It's Time... Organic Mascara, Here I Come!

Sorry for the break in transmission, folks. The smalls have been sick with colds this week and we're all feeling a bit under the weather. I plan on picking up some Olive Leaf Extract over the weekend to see if we can boost our immune systems before winter. Ergh.

Anyway, my trusty tube of Natio Black Mascara is about to run out, and as I mentioned a while ago ,I've been on the hunt for an organic or natural mascara for aaages. So it's time. I've done a bit of reading and decided to buy a Miessence Organic Mascara. I'm inordinately excited!

There are actually quite a lot of products out there, which is nice to see. They each seem to have a similar list of ingredients, with minerals providing the colour and jojoba oil and other essential oils helping to condition the lashes. There were a few that included almond oil which is a no-go for me (gives me itchy eyes) but the Miessence looks the goods.

I'll be sure to let you know how I go!

Green Living: Fabric Nappies

No, they're not for everyone. Yes, I am quite keen on them. Yes, I do wash slightly more often. No, I don't find them gross 'cause, well, there's poo in them regardless of what they're made of.

There's a growing number of cloth mamas around, and also a lot of mamas who are interested but overwhelmed, so I thought I could share what I've done to get on the cloth bandwagon, and hope that this may help someone.

I know there's a bazillion different brands out there now, but I found one I liked and just stuck with them. I ordered a test pack to make sure they worked and fit properly and then I just went ahead and ordered enough for three days. (Like I've said before, giving yourself endless options doesn't make your decision quicker, likely the opposite).

I use Bambooty nappies on both of my kids. I've got 3 days' worth in small, medium and large and I very rarely have to revert to using disposables (although I do keep a pack for upset-tummy-emergencies or rainy-week happenings).

I opt to use the flushable liner in my kids' nappies as it does make getting rid of poo a little easier so I just pop in in the loo on my way to the laundry.

(In the interests of safety and hygiene I keep the dirty nappy bucket in the laundry.) I use a dry bucket to keep dirty nappies, so I just spray them with a tea-tree oil and water mix and pop them straight in the bucket. The bucket gets washed and sprayed with vinegar on washing day and I sprinkle bicarb in the bottom to get rid of any smells.

On washing day I use a half-strength scoop of environmentally-friendly laundry powder (it's the only time I use it - on Bambooty's suggestion) and a sprinkle of bicarb. No vinegar in the wash as it can affect the absorption quality of the nappies. I make sure to wash using 60C water (again, the only time I wash in anything other than cold water) which is hot enough to kill any bacteria.

It really is simple once you find your groove, just like any new routine.

Green Product Review: Organoil

When Sparky and I were looking at products to finish our house, we tended to look for products that were safe for our family, with less impact on the environment. I've already mentioned the interior paint we chose, but I thought I'd review the floor finish we ended up using, as when I was researching online I could find very little info on it.

We have cypress pine floor throughout the house and decided to get the old floors (which were finished with some kind of estapol or polyurethane finish) sanded back and treated at the same time as the new floor in the extension. After talking to a few people and doing some reading online we opted for an oil finish on the floors and decided to go with Organoil.

THE PROS:

• The smell was not only bearable but actually pretty pleasant. Citrusy/bergamoty kind of thing.
• It's non-toxic - great for Isy and myself (I was pregnant at the time)
• A matte finish on the floor - good for a family home where spills are frequent and varied!
• Scratches are apparently easy to fix, with just a quick reapplication of oil required.
• The installer recommended only mopping once a month (score!) as the matte finish means scuff marks don't show up readily.
• The matte finish feels really nice underfoot, as you're essentially just walking on the polished raw timber.

THE CONS:

• It's expensive to install (it's more time-consuming apparently) but it was more than double what a poly-finished floor would cost.
• We're found it to be not very durable. Things that wouldn't have scratched our old poly floors have left noticeable marks and scratches in the finish (these aren't gouges, just surface scratches from things like the high-chair or the kids' pram)
• Things like chalk or crayon, which would wipe off a poly floor easily can leave a mark.
• Very very very susceptible to water damage in the early days and weeks. Obviously water and oil aren't great friends, which means we had to walk on cloths for the first few days, to avoid getting any water from our shoes onto the floor. Even socks wouldn't do as any sweat on your socks will affect the finish. We had a million people in and out of the house at this stage and as a result, have tradies' footprints, what I think is an Esky mark and water rings in the finish already.

Scratches in the surface from the high chair.

The beautiful, silky matte finish on the floor. Feels nice underfoot!

The water damage (whitish marks) from a tradies' Esky and drink bottle.

THE RESULT:

Despite all the cons, and the fact that we're both a little disappointed in the durability of the finish, Sparky and I would still choose Organoil if we had our time again. The smell factor is huge for me, and I do like the more rustic, matte finish of the floor. It's a little more on the Scandinavian side, which is what we're after in our house overall.

Basically there's a reason that some products have both a green option and a traditional, commercial option - often there's characteristics of the commercial option that people don't want to compromise on (durability/hardness, shine, etc). In this case we're happy to compromise as the pay-off is a much greener, friendlier product in our home.

Natural Body Products: Coconut Oil

Hehe. From here.

I'm a relatively new convert to using coconut oil as a body product (or at all, really) as I used to associate it with that nasty coconut-scented tanning oil that people use to bake themselves in the sun. In reality, it's nothing like that and I'm super glad I stumbled across the recommendation online.

Pure, extra virgin coconut oil is generally produced in the South Pacific where the coconuts are harvested and the oil extracted within one hour of the nut being open - super fresh! It's a funny substance in that it is actually a milky-coloured solid oil when the room temp is 26C or under and becomes softer and clearer as the temp rises. In summer when it's around 30C+, it's a clear oil.

I use it as a body moisturiser, but it can be used in a heap of different ways. (None of which I've actually tried yet, but I like multi-use products. It keeps things simple!)

Use it as:
 
• Cooking oil (much like peanut or vege oil)
• Raw and fresh bread spread
• Skin moisturiser
• Massage Oil
• Baby Oil
• Hair Oil (massage into your hair at night and shampoo it out in the morning)
• Base ingredient for organic cosmetics

• Head lice and hair nit control (see here for directions)
• Tooth Paste (weird maybe, but there's a recipe here)



It's super economical and smells tasty too! (Not too coconutty though - that would be weird and tropical). I've found some interesting recipes that use the oil, so I'll try some out and get back to you.

Hope you're having a fabulous Monday!

Top Ten Vinegar Uses - Cleaning

Vinegar Street by Mykal Shaw

Vinegar (white distilled vinegar - available by the bottle at the supermarket) is pretty cool. I use it in all my green cleaning recipes and clean my bathroom most weeks with nothing more than vinegar, water and elbow grease.

There's about 50,000 recipes that use vinegar, but it can be used on its own for so many different things. Try one of these next time the need arises:

1. Clean the microwave by mixing 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil inside the microwave and let it sit for a few minutes. The steam will soften any baked-on food and the vinegar gets rid of smells. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

2. For stained/smelly plastic food containers, wipe them with a cloth dampened with white distilled vinegar.

3. Discourage ants by spraying straight vinegar outside doorways and windows.

4. To remove a sticky label or price tag, cover with a cloth soaked in vinegar. Leave overnight and the label should easily come away.

5. Clean grout by letting full-strength vinegar sit on it for a few minutes and scrubbing with an old toothbrush.

6. Kill germs around the bathroom with a spray of full-strength vinegar. Rinse and wipe clean with a damp cloth.

7. Remove wallpaper by using a paint roller to wet the surface very thoroughly with a solution of one part vinegar to one part hot water. Or spray on until saturated.

8. Clean hardened paint brushes by simmering them in a saucepan of vinegar. Soak first for an hour or so before bringing it to a simmer. Drain and rinse clean.

9. Clean vinyl baby books or board books by wiping with vinegar. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

10. Clean scissors that have become sticky (eg. after cutting tape) with a cloth dipped in undiluted vinegar.


There's obviously many more uses in the laundry, garden and medicine cabinet, and I'll get around to those another time. But truly, vinegar, castile soap, borax and baking soda make up the vast, vast majority of all my cleaning solutions. Sparkly McGee!

Favourite Natural Beauty Products: Face Care and Make-up

Charcoal Complexion Soap from Inner Earth Soaps

There's approximately 5 million "green", "natural", "plant-based" beauty products on the market now, the majority of which are questionable in their actual green-living credentials (phrases like "with active plant ingredients" or "no nasties" are simply marketing spiel, so beware!)

As I've mentioned previously, I have spent the last twelve months or so trying to find good, genuinely natural alternatives to more commercial beauty products, and I think I'm getting close to having all my bases covered (with the exception of mascara and a beautiful red lipstick). My skin is clear and my super sensitive nose isn't being irritated by any synthetic fragrances any more, plus my bathroom cabinet is much less cluttered than it was a year ago. Actually, this is a lie. My bathroom cabinet would be a lot less cluttered if I were to clean it out. **Note to self: Clean out bathroom cabinet.

So here's a run-down of the products I currently use on my face, pretty much every day:

   Cleanser:      Charcoal Complexion Soap from InnerEarth plus a facewasher to exfoliate. Simple.
   Mask:           Detoxifying Mask from InnerEarth Soaps
   Moisturiser: Organic Rosehip Oil from Trilogy
   Foundation: Nature's Minerals Foundation from The Body Shop
   Blush:          Powder Blush from Orglamix
   Brow Groomer/Cheekbone Highlight: Lucas' Pawpaw Ointment (also an awesome lip balm)

I like to try and keep it simple, and these products work really well for me.

I also use natural body wash, moisturiser etc, but more on that some other time.

And if you know of any good, natural mascara or glam red lipsticks, please do tell!!

The Painting. Oh, the Painting...

As I mentioned in the last Renovation Nation update, we have millions of square metres of painting to do now that we're back in the house. Which is wonderful because I (seriously) love painting. I find it therapeutic, satisfying and fulfilling. I even enjoy cutting in (I had no idea what this phrase meant until we started renovating - the things you learn in the University of Life)

One problem. I quite often have a very small human being attached to my breast for stretches of time and he is none too pleased if I try to do something other than this whenever it is that he feels like lunch.

So while I help where possible, painting is currently Sparky's domain. And he's doing a damn fine job.

Where I come in is in colour choice and researching paint products. Which is awesome as it combines two interests of mine - interior design and green products. So I thought I'd share what we're up to.

For the majority of the living areas and hallways we're going for a white ceiling (natch) with mid-grey walls, white trim and timber floors. Some inspiration can be found:

Source: bigboyalready.com

Source: Mustard and Sage

Source: Furnnish

So we've decided on the colour we want, and I've done a lot of research into paint brands and products, trying to find the greenest, healthiest product option that is still durable and washable.

Sparky and I painted our bedroom in 100% natural paint not long after we moved in, and I have to say it really is a terrible paint. It marks if you look at it sideways, is entirely unwashable, is incredibly streaky and has a horrible feel to it. So while I applaud those who do use it successfully, we weren't prepared to spend the next 5 years looking at walls that were a filthly, streaky, scratchy finish.

So I kept researching and finally came to choose Wattyl ID for all our interiors. Many professional painters use it, because it has a good finish and excellent coverage, but I was keen on it also because it is a genuine low-VOC paint. It's low-odour and had less than 1g of volatile organic compounds per litre, where the up to 65g is still considered 'good' in environmental terms.

I understand that there are greener options out there, but for us they've never held up when compared to more commercial options. And I'm all about making practical changes where you can, and would rather use a very good low-VOC paint once every five years, rather than a very-good-for-the-environment-but-terrible-for-actual-painting paint every six months.

We've used it to paint the kids' rooms so far and have been really pleased with it. Plus it really doesn't stink.

Now, all we have to do is actually do the painting!

Castile Soap is Awesome.

So I've already mentioned the fact that I use castile soap alot to clean around the house, but I thought I'd add a bit more information on what I use it for and how I use it. It really is pretty cool stuff and I've successfully turned two of my sisters and my mum into castile converts over the past couple of months.

What Is It?
Castile soap is traditionally a pure soap made using olive oil. It is entirely vegetable based (not animal products, such as tallow) and much gentler on the skin than more modern soaps. This is mainly due to the fact that castile soap retains its natural levels of glycerin, whereas commercial soapmakers remove the glycerin in order to sell it separately.

Basically, it is super mild, very effective in cleansing and highly moisturising. It. Is. Awesome.

What Can I Use it For?
Well, according to the delightful ramblings on the label of the Dr Bronners Castile Soap that I use, it has 18 or more uses, including:

- Shampoo
- Body Soap
- Toothpaste (euch.)
- Laundry
- Floor cleaning
- General household cleaning
- Dishwashing
- Nappy wash

I can tell you that I have used it as shampoo (no good for me at all - it was Stringy Town all over), hand soap, body wash, laundry, nappy wash and general cleaning. And apart from the shampoo debacle, it's been awesome. So read on if you'd like to see how you can use it.

So, How Can I Use It?
As I've mentioned in a previous post, castile soap is one of the main ingredients in a lot of green cleaning recipes, so it's well worth having for that reason alone. For some other uses around the house though:

LAUNDRY
I use a front-loader, and add around 1/3 cup of the soap to the detergent dispenser for all my washing. I then add a handful of bi-carb soda to the same dispenser and about the same amount of white vinegar to the rinse dispenser. Works a treat every time. Plus, our clothes smell incredible. I actively sniff my clothes. Often. In public sometimes.

BATHROOM
As a body wash and hand soap, Dr Bronner's Lavender Soap can't be beaten. The lavendery goodness is super relaxing before bed and a beautiful scent during the day.

For hand soap I use just a normal hand soap squirty dispensery thingy and dilute the soap with water at roughly 1:1. This basically stops it from clogging up the squirty thingy.

For body wash I use a cute travel-sized squirt bottle (for shampoos and the like) and dilute the soap with some water at roughly one part water to two parts soap. The soap is really concentrated so this just stops me from using too much and becoming a lather monster.

As a shampoo, for me, Dr Bronners sucked. But I do have long, blonde highlighted hair, so probably not ideal. I even tried Dr Bronners Shikakai Conditioning Rins e to help with the tangly, not-quite-clean feeling, but that was just weird. And it didn't work. And it was full of brown lumps that looked a lot like poop. So back to Burt's Bees for me.

And as for toothpaste... No.

GENERAL CLEANING
As a dishwashing detergent, just squirt some soap into your hot water as normal. It may not suds up as much though, but don't be tempted to use extra, as it will just make everything slippery. No good when washing priceless family heirlooms.

Add it to your green cleaning recipes.

A little (very little) squirt onto a damp cloth, combined with a sprinkle of bi-carb soda is a great benchtop cleaner.


So there you have a little rundown of why castile soap is indeed awesome, and why I rave about it. Aside from the fact that it's organic and harmless to my family and our health, it's also really quite economical as it's super concentrated and you can use it everywhere. Which I do. Except on my teeth.