Two bars become one...gallon of soap!

Hey all! Lately, Pinterest has sent me on all kinds of homemade body product experiments. A few weeks ago I tried my hand at making liquid hand soap/body wash out of a bar of soap. It sounded so easy, but I managed to fail at it completely. I chalked it up to using a different kind of soap than the recipe had called for, which was Dove. I am trying to go for more natural and safer products, so I continued my search for a recipe that used a healthier soap.

I found another recipe very quickly on Pinterest, as they are certainly not hard to come by. This recipe called for the use of Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day bar soap. I looked up Mrs. Meyers on EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database to see how it rated. I love and hate this site. It knows too much! I have avoided looking up some of my make-up products for fear that I will have to stop using them and start using some expensive type. But, it is helpful if you're trying to choose safe products and are ready to make a change.

Mrs. Meyer's rated a 4-5 on the database. A little too high for my liking. So, I checked Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile bar soap, which rated a 1. Bingo! I had read in the comments section of the recipe that a few people had used Dr. Bronner's with success. So, I decided this would be my second attempt and luckily, two times was a charm for me. This recipe worked perfectly and the soap is very nice. I have been using it for hand soap so far, but I plan on using it for body wash when mine runs out. I am also considering it for shampoo when that runs out, because the bar does say it is an all-in-one. I mean, I do have a gallon of this stuff, I may as well put it to good use, right?

If you prefer Mrs. Meyer's and don't care about a higher risk rating, these recipes are identical for both bars. Please note that it requires a full 8oz bar of soap. So, you may need to buy two bars of soap, as most bars are only 4oz. Dr. Bronners was actually 5oz, but I used up both bars and the couple extra ounces didn't effect anything.

Recipe:
8oz Bar Soap (I recommend using either Mrs. Meyer's or Dr. Bronner's to ensure the soap turns out correct. Using another type may not work, as I learned with my first attempt at making homemade soap.)
2 Tbsp Liquid Glycerin (Usually found in first aid section, ask an employee to help find it)
1 Gallon of water (I used tap water)
Vitamin E (optional for preservative)
 

 First, with a cheese grater, grate your soap. You can buy a grater at a thrift store or use your kitchen one. It doesn't matter since soap washes right off and adds a nice, clean shine too! This step was less time-consuming than I thought it would be, because the soap is soft and grates very quickly. 

 Next, in a large pot, add one gallon of water, 2 Tbsp of glycerin and all of your soap flakes. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure that the flakes are dissolving. I would recommend using a stock pot, if you have one. I do not have one, so I used my largest pot, which didn't allow me to use a full gallon of water. My soap still turned out fine, but you'll get more bang for your buck if you're able to put a full gallon of water in the pot.

 When the soap flakes are completely dissolved. Let me repeat. Completely dissolved, and no sooner, you can remove the pot from the heat. You'll have what you see above: warm, soapy water. Now, this is the hard part *wink* let your soap soup sit for a good 10-12 hours. I made mine in the evening and let it sit overnight. Do not cover the pot, so that it cools and thickens faster. I should note that 10-12 hours is not a hard and fast rule. If yours is still not thickened in 12 hours, give it a good stir with a spoon, leave it alone for an hour or two and recheck it. I read comments that stirring it a little suddenly caused it to thicken right up.

 After the wait period, it will be either the perfect consistency or thick. Mine was like a jelly, so do not be surprised if yours is as well. This is not bad! Simply use a hand mixer on low speed while adding a little more water. Mix for 30 seconds to 1 minute being sure to get all of the areas mixed. This is also the time to add the Vitamin E oil if you choose to.

     

 

Your soap will bubble up like a bubble bath and the consistency will become exactly like liquid soap.The soap may have a loose "snot-like" consistency, which sounds gross, but is exactly what you're going for. When you pour it, it tends to pull more soap along with it, rather than separating. You'll see what I mean in the next step.

 Using a ladle and a funnel, spoon your soap into your desired container and storage containers. I have read reports of milk gallon jugs breaking down and leaking if the soap is kept in there for too long, so I would recommend using glass jars or a thicker-walled plastic jug if you think you won't go through this very quickly. Those of you with children, or those multi-purposing this into body wash and shampoo as well, will probably go through this much faster.

Cost work-up:

1 bar of soap @ $3.29 x 2 = $6.58

6oz Glycerin @ $4.99 / 6 = $.83

1 Gallon tap water @ free

2 Tbsp of Glycerin is equal to 1oz, leaving me with 5 more oz for subsequent batches of soap. So, a gallon (128oz) of hand soap/body wash/shampoo cost me: $6.58 (soap) + $.83 (glycerin) = $7.41 total!

I don't know about you, but that is way less than I spend normally, and we're getting a healthy, natural and low-risk product too. I hope you all enjoy your soap, I know I do!

Freezerphile: Fresh herbs

This is a start of a new series that I am calling Freezerphile, in which I share my ideas for freezing foods! Your freezer is a great tool when it comes to saving you money. You've all frozen leftovers at some point I am sure. Freezerphile isn't about freezing leftovers though. It is about how to make the most out of the components of cooking, that you'd otherwise throw away, by freezing them. This edition is focusing on fresh herbs.

If you're like me, you find that cooking with fresh herbs makes all the difference. In the summer I grow my own indoor herb garden, but the cloudy Seattle winters don't allow that garden to flourish past September. So, for 9 months (yes, it really is cloudy that long) I am forced to choose between dried herbs or purchasing fresh from the grocery store, which gets a little bit pricey to do over and over. Luckily, my local Co-op sells them in large bunches so I can usually get them for a bargain, but because it is a large bunch I can never seem to finish them all. I hate throwing out things that I love and know I'll need again in another week or two, what a waste!

Recently, I had the idea to freeze them in hopes of retaining more of the fresh flavor that you don't get from drying them. So, I gave it a go and it was a great success! The thawed leaves retained a great smell and flavor. They are not pretty like truly fresh herbs, so I wouldn't use them for a garnish. But if you're only going for flavor, then this is your method!

First, you'll need herbs and an ice tray. Later on: Water, plastic wrap and/or aluminum foil. And, of course, a freezer!

Start by washing your herbs well and shaking the excess water off. Clearly it doesn't matter if they are super dry, but it will make the next part easier if they aren't soaked. After the herbs are washed, take a seat and begin pulling off the leaves. I just pulled and snipped at my leaves with my fingers instead of going to the trouble of chopping them. If you prefer them chopped, go for it! As I pulled, I placed them in each tray, being sure not to fill above the line that the water will stop at. Make sure to label your tray. Even if you are only using one type of herb now, you may add a different type later. I used a dry-erase marker so that I can re-label later.

Next, pour in just enough water to cover your herbs....













....until they're all bathing nicely.












Lastly, cover them with plastic wrap and/or aluminum foil and pop them in your freezer! My freezer likes to evaporate the ice we make, and I do not want this happening with my herbs' water. Additionally, since I stack my trays, this prevents herbs from freezing to the bottom of the tray sitting on top of it. I use both plastic and foil, but I may be a little paranoid.

Once it is frozen, this is what you will get: frosty herb cubes!

If you're a good planner, you can pop a cube or two out ahead of time and let it thaw slowly. If you're like me, use the quick thaw method. In a tea kettle, heat some water but do not let it boil. Pour a small amount over the cube and it will quickly melt. Then simply drain and add to your dish!

Bon appetit!

Hand salve-ation!

Over my break from school I tried a couple of home made, natural body products. I pay attention to the ingredients in my body products, but you still never know exactly what is in there. Additionally, the organic and all-natural brands tend to be far out of my price range. EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database is one way to do a background check on your products. As it shows, some are good, some are great, and some are terrifying.

The database helps me to know which products are less likely to be harmful; but making my own products gives me a bit more reassurance, costs much less and is, well, kind of fun. The first product I tried was a hand salve. I normally use hand lotion and I always thought salves were for people doing hard labor with their hands. Then I realized: I'm a student nurse, I too am doing hard labor with my hands and constantly washing them!

So, I gave it a go and I am so glad I did. The salve is amazing. It was quick and easy to make, you can customize the scent if desired, it will last quite a while because you only need to use a very small amount and, most importantly, my skin is so baby soft!

Recipe (found here):
3 tablespoons Beeswax pastilles (I bought a block of beeswax and a cheese grater and grated 3 tablespoons instead of purchasing pastilles)
1/2 C Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Jojoba Oil (I used EVOO because I already had it on hand)
A few drops of essential oil for scent (optional)
1 capsule of vitamin E, cut and squeeze out liquid (optional)

Place the beeswax and Oil into an old mug, microwave for 1:20, stir while adding essential oils and vitamin E if desired. Pour into container and let harden.

See, I told you it was quick and easy! The longest part was the grating, which can be completely bypassed if you purchase pastilles instead of a block. Use this salve anywhere that needs some extra nourishment.

Pet products that don't dent the environment

I have a cat. Her name is Puma. I may be biased, but she's the best cat in the world. In fact, half the reason for this post is so that I can show you cute pictures of her. The other half is to tell you about a better option for cat litter. I used to use the standard clay litter and hated it. It always had a weird smell, produced dust that my asthmatic lungs couldn't handle, and was so heavy. So, as usual, I did my research and found an awesome alternative: Feline Pine Cat Litter.

I first tried FP long ago. It was the pellet kind and I just didn't like that it didn't clump. Somewhere between then and now FP developed a clumping litter, so I gave it a try. It works wonderfully. Clumps incredibly well, masks odors and actually smells nice on it's own, given that it is pine. Now, before you go all, "What about the trees?!" on me, just know that they manufacture FP from scraps of wood leftover from logging. And since it is natural wood, we can put this back into the environment without guilt. The box is cardboard, so recycle or compost that baby!

Feline pine has no chemicals or additives, it is literally just pine. Their box says "Healthy home. Healthy cat. They are what they eat, and breath, and lick, and touch." I love this motto because isn't that what we all want? We want products in our home that keep us healthy, including our pets. Finding sustainable and healthy options for our pets is just as important as finding them for ourselves.

I've used FP for years now. I will never go back to clay litters. In all honesty, my new goal is to train Puma to use the toilet and get rid of the box altogether. Wouldn't that be a dream? Well, this process can take a while and I am still doing my research as to how to begin. So, in the meantime, I will stick with my Feline Pine. If you'd like to try FP out risk-free, they are offering a free rebate right now. The deadline to buy is 3/31 and to mail in the form is 4/15. Save your receipt, remove the UPC from the box, and mail them in with the form.

One more Puma picture. If you can find her.

Use This, Not This: Part deux

It's the return of "Use this, Not this"! In hindsight I probably should've made my sign say, "Use this, Not that," but oh well. For now, I'll let it be. Anyway, let's review. During these posts, I will give sustainable, more affordable, and overall more healthy product alternatives to every day items we use. So, let's get started!

Deodorant. We all need it. No, seriously, we all do. For years I searched for a viable non-aluminum-containing alternative. They all were sticky and/or not very effective. Until now. This year, I discovered the Deodorant Stone. It is made of Potassium Alum (natural mineral salts) and it is so very effective.

I purchased this deo stone on Amazon for a bargain price after reading rave reviews. The label reads: "24-hour deodorant protection made with natural mineral salts that eliminate odor-causing bacteria: *Non-staining, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic *No parabens, no propylene glycol * No animal testing *Gluten Free"
Yes, it really is a rock! You simply dampen one end and very lightly rub it into your armpit, re-dampening for the next armpit. It will last a very long time, because you are just taking a tiny portion with each use. My fiance was skeptical and laughed at me. He tried it one day and has been amazed and hooked ever since. Not even regular deodorant completely eliminated slight odors, but this stone does!
Household Cleaners: We all have to clean. Again, yes we do! I have used homemade products for years, so I have no alternative "Not this" to show you. On the left with the blue cap is my glass cleaner: 1C rubbing alcohol, 1C water, 1Tbsp vinegar. Works like a charm! On the right is my all-purpose cleaner: 50% vinegar, 50% water, splash of lemon juice (something new I tried this batch). To learn more about the anti-bacterial effects of vinegar here is a PubMed study and a little Wiki history. Buy the large jug of distilled white vinegar, nothing fancy. These will save you loads of money and will reduce the plastic containers you consume as well.

Paper towels: Now that we've got our cleaners in order, what do we wipe our mess up with? Cloth napkins reduced my paper towel consumption, but use of these kitchen cloths has completely eliminated my consumption of them. Seriously, this pack has been sitting unopened in my cupboard for months. I purchased my cloths from Trader Joe's, but you can find kitchen cloths nearly everywhere these days. They are highly absorbent and dry quickly. Literally the same material my dad and his colleagues used to wash and dry the fire engines when I was a kid, called a shammy! Or you can use washcloths or rags. It really doesn't matter, so long as what you use is reusable.

Sustainable cotton balls

If you're like me, you use cotton balls on a daily basis. I use two per day: one in the morning and one at night with my toner. Cottons balls aren't the most expensive item I buy, but when I added up how quickly I go through them and how much waste that creates, I knew I had to do something to offset this. I was initially inspired by The Zero Waste Home's blog, which tipped me off to reusable (washable) cotton face rounds. I know, you'd think these would've been a no-brainer!

Their blog recommends Better For Grown-ups Cotton Rounds, but I hesitated to purchase these because of the price. I did a lot of searching and found many alternative options on Etsy; some for a better price. When I finally found some that satisfied me - fair cost for amount of rounds + material that pleased me - the seller ran out! So, I patiently began to wait for the seller to make more and put them up for sale.

While waiting, Pinterest (seriously, this site has changed my life) lead me to a tutorial on how to make your own make-up remover cloths/cotton pads. Again, what a no-brainer! I have made 31 of these so far and have plenty of fabric left for more. Making my own is by far the best deal I could've gotten. And compared to my napkins project - though it was easy - this is even easier, simply because I do not have to care what they look like! This tutorial includes a recipe for homemade make-up remover too. I have yet to make this, but it is something I will be trying as a replacement to my make-up remover wipes (as soon as my stash runs low).



For the cotton side of my pads I purchased a yard of organic cotton hemp fabric on Amazon. For the other side I used an old flannel nightshirt I no longer wear. These cotton rounds work like a charm! If you aren't someone who sews, I still recommend purchasing these as they will definitely pay for themselves in no time and will reduce waste from day one. The ideal rounds I found were made by an Etsy shop called BabyZing. I'd recommend checking back to see when she has them for sale again if you decide sewing is not the route for you.

Look at my napkins!

My first day of spring break and I've already made 12 cloth napkins! I wonder when this productivity will wear off? This isn't a post about anything new, it is more of an update to my original entry: Cloth Napkins: Not just for those fancy dinner parties! I haven't sewn in years, so I am overly excited by what I just made and thus had to share it with you. I also wanted to endorse using cloth napkins again. Cloth napkins have reduced my spending and my waste. I no longer use paper towels/napkins at all. Additionally, this project was fun, fairly quick (quicker if you're an avid sewer - is this the right word?) and satisfying in the end. If you would like to make your own napkins - it is a great beginner sewing project, anyone can do it - this instructive page will show you how.