is cleaning up as you go. I'm not sure what to suggest for old stains and build up of dirt other than lots of muscle power or enzymes.

posted May 13, 2014 02:14 AM            

I use coconut oil, baking soda, and essential oils usually tea tree + lavender but I experiment with different EO's for interesting scents and properties. However I don't actually mix everything together at once, i blend the essential oils into the coconut oil and since its usually warm in my loft it is liquid and I apply this to my armpits first, then i scoop a little bit of the baking soda out of the box and pat it on top and sort of quickly blend it in together.
The reason I do it this way is so that I can control the amount of baking soda I put on, more if I think ill be sweating a lot or less if i'm worried about irritation.

Good luck!

oh and as far as shampoo and conditioner, I use dr. bronners but I make sure to dilute it because it will be harsh on its own. I keep a small cup in my shower that I use to dilute it before I wash my hair with it.

posted May 13, 2014 10:34 PM            

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posted May 14, 2014 08:44 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by arcturiann:
I'm just gonna write what worked for me as far as deodorant goes, I think it may be different for different people.

I use coconut oil, baking soda, and essential oils usually tea tree + lavender but I experiment with different EO's for interesting scents and properties. However I don't actually mix everything together at once, i blend the essential oils into the coconut oil and since its usually warm in my loft it is liquid and I apply this to my armpits first, then i scoop a little bit of the baking soda out of the box and pat it on top and sort of quickly blend it in together.
The reason I do it this way is so that I can control the amount of baking soda I put on, more if I think ill be sweating a lot or less if i'm worried about irritation.

Good luck!

oh and as far as shampoo and conditioner, I use dr. bronners but I make sure to dilute it because it will be harsh on its own. I keep a small cup in my shower that I use to dilute it before I wash my hair with it.

Also you may want to consider whether or not you have hard water. If you have hard water than some natural soaps like dr. bronners will react with the minerals in the water and form scum. After I got a shower head filter this has no longer been a problem.
For conditioner I actually just use avocado oil instead, I apply it to my dry hair before I shower on the ends and then I apply a very small amount after the shower on the tips.

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That's fantastic, thanks!

I tried baking soda and tea tree oil for a while, but I didn't add the coconut oil.

Hm. I think I'll give that another try.

I buy the crystal deodorant, but it just doesn't last, in terms of shelf life. The rock is still there, but it seems to stop working after about a month or so.

I do find that baking soda and vinegar are so good for so many things, though.

I admit to using cheap vinegar for most things (fabric softener, etc.) because organic apple cider vinegar is really expensive.

Baking soda and peppermint EO is great for toothpaste, imo. I like it so much better than store-bought stuff.

And I basically clean everything in my house with one or both of them.
Except the dishes, hand soap, etc. And Dr. Bronner's is kind of pricey, to be honest. But maybe not if it's diluted.

posted May 14, 2014 08:45 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Ami Anne:
The Miracle Two soap can brush teeth, do laundry and wash hair. It is amazing

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