Obviously because we aren't buying food at the grocery store, we're not going there very often. Actually, I can't really remember the last time I was there. I think it was to buy some parchment paper. Anyways, because of this I'm noticing other changes too. Our personal care items are changing.
I'm not using shampoo and conditioner anymore. I can get baking soda and apple cider vinegar through our co-op/buying club. My friend Maya, from Soul Flower Farm, Jeanette and I made cold process soap together, which I'm now using as hand and body soap. I'm also using it to make homemade laundry detergent.
We're not ones for using chemical cleaners. We generally just use good ol' elbow grease to clean with. Counters we use hot water and dish soap. We don't use antibacterial anything except for cleaning beer making stuff - but then it's biodegradable, food grade sanitizers. I do like my Comet though for cleaning the toilet and bathroom sink, but that's about it.
It's interesting how this wasn't our primary goal and yet our lives are changing so much.
How cool. I like the idea of making your own soap. This year, I was determined to stop spending money on things I just throw out, like toilet paper and paper towel. I bought some cotton dish cloths at the Dollar Store and those serve as our paper towel. I took some old flannel and use it as toilet paper (for #1's). It feels great to be less and less dependent on the grocery store.
ReplyDeleteIt is a good feeling not spending money making some big company rich off your hard earned money.
ReplyDeleteI do have a question for you, Rachel.
I am looking for goat milk soap and oatmeal soaps. I cannot find anyone here in my state that makes it. Any suggestions where I can purchase soap from someone you know who makes it? I have no problem with paying for shipping, I just use goat milk soap and oatmeal soap and I used my last bar I got from a lady at our farmer's market, and found out she quit making soap and disappeared. Let me know.
Have a great week
You can purchase goat milk soap from Sarah Hawkins at Castle Rock Farms in Vacaville. Her soap company is called English Hills Soap Company. Here's the link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.castlerockfarm.net/soap/
I use baking soda and apple cider vinegar too! It's great stuff. Now that I have short hair I rarely use the vinegar though.
ReplyDeleteOk... I'm curious... how do you use the baking soda for shampoo? Do you put it in your hair when it's dry or wet? And are you noticing any leftover smell from the vinegar?
ReplyDeleteI have an old shampoo bottle that I fill 1/3 full of baking soda and the rest with water. In the shower I wet my hair and then shake the bottle up and add it to my hair. So far I've found that's the best way. I then leave it on just long enough for me to wash my face and then I rinse. The vinegar rinses out really well so it doesn't leave any odor.
ReplyDelete