Natural Homemade Cleaning Products

Natural homemade cleaning products will save you money and help the environment, how can you refuse to saving money and helping the environment? Your not a horrible person if you use commercial cleaners but taking the time to look at alternative cleaners should be high considered. Some of use may be very sensitive to the chemicals in commercial cleaning products. If you are you know how difficult it can be breathing in those fumes. Natural homemade cleaning products would be ideal for you and really anyone who wants to help the environment out too.

The best natural homemade cleaning products include, water, baking soda, white vinegar, citrus solvent, lemon juice, Borax, and liquid soap. You will protect your family and pets if you use these natural cleaning products on a regular basis. If u mix and match these natural products you will have cleaners that will keep your house smelling good and looking even better. There seems to always be a catch to something when it seems to good to be true right? This isn't one of those times because these products are safe and will clean your home, no side effects, no nothing.

I use natural cleaning products almost everyday because something always need to be done around the house so I know from experience they work. It gives me the sense of accomplishment because I know I'm helping my family, the environment, and my home buy using them. Natural homemade cleaning products really are fantastic and I will continue to use them.

Pure and Natural Bar Soap

More and more, people are seeking out products that are not manufactured with artificial colors, fragrances, fillers, and other synthetic ingredients. This is likely due to all of the problems being experienced from these harsh products. Not only are these synthetic components in food, but they are also in toiletries that you use daily on your body. Now that is pretty scary! You are being exposed to all of these things on your interior and exterior. This cannot be a good thing. This is why so many people are taking the time, and putting forth the effort to find alternative items. This means pure and natural bar soap, herbal shampoo, and organic face products.

In the last decade, countless companies have released a grand slew of all-natural and organic products. This is especially true about skin care. The reality is that all-natural is appealing to the masses much more nowadays. A lot of this is due to all of the people afflicted with cancer and other diseases. Scientists and medical experts are relating these problems to what people are putting and on their bodies. Well, it certainly makes sense. This is why pure and natural bar soap and other organic products are gaining major popularity. The simpler the better, and the fewer synthetic ingredients, the safer the product likely is.

There are some simple distributors you can turn to online for pure and natural bar soap, as well as other all-natural products. These are Amazon.com, DiscountCosmeticOutlet.com, and drugstore.com. Each of these websites offer plenty of pure and natural toiletries to consider. It all just depends on what you are in the market for. Anything from natural and organic soaps, shampoos, moisturizers, body lotions, facial serums, cleansers, hair styling products, toners, and under-eye treatments can be found. You simply have to take a little time and sift through all of the different products that are offered.

One of the primary reasons men and women choose pure and natural bar soap is to avoid skin irritations. If you have sensitive skin, you may very well get rashes or other types of irritations from synthetic bars soaps and body washes. This can typically be avoided with organic cleansers and pure and natural bar soaps. Especially if you have small children. It is prudent to avoid toiletries like soaps and shampoos that contain fragrances, artificial colors, and other synthetic components. Your kid will thank you for it, and you will not have to grapple with any skin irritations or other problems that arise from harsh toiletries.

Soap Nuts? Not Nuts at All

Soap nuts (the natural detergent that actually is found growing on trees) are not nuts at all. They are actually a fruit most commonly referred to as a soapberry. Now, that had to sound really weird, huh? It's no wonder people are confused. I just referred to a detergent as a fruit. Jugs and bottles certainly don't grow on trees. And also, I certainly would not call wine a grape. Are you confused? I would be. It is my hope that this article clarifies what soap nuts actually are. As your understanding grows, such seemingly stupid statements will actually begin to make sense. I'll give it a good college try to help clarify matters for you.

Again, soap nuts are a fruit. They produce a substance that is a natural detergent (or soap). It is called saponin. Sapo is actually Latin for soap. There are numerous botanical sources for saponin. What makes the soap nut so special is its extremely high concentration of saponin. It is the saponin that is Mother Nature's own natural surfactant that effectively acts in the exact same way as a chemical detergent or soap.

Important break: "What the heck is a surfactant?" Excellent question! I'm so glad someone asked!

sur-fac-tant n. A substance or agent, for example, a detergent or a drug, that reduces the surface tension of liquids so that the liquid spreads out, rather than collecting in the form of droplets.

All detergents and soaps are essentially surfactants. It is surfactants that allow for the break up of dirt, grime, oil, grease, etc. in water - and thus enables things to be washed and become cleaned. It's really that simple. (There are some minor exceptions but this is the KEY thing to realize about how detergents and soaps work.) It is just the fact that most surfactants - that we know of - have come out of chemical labs rather than grown by Mother Nature. I assure you they are not picking fruit at Procter and Gamble. At least not when making detergent. I bet this is beginning to make sense.

Somewhere throughout the ages people started calling the dried soapberries "nuts". Why? Because they feel and look more like a nut than anything else. They are hard and dry (when they are ready for use) and even a nut-like color. If you picked one up off the ground, your first guess would be: "some kind of nut." So, there you go. The rest is history. When growing on the tree, soap nuts remind me most of a cherry given their large seed size relative to its pulp and skin. As they are dried in the sun, they become wrinkled and then look reminiscent of a date or an overgrown (big time) raisin - just drier and harder. During their first couple months they will be yellowish to golden in color. As they age they will redden in color. As time continues, they will simply darken and shrink a bit in size. If properly stored in a cool dry environment they can last for years. As with nearly all dried natural or organic fruits, vegetables, etc., if they are not stored properly and allowed to become moist they will blacken and even grow molds. I would not recommend them at that point. (So much for common sense.)

Again, it is the soap nuts' remarkable ability to produce saponin (that natural soap) in high levels that makes them so incredibly special - the ideal natural detergent, soap and cleaner. As a consumer, you receive them as simply the dried fruits with their seeds removed (usually). However, as an apple is not just an apple, or a grape is not just a grape, a soap nut is not just a soap nut. Do you think a vineyard cares about the type and quality of the grapes they grow? You bet - big time. If all is not right, a year's harvest could become worthless. Now, the grape is probably the most extreme example that I can think of to make my point. Such is the beauty of extremes - the fundamentals are made easy to understand. It's such fundamentals that we are going to apply to soap nuts.

Note: The purpose of this article is also to provide some additional fundamentals about soap nuts that may lead to even better personal experiences, and also to assist you in becoming a more informed consumer or seller.

Firstly, the type, variety and strain: As with grapes, they run the gamut. A vineyard is extremely particular regarding the grapes they grow. Different grapes will produce different wines. With soap nuts, we don't need to go to that extreme for one reason: There is no culinary aspect to deal with. The value of a soap nut distills (pun intended) down to one thing - saponin. 100% pure saponin (other than the extraction process that can result in significantly different results and qualities) has no variables. It is what it is. It is the concentration of saponin that we must concern ourselves with. From species to species in the Sapindus tree family that grows across the globe, the soap nuts vary greatly. Without going into the many, many varieties in detail (that's another long article), the fact is that the mukorossi variety contains the most consistently high concentration of saponin. Hence, it is the most prized and highest valued. The Florida soapberry for example is a soap nut, but it simply doesn't work as well because its saponin concentration pales by comparison. Hence it is not the same as others. So far, easy, right?

Secondly, the harvest and back to grapes: The growers are very precise as to when they harvest. The grapes are checked daily. Only at their optimal point, depending on what the grower wants, are they harvested. Even a day can make a difference. Given that this is November, it is the perfect time of year to address this issue. To keep focus I will refer strictly to mukorossi harvests, albeit the fundamentals are the same for all.

At this time of year (October/November/December) the soapberry is maturing on the trees. From area to area and affected by the year's weather in the area, we will find soap nuts at various stages in their development. We are dealing with both wild and plantation grown soap nuts. Last years harvest of soap nuts has become dark and the shells have shrunk somewhat in size. Only if stored properly will they still be dry (nut gummy or sticky). The new harvest is, of course, of highest demand and value. However, in the rush to bring newly harvested soap nuts to the market, many soap nuts are prematurely harvested. When prematurely harvested, soap nuts will be a bright gold to yellow color, but also they will be typically small (often in the 2cm range as compared to a mature soapberry at 4cm or larger).

A mature soap nut will have reached its peak in saponin content - the most important factor. Hence, not only are the prematurely harvested soap nuts wasteful in that another six to eight weeks could produce a much more bountiful harvest. But also, they will not be of the quality of a fully mature soap nut. Given drying and shipping times, look for the best quality newly harvested soap nuts to begin showing up in the US in late December, January and February. Properly stored soap nuts from last year's harvest will be the better choice. If the soap nuts are very dark, gummy and sticky (as is often the case at this time), they have not been stored properly. Hence, look elsewhere for the best quality - regardless of time of year.

Thirdly, the results of inexperience: Most sellers of soap nuts know little more than the average user. Soap nuts are so new to the US and western hemisphere in general, that many sellers are selling only due to the fact that there is a market. Whenever there is a market, there will be sellers (and, of course, buyers). It is a caveat emptor (buyer beware) scenario. The quality of product the buyer receives is largely a function of the questions the buyers ask. Therefore, ASK QUESTIONS. Ask about the species, quality, condition, color and size. Don't get too hung up on age. The shelf life of soap nuts is very long if properly stored and maintained. Again, ASK. Request representative samples if making a large purchase. Moisture build up, often due to condensation, is probably the leading causes for inferior quality soap nuts to come on the market. Be wary if you think they have been being stored in a garage somewhere (a common scenario). If you don't get good answers, look for another seller. Be cautious of cheap prices without good, logical reasons. Improperly stored soap nuts are getting bad at this time. Sellers will "fire sale" them. You typically get what you pay for.

Lastly, bottom of the barrel hunting: The two main varieties that are being sold in the US are Sapindus Mukorossi and Sapindus Trifoliatus. Both grow in relatively close proximity, particularly in India. The trifoliatus variety is smaller and less effective. They are not as highly valued. Mixing the varieties is a very common practice among harvesters and exporters. Not even those that are very familiar with soap nuts can immediately identify the difference. Important note: A large amount of soap nuts are pre-packaged overseas for retail in the US to save on labor costs. (This "note" is worthy of its own article, so I will just drop it here.) Hence, not even most US and Canadian sellers can inspect them carefully. NaturOli, is an exception since the final packaging in done in the US. Soap nuts shipped by NaturOli have been hand inspected within only weeks of sale.

So, the bottom line: You need not be a connoisseur (as a wine master) to find quality soap nuts. The very simple, and even common sense, knowledge shared in this article should help you to make much better decisions. Be you a newbie or veteran to soap nuts, you want a good experience - and the most value for your money. Reliable quality and saponin content will ultimately lead to increased affordability. You will never again need to rewash a load, or use more soap nuts than required. A little knowledge goes a long, long way.

Understanding that soap nuts are Mother Nature's fruits - not lab produced products - is the imperative. If you think of soap nuts as a fruit - be it a grape, cherry, apple or orange - you are half way to being a better soap nut consumer. Nature's fundamentals are at least consistent: There are very few "always" in nature's ways. The only "always" is our need to use our heads and think.

Protect the Environment and Your Body - Use Only Natural Soaps

Research has shown that chemicals and synthetic substitutes that are found in many mass produced soaps have numerous negative effects. This is true not only for the skin but also for the entire body. Using a soap that is totally organic and natural promotes a healthier life for the individual as well as the planet.

The entire process of making natural soaps is done in such a way that the benefits of the flowers, herbs and other elements are preserved. Handmade natural soaps also can be used for their aromatherapy properties. The essential oils contained in natural handmade soaps produce reactions in the body that energize and revitalize the body and mind.

Natural soaps is very good for sensitive skin as it preserves the moisture of the skin and protects it. The best test of a natural handmade soaps is that after coming out of a shower, the skin feels refreshed and nourished and not dry and stretched as is the case when using soaps that have synthetic chemicals and fragrances.

Some of the best known ingredients of Natural Soaps are:

Palmarosa - Palmarosa is very good for dry and allergy prone skin. It soothes and calms the skin when it gets inflamed and irritated.

Lavender - Lavender is ideal for mature and elderly skin. The great thing about lavender is that is can be used for both dry and oily skin, this is because lavender is an adaptogenic herb and can be used depending on the necessity.

Ylang Ylang - Ylang Ylang offers many health benefits. It is very good for dry and combination skin and is very effective in stimulating the skin and correcting the production of sebum in the body. Its aroma also combats depression and anxiety.

Handmade Natural Soap On Revolution

We have had many household things used for "green earth" advocacy, ranging from fuel to paper bags. One unlikely item that has also joined the "green earth" trail is soap. It has been proved that the industrial soaps that we normally use are not only harmful to us but also to our environment. This has lead to consumers making their own soaps with modern as well as conventional methods.

Natural soaps have been around from as early as medieval times. In fact, the industrial soaps have for a long time been using the traditional raw materials and processes until the chemicals added as preservatives and colors have posed fear of safety. Consequently, people have gone to the old ways of making natural soap to avoid the dangers posed by the modern industrial soaps and also to advocate to products that are safe for humanity as well as the environment. The results have been more than soaps for individual consumption. Some have resulted to making soaps for commercial purposes, and it is expected that it's just a matter of time for industrial soap makers to turn into the safe old ways of manufacturing the products.

How it is made
Natural soap is normally made from a combination of oils from plant or animals and a strong alkali. There are different processes that can be used to make natural soap, but all aim at blending the oils and the alkaline to form thick molds of soap substance. The substance is then poured into blocks of wood or metal and cooled for several days. This process makes excess alkali to rise up, leaving optimal content of the oil and alkali mixture on the bottom. The top layer of the excess is removed and a pure soapy substance is left in the blocks.

Different substances have been used to form different colors and aromas in the natural soap. Also, different soap makers use various natural ingredients as preservatives; like Rosemary. Once the right end product have been made, the soap molds are then cut using sharp blades or wires to form bars. Depending on whether the soap is meant for household use or commercial, the natural soap can be packaged on different packs.

Why natural soap is safe for your skin
Many people are irritated by industrial soaps after using them, especially after doing some washing. The soaps also cause dryness to the skin and make it itchy. The irritation is normally caused by the chemical content in the soap added as preservatives, fragrances or artificial colors. It can also be caused by oils or alkali that have not fully neutralized during the manufacturing process. This puts your skin at a risk of harmful substances, dehydration and infections. However, since natural soaps are carefully handcrafted, and no artificial chemicals are added, the end-product is safe for use.

Where to get natural soap
You can as well make your own soap by gathering relevant raw materials. There are several stores which are now selling natural soaps. Although you may not be able to differentiate by just looking from a far, you can look at the ingredients that have been used to make the soap. You can as well ask the shop attendant to give you handmade natural soap.

Liquid Hand Wash - Should You Buy It?

Is liquid hand wash even soap?

More importantly, is it harmful for your family to use?

Next time you visit the store for liquid soap for your family, check the label, does it say liquid soap or hand wash?

If it states "hand wash," "Cleansing Gel," or "Facial Cleanser," or numerous other innovative names, you may be buying something other than you bargained for. You are probably not buying soap at all, instead, many of these products are simply detergents, much simpler and more economical to mass produce than true soap, but not as natural and not necessarily as good for your skin - despite what it says on the label.

It is also very likely that the first or second item in the list of ingredients is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, or Sodium Laureth Sulfate, or something very similar.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLS is a foaming agent, it has no other function. It is used in many commercially available body cleansers, this includes hand wash, shampoo, liquid wash, bubble bath, in fact a vast quantity of mass produced products that require a lather.

I was going to continue this article spouting the commonly known horrors of SLS as follows:

"It is a little more startling to discover that SLS is suspected to be harmful, it has been linked to retarding healing and the development of children's eyes and is also thought to cause cataracts in adults. Some reports say that it is a carcinogenic (cancer causing).

SLS has a low molecular weight and this means it is easily absorbed by the skin, therefore it can build up in the heart, liver and brain. It is a caustic cleanser that actually can corrode the hair follicle and impairs the ability for the hair to grow. SLS causes the dysfunction of the biological systems of the skin."

I decided that rather than using the above information, which came from an article I read a year or so ago, I had better see if there is any other information to back up the claims.

What I discovered was very interesting, it appears that there is no direct evidence to suggest that SLS causes any of the above symptoms, or conditions. In fact the only thing I could find is that SLS is a known skin irritant, it is used in the standard model for skin contact dermatitis, this means it is tested by placing a concentrated form of the chemical on the skin and leaving it for a predetermined time. Soap is not used in this way, it is applied diluted with water and it is quickly rinsed off, so unless you have clinically sensitive skin, you should not experience any major health issues in using products which contain SLS.

It appears that the worst that can be said for this chemical is that it could be a minor irritant and somewhat drying to sensitive skin types including African American hair and skin.

So liquid hand washes are not always soap, they are not always very good for your skin, but don't go believing all the horror stories about cancer and cataracts, most are simply not true.

What is true is that real liquid soap is a natural product (occurs in nature), it is more beneficial to your skin, utilizes no harmful chemicals and chosen carefully, can be extremely beneficial to your skin.

Importance of Choosing the Right Bath Soap

Showering and bathing is a part of daily life. Most people wake up in the morning, lather themselves up in the shower, rinse, and set out to start the day. However, it is good to be informed about the bath products we are using on a daily basis, and put some thought into selecting the best ones. Choosing the right bath soap is especially important since it regularly comes into contact with your skin.

Common bath soaps come in bar and liquid form. The primary purpose of bath soap is to cleanse, but it should also sooth the skin and help it remain healthy. The majority of bath soaps on the market today are designed to target specific skin issues, like dry skin. Unfortunately, the ingredient list found on most soap is not very appealing. Soaps are usually composed of two main ingredients which are alkali and animal or vegetable fat. Most bath soaps on the market also contain synthetic ingredients or alcohols. Some commonly used chemicals found in bath care products have been proven to have side effects. Since anything coming into contact with the skin can ultimately be absorbed, and affect the body, it is wise to be aware of what is in the products we are using. The facts about standard bath soap have led some to choose organic soap instead.

Those with sensitive skin, and also those wanting to limit their exposure to chemicals benefit from using organic soap. The difference between organic soaps and standard bath soap is the all natural ingredients. Goat's milk, olive oil, and flower essences are just a few of the ingredients that may be used to create organic soap. Each ingredient will provide a different benefit to your skin. For example, goat's milk will moisturize and rehydrate dry skin. Soaps that include almond will naturally exfoliate. These naturally occurring ingredients make organics soaps the best choice for those with sensitive skin.

Organic bar soaps are available in health food stores. However, for those who are creative, there are recipes for making your own bath soap. Organic soaps sometimes appear at craft fairs as "handmade soap." These are normally created using just a few natural ingredients.

Bathing with organic soaps can also be a pleasurable experience. The combination of natural ingredients, flower extracts, and oils provide soothing properties and enjoyable scents. Lavender, citrus, lemongrass, and rose are just a small sampling of the naturally sweet smelling fragrances available in organic bath soap. This means those with sensitive skin can now enjoy pleasant scents without the worries of skin irritation that is associated with synthetic fragrances.

Keep in mind the importance of choosing the right bath soap. Organic soap provides many benefits over standard soap, and is especially beneficial for those with sensitive skin. The variety of natural ingredients offers many advantages, and they serve to nourish and rejuvenate the skin. Get away from the synthetic ingredients found in regular soap and immerse yourself in all natural essential oils and flower extracts.

Replacing Bar Soaps With a Liquid Soap Dispenser is the Modern Way Ahead

Washing your hands every day a couple of times is given. And using bar soaps is also given. What is not so nice, however, is the big puddle of dirty and dried soap that forms below your bar soap or container. It is disgusting and we all know it. This is why many people started using soap dispensers which make washing hands so much easier, not to mention more hygienic.

I'm sure most of you have already come into contact with a soap dispenser, if not at home, then at work or some public places or even in a hotel you've been recently for holidays or work. You can use these appliances in all the places mentioned and more.

One of the advantages of having one of these at home, in the kitchen or bathroom, is the fact that it's quite a decorative gadget for your house. These dispensers come in many modern colors, designs, models and sizes, which allow you to match perfectly the one you buy to your surroundings. For example if you have a small apartment with a small bathroom, you can use a wall mounted one which will save you space. You can easily mount it on the wall next to the sink to allow for easy reach and hand washing.

Also if you are a health conscientious person, having a hands free soap dispenser is perfect because you don't have to touch it when you wash your hands. All you need is hold your hands in front of the sensor and the right amount of soap will be instantly delivered in your grip. Many people find it gross to use a dispenser in public locations where many others have also used it, so a sensor variety makes perfect sense in washing your hands the most hygienic way possible.

The soap dispensers can be filled not only with liquid soap, but also with other cleaning agents and even various liquid hand creams and gels, so they are actually multipurpose in use.

Nowadays buying such a gadget hardly costs anything and as a matter of fact you save money in the long run by having one of these at home. When you buy bottles of soap it can be quite costly, because you are actually buying the entire package. Not many people remember to buy the cheaper refills unless they have a dispenser available. When you do buy the refills for the container, you actually pay a tiny fraction of what you'd be paying otherwise.

How To Keep Your Hair From Falling Out!

There are so many hair products in the market, but these days, you can find them in many different kinds of forms. Such as: pills, infusion mixtures, all organic substances, ammonium free laureth sulfate shampoo (used in inexpensive brands), sodium free laureth sulfate shampoo (used in more expensive brands) and, castile liquid soap. There are also treatments available such as hair transplants and laser treatment.

There are so many factors as to why a person could be losing their hair. Some of those factors could be due to: stress, nutrition, heredity, and the DHT(dihydrotestosterone) factor, the culprit that restricts the blood flow to the base of the follicle. Saw Palmentto has proven to be a good DHT inhibitor if used right.

There are many ways to to deal with hair loss these days, two of the most common treatments are Propecia and hair transplants.If you are considering propecia (finasteride), here are a few couple of well known facts about this kind of treatment in some majority of men which are, loss of sex drive, a decrease in semen production count, and the inability to have an erection. These are just some of the factors to consider if that's the route you're headed. If you're considering hair transplants, there is little to no side effects, but a very expensive procedure. This can be done as fast as it takes to have your lunch break in some places.

If you're looking for a shampoo that is free from ammonium/sodium laureth sulfate, you might be interested in looking into an all natural castile liquid soap. Majority of them are made from 100% olive oil, much softer on your scalp than those found in our local grocery stores. Some are infused with hair growing herbs such as nettle and rosemary.

On the alternative side, most natural remedies offer little to no chance of any side effects. Some may seem as simple as taking vitamin C, or Zinc for the ordinary common cold, but people don't seem to accept the simple to complex daily operations of how the human body can repair it self if you give it the right tools to work with.

The question you have to ask your self is, which treatment is right for you. Beginning with discovering the root cause of your hair loss.

Effective Organic Pest Control

If you have a garden, you will have pests from time to time. Fortunately, there are plenty of entirely natural ways of getting rid of most garden pests.

For example, snails and slugs can be a real nuisance but one totally natural way that you can protect your seedlings from being eaten by them is by spraying a coffee solution on and around those seedlings. This does no harm to the plants (as long as the solution is diluted 10:1 water to coffee) but when a slug or snail crawls across the sprayed area, they absorb the caffeine and died soon afterwards.

There are some insects that help you keep control of the pests such as aphids and caterpillars that will eat your plants. In addition to bees and wasps, other beneficial insects are as follows:

Ladybugs: these common insects eat aphids, mites and potentially harmful white flies. You can attract ladybugs to your garden by planting flowers that are members of the daisy family such as daisies or yarrow, or you can even buy them on the net! Try typing 'Buy Ladybugs' into your favorite browser to find a local supplier.

Lacewings: These are avid devourers of aphids and their larvae also eat aphids and many other types of insect pests as well. Again, these insects can be attracted to your garden with flowers such as yarrow or goldenrod or you can also buy them from garden centres and on the net.

Brachonids and Chalcids: These insects can be attracted to your garden buy carrots, celery, parsley or caraway, and once there, they will happily munched their way through all of the leaf eating caterpillars they can find.

Because many of the most effective bug eating insects are attracted to flowers, it may make some sense to give over a small corner of the garden to growing flowers that attract these insects.

In this way, you bring natural predators that you want to the garden without having to buy them or bring them there in some other odd way.

And in addition to these predator insects that will help you keep your garden pest free, there are many other solutions which you can apply that are 100% natural and safe.

Mix one tablespoon of canola oil with a few drops of liquid soap and spray the mixture on the top and bottom side of plants that might be susceptible to aphids or mites. This solution smothers the insects and kills them, but remember to wash the plants thoroughly before you eat them.

A natural substance called milky spore can be spread across the garden where it lies in wait for beetle grubs that it can infect with a deadly disease that kills them before they become beetles. As this spore is spread across the garden and is said to remain effective for up to 40 years, this is something that you are only ever going to have to do once.

Another solution that will help to get rid of mites and other insects is to mix two tablespoons of hot pepper sauce or cayenne pepper with liquid soap, let it stand overnight and then use it as an insecticidal spray.

If you have problems with earwigs, snails or slugs, spread diatomaceous earth all around the affected areas of your garden and on the plants because the sharp edges of the dead diatoms penetrates the skin of all of these creatures and kills them. The advantage of this particular method is that it never stops working because the pests are killed by a mechanical action rather than by anything that acts in a chemical manner.

Fungal diseases can be treated with a spray made from baking soda in water, whilst a mixture of cooking oil, baking soda and liquid soap helps to deal with both the fungal diseases and insect infestation as well.
But do remember about all of the bug-killing solutions that have been described, whilst they are all extremely effective, they are also indiscriminate and they will kill both the beneficial bugs as well as those that you are really trying to get rid of.

For this reason, you should only use them when you know that you genuinely have a pest problem and they should only be used on the specific areas in your garden where the problems are manifesting themselves.

Tips and Tricks For a Safer Home Cleaning Using Natural Cleaning Products

As you thought your home is clean, but it maybe unhealthier, because of toxic cleaning products made from petroleum-based chemicals.

Lots of these commercial cleaning products have hazardous chemicals that are not listed on the label. Manufacturers won't say anything about the ingredients that that they called "secret formula" from its label and many of these secret ingredients are toxic and carcinogenic.

You should be aware about cleaning products that promises "Eco Friendly" and are now on the Green bandwagon. Also known as Green Wash, but make sure read labels carefully and research all product claims.

You can reduce your chemical exposure by eliminating chemicals in your home, and using only natural cleaning products.

If you say its non-toxic then you can say its healthier also it is fun to make. Making alternative ways of cleaning is by creating natural cleaning products, its safer, cheaper (it will only cost cents).
Here are the lists of things you'll need to make a Natural cleaning product.

Micro fiber cloths

Spray Bottles

Liquid castile soap

Mixing bowls

Borax

Vinegar

Hydrogen peroxide

Baking soda

Vodka (optional)

Organic essential oils (optional)


Using Borax as a Laundry booster is effective... it can even remove molds - (cheaper and non-toxic).

For disinfecting and .and whitening use Hydrogen peroxide, it's much safer than chlorine bleach (Lemon juice is also a natural whitener).

Food store sells Liquid castile soaps this item can be used as liquid cleaners, much safer than other brands.

Baking soda can be used in your bathroom or kitchens, all you need is a glass grated cheese container with a stainless steel top that has holes in it, just sprinkle then scrub and there you go, a natural way of cleaning your bathroom (oh I almost forgot you can also add your favorite essential oil, Lavender or tea tree oil, it has an anti-bacterial qualities.

Another safer alternative of draining cleaners is to sprinkle the baking soda down the drain with apple cinder vinegar and let it bubble for 15 minutes, rinse with hot water, also baking soda and apple cinder make a spa-like bath that removes aches and pains, its detoxifies also.

Looking for a fabric softener? Baking soda can also handle that one.

If you want to polish your silvers, and instead of using toxic polishers, add a sheet of aluminum foil and baking soda to a sink filled with hot water, soak the silver pieces and wait until its clean, an easy way of cleaning silver.

Maybe all of us knows that vinegars has many uses, for floors, windows, bath, kitchen and many more, vinegar with liquid castile soap (essential oil), filtered with water can clean them all, Vinegars are fabric softener also, dryer sheets are toxic never use one of them, to prevent fabrics from Fading use vinegar in wash cycles.

Use micro fabric cloth with vinegar in cleaning windows, avoid using newspapers, it contains toxic dyes and also those commercial window cleaner that contains butyl cellosolve (Manufacturers won't list them on the labels because its toxic).

Fabric refreshers contains dangerous chemicals, use vodka instead, just put it in a spray bottle and there you go, you can freshen your chairs and upholstery, a cheaper and non-toxic because the alcohol evaporates quickly, but avoid using it as a hand sanitizers it absorbs into your body via your skin, use sanitizers that are plant based or just the old way but effective soap and water.

For air fresheners use Organic essential oils and can also be use as a natural cleaning product, it just depends on your personal preference and tolerance to these kind of scents.

Making your own natural cleaning products ensures that you have a safer living for your family, its fun and far from danger, cheaper way to avoid those commercial products.

What Is African Black Soap?

Africa's Best Kept Beauty Secret or should I say secrets are not just limited to Shea butter. What is the other secret you may ask? The Ghanaians of West Africa refer to this product as Anago soap or Alata Simena; the Nigerians refer to it as Dudu-Osun. Everywhere else it is referred to as African Black soap. African Black soap is made from roasted cocoa (chocolate) pods and plantain skins ashes mixed with palm oil. It is a natural source of vitamins A & E and iron. African Black soap is especially recommended for the very young and the elderly, or anyone with tender skin. The main benefits behind African Black soap are its superior antiseptic properties. Checkout the properties and main uses down below.

Properties of African Black Soap:

Used on most skin types including rough and dry
Helps clear skin of bumps & spots
Helps reveal radiant, fresh & healthy skin
Helps relieve acne, oily skin & other skin problems
Great for removing make-up
Helps against premature facial lines

Main uses with African Black Soap
Showering
Bathing
Washing

Hair
Face
Feet

For centuries, both the Ghanaians and Nigerians of West Africa have used African Black soap to help relieve acne, oily skin, clear blemishes and various other skin issues. African Black soap has also been used to achieve beautiful skin. Africans have also used this natural soap for bathing and washing their hair. It's excellent for removing make-up too. Black soap will leave your skin silky soft and clear. African people also use Black soap to rid the skin of rashes, ring worm, measles, and body odors. Finally, this product works very well with Shea butter.

A Guide - Is Foam Hand Sanitizer Better Than Liquid Soap?

The answer is both yes and no. Though both have the same goal, each is different from the other, depending also on the situation. And even if the hand sanitizer that is alcohol-based kills more germs quickly than many hand soaps, it is not as effective as the liquid soap in removing contaminants.

Lately, people saw the coming of the hand sanitizer, and it gained popularity due to outbreaks such as the spreading of the swine flu. A hand sanitizer is an antiseptic that does not require rinsing with water. Thus, it is very convenient to utilize anywhere. Easy to use, it is applied and spread all over the hands like regular lotion. Its varieties are the alcohol wipes, and the gels which are alcohol-based, oil-based, or triclosan-based.

Meanwhile, the hands must be washed thoroughly many times during the day, not just before eating. It is an uncomplicated way to prevent illnesses from germs like fungi, viruses and/or bacteria that are all around. These microorganisms are on contaminated surfaces, infected people, particular animals, and even in some foods. They are easily transmitted especially to children who love playing outdoors. Transmission generally occurs from getting in contact with a source to a mere touch of the nose, eyes, or mouth.

Most of the time, even plain tap water is not free from these harmful microorganisms. Therefore, careful and thorough washing of the hands must be done not only with such water alone, but also with soap, most especially before and after eating, using contact lenses, treating wounds, preparing food, or touching an ill person. Also after going to the comfort room, handling trash, changing nappies, blowing the nose, etc. In between these, it is advised that hand washing be done at intervals.

These days, more people like using foam soap than the traditional solid or liquid soap. This is because it gives smooth foam that is silky to the touch. This creamy feel encourages kids to wash their hands often even without being told to. More so, this foam soap cuts washing time without cutting on the benefits of washing either with a solid or a liquid one. And, in dispensing foam soap, only a reasonable amount is released into the hand/s, unlike the liquid version that tends to flow down quickly, dispensing more than what is needed.

A foam hand sanitizer is a portable hand-cleaner and disinfectant which has the creamy-feel benefit of the foam soap. It efficiently works on hands which are not visibly dirty; even clean hands have germs. And though a hand sanitizer does not have the same benefits of thorough cleaning and scrubbing with water and soap, it is also effective in eradicating germs anytime.

Tips for Making Natural Soap

Making natural soap is an incredibly rewarding process. There's nothing quite as satisfying as knowing every single ingredient that went into your soap. However, there are a few things to keep in mind as you're making your soap that can help make the process a little easier and the finished result a little better and more professional.

First, know your process. There are many different methods of making soap, from the cold press method to the boiler method. Knowing what you're doing before you actually start doing it is a great way to make sure things go smoothly.

Second, know what ingredients you need and have all your ingredients on hand before you ever start making soap. Things move pretty fast once you actually get started, and you don't want to realize halfway through the process that you've forgotten something! If necessary, make individual lists of ingredients you'll need for each process, and make sure you have everything together before you get started. This is the best way to make sure that you don't have to stop in the middle of the process and ruin a perfectly good batch of soap.

Start simple. Don't try to get too fancy or too complicated the first time around, or try to include too many ingredients. You have to learn to walk before you can run, and you have to learn to crawl before you can walk. Start out with the most basic recipe you can find. There will be time for adding perfumes, oils, milks, and herbs after you've mastered your basic techniques, and you're confident in them.

Finally, don't be afraid of your ingredients. Use caution, yes, but don't be afraid to experiment and try new things. After all, you're making your own soap! And what's the point of making your own natural soap if you can't experiment a little? Get accustomed to soap making, as we've already discussed, but then don't be afraid to try new things. Making natural soap from scratch can be fun, if you let it.

Top Benefits Of Natural Handmade Soap

Natural handmade soap is beneficial to a person and the planet, contrary to commercial ones. When a person uses the former type to the latter one, we notice our skin is not dry and the use of natural ingredients will not pollute our waters. These are top reasons for using made from scratch bodily cleaning items.

Commercial items are usually sold under the title of beauty or body bars, most of them do not have the word "soap" on their labels. The reason for this omission is that the bars do not contain the same organic agents, but rather they contain synthetic lathering agents and chemicals. Many manufactured bars do not use glycerin, which aids in moisturizing the skin. In fact glycerin is what lotions have.

Homemade ones on the other hand contain the needed moisturizing elements that have been taken out of the manufactured ones. This is one of the top reasons why using manmade ones are better for our skin. We will no longer feel our skin is dry after a shower, but rather our bodies will reflect the beneficial moisturizing effect of the soap we've washed up with. The second benefit from using something homemade is that it won't be harmful to our planet due to the use of earth ingredients and no chemicals.

The next time you go shopping opt to buying natural handmade soap. You may spend a little more, due to the making process, but your skin will be much more satisfied with the natural and needed ingredients to keep it soft and silky. In addition you will be doing a favor to our planet by not polluting our waters.

How to Make Natural Soap at Home

Soap making is an age old process that has been around for thousands of years. Most people don't know how to make natural soap, but not only is it easy to make, it's also economical and rewarding. And natural soap doesn't contain any of the chemicals that store bought soap does. Natural soaps are made with a basic recipe using either animal fats or vegetable oils. Most soaps need to be made with lye, a byproduct made from burning wood. Lye is essential for helping to convert the fat and oil in soap so that it breaks down properly in water. However, it can be dangerous if not used properly.

There are several different ways on how to make natural soap. The most common method, the cold process, uses oils and lye. The melt and pour method uses pre-made blocks of soap with fragrances added in. The hot process cooks the soap, and the rebatch process grinds up bars of soap for re-blending. This is especially helpful for those wishing to avoid using lye, since the lye is already in the soap. This article will discuss a simple homemade recipe from scratch using lye. When mixing the lye, please remember to use goggles and to avoid breathing in fumes. Mix any oils you are using in a large pot separately.

You will need:

1 small 9 1/4 oz container of lye
4.5 cups of olive oil (cheaper works better in this case)
2 cups of coconut oil
2 cups of grape seed oil

Heat the oils and lye in separate pots and let each cool to 110F. When they are both the same temperature, slowly pour the lye into the oil. Mix or blend with a stick blender (these can be found at any home store for relatively cheap) for about three minutes, scraping the sides and the bottom. The soap is done when it reaches a state called trace. When it reaches trace, the consistency will be akin to that of honey. Add a bit of cinnamon oil to the mixture, but mix only enough to combine because at this point the soap will begin to harden. Pour into soap molds and wrap blankets around the mold in order to help with the chemical reaction. Once soap has set, preferably overnight, it can then be cut into chunks and used. Store on brown paper in a cool, dry place.

Once you've become accustomed to the soap making process, you can begin to experiment with different oils, fats and scents. Chamomile, citrus and honey make good soap bases, as well as oatmeal and even buttermilk. There are also glycerin based soaps that are said to eliminate the need for lye.

Beeswax Vs Paraffin Wax - Which is Better?

Beeswax is a natural wax produced in the bee hive of honey bees. It is the worker bees, the females, that create this wax, to build honeycomb cells for three purposes; raising their young, storing honey, and pollen. It takes eight times the consumption in honey to create the wax. It is estimated that bees fly 150,000 miles to create one pound of bees wax.

It is the type of flowers gathered by the bees that determines the color of the wax, from a white to brown, most often a shade of yellow. The color of beeswax is at first white and then darkens with age and use. This is especially true if it is used to raise the young bees. The color has no significance as to the quality of the wax (other than its esthetic appeal). Formerly, bees wax was bleached using ozonisation, sulphuric acid, or hydrogen peroxide which resulted in the addition of chemicals into the wax. Bleaching has now been stopped by reputable candle manufacturers and other suppliers of this natural wax.

60% of total beeswax is used to make candles, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. It is also used in polishing materials for shoes, furniture, models, pool table filler, and as a protective coating for aging cheese. Bees wax can be softened with vegetable oil to make it softer and more workable.

The most important aspect of bees wax, besides the naturalness, is that they burn brighter, longer, and cleaner than any other candle! The flame virtually emits the same light spectrum as the sun and in the process of burning, negative ions (which is a positive thing) are released to clean the air and invigorate the body. The negative ions is what the air smells like after a storm.

This 100% natural fuel created by bees is naturally scented by the honey and nectar of flowers packed into the honeycombs and gives off a subtle fragrance as it burns. If the bees wax has a medicinal smell, chances are that it has been chemically altered or bleached. Always check for 100% beeswax, for the legalities on labeling these candles states that a mere 55% content can be called 'beeswax', and for soy candles, a minimum amount of 20% soy wax can allow for those type of candles to be called 'soy'.

Beeswax vs. Paraffin:

Beeswax is a 100% natural fuel created by bees;

- burns cleaner than any other,
- burns longer than others and do not drip,
- emits a bright light that has the same light spectrum as the sun,
- emits negative ions that actually clean the air and invigorate the body,
- are naturally scented by the honey and nectar of flowers packed into the honeycomb within the beehive.
- come from a renewable resource.

Paraffin candles come from a nonrenewable resource: petroleum, a.k.a. crude oil;

- give off many of the same toxic fumes as are found in auto exhaust,
- are relatively short burning and drip excessively,
- is a toxic byproduct of the oil industry.
- produce a disorganized light spectrum very similar to old-fashioned incandescent bulbs,
- produce toxic petrol-soot that eventually stains all interior surfaces,
- typically contain artificial fragrances and colors which also produce toxins and stains when burned.

The wick is just as important as the type of wax. When you burn a chemically processed or metallically reinforced wick, it can release large amounts of soot into the air you breathe, possibly causing harmful health side effects. The metals and chemicals in these wicks are bleach, petroleum products, lead and zinc, which are released into the air for you to inhale.

Also look for 100% unbleached cotton wicks. One way to test the wick is to drag it or rub it on a piece of white paper, any metals will leave a mark on the paper.

Bees Wax is often used in soap making as well. Put the wax in with the oils at the beginning as this natural wax has a high melting point and may not fully melt if added at trace. Usually this amazing wax is added to soap for the added hardness of the final bars. The scent of honey is an added bonus! Add only 1.5 percent of wax to your total of oils and fats. Too much wax could make a sticky and gummy bar.

Lye in Soap Making

Lye in Soap making have always gone alongside soap making.

But really, what is lye?

Lye, also known as Sodium hydroxide is a caustic alkaline chemical that dissolves substances like fat and reacts highly with other materials.

If you are a soap maker or at least have a basic knowledge about soap making, you would know that almost all handmade soaps are made of Sodium hydroxide except for liquid soaps which are often made from Potassium hydroxide.

Potassium hydroxide, unknown to many, is also a type of lye used to make liquid soaps.

So to put it simply, all soaps are made of lye.

It is important to note though that Sodium hydroxide and Potassium hydroxide shouldn't be interchanged in the making process as these chemicals produce different reactions.

Lye is an essential component in creating soap as the hydroxide in lye mixes with the fat to form a hard bar.

Lye has been widely known as an extremely caustic agent which when comes in contact with the skin, might cause burns. So, if we knew this all along,

why put such a harsh chemical on our soaps?

If we where to look back and Let me take you back to high school Chemistry.

We have learned that mixing a base with an acid forms a neutral. This is exactly what happens in the making process.

Mixing a base(lye) with an acid(fat) forms a neutral.

So, lye when mixed with soap making oils and fats will form a natural soap safe to use on the skin.

One must keep in mind though that too much lye in the soaps can cause burns on the skin and too little may not be enough to harden the bar.

So it is very important to know just the right concentration and the right amount to balance the proportion between the acid and the base.

Dealing with lye during soap creation may be scary for some people but like any chemical, it can be dealt with safely and accordingly.

One must be cautious when handling lye and take note of other precautions like using the proper equipments and donning protective gloves and clothing when handling lye.

Also, be sure that the lye you purchase is labeled for making soap as there are also other uses for lye aside from those in soap making.

As long as you know what you're doing, everything will be just fine.

So how do you make lye soap?

All you need is lye, distilled water and some oils or fats to make a basic handmade soap.

For a more luxurious product, you can add colorants, some fragrances and essential oils and some additives of your choice.

How To Make Natural Soap

Soap is something I am very particular about, because of the properties it contributes to bodily hygiene all round.

So in my opinion soap needs to be full of natural ingredients such as fruit, lye and herbs. Soaps are something everybody I know uses at one time or another. It is great with natural ingredients, refreshing is the word I'm looking for. Would you like me to tell you how to make your own soap? It is as easy as this, You take some caustic soda and Combine it with some fat using water as your main catalyst.

Performing a method that is very important in soap making, The name we use for this process is called saponification the technical name for the working of fat and lye.
People may think that you need lots of exotic ingredients that are hard to find to make soap. On the other hand their are lots of ingredients to choose from out there,

and they can be found near by in places like your local fruit and veg store. Fresh herbs are a rich source of natural soap making, the use of scented oils are also a key factor in the process.

For me I prefer to use ingredients that enhance my soap like lavender a cool but robust scent.

Sometimes people have been known to use distilled water or rain water but if you cannot get them then just go to the tap it's easier, although I must say that distilled water is my personal favorite.

Some of you may be thinking what is lye? It's a chemical base, called sodium hydroxide it's very strong so be very careful in using lye.

The first step to making your own soap is to dissolve the lye, but don't add the water to the lye. It is very important that you pour the lye into the water, and in my opinion it is always best if half the water is ice cool. Then you stir slowly watching closely for the reaction that the water gives with this mixing process. You don't want the mix to start to react in a way that it looks as if it is boiling. If you notice this happening you must stop stirring immediately and give the mix time to cool, room temperature is good.

Oil is the next ingredient I would like to introduce, you may use any type of oil. Let me give you a few examples, you may use oils that are extracted from plants like roses and geranium. other oils or fats that are popular are animal fats and vegetable oils. My personal favorites are coconut and olive oils, coconut gives your soap that rich texture while olive oil will give that clear sort clean look.

As for the animal fat it's not recommended but if you have to use it then make sure it is clean and salt free.

It needs to be solid particle free, you will find that tallow or lard will be the best choices in animal fats, because they make your soap more wholesome but yet gives a more dense feel.

By this point your batch will have started to thicken now you may add perfumes coloring and oils. The next step is to pour the soap trace into your mold then leave to harden. You will have to give a curing time of 1-2 days before its ready. But wait a little longer before you can truly enjoy your fresh homemade soap.

The properties of handmade soap are the oils, herbs that relax you after a hard days work, as they help you connect with yourself, if you know what I mean. So get soap making.

By Andrew Dekannwarri

The Soap For Stubborn Grime

If heavy duty cleaning is what you need without compromising skin quality, Boraxo hand soaps is the brand for you. Known to fight grease and grime for decades, Boraxo hand soaps are 100% septic friendly which means it does not clog drainage systems. With all the natural ingredients it is made of, you can be sure that it is safe and gentle on skin. With moisturizers and plant extracts, you know it will do a good cleaning and caring for your hands.

There are different formulas available for your needs. There is the powder form, bar soap and even liquid lotion soap which can be transferred to dispensers like a soap or hand sanitizer dispenser. All of these Boraxo Hand Soap lines are made on a Dial base. It has crushed apricot seeds and the natural Boraxo cleaning formula.

Moisturizers are added on to any variant, but there are certain variants which has more moisturizers like the Boraxo Lucron powder soap. It even has a hint of rose as fragrance to keep your hands looking and smelling clean. The regular soap bar formula is safe for everyday use with its gentle scrub and moisturizers. It is best for home and office use. If you want to have an extensive clean, the Pro-pumice formulation gives you an extra cleaning boost with pumice for easier grime wash-out.

For those who are in an industrial setting like factory workers, mechanics, gardeners and the like, it is best to have the powdered Boraxo hand soap instead of the bar. It gives you the leverage to transfer the contents into a dispenser and use only the right amount that you need. With the powdered form, you can easily get rid of the grime between your fingers and nails that may not be cleaned well by a bar. A more pocket-friendly variant is the TMT. For sensitive or dry skin, Lucron works well in moisturizing your skin after being exfoliated.

Cleaning up after a hard day's work should not be difficult as the work in itself. It is best to get a soap that will help you eliminate most if not all the grime that you have had for the day. While doing so, it is also important to smell good without letting your skin suffer from the harshness of the chemicals. In getting a cleaning agent, it is important to have the power of Boraxo hand soap to ensure a squeaky clean.

Benefits of Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Oil) - Tea Tree Oil Uses

Discover the many uses and benefits of tea tree oil! What is it? It is a, pale, light yellow to nearly clear colored, natural, essential oil that has been squeezed out of steamed leaves of the melaleuca alternifolia. Tea trees are a large group of plants native to the northeast coast of Australia. This natural, essential oil, has a strong fragrance with a similar scent to nutmeg. This oil is, also, known as melaleuca oil.

Tea tree oil is a concentrated essential oil. When working with or using essential oils know that they contain bioactive ingredients. This means they contain natural chemicals that interact with biological systems. They are potent chemicals and should be respected and used with care. There are many warnings to heed when using essential oils. Never use large amounts of these oils externally, or internally. Never use them straight. They must always be diluted in carrier oil, or soap, lotion, or other buffering agent. Finally, never use essential oils without knowing what their bioactive compounds are known to do.

Tea tree oil should never be taken orally. There are reports of toxicity after consuming this oil by mouth. When swallowed, it can cause drowsiness, confusion, weakness, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, hallucinations, coma and more.

In rare cases, it has reported to be mildly irritating when applied to the skin, therefore could be associated with the development of allergic contact dermatitis. This would limit its potential usefulness, as a topical agent, for some people.

This natural essential oil should always be kept away from children and pets.

The benefits and uses of tea tree oil are many including being: antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral. It is known to help respiratory problems including sore throats, coughs, runny nose, asthma, bronchitis, and more. It is, also, known to help fight viruses including chicken pox, flu, cold, measles, shingles, cold sores, warts, and more. It is used in topical treatments for a variety of skin care conditions including: moderate acne, oily skin, rashes, blisters, athlete's foot, ringworm, burns, cuts, minor wounds, infections, eczema, dandruff, scabies, head lice, as an anti-inflammatory and more. There are many benefits and uses of tea tree oil.

The tea tree oil uses are found in many commercial and homemade skin care products including: soap, lotion, cream and shampoo. It has aromatherapy benefits by relieving aches, pains, stress and tension. The tea tree oil uses vary and its benefits are many.

There is a homemade, natural, goats milk soap containing a combination of orange oil, five times distilled, tea tree oil from Australia and a touch of lavender oil. This natural soap is a great anti-bacterial addition to just about any homemade beauty products. It makes a wonderful natural deodorant soap! Orange Tree goats milk soap comes as homemade bar soap and homemade liquid soap. It really smells good and is among the all time best sellers in natural, homemade, soap. Natural goats milk soap provides a variety of skin care benefits!

Make Your Own Natural Homemade Beauty Recipes on the Cheap

There are a number of home recipes that you can make to treat your skin, and the best part of all is that they will come from ingredients that you may already have within your kitchen cabinets.

One of the main benefits to making natural homemade beauty recipes is that they will provide you with a healthy alternative to many of the over-the-counter products that are full of harmful chemical ingredients. It is important to be mindful of what you put on your skin since it is the largest living and breathing organ in your body. Another advantage to using these types of homemade products is that you will save money and also help the environment. Many commercial cosmetics companies use chemical or detergent ingredients, and when they are rinsed from your skin, they can become toxic to the Earth's water supply.

Some handy items to use from your kitchen for natural homemade beauty recipes are bananas, oatmeal, honey, olive oil, mayonnaise, yogurt, and Epsom salts. These are just a few examples of helpful ingredients from your kitchen that can be used for hair or skin care! Perhaps two of the most common ingredients to have at your disposal for these natural recipes are natural soap bars and beeswax. These natural waxes can be purchased at health food store locations, and if you are allergic to bees, there are also vegetable-based waxes as an alternative.

Olive oil is a beneficial ingredient for homemade beauty recipes because it provides a number of skin and hair care benefits. It can be used to deeply hydrate severely dry skin on the knees, feet, and elbows. It can also be added to a warm bath to soften your skin from head to toe, or even to massage into the hair to treat dry scalp.

To make a quick natural exfoliating treatment with olive oil, mix together olive oil with two times the ratio of brown sugar to make a paste. Use this exfoliating paste before taking a shower by gently massaging it into the surface of the skin, and then rinse well. This simple treatment would remove all dead skin cells and provide a fresh glow to the skin tone.

If you have bananas available, you can use them to moisturize severely dry skin. Start out by mashing a banana until it has a paste consistency, and then smooth it onto your face and hands and allow it to stay for 10 minutes. Rinse completely, and then apply olive oil directly after to treat severe dryness and damage to the skin.

These are just a few examples of everyday items that you can use at home to save you money in your beauty treatments! From there, you can also create herbal bath soaks, natural body scrubs, and even facial cleansers. This is your opportunity to not only treat your skin, but to also use healthy ingredients to improve the tone of your complexion!

An Easy Soap Business Plan

A soap business plan is easy for a small scale business start-up. If you just want to turn your hobby soap making into a business, that's a great way to make some profits. There is a big difference in making soap as a hobby and marketing soap for profit. The real plus is that a soap business requires so little investment to start that there's almost no risk of losing much. Now if you choose to build a factory and start big, good luck. Even if you wish to grow a large soap business, why not start small and learn?

Start by learning to make high quality soap. Learn what you like yourself by trying many different products. Buy lots of soap as market research. You'll quickly see what other soap makers are doing. How does the soap work? Does it feel creamy or drying? Does it really last well or just melt away? Is it well cured? Do you like the scents? The colors? How about the packaging? Did you get any marketing materials? Learn anything there?

Now make a lot of soap. Try it out. Give it away. Try different methods for molding the soap. Try different scents. Does it take much more scent to get a good smell than the books say? Try to develop your own unique soap. Make soap that's unlike your competition so your customers come right back to you. Consider making soap scented just with natural scents. Maybe you can use organic ingredients. Or make milk soap. Use regional themes. In some way make your soap designs unique to you.

Know how much your products cost to make. You already know about how much it will sell for since you've already bought soap. How much do all the ingredients in a bar of soap cost and how much would you save if you ordered in larger quantities? If you really want to make money with your soap, you must know the cost of each bar. Find out early in your planning.

Now how can you sell soap? There are dozens of ways. One of the best is to sell at craft shows or other events like fairs or farmers' markets. Get yourself somewhere that many people are shopping and buying. That way you can sell a lot of products quickly and don't have to drive around all over the place making presentations. Now here's the trick. The real key to a good soap business plan is selling to your customers. The people who buy at a craft show will buy again if you sell a great product.

Keep a customer list and mail a little catalog to your customers and they will send you money in the mail or they will order from a website. Make sure every customer can contact you to reorder and get as many customer contact addresses as you can. That's the way to build a real business.

A soap business plan is a quick way to turn hobby soap making into a money maker. There are several tricks to getting started, but there's little risk since it costs so little to get started.

Be Careful What Soap You Choose - It Could Contain Fillers

Soap is an anionic surfactant used in conjunction with water for washing and cleaning that historically comes in solid bars but also in the form of a thick liquid. Soaps are useful for cleaning because soap molecules attach readily to both nonpolar molecules (such as grease or oil) and polar molecules (such as water). Soaps, as we know them today, are descendants of historical Arabian soaps. Soap molecules have both properties of non-polar and polar at opposite ends of the molecule.

The fats are hydrolyzed by the base, yielding alkali salts of fatty acids (crude soap) and glycerol. The most popular soapmaking process today is the cold process method, where fats such as olive oil react with lye, while some soapers use the historical hot process. In both cold-process and hot-process soapmaking, heat may be required for saponification. During this time, it is normal for the soap to go through a "gel phase" where the opaque soap will turn somewhat transparent for several hours, before once again turning opaque. A soap factory and bars of scented soap were excavated at Pompeii. The industry was handicapped in England from 1712 to 1853 by a heavy tax on soap.

Chemical Factors In Soap Processing

Fillers are added to many soaps to increase lathering, cleansing, and water-softening properties; the sodium salt of rosin is commonly used in yellow laundry soap to increase lathering. Because the greasy end of the soap molecule sticks out from the surface of the bubble, the soap film is somewhat protected from evaporation (grease doesn't evaporate) which prolongs the life of the bubble substantially.

Fillers Used In Soaps

Nanoscopic metals are commonly added to certain soaps specifically for both coloration and anti-bacterial properties. Titanium powder is commonly used in extreme "white" soaps for these purposes; nickel, aluminum and silver are less commonly used. Manufactured bar soaps first became available in the late nineteenth century, and advertising campaigns in Europe and the United States helped to increase popular awareness of the relationship between cleanliness and health.

Flea Removal - Proven Flea Extermination Home Remedies That Works

To ensure that flea infestation is totally eradicated, there is a wide array of home remedies that you could resort to. There is no need to resort to extreme or harsh toxic chemicals that not only kill the parasites, but could potentially harm your pet or even your children too. Certain home remedies could prove to be as effective if used the right way yet cost much cheaper and healthier for both your family and your pet over time. Build your flea removal toolbox with natural home remedies as well as commercially available pet flea medication.

You might not really believe this until you have tried it. But plant treatment with strong, overpowering herbs and flowers tactically planted around your space, near the entrance or under window frames could serve to block them from entering your home. In particular, lavender and Pennyroyal gives off extremely annoying scents to the fleas and they tend to avoid them at all costs. Marigolds and citronella emit a natural repellent as well.

It is not just you who needs herbal essential oils, your pet does too. Yes, there is a dual usage approach to this. You can use the herbal essential oils to directly treat your pet, but also spread and sprinkle them around the surroundings at your home, on the carpet, your couch, around the garden and deck furniture, your pet bedding, their favorite haunts, etc. Three types of essential oils are particularly helpful, namely lavender, basil and fennel, which are proven and popular herbal essential oils remedies. One key point to note though, you must mix them with carrier oil before you apply directly onto your pet. In the absence of carrier oils, you could use water instead.

Also, you might not have known that cedar is another natural repellant that you could use a part of your flea extermination arsenal. All you need to do is to sprinkle cedar chips around the house, especially favorite haunts of your pet, and around the house. If the cedar smell fades, revive it with cedar essential oil. Fleas dislike the smell of cedar chips and totally shun them.

If you are unaware that salt water can drive away fleas, try this proven method. For added power for flea extermination, use Dawn original formula dishwashing liquid as bath soap for your infected pet, but make sure that you thoroughly wash him well.

Sprinkle borax on your carpets as well as your surroundings of your home. When the parasites ingest them, they will dehydrate and wither off. Borax soap, a household item, also serves to repel not just fleas but other parasites as well. So it is the best approach to a clean environment for all. other critters too so it has multi-purpose uses. Salt in bathwater has fleas abandoning ship quickly. Dawn original formula dish washing liquid has a component that seems to repel fleas. You can wash your pet in this soap, rinsing thoroughly to prevent skin irritation. You can also dilute it with water and spray around the yard as well as inside the home near pet beds and anywhere else they tend to linger.

Finally of course, do not forget to vacuum your home regularly and ensure that you get rid of the vacuum bags as soon as you are done. Flea removal takes great persistence and you need to consciously be aware of your pet and your family, note if they are reacting to exceptional stimulus not present before and start using the above mentioned flea extermination weapons once you detect their presence.

Homemade Soap - Goat Milk Soap Felted With Alpaca Wool

Are you looking for a very unique homemade soap? Discover a homemade natural goats milk soap felted with Alpaca wool! This natural soap offers more than multiple skin care benefits, it is a lightweight, natural, soft, and silky scrubbie too!

What is natural goats milk soap? It is a homemade soap made with natural ingredients. You will not find this soap in any commercial department or discount store. It is handmade by a soap maker. It contains mild and gentle, skin friendly, non-irritating ingredients. It is a naturally moisturizing soap. Skin will not be left dry, flaky, super tight or looking dull. This homemade soap reveals the underlying natural beauty of skin. It is so mild and gentle, it can even be used on the face! Goats milk soap can be scented or, Au Natural, unscented with no added fragrances.

Why is goats milk soap better than commercial brands? Commercial soaps can contain chemicals that are too harsh or harmful for skin. They can disrupt the natural pH balance of skin. It may take many hours before the skin's pH balance is returned to normal. Commercial soaps can leave your skin feeling dry and looking dull. Their harsh chemicals can cause havoc on the skin including redness, swelling, allergic reactions, rashes, and more. Natural goats milk soap maintains the normal pH balance of the skin. It leaves the skin's acid mantle intact. It is a non-irritating, skin friendly, soap. Lots of acne sufferers have had great success using this natural skin care product. Some consider it better than homemade acne remedies. It provides multiple skin care benefits. It is healthful and nourishing for skin. People with dry skin, dry itchy skin, oily skin, sensitive skin, acne and more notice a difference between natural goats milk soap and commercial soap the very first time they use it!

The Alpaca felted goats milk soap is truly unique! You will not find this kind of soap on everyone's shower shelf! This homemade soap has, prestigious, Alpaca wool felted right to it. Alpaca wool is very soft like cashmere and lighter than sheep's wool. It does not have a prickly feeling like sheep's wool. It is strong and very fine. Alpaca wool is hypoallergenic. It will not irritate skin and does not contain harmful toxins. It is soft and gentle, enough, to use on baby skin as well as adults. Alpaca wool is used in many types of clothing including sweaters, cardigans, socks, gloves, hats, scarves, baby clothes and more. It is used in bedspreads, pillows, throws, blankets, stuffed animals, toys and more. Alpaca wool is recognized as a luxurious, prestigious, wool.

If you are looking for a, truly, unique skin care product, then you should try Alpaca felted goats milk soap. It is like no other skin care product you will ever come across. It is a cleansing, moisturizing soap and soft scrubbie all rolled into one! This homemade soap makes great, unique, gifts! Alpaca felted goats milk soap is a very unique, skin nourishing, natural, homemade soap! It is the best bar soap around!

Natural Remedies for Restless Leg Syndrome

I have a close relative that suffers from Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). I actually didn't know that he had the disorder until a few months ago, but he has had it for about 5 years. This means five years of sleepless nights, tossing and turning, and that uncontrollable urge to keep his legs moving when he is in bed at night and sometimes when he is simply sitting in a chair. I only found out about it when we were sharing juicing recipes and he began talking about juicing and natural remedies for Restless Leg Syndrome.

With over 12 million Americans suffering from RLS, it is no wonder that there is such a push to find a cure for RLS. Until recent years, there wasn't any medication available for it. Even though there are medications on the market now, many people would prefer to search for natural remedies for Restless Leg Syndrome instead of taking prescription medication. There are many different natural remedies for Restless Leg Syndrome on the market as well as lifestyle changes that you can make to help get rid of RLS or at least alleviate the symptoms. Essential oils, herbs, vitamins and supplements are all natural remedies for Restless Leg Syndrome that have worked for thousands of people. Lifestyle changes and diet changes such as yoga, massage, juicing and increasing calcium and folate intake are also linked to natural remedies for Restless Leg Syndrome.

How many more restless nights are you going to have before you start taking control of your life and your RLS. You don't have to suffer and you may not have to take medications with all the natural remedies for Restless Leg Syndrome available. With so many options available, you should be able to find a natural remedy for RLS that works for you.

Green Cleaning Your Bath Fixtures - Naturally!

If you've invested in high-quality bath fixtures or other luxury plumbing products, why would you buy cleaning supplies that are harmful and chemical-laden? Over time, the porcelain, metal, steel, and plastic items in your bathroom may be affected by compounds that cause tarnishing or chipping. After all, think back to what your grandmother did - she made her own cleaning supplies that were just as efficient. In this day and age, however, we like to think of this phenomenon as "green cleaning."

Natural, non-toxic cleaning products, those you make yourself, are definitely cheaper but require more time - you have to sit down and make a batch yourself, yet this alternative can be just as effective as all those other less-than-environmentally-friendly products in the supermarket today.

I'd like to share with you some of the most effective homemade cleaning products - liquids, pastes, and stain removers that you can make yourself - without harmful, chemical-laden cleaning products. Try some out on your bath fixtures and we're sure you'll want to switch for good!

Basic Cleaning Products for Your Luxury Plumbing Products

Making natural cleaning products to use on your fine, luxury plumbing products is easy and can be done in no time. However, here are some necessities that should be in your cupboard at all times:

Baking soda: As a natural deodorizer, this handy non-toxic substitute scours and works well at eliminating hard-to-remove stains on your faucets, levers, and other bath fixtures. It's naturally abrasive and is one of the most effective green cleaners.



Lemons: Use as a natural bacterial combatant and acidic cleanser for the toilet and sink areas around all of your luxury plumbing products.



Borax: An all-in-one cleaner, sodium borate cleans walls and floors, deodorizes, and inhibits the growth of mold on most of your bath fixtures as well as showerheads and walls.



Vegetable-based (castile) soap: Available in liquid, flake, or bar form, it will clean all of your high-quality, luxury plumbing products and fixtures.



Distilled white vinegar: Wipes away soap scum, grease, mildew, and sticky wax build-ups on your finest bath fixtures almost effortlessly.



Tea tree oil: Excellent for deodorizing and disinfecting the bathroom. It cuts through mold and mildew on your luxury plumbing products quickly.



Hydrogen peroxide: A natural anti-septic that works well in bathrooms to get rid of harmful bacteria growth.

Each of these items can clean high-quality, luxury plumbing products efficiently on their own, but when combined, they become super-strength green cleaners you'll use again and again. Effective recipes can be found all over the Internet, but here are some of the best to keep your bathroom and bath fixtures squeaky clean.

Toilet bowl cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup of baking soda with 1 cup of vinegar. Pour this mixture into the toilet bowl and let soak. After a few minutes, scrub with a toilet brush and rinse (1).



All-purpose cleaner: Mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda with a pinch of liquid soap and 2 cups of hot water. Shake until all ingredients are fully mixed and dissolved (2).



Scrubbing paste: Mix enough soap with 1/8 cup of baking soda so that a creamy mixture forms. After the stain or surface has been scrubbed and removed, rinse the freshly cleansed area thoroughly with water (3).

A Different Approach to Cleaning Fine Porcelain

Cleaning your porcelain bath fixtures can be trickier - if you use the standard products from the supermarket, you may be in for a surprise. Porcelain can be either glazed or unglazed, and unglazed pieces have been known to take on the color of the cleaning product.

If you notice hard-water scum on any of your luxury plumbing products or bath fixtures, mix equal parts of vinegar and warm water into a solution. Then, scour the area thoroughly and rinse with water. Or, for a general yet thorough cleaning of your bath fixtures, simply mix one tablespoon of detergent to one gallon of hot water (4).

Eliminate Chemicals - Go Non-Toxic for Good

Purchase spray bottles, buckets or pails, and glass jars to keep your new pastes, cleaners, and mixtures handy for the next clean-up.

And whether or not you decide to make your own green cleaning products to clean your luxury plumbing products, you can help the environment even more. Aside from paper towels, try cleaning with reusable rags, which you can make from old cotton-based clothing that you no longer wear to clean your faucets, handles, and other luxury plumbing products. You're creating less waste this way by recycling whatever you find around the house.

There are many ways to help the environment and green cleaning your bath fixtures is just one of them. This small contribution eliminates many problems, such as putting chemicals in the air you breathe and potential threats to children and pets. Besides, the greatest return on your investment will be the satisfaction that you've joined millions of people around the world who have chosen to clean their luxury plumbing products and bath fixtures the green way - naturally!

Sources

1. Green Cleaning Recipes, Better Homes and Gardens. BHG.com

2. How to Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit, Care2.com.

3. Alternative Recipes, Windham Solid Waste Management District. WSWMD.org

4. Care and Cleaning of Porcelain, Porcelain Enamel Institute. PorcelainEnamel.com

Natural Soap Making and Ingredients in Soaps - What Do You Wash With?

What is in your soap?

Active soap ingredients have always been on the forefront of all beauty, bath and germicidal soaps alike but do you know which substances make up most of the ingredients in your regular soaps? Let's take a look.

Among the most common soap-producing plants are the following:

Soap Plant (Chlorogalum pomeridianum)

Soapbark (Quillaja saponaria)

Soapberry (Sapindus mukorossi)

Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)

Roots are the primary source of saponins in most plants while others locate abundance of the same ingredient on the bark. Manual extraction procedure with water produces lather required for an immediate shampoo and body-cleaning needs.

It is obvious that people of the past have managed to use such ingredients in their purest form until they have discovered that other earth and animal-derived material can be used to enhance the efficiency and usability of such products.

Development of Soap Making

Our ancestors have seen the benefits of adding or enhancing the ingredients which makes up the soap they use. It was by accident which they realized that mixing saponin-containing substances with ashes or charcoal derived substances produces a more refined saponified substances as sodium stereate and in some cases, potassium stereate.

In addition, they have found out that the addition of rendered animal and plant fats with the then popular soldium hydroxide solution (which they have known then as an element and not a solution), produces a solidified version of soaps.

Plants are an abundant and popular known source of soap oils - olive oil, coconut oil, canola oil, tallow, palm, olive oil, soybean oil among others.

Modern Soap Ingredients

The introduction of soap technology and as people rallying on to reducing the manufacturing cost of soap production, fat oils such as rendered pork fat or beef fat, derived from animals have overtaken the use the use plant oils plant-derived saponin sources.

But the inclusion of several ingredients in soaps is generally not advantageous for it proved to be irritating to most skin types. Soaps derived from animal fats are no more than different so synthetic materials which makes skin more prone to itching and bacterial attacks.

Plant Oils and Animal Fats

Plant oils used for making soaps are considerably milder and the skin soft. It leaves little residue which usually is dissolved by washing. Moreover, the addition of scents such as perfume adds to the irritating properties of some soap products.

This residue takes in the form of sodium hydroxide, a popular caustic base agent in soap, rayon and papermaking.

Fats and oils derived from plants and animals are good enough to use as soap themselves but they lack the necessary caustic agent for them to produce the lathering effect as seen when using regular bath soaps.

Soap-Making

Lye (sodium hydroxide), is used in the entire saponification process. As treated fats and oils are mixed with lye, it begins to react and form begin the process described above. This process brings about the characteristic thickening and hardening of the liquids and begins assuming a different phase - thickened soft solid mass. This process is repeated until all lye has reacted with oil so that molding and packing goes next.

Active Ingredients - What does this mean?

Active ingredients are one among the most controversial substances ever to put in a bar soap. Active ingredients determine the applicable usage of a certain soap to a person's body and skin types.

For example, anti-bacterial soaps have triclosan and triclocarban as its active agent which inhibits the growth of specific type of bacteria (gram-positive).

In the same manner as BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) anti-oxidants and PEG-6 methyl ether sometimes found in detergents and added to soaps sometimes do more harm than good so it is best to check out for some of these substances.

You can find soaps made without petroleum or animal products if you have sensitive skin, allergies or are interested in natural products that are environmentally friendly.