KateB Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 You can also purchase REN products in Space NK - I'm sure there's a few of them about but there's definitely one in Bluewater and also one in St John's Wood... I've used REN on and off for a little while and it is good stuff... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 Don't get me on a rant about language/the use of... I turn into Victor Meldrew! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Blue Sky Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 What's your favourite verbal irritant then Clare? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 I thought you said it was the boys who started it!!!! Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Blue Sky Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted February 28, 2006 Author Share Posted February 28, 2006 It is the same/similar to SDS=sodium dodecyl sulphate which we use in the lab. It is a detergent, that is used as a foaming agent in most cosmetics, but in very weak concentrations. I have some in my hand produced shampoo bar, but it is is good for my oily hair.It's not scary, but would dry your skin out, and at the concentrations in the lab it would be an irritant. Thanks for that CC , I know something is causing my skin to behave in this way and I am sure if you have a dry or irritated skin it's a probable problem. Lovely having resident experts on this forum , between us we must know something about most things. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted February 28, 2006 Author Share Posted February 28, 2006 My irritant language (no I am not perfect in the least) is this whole wot, wit tu,woz etc. Really do not like it and txt spk, although good in text for shorthand NOT in the real world. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 I routinely use SDS (which is what we call it) at 5% to denature protein but in the concentration you would find in shampoo most people won't have problems but like many things in life there are going to be bods who are sensitive to things. Having said that the powdered form which is how I get it is absolutely horrendous as it is so fine so until it is mixed well with water it has to be handled very carefully You are right about it being in many things as it is so 'useful' I feel I am about to be challenged but that is good we are all friends here Scientifically it is incredibly useful but if you are sensitive staying away from it isn't easy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 (edited) A very interesting topic, thanks Buffie. Like many of you I've by and large made the change with household cleaning products (although still not able to give up on my Ariel, my one vice in the cleaning department ) I find it harder with skincare and bath type products, although I love Lush products. I live quite close to Bluewater and they have a branch there, so I'm lucky that it's easily accessible for me. But. like a lot of the greener products it's not cheap, and considering the rate at which the family, daughter in particular , go through shower gels and shampoos it does get a bit silly sometimes, so I end up doing a mix of Lush products and cheaper, conventional ranges I've seen recipes for making your own shampoos etc, but that's simply not realistic for me, given the long list of ingredients and time needed to invest in the making of them. I do wish that alternatives were more widely available at sensible prices, but whilst it remains a niche market I can't see that happening By the way, and off topic again , but good to see you back Heather- I hope you had a wonderful holiday in Tobago, and that you chicken sitter managed fine with the hens Edited February 28, 2006 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 What's your favourite verbal irritant then Clare? I don't know where to start BS..... There's ever such a long list and it grow each day as I hear or read something, which is incorrect or just plain daft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted February 28, 2006 Author Share Posted February 28, 2006 kateA I'm going to try soapnuts...yes you heard right SOAPNUTS! Saw it advertised in organic life so will let you know if they clean my clothes and leave them soft as too am stuck with ariel as I have lot of clay around us and can't get stuff clean. Link http://www.gogreen.cellande.co.uk/shop/products/soapnuts/soapnuts.htm BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Do let us know how you get on with them Buffie- I'd be really interested to hear about them if they're effective. A good friend of mine is very sensitive to a lot of washing powders etc, and she uses the Lakeland washing ball, swears by it in fact, but when I tried it it only removed a fraction of the marks on our clothes I think that with our animals, sports (son's & hubbies football ) children in general & gardening we must be a much "dirtier" household than hers A quick edit whilst I'm on this topic, but for those in the London area I just caught a trailer to this evening's London Tonight which is going to feature Linda Robson attempting to lead an environmentally friendly lifestyle in London. I'm sure it'll be brief and unlikely to be cutting edge journalsim, probably won't tell us a lot more than we already know, but I thought I'd try to catch it anyway- might be interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 I routinely use SDS (which is what we call it) at 5% to denature protein quote]To steer off topic, what do you actually do? I am a Biochemisty PhD student. We use it in SDS PAGE gels generally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twiglet Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Interesting thread as I have been using "ecologically -friendly" products for a while. They are readily available from our local Sainsbury's/Asda/Co-op and are "Ecover" brand which I'm sure a lot of you know about. i use everything from the dishwaher stuff to the Laundry powder. I am allergic to detergents and don't do anything without rubber gloves on ( no sniggering you men out there - I know what you're all thinking!) I find they all clean as good as the main selling brands. A brilliant brilliant find is "E-cloths" they are microfibre cloths which clean without chemicals. I get mine from Lakeland - they're on the web. The window cloth is fab and gets the windows clean with just a spray of water! yes honest! and in ultra-quick time. Their other cloths are brill for the bathroom and kitchen. I now hardly use any chemical cleaning products for these tasks. we live in a hard water area and i keep a spray bottle of 50% water 50% white vinegar which is great for shower cubicles, and limescale. Also a note on SLS free products. I found some bath products in a local shop that were SLS and Paraben free from "Soap of the Earth" but I haven't looked into them yet. The products were nice though. I try to use stuff that's not too highly perfumed for the same reason as most - to avoid irritating my skin etc. I find "Elemis" is quite good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted March 1, 2006 Author Share Posted March 1, 2006 I routinely use SDS (which is what we call it) at 5% to denature protein quote]To steer off topic, what do you actually do? I am a Biochemisty PhD student. We use it in SDS PAGE gels generally. Who'd of thought that and you go and call yourself chocchick More to you than meets the eye and it sounds fascinating BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted March 1, 2006 Author Share Posted March 1, 2006 Hi Twiglet, yep e cloths are great and lesley also has a range she uses, the name escapes me. Ecover and all the things you have mentioned I am now doing just the soapnuts to try. On the subject of ecover they make a claim on all their products except interestingly the handwash as it does contain SLS so you may want to swap that if you are using it. My skin is not nearly as dry as it was 5 days ago and it's not burning or tight at all (a first for me in years), have a few more things due from REN today the change has worked BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 ENJO fibres Buffie - www.enjo.co.uk. I'm having a demo in a couple of weeks time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 I'll PM you Chocchick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted March 1, 2006 Author Share Posted March 1, 2006 ENJO fibres Buffie - www.enjo.co.uk. I'm having a demo in a couple of weeks time. That's it Lesley! BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted March 2, 2006 Author Share Posted March 2, 2006 Right I've just ordered my soap nuts from www.inasoapnutshell.com This is the blurb: Soapnuts are amazingly economical at just £9.00 for 500 grams including p+p producing up to an astounding 300 washes and £4.75 for 250 grams including p+p for up to 150 washes Will give them a whirl, just ordered the small one for now to try. Will let you know what happens. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Just looked at the site Buffy they do look good let us know how you get on, I am interested in changing from my usual detergent and soap nuts sound just the thing you can even put them in the composter .............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelfire Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Hey Buffy, I just read from the begining of this post and heard someone at the end mention soap nuts and that you are using them. What/where/how do you use them?(Did I miss an earlier post where you describe this?). I am very big on not using harsh chemicals and checking every ingredient too. All my house /hair/body/face/make-up are free from them. I changed everything after reading a book on it 2 years ago. I was totally shocked about what goes into the supposedly "natural" products and wanted to help the enviroment too!. Since changing, my asthma has improved greatly - result! I use REN moisturiser and its very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted March 2, 2006 Author Share Posted March 2, 2006 Hey AF well I haven't used them yet but,as you've gathered, we've had a clear out and now use only natural products as much as possible. The soap nuts idea was from the magazine organic Life, I've subscribed to that now. I have ordered some for a try. I don't think they'll be any good for my filthy clay soil jeans but if i am cutting down then that's good enough. My skin has been awfully sensitive and dry and the '40' head kicked in last year and I thought I'll pay alot for the skincare and beat age...Reached 40 in jan and thought 'rubbish' i am overloading my skin, I am happy to pay for good stuff but not chemicals and that started the change, even toothpast as I like to experiment and pass on stuff to clients, well those who are interested. It's all tested on me! I also believe having had my past depression and ED's I have no idea how chemicals effect the brain and my moods so once again that is interesting to me. I used a sad lamp this year and combined with the chickens needing me to get up it's been the best winter for years. Have a look at the link I've put on for soapnuts and that'll tell you more. Nice to be in the clean club BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 They sound good Buffie, I'd be interested to hear how you get on. CX PS, the article arrived this morning , thanks. I will read it at lunchtime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happymama Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 You can get soap nuts in the Lakeland (plastics) catalogue. I'm careful what I use, but still use bleach in the nappy buckets and down the loo, and clean my kitchen work surfaces with antibac (two cats have free range overnight with mice, dead bloody birds, hen, cat, dog and rat wee etc on their feet) but only a couple of times a week. I use plain water on the kitchen and dining room hard floors, and vac once a week, dusting approx once every 6 months. We've all (except me) just have viral gastric 'flu, but never get colds etc, and the babies all grew up rolling around in that lot. None the worse for it. I don't agree with bug-busting, oh, and me and the kids don't use shampoo. If anyone fancies going down this route I can promise you this: Advice - pm me. It's worth doing. Hair that doesn't frizz No products at all means £££ savings Convenience when travelling etc No split ends Wonderfully conditioned hair Dry itchy scalps go away Hair dries quicker (absorbs less moisture) I use water once a week, and straighten my hair with irons when it's dried. I only use a light protective spray, and that's it! I have highlights that are 3 years old now and no split ends at all. When I have highlights is the only time I go to the hairdresser except for my fringe, and it's the only time I use shampoo. My hair feels horrible after for about a week, then It's back to normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
