I'm trying to get the chemicals out of our home. I've replaced

[MJN]

the cleaning products. What do you recommend for shampoo and conditioner and body soap? I've tried making homemade washing powder, but that was awful. If you have a recommendation for washing powder, I'll take that as well. Also, what kind of lotion helps with dry skin?

 

Thanks,

 

Molly

[MomOfOneFunOne]

I wash my face w/ honey and use castile soap for any other body washing needs except hair. I just use water on my hair daily and an apple cider vinegar rinse (1/2 cup vinegar to two cups of water -- but I'm still tweeking that) once/week. Straight vinegar had a delightful effect on my hair but the scent was just too strong! And, btw, if that is a recent pic of you, you have a lot less hair than I. You wouldn't need as much.

 

I also tried a laundry soap but didn't like it at all. I would really LOVE to find a good recipe for that!!

 

I haven't tried it yet but plan to next time it's due: http://www.divacup.com/

 

using honey and keeping soap use to only the very necessary, my skin isn't as dry except for now, winter. I use a variety of oils and essential oils mixed. I've made lotion before but they were essentially whipped oils/butters and essential oils so now I just skip the heating and whipping and use the oils.

 

My next project is sunscreen. That recipe is basically an oily lotion with zinc oxide. I haven't tried it yet, though.

 

I wound't mind usubg a less oily lotion but I haven't found one yet.

Edited February 3, 2010 by MomOfOneFunOne

[MariannNOVA]

the cleaning products. What do you recommend for shampoo and conditioner and body soap? I've tried making homemade washing powder, but that was awful. If you have a recommendation for washing powder, I'll take that as well. Also, what kind of lotion helps with dry skin?

 

Thanks,

 

Molly

 

 

Hi, Molly: I will PM you.:001_smile:

[Peri]

Shea butter is actually a very good moisturizer.

 

Baking soda is wonderful for body scrubs and deoderant and if you have oily hair it is also good as a scalp scrub. For the home it is a wonderful scouring powder and deoderizer.

 

Castile soap is a wonderfuly gentle cleanser for hair and body and I also use it as a general cleaner around the house as well.

 

Vinager is a wonderful rinse for the hair because it removes residues and actually conditions the hair (apple cider vinager that is, and don't use it straight, dilute about 1 oz. in a pitcher of water). It is also a good glass cleaner and disinfectant.

[LittleIzumi]

Baking soda for shampoo, apple cider vinegar for conditioner. :) You can google "no-poo" for detailed info but it's pretty simple.

[KS_]

I buy soap and shampoo bars from:

http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com/

 

I've been using the shampoo bars for a couple years now and really like them. We have hard water, so I use a dilute vinegar rinse after rinsing my hair, and it did take about a month of my hair feeling strange before all the residue from regular shampoo/conditioner was removed. Before this, I always had to use conditioner (I have long hair) or I wouldn't be able to comb through my hair. With the shampoo bars, I don't need conditioner at all.

[WeeBeaks]

 

My midwife recommends coconut oil for moisturizer.

 

 

[MomOfOneFunOne]

My midwife recommends coconut oil for moisturizer.

 

 

I like it. I tried it on my face, though, and my face broke out. I plan to wait a while and try again, though.

[Aggie]

I sent you a pm :001_smile:

[hornblower]

define chemical ;)

 

truly, I know what you mean but vinegar & baking soda are chemicals too & I think a lot of natural ingredients are dangerous and a lot of synthetic ingredients are benign.

 

I worry about this topic too but I find it incredibly complicated.

[Chris in VA]

If you want to go with premade stuff, Arbonne is supposed to be good.

[Tam101]

Someone on this forum recommend Oil Cleansing for you face recently. I've been doing it for about a week and am happy with the results so far. I have sensitive skin that bounces back in forth from being painfully dry and break outs. My skin feels healthier then it has in years after just a week. I'm excited to see if works for the long term. Just Google Oil Cleansing. I'm interested now in No Poo for my hair!

[mom4him]

the cleaning products. What do you recommend for shampoo and conditioner and body soap? I've tried making homemade washing powder, but that was awful. If you have a recommendation for washing powder, I'll take that as well. Also, what kind of lotion helps with dry skin?

 

Thanks,

 

Molly

Laundry: Country Save with 1/2 cup soda, Biokleen Laundry Bleach Plus to replace bleach, White Vinegar to replace fabric softener/sheets

 

Personal: Earth Science Fragrance Free Shampoo and conditioner, Lavilin Underarm Deo or Tom's of Maine Unscented Deodorant Stick , Nature Clean

All Natural Soap

 

General cleaning: My best friends are baking soda, white vinegar and H2O2

If you are interested, send me a note with your email address and I will send you a note back with 3 articles I have written on the subject of a natural life style.:001_smile:

[mcconnellboys]

Nearly anything you'd want to use is fine so long as you look to exclude products that contain things like sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates; phthalates; or paraben.

 

I've used a variety of things. As someone else mentioned, I use honey on my face and castille soap on my body at this time. I've used a lot of Burt's Bees products, which are all nice and widely available. I'm using an Aubrey Organics shampoo right now (chamomile). Mayonnaise (or just eggs) make a good conditioner!

 

I've used a lot of different laundry detergents, too: Biokleen, Method, Dr. Meyer's, to name a few. I like them all. I use Seventh Generation non-bleach whitener (hydrogen peroxide).

 

A little mineral oil in a tepid bath will do a great job moistening skin all over. Any type of oil could be used, really. Olive oil is great for skin (if pricey).....

[Guest mom2blu]

Does anyone have info on No 'Poo and vinegar for use in more ethnic hair? My son is mixed (black/white) and while we almost never use shampoo in his hair (just LOTS of conditioner) I'm wondering if this may be a better option all around.

[Peri]

Someone on this forum recommend Oil Cleansing for you face recently. I've been doing it for about a week and am happy with the results so far. I have sensitive skin that bounces back in forth from being painfully dry and break outs. My skin feels healthier then it has in years after just a week. I'm excited to see if works for the long term. Just Google Oil Cleansing. I'm interested now in No Poo for my hair!

 

You can do this with your body too. I used to rub my eyes raw to get all the make up off with products that were supposed to be gentle and effective. I never found anything more effective than plain old oil. I just get my face wet and then massage about 1/2 tsp of oil on it. I can get right into my lash line too. No eye irritation at all. Every last bit of makeup comes off. I just follow it with a gentle cleanser and that is it.

[Liz CA]

I recently happened upon a website with a "recipe" for homemade deodorant. I almost laughed but had nothing better to do than try it - and guess what: It works!

 

Coconut oil

Baking Soda

 

Mix until consistency becomes cream like. That's all - REALLY.

 

 

:)

[Carmen_and_Company]

I buy soap and shampoo bars from:

http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com/

 

I've been using the shampoo bars for a couple years now and really like them. We have hard water, so I use a dilute vinegar rinse after rinsing my hair, and it did take about a month of my hair feeling strange before all the residue from regular shampoo/conditioner was removed. Before this, I always had to use conditioner (I have long hair) or I wouldn't be able to comb through my hair. With the shampoo bars, I don't need conditioner at all.

 

We LOVE Chargin Valley products, used them for over a year, and highly recommend the company.

 

We're using the CG (Curly Girl) method of hair care & do not use any products with parabens, silicones, detergents, and other gross stuff in our hair.

 

There are numerous companies that sell all natural & organic personal care products--just visit your local natural food store or Whole Foods market.

 

We like Jason Kiss My Face & Aubrey Organics for body care, and have decent results from Trader Joe's natural products.

 

We use vinegar & baking soda for most of our cleaning, but also purchase some commercial all natural products.

[BeckyFL]

I'm using Keys Shampoo because of the EWG rating. It has lasted a VERY long time.

http://www.keys-soap.com/xcart41/product.php?productid=66&cat=22&page=1

[Carmen_and_Company]

Does anyone have info on No 'Poo and vinegar for use in more ethnic hair? My son is mixed (black/white) and while we almost never use shampoo in his hair (just LOTS of conditioner) I'm wondering if this may be a better option all around.

 

Outside of a once a month use of chargin Valley shampoo bar, we do NOT use ACV (apple cider vinegar) more than once per month, and diluted 1:3 as it can dry out curly hair.

 

We use conditioner for co-washing or no-pooing our hair. We also use organic olive oil or coconut oil or shea butter in our hair, especially during the winter months. Use just a little oil--about a dime size dollop--rub between hands, then rake through your son's hair. Oh, we also leave conditioner in our hair. See this site:

http://www.tightlycurly.com/welcome/

 

and this site:

http://www.naturallycurly.com/curltalk/forumdisplay.php?f=42