I need soap/shampoo making resources

[notAClue]

So I have been slowly trying to make my home all natural. No more plastic tuperware, no harsh cleaners organic foods etc... and somehow I have failed to dig into the bathroom yet. I was so focused on the kitchen (where everything I ingest is prepared) I forgot about the bathroom (where I soak my body in chemicals). I was wondering if anyone had any good resources for making natural (and good working) shampoo, soap, laundry detergent etc. I have really sensitive skin so nothing harsh. And DH has the most beautiful long hair and it gets frizzy if he doesn't use good conditioner, also gets dandruff. I want to make my own partly because I love doing things like that, partly because of cost and also because I like to know what is in my stuff.

So any help would be appreciated. I'm going to look for myself, but I have no idea what recipes will be good and which ones are just as bad as the chem infused crap I'm using now.

Thanks!!

[joyfulheart]

I make my own body care products using the recipes in Rosemary Gladstar's book called the Family Herbal. http://www.amazon.com/Rosemary-Glads...9949677&sr=8-4

I've had the book for a long while now, and I've liked all the products I've made.

Check it out and see what you think.

Have fun!

[JessicaS]

This website is a good resource

http://www.millersoap.com/

I have a few different soap books. IMO this one

http://www.amazon.com/Handmade-Soap-...0279605&sr=8-2

Is really very good for beginners. The recipes are simple and most contain just a few ingredients.

The only things you really need are

a good scale, you can find postal scales for around $25 at discount stores. It is best if it is digital and it needs to at least measure to 1/10 an ounce
oil, just olive oil will make decent soap but there are tons of oils you can use
lye, you will probably have to order lye through the mail. This company is fast and good http://www.brambleberry.com/Default.aspx

[elizawill]

Originally Posted by notAClue

I was wondering if anyone had any good resources for making natural (and good working) shampoo, soap, laundry detergent etc.

for laundry detergent, i use 1/2 cup borax, 1 cup washing soda, and fels naptha soap. just grate the soap with a cheese grater into 4 cups water. cook on medium until melted. add it to a 5 gallon bucket, stir in borax and washing soda well....fill to the top with hot water, stir, and cover. it will thicken over night & it yields 10 gallons (just fill old detergent container 1/2 mixture ands half water). it cost about $20 for the whole year. some people don't like borax (i love it), so i have a couple of friends that like maggie's soap nuts (which i don't)... or you could simply make the above recipe without the borax & just add a little more washing soda...or even dr bronner's liquid soap would work.

for soap, we just use a very diluted version of dr. bronner's soap & i plan to start using this on my face now too (the baby soap with a honey mask to follow).

for shampoo, a few weeks ago i started using baking soda and apple cider vinegar rinse. my hair is long & it's never looked better. when i do the ACV rinse, i also put less than a pea size (literally) of dr. bronner's conditioner in my hair too. this leaves a nice smell and no tangles ever. my hair is never frizzy.

i just started making our deodorant and toothpaste, but it's too new to give feedback. i also make our own dish detergent which works well, but you have to pre-rinse the plates (some people hate that).


hth.