For a while now, I’ve been using body wash, mainly because my ex-roommate used to take really long showers, which would “melt” my bar soap, which meant no more soap when it came time for my shower.
But now I don’t have a roommate — Yay!! Plus, I’ve become an avid reader of EnviroWoman, who’s bravely trying to go plastic-free this year. She’s even switched out her shampoo and conditioner, from bottles into bars from LUSH.
Which made me think: Why am I buying a plastic-encased bottle of body wash when I can get a paper-wrapped bar of soap?
So last week I checked out the soap display at Co-opportunity. So many options! Pangea took up a whole row, but I find its stuff a bit abrasive and too herbily pungent in a way that makes me afraid I’ll smell too crunchy. An odd fear, perhaps, especially since I do like Pangea’s other stuff — but one I still have –
But what really caught my eye was the Dr. Bronner’s stuff — and not just because it comes at half the price of Pangea soaps ($3.99 on the web store). These fair trade, organic soaps’re wrapped in paper that’s 10% hemp-flax and 90% post-consumer recycled paper. Plus, Jasmin of Worsted Witch recommends it.
I got the Lemon Organic Bar Soap, and really like its citrus-y simplicity.
If you have other bar soap recommendations, lemme know. And if you must have body wash, Dr. Bronner’s liquid soaps come in 100% post-consumer recycled bottles –
Dr. Bronner also makes some very yummy fair trade snack bars called Alpsnack, and lobbies to make industrial hemp legal to grow in the US.
And now there’s a movie coming out ’bout Dr. Emanuel Bronner, called Magic Soapbox, coming to LA on July 13, 2007 –
Love Dr. Bronner’s soaps! I haven’t tried it on my mop though. Have you seen any decent conditioner bars? I have wavy hair which tangles very easily, so I can’t go without conditioner. I haven’t tried the one from LUSH, though I remember reading not-so-positive reviews about ‘em. :/
Comment by Maria — May 15, 2007 @ 3:07 pm
If you love Dr. Bronner’s Soaps (I’ve used the castiles for years)then you might like Burts Bees soaps and Kiss my Face soaps, 100% natural and green!
Comment by Debi — May 16, 2007 @ 12:41 am
Dr. Bronner’s is also now using fair-trade ingredients.
I use their lavender soap almost exclusively! :)
Comment by Jasmin — May 16, 2007 @ 10:05 am
I meant to also add that I think they’re a little less expensive at Trader Joe’s. That’s where I get mine for under $3 a pop. The downside is that my local store only carries one kind.
Comment by Maria — May 16, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
i swear by sappo hill aloe vera soap, cause it smells nice but not overpowering and is great for sensitive skin. plus there’s no packaging so a lot less waste :)
Comment by Jennifer — May 16, 2007 @ 6:12 pm
Sometimes I use baking soda to wash my hair. I make a watery paste of it and scrub it in with my fingers. It’s a little weird but you get used to not having bubbles after a few times. Then I rinse with water that has a 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar in it. It fizzes a bit which is fun, and leaves it silky smooth. I have long curly tangle prone hair and after doing this rountine for a couple of weeks my hair was actually easier to deal with. Brushing it a lot helps too, dispersing the natural oils.
Comment by Jennifer — May 16, 2007 @ 7:16 pm
I’m sure you thought of this, but I’ll throw it in anyway: at many health-food type stores they have soaps/shampoos etc. in big bottles so you can refill your own, rather than buying a new bottle.
I love the idea of trying to go plastic free. Not sure why the idea of drinking tap water has been demonized, but I just committed to drinking tap water whenever possible, and I’m still alive :-) And now I don’t buy a bottle of water several time per week ….
Comment by Michael — May 20, 2007 @ 8:18 am
I’m trying to avoid soaps that use palm oil, and Dr. B’s do. Palm oil plantations destroy a lot of habitat, and while some are sustainable, there’s no way of knowing where it comes from.
Comment by BirdBarista — May 26, 2007 @ 4:46 am