#Tag
Shopped the Handmade Arcade ( #Pittsburgh) and scored a *bunch* of really cool, unique gifts (and let's be honest STUFF FOR ME as well)! Shopping local, supporting small businesses/artists is a huge pushback on the "corporate/digital everything" but also...
www.handmadearcade.org
@susankayequinn Thank you for posting. Tagging for next weekend's #SolarPunkSunday
So, I made some suet ornaments last year (and yes, those are dried worms in the round ones). I had to tie up the round ones with wire to secure them, but the stars I just poked a hole through the top, and that seemed to work fine. A bit more work than just making suet cakes (which is why I bought a couple of commercial suet cakes -- to have molds). I also made popcorn strings with cranberries and dried apple slices, and made up some pine cones filled with peanut butter and bird seed.
I probably won't all that this year (busy with making hand butter and other holiday gifts), but my feathered friends will still have plenty to eat! (Well, maybe I'll make up a popcorn string again...)
#SolarPunkSunday #DIY #SuetCakes #FeedTheBirds #Wildlife #AnimalProducts
So, I made some suet ornaments last year (and yes, those are dried worms in the round ones). I had to tie up the round ones with wire to secure them, but the stars I just poked a hole through the top, and that seemed to work fine. A bit more work than just making suet cakes (which is why I bought a couple of commercial suet cakes -- to have molds). I also made popcorn strings with cranberries and dried apple slices, and made up some pine cones filled with peanut butter and bird seed.
I probably won't all that this year (busy with making hand butter and other holiday gifts), but my feathered friends will still have plenty to eat! (Well, maybe I'll make up a popcorn string again...)
#SolarPunkSunday #DIY #SuetCakes #FeedTheBirds #Wildlife #AnimalProducts
Two free stories from the BRIGHT GREEN FUTURES solarpunk collection: these stories are the warm light a lot of us need right now.
Download the two stories FREE and if you like what you've read, get the full collection!
Two free stories from the BRIGHT GREEN FUTURES solarpunk collection: these stories are the warm light a lot of us need right now.
Download the two stories FREE and if you like what you've read, get the full collection!
@susankayequinn Thanks for posting. Tagging for #SolarPunkSunday
10 Natural And Non-Toxic #FabricSofteners For #HealthyLaundry
July 10, 2024
"One of the often-overlooked avenues of exposure is our laundry process, where conventional fabric softeners can introduce an array of #SyntheticChemicals to our clothes—chemicals that come in direct contact with our skin.
Whether you’re looking to prioritize your health, protect the environment, or both, transitioning to natural and non-toxic fabric softeners is an excellent step forward. Here’s our list of 10 remarkable alternatives to soften your fabrics, leaving them comfortable and fragrant without compromising on your well-being or the planet’s health.
The Problem With Conventional Fabric Softeners
Conventional fabric softeners, whether they are liquid softeners or #DryerSheets, are formulated to deliver multiple effects, such as making clothes feel softer, reducing static cling, and imparting a pleasant fragrance. To achieve these outcomes, they contain a mixture of chemicals, many of which can potentially be harmful. Here’s how conventional softeners can contain allergens and preservatives:
Fragrance: One of the most notable features of fabric softeners is the scent they leave on clothes. The term “fragrance” on an ingredient label can be a composite of numerous chemicals, many of which are undisclosed due to trade secrets. Some of these chemicals, like #phthalates (used to prolong the life of the scent) or synthetic musks, can be allergenic or even toxic. For example, some individuals can develop allergic reactions to specific fragrance components like Limonene, Linalool, and more.
#Quats (Quaternary ammonium compounds): These are used in fabric softeners for their softening properties. They can coat the fabric to make it feel softer. However, some quats are known to be potential allergens and can be harmful to the respiratory and reproductive systems.
#Preservatives: To extend the shelf life of fabric softeners and prevent the growth of bacteria or mold, preservatives are added. Some common preservatives in fabric softeners include #isothiazolinones, which are known to be potent #SkinAllergens. These compounds can cause skin reactions in some people, especially with prolonged exposure.
Colors or Dyes: To make the product visually appealing, some fabric softeners might contain artificial colors. Some of these dyes can be allergenic to certain individuals and might contain impurities linked to health concerns.
Other ingredients: Depending on the brand and formulation, fabric softeners may contain other chemicals or ingredients that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Problematic Preservatives
#Isothiazolinones are known allergens found in many consumer products, including conventional liquid detergents. Notable isothiazolinones to avoid include:
benzisothiazolinone
méthylisothiazolinone
méthylchloroisothiazolinone
octylisothiazolinone
How Can You Make Your Clothes Soft Without Risk?
#WoolDryerBalls: They are cost-effective, reusable, and help soften clothes by lightly agitating them in the dryer. They can also smooth out clumps in pillow fillings.
Water Softening Systems: Installing one can alleviate the hardness of the water, which can make clothes feel softer after washing.
Use Natural & Non-Toxic Fabric Softeners
Learn more:
https://theconsciousinsider.com/natural-non-toxic-fabric-softeners/
#SolarPunkSunday #Laundry #SaferProducts #AnimalProducts #Wool #HouseholdProducts
10 Natural And Non-Toxic #FabricSofteners For #HealthyLaundry
July 10, 2024
"One of the often-overlooked avenues of exposure is our laundry process, where conventional fabric softeners can introduce an array of #SyntheticChemicals to our clothes—chemicals that come in direct contact with our skin.
Whether you’re looking to prioritize your health, protect the environment, or both, transitioning to natural and non-toxic fabric softeners is an excellent step forward. Here’s our list of 10 remarkable alternatives to soften your fabrics, leaving them comfortable and fragrant without compromising on your well-being or the planet’s health.
The Problem With Conventional Fabric Softeners
Conventional fabric softeners, whether they are liquid softeners or #DryerSheets, are formulated to deliver multiple effects, such as making clothes feel softer, reducing static cling, and imparting a pleasant fragrance. To achieve these outcomes, they contain a mixture of chemicals, many of which can potentially be harmful. Here’s how conventional softeners can contain allergens and preservatives:
Fragrance: One of the most notable features of fabric softeners is the scent they leave on clothes. The term “fragrance” on an ingredient label can be a composite of numerous chemicals, many of which are undisclosed due to trade secrets. Some of these chemicals, like #phthalates (used to prolong the life of the scent) or synthetic musks, can be allergenic or even toxic. For example, some individuals can develop allergic reactions to specific fragrance components like Limonene, Linalool, and more.
#Quats (Quaternary ammonium compounds): These are used in fabric softeners for their softening properties. They can coat the fabric to make it feel softer. However, some quats are known to be potential allergens and can be harmful to the respiratory and reproductive systems.
#Preservatives: To extend the shelf life of fabric softeners and prevent the growth of bacteria or mold, preservatives are added. Some common preservatives in fabric softeners include #isothiazolinones, which are known to be potent #SkinAllergens. These compounds can cause skin reactions in some people, especially with prolonged exposure.
Colors or Dyes: To make the product visually appealing, some fabric softeners might contain artificial colors. Some of these dyes can be allergenic to certain individuals and might contain impurities linked to health concerns.
Other ingredients: Depending on the brand and formulation, fabric softeners may contain other chemicals or ingredients that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Problematic Preservatives
#Isothiazolinones are known allergens found in many consumer products, including conventional liquid detergents. Notable isothiazolinones to avoid include:
benzisothiazolinone
méthylisothiazolinone
méthylchloroisothiazolinone
octylisothiazolinone
How Can You Make Your Clothes Soft Without Risk?
#WoolDryerBalls: They are cost-effective, reusable, and help soften clothes by lightly agitating them in the dryer. They can also smooth out clumps in pillow fillings.
Water Softening Systems: Installing one can alleviate the hardness of the water, which can make clothes feel softer after washing.
Use Natural & Non-Toxic Fabric Softeners
Learn more:
https://theconsciousinsider.com/natural-non-toxic-fabric-softeners/
#SolarPunkSunday #Laundry #SaferProducts #AnimalProducts #Wool #HouseholdProducts
How to Make Natural #Beeswax #FurniturePolish (Three Recipes)
Three flexible recipes for all-natural beeswax wood polish. One is a simple two-ingredient food-safe recipe that you can use to give shine to wooden kitchen implements and dishes. The second is a natural beeswax furniture polish recipe that protects wood and gives a soft glow to tables, cabinets, and other wooden furniture. The last is a traditional one that beekeepers make with harvested beeswax. Vegan alternatives to beeswax are also provided.
By Tanya Anderson, January 23, 2024
Excerpt: "Waxes for Furniture Polish
Beeswax is a medium-hard wax created by bees that adds a protective, water-resistant coating to wood and a mellow glow. I harvest it from my own hives, but you can buy it easily enough. Keep in mind that it is vegetarian but not vegan. A vegan alternative would be candelilla wax, rice bran wax, or coconut wax. Paraffin wax is another idea, but it’s not a natural ingredient.
Carnauba wax is a very hard palm tree wax with properties similar to beeswax in furniture polish recipes. It gives a hard, glossy shine to wood. If you want to use vegan wax to make beeswax furniture polish, this is a good option."
Learn more:
https://lovelygreens.com/how-to-make-natural-beeswax-furniture/
How to Make Natural #Beeswax #FurniturePolish (Three Recipes)
Three flexible recipes for all-natural beeswax wood polish. One is a simple two-ingredient food-safe recipe that you can use to give shine to wooden kitchen implements and dishes. The second is a natural beeswax furniture polish recipe that protects wood and gives a soft glow to tables, cabinets, and other wooden furniture. The last is a traditional one that beekeepers make with harvested beeswax. Vegan alternatives to beeswax are also provided.
By Tanya Anderson, January 23, 2024
Excerpt: "Waxes for Furniture Polish
Beeswax is a medium-hard wax created by bees that adds a protective, water-resistant coating to wood and a mellow glow. I harvest it from my own hives, but you can buy it easily enough. Keep in mind that it is vegetarian but not vegan. A vegan alternative would be candelilla wax, rice bran wax, or coconut wax. Paraffin wax is another idea, but it’s not a natural ingredient.
Carnauba wax is a very hard palm tree wax with properties similar to beeswax in furniture polish recipes. It gives a hard, glossy shine to wood. If you want to use vegan wax to make beeswax furniture polish, this is a good option."
Learn more:
https://lovelygreens.com/how-to-make-natural-beeswax-furniture/
"Three Wise Men / Three Kings" soap (made with olive oil, coconut oil, and tallow, scented with Sandalwood, Frankincense, Myrrh and Cedar EOs) has been un-molded (the fancy soaps need to cure a bit more). It was a bit on the soft side, so we'll have to make adjustments to the process (maybe mix it a bit longer or add some beeswax to help it harden). But it smells amazing! In future, I may invest in a silicone liner so I don't have to use freezer paper to line the molds.
Another item that we make for gifts is homemade #ColdProcess soap. It's not for the faint-of-heart, as sodium hydroxide (lye) is extremely caustic and must be handled with care (goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, have an open bottle of vinegar handy in case of spills -- it neutralizes lye). Melt-and-pour soaps are a lot easier, but if you like working with chemistry, cold-process soap is for you!
The best book we've read is #TheSoapmakersCompanion. There are websites as well (listed below), but no matter what guide you use, pay attention to the caveats!
By Susan Miller Cavitch
Revised edition, Nov 10, 2010
Originally published in 1997
288 pages
ISBN-13 9781603427364
E-Book $11.99
Trade paperback $21.99
Simple Basic Beginner Soap Recipe with Shea Butter | Cold Process
https://theeverydayfarmhouse.com/beginner-soap-recipe-shea-butter-cold-process/
The Soap Queen has online tuturials on cold-process soapmaking, including lye safety!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAADF6209996265D2
Some recipes from The Soap Queen:
https://soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/my-favorite-cold-process-recipes-2/
#SolarPunkSunday #DIY
#DIYSoap #Soapmaking #ColdProcessSoapmaking
#HandmadeGifts #DIYSkinCare
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