just starting out on this chemical free kick

[blahma]

actually I was pretty much raised on shaklee products, ivory soap and some kind of funky baking soda based tooth powder, but revolted and now that I have kids I've come full circle. I realize there are 1400 threads already about this topic, but I'm having a hard time finding the info I want.

So my question is: how do I find products I can really trust are safe for my family? I've looked on skindeep, but every product I seem to look up causes cancer or is a neurotoxin. I'm looking for a few things specifically, maybe someone out there could shed some light. Safe body wash, shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, hand soap, toothpaste, mineral make-up. Also looking for a (hand) liquid dishwashing soap as well as a dishwasher soap. Any thoughts?

[angelcat]

Watkins has a bunch of natural cleaners & bodycare stuff. I know they have a liquid dish soap, but i hav eone on hand, so I ca't tel you what's in it.

[D&S Mom]

Here's a guide that I've found quite interesting. It is Canadian though but I think it is a good start.

http://www.lesstoxicguide.ca/

[Drummer's Wife]

Originally Posted by blahma

Safe body wash, shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, hand soap, toothpaste, mineral make-up. Also looking for a (hand) liquid dishwashing soap as well as a dishwasher soap. Any thoughts?

check out skin deeps website: www.cosmeticdatabase.com to read toxicity levels on various skin care products. I always check new things there.

What I use includes: Dr. Bronner's for hand soap, Dr. Bronner's Shikakai soap for body wash, california baby for sunscreen, Kiss my face for toothpaste (weleda for the kids), Physician's Formula Organics line for make-up, Seventh Generation for liquid dishsoap, and Ecover tablets for automatic dish detergent.

HTH!

[blahma]

awesome-thanks for the tips-especially this website: http://www.lesstoxicguide.ca/ its exactly what I needed!!

[maxwill129]

You could always make your own. I'm just starting to make everything myself. That way I KNOW what's in it. Initially the start up costs a little if you're doing everything at once, but it will definately save us money and be healthier!

[sarathan]

Originally Posted by maxwill129

You could always make your own. I'm just starting to make everything myself. That way I KNOW what's in it. Initially the start up costs a little if you're doing everything at once, but it will definately save us money and be healthier!

: I started making my own stuff too.... it's MUCH cheaper that way. I make just about everything and I even make my own liquid soap and bar soap. While Dr. Bronner's is a great product, it's pretty expensive and I didn't feel like I was saving any money by using it. Just something to think about it.

[maxwill129]

I was also going to add, if you feel like that is overwhelming, start by making one or two things (lotion bar is SUPER easy and so is toothpaste!).

OT: sarathan, do you have a good liquid hand soap recipe? I'm looking for one. Also, I need a kitchen bar soap recipe, you know, one with the coffee and coffee grounds in it. Can you help?

[sarathan]

Originally Posted by maxwill129

I was also going to add, if you feel like that is overwhelming, start by making one or two things (lotion bar is SUPER easy and so is toothpaste!).

OT: sarathan, do you have a good liquid hand soap recipe? I'm looking for one. Also, I need a kitchen bar soap recipe, you know, one with the coffee and coffee grounds in it. Can you help?

Hi there!

I highly recommend the book Making Natural Liquid Soaps by Catherine Failor, it has tons of liquid soap recipes. The book can seem a little confusing/complicated, but you just need to read it slowly a couple of times and then it's not so bad. I had no problems with my first batch of liquid soap. I don't have a kitchen bar soap recipe, but I know what you're talking about. I wish I could remember where I read about that. If I remember correctly, you use coffee instead of water when mixing the lye and add coffee grounds at trace. Sorry I'm not more helpful!

[maxwill129]

Thanks! That was helpful!!!

[rainbowmoon]

my fav brands are;

Dr. Bronners (liquid soap you can use for ANYTHING)
Jason Natural Products (creams, lotions, toothpaste, deodorant,etc)
Burt's Bees (baby and kid stuff like bubble bath, etc)
zum (soaps, lotions lip balms,etc) www.indigowild.com

another WONDERFUL book for making your own toiletries and bodycare products is;
Earthly Bodies, Heavenly Hair
http://www.amazon.com/Earthly-Bodies...5656710&sr=8-1

[rainbowmoon]

I forgot to add for cleaning products we use ecover or seventh generation or more often than not I make my own stuff with baking soda, vinegar and essential oils.

A great book for recipes is CLEAN HOUSE CLEAN PLANET
http://www.amazon.com/Clean-House-Pl...5656866&sr=8-1

[wendinbill]

You could pretty much do everything you need with a bottle of Shaklee's Basic H2 and a bottle of Dr. Bronner's!! I use a combo of products, Shaklee, homemade, Charlie's soap, etc. I still get variety, but don't have to deal with hazardous chemicals! For dish soap I use Shaklee.

[mouso]

Originally Posted by sarathan

Hi there!

I highly recommend the book Making Natural Liquid Soaps by Catherine Failor, it has tons of liquid soap recipes. The book can seem a little confusing/complicated, but you just need to read it slowly a couple of times and then it's not so bad. I had no problems with my first batch of liquid soap. I don't have a kitchen bar soap recipe, but I know what you're talking about. I wish I could remember where I read about that. If I remember correctly, you use coffee instead of water when mixing the lye and add coffee grounds at trace. Sorry I'm not more helpful!

I make and sell liquid soap and also recommend that book. I do not put in excess lye as she recommends, though. On Yahoo groups there is a liquid soapmaking group that is helpful. If you want it, PM me.
These sites can be helpful too:
http://www.snowdriftfarm.com/form_liquidsoap.html

http://www.essencesupply.com/liquid/liquidsoap.html

Good luck!