How to stay clean during quarantine.

KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN 

Many stores are reporting a shortage of disinfectant products or any liquid soaps, so now is the perfect time to use that bar soap that’s been sitting pretty by your sink. Washing your hands with either liquid or bar soap for even just 20 seconds is effective. Some people prefer liquid soap because of the fact that you’re sharing the bar soap with others. Many would think that bacteria on soap would pass on to the next person. However, a widely cited American Journal of Public Health report from 1965 found that the bacteria doesn’t seem to transfer to the next user stating, “…the greater threat is not washing your hands thoroughly.”

KEEP KITCHEN AREA CLEAN

Dishes and silverware are kinda gross when you think about it.. But, it’s important to wash thoroughly. If your dishwasher has a sanitize setting.. USE IT! We often forget about the conveniences of life and continue to fall into old habits.

KEEP YOUR BATHROOM CLEAN

Toothbrushes, toilets and showers. Use this extra free time in quarantine to clean areas like this you may not have thought of. Maybe toss out your toothbrush if it’s looking a little used. Vacuuming carpets, mopping floors, wiping countertops, dusting, etc. will keep you plenty busy during this time.

EVERYWHERE ELSE

At every entrance leave a bottle of hand sanitizer. Before AND after leaving, is also a good idea. These new habits will be something that will fundamentally change how we perceive our former (less clean and closer) ways of doing things. To reduce germ spread in home settings, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are recommended as a component of hand hygiene. For alcohol-based hand sanitizers, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends a concentration of 60% to 95% ethanol or isopropanol. Ours boasts 62% alcohol with added goodies. ;-)

How does Soap work?

With the crazy times we are in now, it has never been more important to WASH YOUR HANDS! But, have you ever wondered what’s going on when you do and how it works? We are going to give you a little crash coarse on how soap works since you have all this time (and germs) on your hands!

Soap, water, and oil/germs are all made up of molecules. Parts of these molecules are either hydrophobic or hydrophilic.

Hydrophilic, (hydro=water and philic=loving) these molecules are attracted to water and some molecules are Hydrophobic, (hydro=water and phobic=fearing), they are repelled by water.

Since we all know that water and oil do not mix, then we also know that hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds do not mix.

Because of these properties, soap molecules for little safety bubbles called, micelles, which help trap germs and let them wash off your skin.

The oil-loving (hydrophobic) parts stick to the oil and trap oil in the center where it can't come into contact with the water.

 Most of what we call germs which will not come off with just water. This is because germs are non-polar, which means they will not dissolve in the water so they need something to separate them from your hands.

Ever wonder why it is easier to clean dirty, greasy hands (and other things) in hot or warm water rather than cold water? It is because the fats and oils soften or melt in hot water, which allows them to attach more readily to the hydrophobic end of the soap molecule. In turn, that makes it easier to rinse away. So always use warm water!

Benefits of Goat's Milk

Most soap is made from a water base which is fine and dandy but using goat’s milk as a base has many added benefits. Goat’s milk soap is known to be extremely moisturizing.  The reason for this is that Goat’s milk is rich in essential fatty acids and triglycerides. These essential fatty acids have a unique PH similar to humans, so it is less irritating and more easily absorbed by our skin. These fatty acids and triglycerides are super moisturizing.  Fat molecules are an important part of making good soap.

People with dry or sensitive skin should switch to goat’s milk-based soaps.  Or even people with healthy and clear skin who want it to stay that way.  Because Goat’s milk soap contains a natural chemical called alpha-hydroxy and lactic acid, which removes dead skin, it can also be beneficial for people with eczema and psoriasis.  The alpha-hydroxy acids are so effective because they break down the bonds that hold the dead skin cells together. Removing dead skin cells will help many skin conditions by removing irritation.

Goat’s milk is a must, especially during the winter months.  Using our goat’s milk loofahs in the shower daily can help fend off dry unhealthy skin. 

Coffee Beans Help Your Skin Too?

Coffee beans are nature's fixer-upper.  While we all know the benefits that caffeine has on the mind and body when we drink a cup of coffee, the lesser known benefits are the effects it has when we apply it to our skin. These benefits are why we chose to use it in our famous coffee sugar scrub.  Coffee helps to cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize the skin making it an excellent face mask.  Using our coffee sugar scrub as a face mask is one of many uses we recommend.

     Caffeine is the main compound that is found abundantly in tea and coffee plants around the world.  It helps tighten the skin, which can help reduce cellulite. When applied under and around the eyes, it can minimize the appearance of puffy eyes because caffeine restricts blood vessels, which reduces swelling and inflammation. It can also help treat non-hereditary dark circles under the eyes.  Caffeine is also loaded with antioxidants, which help to fight premature skin aging like wrinkles, sun spots, and fine lines. Try the effects for yourself with a jar of our Coffee Sugar Scrub. 

What is Loofah? Where Does it Come From? - Fun Fact for your day

   Luffa, also commonly spelled as loofah, is part of the cucumber family.  Yes, cucumbers!  Bet you didn’t know that.  Real natural loofah is grown heavily in Asia and India, but we source our loofah locally.   If loofah is harvested early in its growing stages, it can be eaten as a fibrous vegetable.  It also has many other uncommon applications.  For example; In Paraguay, panels are made out of luffa combined with other vegetable matter and recycled plastic. These can be used to create furniture and construct houses.

     If the loofah is allowed to fully ripen and then dry out on the vine, the skin disappears leaving only the fibers and seeds, which can be easily shaken out. This is what makes for a great dish scrub and for our customer favorite Goats Milk scrubbers.  Raw loofah is the best texture for skin polishing as it is not too rough or soft for most skin types.