SOAP – Is it time to ditch the bottle?
Over the years the humble bar of soap has become increasingly less popular. Since the introduction of the pump dispensed hand wash in the 1980’s, the soap bar has been viewed as a less convenient and even a less hygienic way to get the hands clean. But is that true?
Ok, so as a maker of bar soap, it could be said that I’m a little bit biased on this subject, but hear me out. Whilst I can see that having the soap in a handy dispenser may be easier to use. I’m not entirely convinced that is it more hygienic? So let’s take a look at the facts?
Way back in 1988 a study was conducted to determine whether or not bar soap was unhygienic. And it found that “washing with contaminated bar soap is unlikely to transfer bacteria”. That’s good to know! So why do people still believe that it can?
Presumably it’s because the soap is being touched directly with contaminated hands, usually after using the loo. So it would be reasonable to assume that undesirable germs were being transferred directly to the soap. However, the very action of washing itself then goes on to remove the germs, rinsing them away down the plughole. Problem solved! The soap is then returned to the soap dish, cleansed of all germs by the end of the washing process. Hence, the findings of the study, that it is unlikely for bacteria to be transferred.
But what about the liquid soap dispenser, could the same be said? After all one has to use a possibly contaminated hand to operate the pump dispenser. How many people will go to the trouble of cleaning the pump nozzle after each use? My guess is very few.
So it seems more likely that the bottle soap, would be the least hygienic option.
However, maybe you’re still not convinced. So let’s look at some of the other great reasons to return to bar soap.
It’s better for the environment
Liquid soap comes packaged in a plastic bottle and we all know what that means. It’s bad for the environment! Whereas, our handmade bar soaps are wrapped only in fully recyclable card.
There are no added preservatives
Bar soap needs no preservative, but liquid soap most definitely does. So bar soap is likely to be a more natural product.
It’s gentle on skin
Some people believe that bar soaps are too harsh for the skin but not all bar soaps are made equal. We use good quality plant oils and butters to make our soaps. Including Shea butter, Coconut Oil & Olive Oil. Plus many other skin loving ingredients such as Oatmeal, Clays and Milks.
So perhaps the only advantage, pump dispenser hand soap has over bar soap after all, is convenience. Which I realise can be a big factor for some. And ok, so bar soap is slippery, there’s admittedly not much can be done about that. (Unless we revisit the soap on a rope idea!). But if you value, the environment, hygiene and natural products over convenience, here are a few tips, to make using bar soap a more convenient experience. 
- Allow the soap to dry out completely between uses
- Don’t leave the soap sitting in a puddle of water. This will make it soft and slimy!
- Use a good soap dish, which completely drains and doesn’t allow the soap to sit in water. I have found the best soap dishes are the ones with open bottoms or sides, which let the moisture drain away.
If you would like to find out for yourself, just how great our handmade soaps are visit https://www.wildfloweraromatics.co.uk/product-category/soaps/
REFERENCES:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-chameides/chemical-marketplace-bar_b_2104678.html
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/epidemiology-and-infection/article/washing-with-contaminated-bar-soap-is-unlikely-to-transfer-bacteria/5288F47EC23D2410B92DFA1BAC8D48AC
CHAMOMILE
The benefits of Himalayan Salt Baths
We use Himalayan salts in our bath soaks and teas. Partly because of the distinctive colour. But also because they are considered the purest salts, due to the lack of pollution in the area in which they are mined. Himalayan salts are mined from a salt mine at the foot of the Himalayan mountains and are an orangey, pink colour due to the high iron content.
We all experience stress at some point in our life and some would argue that a little stress is necessary, in order to get things done. However, left unchecked stress can very debilitating. In fact, long term chronic stress, can lead to major problems with health and well-being. So it’s important to have strategies in place, to help you to reduce your stress levels and thereby prevent it from affecting your health.
Over 20 years ago I received a gift. A gift which I think it’s fair to say, changed the course of my life. It was an essential oils starter kit, together with the book “Practical Aromatherapy” by Shirley Price. I had no idea back then, that 20 years later I would actually be an Aromatherapist, producing my own range of Aromatherapy products. In fact, a lot has changed since then, both with me and with the world around me. Yet despite that, sometimes when I smell Ylang Ylang, I am reminded of that exact time 20 years ago, when I opened my first ever bottle of Ylang Ylang essential oil. No doubt you’ve experienced something similar, when a familiar smell, evoked past memories and instantly took your mind back to that time and place.
Essential oils are made up of phytochemicals, some of which you may have heard of such as menthol, which is present in peppermint. Chemicals are not exclusive to synthetic items, they are all around us in nature (think back to your school science classes and the periodic table). All living things are made up of chemicals and so are plants and some of these chemicals are very potent, in fact too potent.
The Rose, is synonymous with Valentines Day, particulary the red rose but have you ever wondered why? What is it about Roses that makes people think of love, passion and romance. To find out, we have to delve into myth and legend, so let’s go all the way back to Greek mythology.
Red roses symbolise deep love, longing or devotion.
As a massage therapist, I have lots of amazing natural oils at my disposal and I am aware of the many benefits that these oils have on the skin but I had never tried them on my face before, at least not in this way. Yes it’s true that I have used them on my clients faces plenty of times as part of a massage treatment but until around a year ago, I had never actually heard of the Oil Cleansing Method. At first I was sceptical; after all, I had developed spots, so I assumed that my skin was already oily enough. However, I was wrong and after just one day of using my chosen blend of oils, my skin was already feeling more nourished than it had felt in a long time, so I presevered. After 2 weeks of this method I didn’t need any further convincing. The spots and the redness had reduced noticeably and my skin just felt so much better, less tight, less sensitive and generally better nourished. The oils I chose for my cleansing oil blend are Avocado, Sunflower & Castor oil and here’s why:
Hello everyone and welcome to Wildflower Aromatic’s blog page, where you can expect to find info on all things natural, healthy and aromatic.