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What's Growing in Your Bath Sponge?

8/13/2018

What’s Growing in Your Bath Sponge?

Have you ever looked closely at that natural bath sponge, loofah or soap sack hanging in your shower? What about those nylon ones? When’s the last time you cleaned yours? If your answer is you don’t know or you clean it every time you bathe…you might want to listen up. As we moved away from wash clothes and toward all the fancy exfoliating gloves, puffs, sacks and scrubbies, we away from important sanitation steps in keeping our bodies safe.

Moisture
Moisture breeds bacteria. You use your scrubbie tool of choice in the wet shower. You store your scrubbie tool in a wet shower. Your scrubby never dries out.

Dead Skin
Dead skin particles are sluffed off into you little scrubbie tool of choice when you use it. Those particles lodge in the nooks and crannies. Those particles join the bacteria breeding parting already established by the moist environment.
Exfoliating

During exfoliation you rub the scrubby tool vigorously across your skin lifting the top dead layer of skin, exposing new skin and opening pores

Bacteria + Open Pores = No Bueno!

Combat bacteria and keep your favorite scrubby tool of choice by using our tips below:

Tips for Caring for Your Scrubby Tool of Choice

Dry Daily
Avoid After Shaving
Never Use on Face or Genital Area
Clean Weekly – See Tips below
Replace Regularly –

How To Disinfect Your Natural Loofahs

Rinse Loofah in cold water to remove soap
Soak in a Vinegar and Water Solution (2:1)
Shake and let dry (Do Not Rinse)
Replace Every 3 Weeks

Purchase one of our replacement Loofah Soap

How to Disinfect your Sea Sponge
(Sea Sponges are naturally bacteria resistant but not bacteria proof)

Rinse sponge in cold water to remove soap
Soak 15 minutes in Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) and Water (1tbsp Baking Soda to 1 cup warm Water)
Rinse and let dry
Repeat every few weeks

How to Disinfect your Ramie or Boucle Wash Clock or Soap Sack

Toss in regular wash cycle with laundry
Line Dry or tumble dry low
Repeat weekly

Purchase one of our replacements Boucle Soap Bags & Ramie Washclothes

How to Disinfect your Nylon Pouf or Soap Saver

Rinse in cold water
Soak for 5 Minutes in Bleach and Water Solution (3/4 cup bleach : 1 gallon water)

or

Toss in regular wash cycle with laundry
Let Air Dry DO NOT PLACE IN DRYER

Purchase one of our replacements Mesh Soap Saver

We’d love to hear any additional tips you have for keeping your shower scrubbies in tip top shape.

Get Rid of Pesky Hair Bumps for Good

7/7/2016

For years I've been plagued with those pesky little bumps on the back of my thighs and arms. I've been told it was acne, dry skin and allergy reaction. It turns out there is a condition called Keratosis Pilaris; which is an inflammation of the clogged hair follicle. Normally we just call it a hair bump. The key is to unclog the follicle and reduce the inflammation. Want to read more about this condition?

Check out Natural Living Ideas article: www.naturallivingideas.com/get-rid-of-keratosis-pilaris/.

I've found that the use of salt scrubs cuts down on this significantly. You can either make your own or purchase ours Body Polishes & Scrubs. Apply scrub to wet skin in circular motion, rinse and pat dry. To detoxify the follicle the application of a mask especially formulated for this purpose to affected area 1x a week. Activated Charcoal, French Green Clay, Kaolin Clay and Bentonite Clay are some of the best natural detoxifying agents that would be beneficial.

Lastly, to soothe inflammation, the application a non-pore clogging moisturizer with anti-inflammatory properties reduce and close the problem pores. Below is a great DIY recipe that works great for many skin conditions.

DIY Soothing Skin Oil

1/2 cup Sunflower/Safflower or Almond Oil (Any light oil will work)
2 capsules Vitamin E oil
20 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
10 drops Lavender Essential Oil

Blend ingredients together and place in an airtight dark glass bottle. Keep bottle away from light and heat. Apply a few drops of mixture 2x per day to affected area as needed.

5 Easy Tips to Get Your Feet Sandal Ready for Spring

2/29/2016

5 Steps to Sandal Ready Feet

I don't know about you, but my feet are nowhere near ready for spring let alone sandals. They've been jammed in winter boots and heavy socks for the last few months and have only received a cursory glance in between the shower and putting on a new pair of socks.

So with winter heading out the door and spring making an appearance in the next month or so...let's get those tootsies pretty and handsome. Don't be stuck in closed toe shoes when the beautiful spring weather arrives.

Step 1

Inspect feet for any damage (calluses, bunions or wear) caused by those lovely winter boots. Get feet into shape with the appropriate care for these conditions.

Step 2

Prepare a foot soak to kill any foot fungus that may have happily taken up habitat in the warm moist environment of those Winter socks and boots. A soak of 1/2 Apple Cider Vinegar /1/2 Water and application of Tea Tree oil daily works for most conditions. See a doctor if condition does not improve.

Step 3

Soak feet in Baking Soda and Water Bath to soften hardened dry skin. Use a salt scrub (make your own or buy ours Here) and or foot file to gently remove dead skin. Use a cuticle stick to clean around cuticles and remove dead skin. Clip toenails and shape.

Step 4

Moisturize with your favorite body butter or oil buy ours Here.

Step 5

Grab those flip flops and strut those beautiful tootsies!

DIY Brown Sugar & Honey Lip Scrub

1/26/2016

During this time of year dry chapped lips are a real nuisance. The peeling skin not only feels terrible but also isn't the best look either. Exfoliate for smoother healthier lips.

Get soft smooth lips with this simple DIY Lip Scrub Recipe in a flash with 3 ingredients.

INGREDIENTS

2 Tbsp. Brown Sugar (or granulated)
1/4 Tsp. Raw Honey
10 Drops Almond Oil (or any light oil)

1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Apply a small amount to lips.
3. Rub gently into lips for a few seconds or up to two minutes.
4. If time allows, let the mixture remain on lips for a minute or two.
5. Wipe off gently with a warm, damp cloth (or you can just lick it all off ;-) )
6. Store the excess in a closed container.
7. Wah-Lah Smooth Soft Lips!

DIY Holiday Gifts

12/9/2015

Contrary to popular belief, the holidays (whatever it may be that you are celebrating) are about more than the gifts that are given or who has the best holiday directions. Holidays are a time to spend with love ones whether blood related or not. Make memories the holiday with handmade gifts and treats that you can make together and enjoy together.

You still have plenty of time...better get started. Below are my top Quick DIY Gift Ideas that you still have time to pull off.

1. LAVENDER MASON JAR CANDLES - via apumpkinandaprincess

2. LEMON SUGAR SCRUB - via ihartnaptime

3. PEPPERMINT MILK BATH - via thismamaloves

4. Jack Daniels Soap Dispenser - via curlybirds

Natural Remedies: Dry Skin Relief

10/26/2015

By Arvette Hammar

Natural Remedies for Dry Skin

Whether dry skin is a norm for you or if it's seasonal, here are some natural tips to battle it and win this season. Dry skin can be caused by many things such as allergies, environmental conditions and health conditions.

The itchy, tight, cracking that occurs with dry skin is often worse in fall and winter when the low humidity of winter and cold weather rob you of what little moisture your skin has. So try these natural tips to soothe and heal dry skin.

Avoid long hot showers. Heat robs the skin of its moisture.

Immediately after showering or bathing apply a light natural oil (almond, avocado, coconut) to skin to seal in moisture.

Do not use body products that contain alcohol. Alcohol is extremely drying.

Add lemon juice or vinegar to bath water to balance out the alkaline in soap or bubble bath.

Add 1 cup of dried milk to your bath to soothe and soften skin. (It worked for Cleopatra)

Add a few drops of a light oil to bath water (Careful tub may be slippery)

Exfoliate. Exfoliating removes dry dead skin and allows moisturizers to penetrate.

Instead of lotion which is mainly water, use a butter or balm to smooth and protect skin.

Drink Water. Dry on the inside = Dry on the outside.

Steppin' Into Fall - Pt. 3 How to Repair Dry Cracked Feet

9/15/2015

By Arvette Hammar

Repairing Dry Cracked Feet

With summer coming to an end, now is the time to deal with dry cracked feet. For me in California, dry cracked feet are always an issue because I run around in flip flops or bare feet more than half the year. This often leads to dry cracked abused feet. Dry and calloused feet don’t get any better with winter and I hate when my feet snag on socks or tights. Once boot season arrives, cracked feet will be more prone to fungus and can lead to various foot infections. So, here's how to repair dry cracked feet at home naturally.

1.      SOAK

Soaking in a warm foot bath softens dry skin and feels so good on overworked feet.

Softening Foot Soak

1 cup    Epsom Salt
½ tsp.   Avocado Oil or other light oil
5 drops Lavender Essential Oil

Use: Fill tub or container with enough warm water to cover feet and add Epsom Salt and Oils. For Extra calloused feet: Add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar (* Do not use if you are diabetic or have poor circulation)

Sit back, relax and enjoy. Soak feet for 30 minutes.

2.      REMOVE

While feet are still in foot bath; use a Natural Pumice Stone or Foot File to gently slough away rough skin and callouses.

Periodically rub the bottom of feet with hand to judge softness. Don’t get too gung ho with skin removal because too much can remove the protective layer of skin on the feet and make them sensitive and prone to injury.

3.      SCRUB

Peppermint Sugar & Honey Scrub

1 cup       Organic Cane Sugar (fine) or Brown Sugar
¼ cup Avocado Oil
1 tbs. Raw Honey (warmed to liquid)
10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil – you can use any essential oil you like, however peppermint oil menthol properties provide cooling and anti-fungal properties.

Don't feel like making it? Purchase ours here

Preparation: Mix ingredients together for a thick blend (similar to toothpaste), you may not need all of the oil.

Use: Apply exfoliating scrub with fine textured pumice stone, exfoliating glove or hands (give your hands a nice exfoliation in the process) to tops and bottoms of feet in a circular massaging motion. The goal here is to polish the feet to a smooth soft texture. Rinse feet well and wash feet with soap to remove oil. Caution: Feet may be slippery prior to washing with soap. Dry feet well.

4.      MOISTURIZE

A little about moisturizers. Water based lotions are good for applying to dry skin however they don’t last long and wear off quickly. Oil based moisturizers/balms/butters absorption rates vary depending on the oil. I have found that oil moisturizers work best at softening and smoothing dry skin and locking in moisture.

Super Foot Repair Moisturizer

½ cup Shea Butter (melted)
¼ cup Almond Oil
1 tsp. Vitamin E Oil
10 drops Lavender Essential Oil and Peppermint Essential Oil – You can use any essential oils you like, however Lavender and Peppermint essential oils provide skin soothing and anti-fungal properties.

Preparation: Melt butter in a double boiler only until melted not boiling (microwaving will cause Shea Butter to become grainy). Remove from heat. Combine Almond Oil, Vitamin E Oil and Essential Oils. Combine oils with Shea Butter and pour into dark colored glass jar with lid and store in a cool place. The dark colored jar will protect the potency of your essential oils. If you don't have a dark jar, store blend in a cool dark place. Blend will solidify.

Don't feel like making your own? Purchase ours here.

Use: Apply moisturizer immediately after drying feet, focusing on heals and other dry areas. It is beneficial to immediately place cotton socks on freshly moisturized feet to allow oils to penetrate.

Follow this process as often as needed.

I will often do this before going to bed and wear socks to bed to wake up to soft happy feet in the morning.

How do you naturally repair dry cracked feet?

DISCLAIMER: Information on Holistic Blends Soap Company™ is not reviewed or endorsed by the FDA and is NOT intended to be substituted for the advice of your health care professional. If you rely solely upon this advice you do so at your own risk. Read full Disclaimer & Disclosure statements here.

Steppin' Into Fall - Pt .2 Natural Foot Fungus Remedies

9/9/2015

Natural Athlete's Foot Remedies

Natural Remedies for Foot Fungus

For those of those that love to go bare foot and shed our shoes whenever possible; foot fungus or athlete's foot is not usually an issue because fresh air and sunshine are usually naturally remedies for these conditions. But for folks that wear a lot of closed toe shoes and boots for work or athletics can suffer greatly from the itching, peeling, redness and burning associated with skin fungus on the foot. Foot fungus is caused by microscopic fungi and thrives in warm moist environments (i.e. feet with socks and shoes on). Most of us know of the anti-fungal sprays and powders that are well advertised, but if you want to go the natural route try these easy home remedies.

Remedies

Tea Tree Essential Oil has been used potent antiviral, antiseptic, antimicrobial, antifungal properties. Tea Tree Oil is for EXTERNAL TOPICAL USE ONLY.

Tea Tree Oil - Apply a 50/50 mix of Tea Tree Oil and Carrier Oil (i.e. Almond, Olive, Avocado) to feet 2x-3x per day. Oils will soften skin to allow penetration of Tea Tree.
Tea Tree Spray - Mix a solution of 1/2 tsp. of Tea Tree Oil, 2 tbsp. Witch Hazel and 1/4 cup distilled water.
Tea Tree and Aloe Vera Rub – Mix 3 parts Tea Tree with 1 part Aloe Vera Gel (Pure Aloe Gel) and apply to affected area twice a day. Aloe Vera is a skin softener and healer.

Soothe Symptoms

Yogurt – Apply a small amount of plain yogurt to affected area and allow to dry (acidophilus bacteria fights fungus)
Salt Foot Soak – Add 2 tsp. of salt to two cups of warm water and soak feet for 5 - 10 minutes as frequently as needed
Apply cornstarch to feet to keep dry

Prevention

Dry feet thoroughly after baths or showers.
Wear natural fiber socks or moisture wicking synthetic socks.
Spray shoes with antifungal powder or spray
LET FEET BREATHE WHEN AT HOME

You can buy tea tree essential oil at many of your local health food stores or Starwest Bontanicals http://www.starwest-botanicals.com/category/tea-tree-essential-oil/.

Steppin' Into Fall

9/4/2015

Preparing Feet for Fall

I noticed a definite nip in the air this morning, letting me know that fall is here. Of course the falling oak leaves in the front yard should have been an indication a couple of weeks ago, but I decided to blame it on the California draught. Yes, I was in denial, but who would blame me? I am not a big fan of winter AT ALL and Fall is the segway to winter.

With Fall comes another change in the environment that effects how we care for our skin. Our tootsies are about to leave those sandals and flip flops behind and be hidden away in boots and closed toe shoes for the next 5 or 6 months (depending on where you live). Out of site is out of mind and for most of us that means neglecting our feet for the season. One benefit of hiding those tootsies away is that unlike Spring and Summer, cracked heals are usually not a problem. However, you will begin to see an increase in dryness, fungus, ingrown nails, callouses and blisters/bunions.

Over the next week, I’ll cover natural ways to battle these winter toe blues. For now, take time to enjoy the beautiful scenery changing around you.

Changing Seasons - Fall Leaves

September is Safety Preparedness Month

9/3/2015

Family Emergency Checklist for Fall

Those of you that have followed my blog for awhile, know that I cover a wide variety of topics and today is going to be no different :). So, September is National Preparedness Month and it never hurts to revisit some emergency preparedness tips.

Every change of season, I go through our family's emergency kits/bags to make sure everything is still in good shape in the event of an emergency. This is especially important with your vehicle kits that are subject to temperature changes. Don't have an emergency kit or not sure what should be in yours? Go to Ready.gov here at http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit for more information.

Here's a quick list of some of the items that should be checked and maintained in your kits:

Water
Food (Check for Expiration Dates and/or Deterioration)
Clothing (Is the clothing appropriate for the current season? Does it still fit?)
First Aid Kit (Is there anything that needs to be replaced? Check expiration dates on meds)
Batteries (Check to batteries are in working order for electronics (i.e. emergency radios)
Pet Food (Treat the same as Food)
Sanitation Items (Check and replace as needed)

*LAST BUT NOT LEAST- Replace that bar of Holistic Blends Soap that you nabbed out of there when you ran out last month!