Because What You Put ON Your Body IS Just AS Important as What You Put IN Your Body

By: Lauri Brown

Skin is the largest organ of your body. Your skin acts to protect your skeleton and other organs, it provides tactile sensations, it helps to control your temperature, it absorbs shock to protect your muscles and internal systems, it produces Vitamin D, acts as a waterproof barrier for your internal organs and structure, and functions as a lubrication. Your skin is your first line of defense against the outside world.

According to the CDC (2013) (centre for disease control), over “13 million workers in the United States are potentially exposed to chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin.” Chemical absorption can occur from environmental, occupational or consumer products. Harmful chemicals in our personal care products enter our bodies through absorption or inhalation. Toxins, such as Phthalates are usually found in products that are scented with “fragrance” or “perfume”. Manufacturers use these terms on their list of ingredients to protect their “formula”, as the scent they have created is proprietary and therefore, the recipe to create that scent can not be stolen or recreated by another manufacturer. As a consumer, we have no idea what chemical(s) the product contains. Phthalates can even be found in the air, inhaled and taken up in our bloodstream. (Stommel, A. 2015, 08 20).

That is why I started making my own laundry detergent, soap and lotions. You can do it too! There are some simple recipes you can find online, but if they don’t work, you may spend more money than you hoped. I tried several different ones but wasn’t always happy with the results. I will give you some tips, on some DIY products you can make that will save you some time and money!

Foaming Hand Soap

1. If you have a foaming soap pump, rinse it out well.

2. Add in enough water to fill about ¾ of the container.

3. Put in 1-2 tsp (depending on size of pump), of Dr. Bonner’s liquid soap.

4. Add 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil (or whatever scent you like)

Make Your Own Liquid Laundry Detergent

For this recipe you will need:

· 20 litre bucket (I use a plastic pail with a lid)

· Cheese grater

· Large pan or pot

· Empty laundry jugs (optional)

· Dr. Bronners Pure Castille bar soap

· Borax (a natural cleaner)

· Washing Soda(you can make your own)

· Essential Oils (optional)

· Large Stir stick (I use a wooden spoon)

Directions:

1. Grate Dr. Bronner’s bar soap

2. Fill large pan with water and heat on medium. (Should be about 7-8 cups).

3. Add in grated soap

4. Fill large plastic bucket about ¾ with hot tap water.

5. Add 1 cup of borax to bucket and stir until dissolved

6. Add 1 cup of washing soda to bucket and stir until dissolved

7. Add liquid from pan to the bucket. Stir mixture well

8. Cover and leave for 24 hours.

9. Stir until smooth. You can pour this mixture into the empty laundry jugs if you wish. I just keep mine in the bucket and have a ½ cup scoop to use.

10. Use ½ cup to 1 cup per load.

To Make Washing Soda:

1. Pour one box of baking soda over a cookie sheet.

2. Bake in oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes

That’s it!

This recipe lasts me about 3 months. Obviously, the length of time it lasts will depend on you. You can add a few drops of essential oils to the mix after adding the washing soda, but I don’t notice that the scent stays with the soap. You might find it more effective to add a couple of drops to dryer balls instead.

I decided to get rid of all chemical cleaners in my home. I clean my kitchen and bathroom with baking soda and vinegar. If I’m making something that may lead to e-coli or salmonella, I wipe with alcohol. Otherwise, my sinks are wiped as usual. For windows and mirrors I wipe with just plain white vinegar. I wash my floors with a mixture of hot water, white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and a few drops of essential oils (to cut the vinegar smell). Just like Grandma used to clean! These products cost way less than mass produced cleaners and the best part is that they’re safe for my family and pets to be around. You do have to be careful with some essential oils around kids and pets, but that’s another post. My home is just as clean as anyone else’s.

References:

1. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013, July 02). Skin exposures and effects. Centres for disease control and prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/skin/default.html

2. . Stommel, A. (2015, 08 20). How do toxics enter our body. https://www.ursamajorvt.com/blogs/the-blog-cabin/37974081-how-do-toxics-enter-our-bodies

Lauri Brown is a busy mom of 2. She wanted to make healthier products for her family, and reduce the amount of toxins in her home. When her daughter turned one, she developed a bad skin rash with little to no improvement with prescribed creams, and commercial unscented/dye free products. After some research, and persistence Lauri learned how to make her own laundry soap and skin care products; which eliminated her daughters rash. Lauri has been making cold-pressed soaps for the past 8 years; and just over a year ago left her full time career as an optician to pursue her passion of making healthier, non-toxic skin care products. Her company is www.chicandunique.ca and is located in Alliston, ON (but she can ship if you're not local).

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