Why and How to Skip the Soap...

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #90 on: June 16, 2008, 04:59:28 PM » by petrimama

Does anyone know where to get soapwart? I'd like to try it. ~L

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #91 on: July 13, 2008, 09:28:45 PM » by jhandrh

If this question was already answered, I missed it...but if lemon juice works for your hair if you are going "no poo" would it work instead of vinegar to wash your body as well? The point is the acidity, right?

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #92 on: July 13, 2008, 09:42:59 PM » by ladyhen

Quote from: jhandrh on July 13, 2008, 09:28:45 PM

Works fine. So does citric acid, extreme dilution.
hth

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #93 on: July 14, 2008, 06:53:50 AM » by jhandrh

thanks. I guess I am kind of sensitive to odors--dh frankly thinks i'm a little weird in that department--and I cannot seem to get over the vinegar smell but smelling lemon juice is fine w/ me. Cheesy

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #94 on: July 14, 2008, 02:34:45 PM » by jhandrh

Okay, first day of the lemon juice shower and I used no deodorant or body lotion so there is nothing to interfere with the body odor or non-odor Roll Eyes

--dh is working a double shift so if I stink who cares? Cheesy

But I showered this morning and it is afternoon and I still don't stink. Today isn't humid though--I'll test it in 90 degrees when the humidity shimmers in the air and let you know...but I'm impressed so far.

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #95 on: July 14, 2008, 02:42:11 PM » by ladyhen

Quote from: jhandrh on July 14, 2008, 02:34:45 PM

Okay, first day of the lemon juice shower and I used no deodorant or body lotion so there is nothing to interfere with the body odor or non-odor Roll Eyes

--dh is working a double shift so if I stink who cares? Cheesy

This is what works well for me; washing with water and no soap (or a tiny dilution if dirty), rinsing first with water and then with extremely diluted citric acid (1/4 tsp. to 2 qts. water) or lemon juice (2 tsp. bottled juice to 2 qts water), and if the weather is hot and humid or if I expect to be outside working I will dust my dry armpits with baking soda. I use such a tiny amount, only what sticks to my dry fingertips patted on dry pits.
I've been doing this for a long time and I'm really happy with it. My skin is soft, clean, and smells neutral.

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #96 on: July 14, 2008, 06:28:01 PM » by jhandrh

Quote from: ladyhen on July 14, 2008, 02:42:11 PM

and if the weather is hot and humid or if I expect to be outside working I will dust my dry armpits with baking soda. I use such a tiny amount, only what sticks to my dry fingertips patted on dry pits.
I've been doing this for a long time and I'm really happy with it. My skin is soft, clean, and smells neutral.

Oh, I also forgot to ask...do you use any baking soda in the uh, private areas, Embarrassed

or does the lemon juice take care of that too? What about at that time of the month? Do you need to change anything in the routine then other than keeping clean and feminine stuff changed frequently?

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #97 on: July 22, 2008, 05:54:24 AM » by mishy

Quote from: jhandrh on July 14, 2008, 06:28:01 PM

Oh, I also forgot to ask...do you use any baking soda in the uh, private areas, Embarrassed

or does the lemon juice take care of that too? What about at that time of the month? Do you need to change anything in the routine then other than keeping clean and feminine stuff changed frequently?

I use vinegar and water- haven't tried the lemon yet, but I would guess it is the same. I never put the baking soda down there.

I use a diva cup so I don't have the feminine stuff stink problem. Tongue

When I first started using the vinegar rinse, a couple of times I grabbed the soap cuz I was in a hurry and the rinse wasn't made, but now I don't even consider using commercial soap. That soap makes me stink worse later on. (I do use soap made with lye and that doesn't make me stink).

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #98 on: July 22, 2008, 05:28:51 PM » by jhandrh

I am finding that I can't do just lemon juice and water and still not stink--it has been hot and humid here and I have had to be out in public working in the heat last week with sweat running off me but still look/smell somewhat okay. So for last week I used soap and regular deodorant before my shifts at a local carnival because I am pretty sure everyone would have smelled me, even outside!! Tongue

but this week I am starting to scrap the deodorant in favor of a salt spray that so far has done okay if I shower twice daily. And I have been washing with baking soda in the pits/private areas/feet for removing odor and because I never wear shoes right now--just flipflops even to church--and lemon juice water just doesn't get the dirt off my feet! Hopefully my skin will soon detox from the soap/deodorant. But my hair is still gross with only baking soda so i still use soap on it--will soap in my hair ruin my skin detox efforts?
Right now I am taking supplements to kill parasites in my liver and other places and also some supplements to break up gravel in the area where my gallbladder was removed. So i'm sure my body is detoxing as well--would that make me stink even if I'm not using soap/deodorant? Embarrassed

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #99 on: July 23, 2008, 07:32:19 AM » by T

Detoxing can definitely make you stink!

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #100 on: July 23, 2008, 09:45:32 AM » by joychild24seven

Quote from: jhandrh on July 22, 2008, 05:28:51 PM

Detoxing will make you stink, as will preservatives in prepackaged and fast food. Soap will make you stink too.

I would try washing really well with just water for everything but your hair. Wash until you can't smell any further odors. Rinse with a vinegar or lemon juice rinse in hair, pits, and privates. I would spend the $2 and invest in a pumice stone for your feet - skip the soap there too and just wash with water and pumice stone.

I am the original poster for this thread, and I use soap now to wash my hair and occasionally to shave my legs, but I don't use it for anything else. I hardly ever have odor problems anymore. "Natural" deoderants still make me stink - the only one's that have worked for me are Burt's Bees spray, which I used for a while, and what I now use, plain baking soda dusted on my pits after showering.

Hope that helps! Jamie

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #101 on: July 23, 2008, 12:05:47 PM » by jhandrh

I wonder if there may be another piece to the puzzle too....isopropyl alcohol. In learning about parasites I have been told by several people that products containing isopropyl alcohol will cause parasites to move from the intestinal tract into other areas of the body. So I have taken inventory of my body products and am now down to baking soda, lemon juice, my Naturally fresh deodorant crystal spray mist on pits and feet(manufactured by TCCD international, www.tccd.com) and Tate's natural miracle conditioner for a leave-in conditioner for my hair. And i dont' stink, for the first time, even though I have been very sweaty the last 2 days due to the weather. I have used a small amount of ivory soap for feet and once on my hair (i gave the baking soda another try on my hair and it's okay as long as I wash the hair with ivory every few days). Eliminating isopropyl alcohol is the only specific thing I have done differently. I don't eat a lot of processed or packaged foods unless I did the process/packaging myself--canning or freezing at home.
Sounds like from what you're saying Jamie, that i am on the right track but need to keep away from the body products and let my body detox from all the junk built up in it. So I'll stay the course (maybe try to eliminate the ivory soap too) and try to stay downwind of other people on hot days for now. Cheesy

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #102 on: July 23, 2008, 01:42:58 PM » by prairiechild

I quit using soap to wash my body several years ago. I use water only. I've never washed with lemon juice, baking soda or citric acid. I do use this wonderful ayate washcloth that I bought at least a year ago. It's half way down this page...
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/bathbody/body.php#bod_aya
It is very nice and scrubby, never gets mildewy and does a wonderful job. I like it much better than a plastic mesh scrubby. When it finally wears out, it is, of course, completely biodegradable.

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #103 on: July 23, 2008, 10:10:27 PM » by southmom2k

I tried the baking soda instead of soap. I use my loofa and baking soda in the shower and find it works really well.
I was using the salt rock for deodorant and it worked somewhat but I have a hereditary sweat issue and it doesn't work in the summer for me very well. I switched to the rock because of the aluminum in regular deodorant plus I had issues with it not working that well. Since I started washing with baking soda and using it instead of deodorant, I don't smell at all! Sometimes it can sting after shaving though...but I am so excited about it. My sister said she would even try it. LOL.

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #104 on: July 24, 2008, 01:11:43 AM » by evalea

If you are rinsing with the diluted lemon water, can put some essential oil in with it? If so, how many drops per cup of lemon water?
I tried going without soap tonight when I showered and I am a little itchy. I am going to keep trying it. I do brush my teeth with an all-natural tea tree oil soap, though, and probably won't give that up right away.
I have used just water to wash my face for years. I wear mineral makeup and non-waterproof mascara (if any) and rarely use soap on my face. I have a pretty good complexion. My roommates, who all have acne, think I am crazy for not using some expensive cleanser on my face. Once in a while I will use a natural scrub. I have noticed that the times I do use soap on my face I have to use lotion, too. Hmm...probably a connection there. Wink

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #105 on: August 12, 2008, 09:55:29 AM » by kisbaba_1

ooh. that ayate washcloth looks fantastic! since it's only $4.50, i may have to include it in my next order!

i just wanted to report on what has been working for me over the last few months. the last time i used soap/shampoo was the week after easter. i have been washing with baking soda and rinsing with vinegar, and it works great! i tried steeping herbs in both of them, i tried adding essential oils to the baking soda, and nothing worked as well as just using them plain. (the EO left a little oil build-up in my hair.) it just seemed too easy at first!! so, i've been using 2-3T. baking soda mixed in an old shampoo bottle that holds about 2 cups. then, about a 1/2c. of ACV in another 2c. shampoo bottle. i wash my hair and body with the baking soda, using a washcloth to scrub my pits and my feet. then, i rinse my hair with the ACV, and splash a little on my pits, too. that's it!! i've been washing my face with the strawberry recipe from www.shoshannagardens.com. 6 large strawberries, 2 T. witch hazel, and i use just a couple drops of grapeseed oil, blend until smooth, store in the fridge. love it!!! and i've been brushing my teeth with a ratio of 1tsp. baking soda to 2 drops peppermint EO, and add enough water to make a paste. i went through a major detox period the first week or two, but then loved the new system. then, everything went crazy when my baby was born and all my hormone levels changed. but i kept up my routine, and now my hair is nice and soft again like before, and my skin is soft and not stinky at all. yea!!

hope that helps somebody!

-laura

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #106 on: November 15, 2008, 06:19:40 PM » by Kitty

I found some cool soap at a craft sale today...made w/ SALT! Shocked

I mean, were they thinking like me or what?! Cheesy

Can't wait to try and report on it. IT is one HARD bar...coconut lime scented...

Anyone ever use some? Huh

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #107 on: November 15, 2008, 09:33:35 PM » by T

What are the other ingredients? I'd love to know...can't wait to see how you like it. Is it DSS?

T

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #108 on: November 15, 2008, 11:51:00 PM » by boysmama

It probably is DDS. When I make salt bars it is a regular handmade soap with salt stirred in. I think I've seen melt and pour salt bars as well, which is just terrible.
Salt bars, sugar scrubs, loofa scrubs, milk soaps, now the new one is kefir soap. Roll Eyes

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #109 on: November 16, 2008, 08:04:48 AM » by lovingmomof2

I think I am missing something, what is the point of a salt bar?

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #110 on: November 17, 2008, 11:46:27 AM » by Kitty

Quote from: T on November 15, 2008, 09:33:35 PM

What are the other ingredients? I'd love to know...can't wait to see how you like it. Is it DSS?

Hi, T--
Saponified oils of coconut, castor, almond and shea butter. Salt and sea salt, fragrance. The woman who makes them is a member of WTM, actually, but I don't think she's been on much...her name is something like "Momof12" but now's it's 13...

I asked about the DSS, and she said it made them too rubbery. Shocked

Boysmama--why are pour and melt soaps w/ salt terrible? I've never made soap. Roll Eyes

I like my sugar scrub. Grin

LMo2--From the package:

"Spa Stone...Handcrafted Luxury Salt Soap

...made w/ ~ 50% salt...not scratchy or bumpy even after the first few washes.
...will feel like a smooth, polished stone...lather is bubbly but more of a cream consistency and feels sooooo good! ...gently scrub and polish your skin while leaving behind a glorious silky feeling, a great therapy for dry skin. Many...who use salt bars say they have the same effects on the skin as swimming in the ocean and are believed to draw toxins from the skin."

I use diluted DSS on my skin w/ great results. So I am hoping these will work well. Grin

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #111 on: November 17, 2008, 12:40:30 PM » by LKS

Ok, I give up. What's DSS?

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #112 on: November 17, 2008, 12:56:02 PM » by T

Sorry...

Dead Sea Salts...

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #113 on: November 17, 2008, 02:38:19 PM » by boysmama

Yooper, I think melt and pour is terrible because it usually has chemicals added to the base. They are coming out with more "natural" bases. Still--- In addition it is often marketed as lye free which is not quite accurate. Lye is used in the process of creating the melt and pour base even though the soapmaker does not have to handle lye personally.
So a salt melt and pour bar is a marketing technique and really not as healthy as it sounds. Tongue

My DSS bar was not rubbery at all, but it did stay textured all through the bar. It was cheap DSS. Wonder if it wasn't the real thing? Angry

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #114 on: November 17, 2008, 02:49:27 PM » by lovingmomof2

Quote from: boysmama on November 17, 2008, 02:38:19 PM

My DSS bar was not rubbery at all, but it did stay textured all through the bar. It was cheap DSS. Wonder if it wasn't the real thing? Angry

How did you like using your DSS bar? My hubby really likes the textured bars I have made with oatmeal and spices.

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #115 on: November 18, 2008, 02:39:22 PM » by boysmama

Lovingmomof2, answer is over here http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,2350.msg210239.html#msg210239

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #116 on: November 20, 2008, 12:54:43 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: Yooper on November 15, 2008, 06:19:40 PM

I found some cool soap at a craft sale today...made w/ SALT! Shocked

I mean, were they thinking like me or what?! Cheesy

Can't wait to try and report on it. IT is one HARD bar...coconut lime scented...

Anyone ever use some? Huh

Here's the only soap I use anymore.

http://www.iherb.com/Search.aspx?c=1&kw=one%20with%20nature

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #117 on: November 20, 2008, 01:16:07 PM » by carolina girl

Quote from: healthybratt on November 20, 2008, 12:54:43 PM

Quote from: Yooper on November 15, 2008, 06:19:40 PM

I found some cool soap at a craft sale today...made w/ SALT! Shocked

I mean, were they thinking like me or what?! Cheesy

Can't wait to try and report on it. IT is one HARD bar...coconut lime scented...

Anyone ever use some? Huh

Here's the only soap I use anymore.

http://www.iherb.com/Search.aspx?c=1&kw=one%20with%20nature

Is this the same as the stuff they sell in malls where the people are always trying to get you to try their Dead Sea Minerals Products? Or is it different? Just curious

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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #118 on: November 20, 2008, 01:30:26 PM » by Jemima

Quote from: healthybratt on November 20, 2008, 12:54:43 PM

Here's the only soap I use anymore.

http://www.iherb.com/Search.aspx?c=1&kw=one%20with%20nature

Do you use this on your hair, as well?

« Last Edit: November 20, 2008, 03:31:12 PM by healthybratt »
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Re: Why and How to Skip the Soap...
« Reply #119 on: November 20, 2008, 03:30:27 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: carolina girl on November 20, 2008, 01:16:07 PM

Quote from: healthybratt on November 20, 2008, 12:54:43 PM

Quote from: Yooper on November 15, 2008, 06:19:40 PM

I found some cool soap at a craft sale today...made w/ SALT! Shocked

I mean, were they thinking like me or what?! Cheesy

Can't wait to try and report on it. IT is one HARD bar...coconut lime scented...

Anyone ever use some? Huh

Here's the only soap I use anymore.

http://www.iherb.com/Search.aspx?c=1&kw=one%20with%20nature

Is this the same as the stuff they sell in malls where the people are always trying to get you to try their Dead Sea Minerals Products? Or is it different? Just curious

IDK