A guide to simple all natural soapmaking & homemade home cleaning products. Recipes, photos, information on essential oils and links to great resources! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/soapmaking/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:01:00 -0600 Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:01:00 -0600 I became concerned about the ingredients & chemicals in household cleaners just over a year ago.  I was about to put my little girls into the tub for a bath and I wondered if I'd rinsed the tub out well enough after cleaning it out earlier with commercial bathroom cleaner.  I wondered how much of the cleaner might be in the water I was about to put them in and just had a feeling of unrest about it.  I looked at the ingredients listed on my cleaning supplies and thought about the fact that I had absolutely NO idea what any of the listed ingredients actually were!  I thought to myself "Shouldn't I know what I'm exposing my children to?"   I also was alarmed by all the warnings & cautions.  This prompted me to begin researching information on household cleaners and what's in them. Everything I  read confirmed that I should be concerned!  The following is some of the information I obtained during that research: The Consumer Product Safety Commission oversees household cleaning products AFTER they appear on store shelves.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission has no authority over items before they’re marketed. Manufacturers are not required to subject their products to testing by neutral third parties before selling them. Usually, the only information a consumer has about a product comes from the label. However, there is a lot the labels DO NOT tell us. No law requires that all the ingredients be listed.  Inactive or inert ingredients that can make up as much as 90 percent of a product's volume are often not listed.  Also, labels don’t have to disclose ingredients' harmful side effects unless they have the potential to occur immediately.  They do not tell you about the long term dangers such as: Cancer, asthma, allergies, Liver & Kidney Disease, developmental disorders &  neurological disorders, fertility problems, or birth defects.  Labels also do not tell you about any environmental effects. A 1985 Environmental Protective Agency report stated that household cleaners are three times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air polution!  A study done by the Toronto Indoor Air Commission found that, due to increased exposure to household carcinogens, women who work at home have a 55 percent greater chance of developing cancer than women who spend the majority of their time outside of the home! There is much more information out there regarding the dangers of household cleaners but this information alone is enough for me.  If you are interested in beginning to make your own household cleaning products, try some of the recipes listed here.  IF for any reason they don't work well for you try another one!  There are lots of safe, natural cleaning recipes!   Happy Cleaning!           http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/soapmaking/469560/ Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:01:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/soapmaking/469560/ I know many people have been using homemade cleaners far longer than me!  If you have a favorite home cleaning recipe not already listed, please feel free to share it here! (post a comment) Thanks for contributing! Jo Soapgirl http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/soapmaking/468500/ Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:56:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/soapmaking/468500/ Thank you for stopping by and checking out my Happily Homemade web/blog.   I hope you enjoyed your visit here!  Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know you were here! P.S.  If you are interested in homeschooling info.  check out my homeschooling blog too: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jojourney Sincerely, Jo Soapgirl   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/soapmaking/465100/ Fri, 11 Jan 2008 23:25:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/soapmaking/465100/ How to make Homemade Laundry Detergent: You will find that this is MUCH cheaper than store bought laundry detergent & does the trick!  It is also excellent for people with sensitive skin What you need:  1 Cup grated Fels Naptha Laundry Soap* OR you can use your own homemade soap of your choice! 1/2 Cup Washing Soda 1/2 Cup Borax (optional:You can also add Essential oil for fragrance) *If you are unable to find these products at your local grocery store you can easily purchase them from Soapsgonebuy.com. You can search their site from the search box at the top of this page. Mix together in a storage container. For a light load,  use 1 tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 tablespoons. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/soapmaking/464940/ Sun, 13 Jan 2008 18:02:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/soapmaking/464940/ Getting Creative One of my favorite things about making my own soaps is getting creative!     First you can try different combinations of Essential Oils.  Next you can try adding other ingredients to your soaps such as herbs or ground oats.                                                                        One of my favorite combination is using a honey soap base and adding orange essential oil, clove bud essential oil, ground oats & a small dash of cinnamon.   These additional ingredients would be added when you add the Essential Oils to the melted soap base.     There are lots of recipes online.  I've found I have the most fun making up my own recipes though!   Other ways to get creative: Swirl Effect: Instead of using 8 oz of one kind of soap base use 4 oz of goat's milk soap base and 4 oz of olive oil soap base.   Melt the 4 oz of olive oil soap base & add some essential oil, stir and pour into molds filling them just half way.  Let set for 3-4 minutes (just until slightly set).  Then melt the 4 oz of goat's milk soap base.  Carefully & slowy pour the goat's milk base over the olive oil base already in the molds.   The goat's milk base will leak through into the olive oil base some and make a swirl effect.  The appearance will vary depending on how long you let the first base set before adding the second one over it.   Chunk Bars: Take a honey or olive oil based soap bar you have already made and cut it into square chunks.  Place a few chunks in the bottom of each mold.  Melt goat's milk soap base and gently pour it  around the chunks in the mold.  Let set & freeze as normal.   You can see the chunks in the soap. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/soapmaking/464935/ Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:34:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/soapmaking/464935/ Why use Essential Oils Essential oils are oils that come from the flowers, leaves, bark, roots, wood & seeds of plants.  Therefore they are 100% natural.  Essential oils are naturally therapeutic and have been proven to be beneficial to the mind and body when used correctly. Synthetic (artificial) fragrances, which are used in almost all store bought soaps, are composed of many different chemicals.  Synthetic fragrances are the most frequent cause of skin irritations & allergic reactions in cosmetics and bathroom products. Below are brief examples of benefits of some of the frequently used Essential Oils:                                                           Lavender: soothing, calming, most versatile essential oil Tea Tree: naturally antibacterial, antifungal & antiviral (That is why it is used in homemade cleaning recipes) Chamomile: soothing calming & relaxing Peppermint: refreshing, cooling Lemon: uplifting, cheering  Orange: uplifting, refreshing Ylang Ylang: sensual, aphrodisiac *Please note the use of some Essential Oils is not advised during pregnancy.  Consult your doctor before using essential oils if you are expecting. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/soapmaking/464885/ Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:47:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/soapmaking/464885/ How to make Natural Glycerin Soap What you need to get started:   The following is for making 2 (4 oz) bars of soap 1) 1/2 lb all Natural  Melt & Pour Glycerin Soap Base.   They are usually sold in one or two pound blocks. M&P Soap bases are usually readily available at craft stores such as Michaels & Hobby Lobby.  However, if you are wanting an all natural soap you will find truly natural soap bases more easily online.  Some sites to check out: www.chemistrystore.com,  www.cierracandles.com www.fromnaturewithlove.com, www.newdirectionsaromatics.com There are different varieties of soap bases: honey, oatmeal, aloe vera, goat's milk and more.    2) Soap Molds:  Soap molds are a lot of fun. They come in almost every shape and design imaginable!  They can also be found at craft stores or online.  The best quality soap molds are "Milky Way Molds".  Some online stores that carry them:   http://www.milkywaymolds.com   www.cierracandles.com  http://www.chemistrystore.com/milkyway.htm 3) 1/2 teaspoon (approx. 25 drops) 100% Essential Oil (per 8 oz of soap base). If you are not familiar with essential oils and the benefits of them please check out "Why Essential Oils" at right side bar.  You might be surprised to know that essential oils are sometimes available in large supermarkets in the aromatherapy bath products section.  They  readily available online.  Adding essential oils is optional.     (*If pregnant please consult your Dr. before using any essential oil products.)   If you don't care to invest in essential oils, I would recommend buying a goat's milk soap base as it naturally has a very light sweet smell.  Microwave Directions: (Stove top Directions below!) 1) Cut a 1/2 lb of the soap base into chunks and place in a microwave safe large glass measuring cup.  2) Microwave at short intervals (approx 20 seconds at a time), stirring each time.  Microwave until just melted.  You do not want to microwave longer than necessary as this can negatively affect the quality of the soap. 3)Add any essential oils, herbs or other ingredients you desire at this time (see "Getting Creative at right side bar for ideas) and stir gently. 4) Carefully pour into soap molds and let set for 20-30 minutes on a flat surface out of reach of little ones. 5) Place molds in freezer for 20-30 minutes. 6) Remove from freezer.  Turn molds over and pop soap out of each mold.  If soap doesn't seem to want to come out place molds back in the  freezer for another 15 minutes. Stove top Directions: Cut a 1/2 lb. of the soap base into smaller chunks and heat until just melted in a double boiler on your stove top. Then simply follow steps 3-6 above!  Enjoy using your homemade all natural glycerin soap!                                           http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/soapmaking/464809/ Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:18:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/soapmaking/464809/ HOMEMADE HOME CLEANING RECIPES            General Household cleaning spray: What you need: 2 cups water, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 6 drops Lavender  Essential Oil & 4 drops Tea Tree Oil. Combine and pour into spray bottle.  Spray surface and wipe with moist cloth.                                                            Homemade Window Cleaner:    What you need: 1/2 tsp mild liquid dish soap, 3 T white vinegar, 2 cups water, optional 6 drops essential oil.   Combine and pour into a spray bottle.  Clean windows as usual.   Homemade Cleaner for Wood Floors:  What you need: 2 cups water & 1 tea bag Boil water then place tea bag in water and let set for 10 minutes.  Remove tea bag. Lightly moisten a soft cloth with the tea and wipe down the floor. Your floor will dry quickly and look great!    Vinyl/Laminate Floor Cleaner: What you need:  ¼ cup white vinegar,  2 gallons hot water, & essential oil (optional) Combine ingredients & Mop floor as usual.   Bathroom Cleaner (sink/tub/shower): What you need: 1/3 c baking soda  ¼ cup liquid hand soap,  ¼ cup warm water, 4 drops essential oil (optional)  I love lavender, orange or lemon Combine in a small bowl & stir well.   Moisten a sponge with warm water and wipe down surfaces with homemade bathroom cleaner.  Rinse well. *For a scrubbing cleaner: instead use ½ cup baking soda, ¼ cup liquid hand soap & essential oils.  Mix until frothy, scoop onto sponge.  Scrub and rinse well. Drain Opener What you need: 1 C baking Soda, 1 Cup Vinegar & boiling water Dissolve 1 cup baking soda and one cup vinegar in boiling water and pour down the drain. Continue to flush with hot tap water until the clog is gone. Toilet Bowl Cleaner What you need: Baking Soda Simply sprinkle baking soda around the rim. Scrub with toilet brush as needed. This will clean and deodorize. Homemade Microwave Cleaner: What you need:  2 T lemon juice & 1 C water Combine  in microwave safe bowl.  Microwave 5 minutes and wipe down with moist cloth.      Happy Cleaning!   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/soapmaking/464763/ Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:31:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/soapmaking/464763/             What I love about making natural homemade soap: 1)  It's good clean fun and it's easy!!    2)  A great family project.  My children enjoy watching and helping. 3)  I know and feel good about what's in the soap we use!   4) It's a fun hobby & I can get creative! 5)  Better soap!  I have found nothing better than all natural goat's milk soap!                                  What I love about cleaning with homemade cleaners: 1)      I love that I know what is in the cleaners! (no mysterious or dangerous ingredients/chemicals)  See: Dangers of store bought household cleaners 2)       I love that my children can help clean without me worrying about them   touching something harmful. 3)       I love not breathing in chemical cleaning smells but natural smells like lavender! 4)       I feel healthier & enjoy cleaning more because I feel good about what I’m using. 5)      The price!  Making homemade cleaners is so much cheaper! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/soapmaking/464532/ Sat, 19 Jan 2008 17:28:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/soapmaking/464532/