Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Star Challeng #9 - The HYGIENE month!


Isn't it funny how we try to eat organic food, lower our carbon footprint in all kinds of ways and be good people in general - but we don't hesitate for a second to smear poisonous goo all over our bodies many times a day, and then at the end of the day, shower it all (well, what is not absorbed by our bodies) right out in the ocean. Not so clever, is it?!

This month may scare you, because there is a long list of things to deal with. Do your best, anything is better than nothing!



This month's challenge is to make hygiene a friendlier task to both nature and ourselves.

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Complete the following:

1. Toothpaste: Select one that do not contain triclosan or parabenes. Also, if you need to replace toothbrushes, choose wooden ones if you can.


2. Schampoo and Conditioner: select brands that does not contain parabenes, silicones or PEGs. Or if you dare - go 'no poo'!! (That's what I do!!)


3. Skin care: select products free from mineral oils and PEGs. For many people a regular vegetable oil is doing the job beautifully.

4. Anti Lice: Fall often means lice if you are a family with kids in the primary school age. Drench the hair in olive oil and put on a shower cap for a few hours and they will choke to death.

5. Make-up: Try to limit your use of make-up and only buy replacements when you run out (don't buy new products). Select organic where you can. Use vegetable oil on a cotton pad for make-up removal.

6. Soap: Choose hard soap instead of liquid soap. Aleppo or African Black Soap are both fantastic, non-drying soaps that can be used for the entire body including hair and face. They can also be used for shaving (for men also).

7. Try to avoid nail varnish completely this month.

8. Try to avoid perfume completely, this month (perfume very often equals ftalates).

9. Kids: Try to avoid using "products" on kids altogether. They are more sensitive to chemicals than we are.

10. Deodorant: choose versions without Aluminum and Alcohol.

11. Feminine products: choose reusable cloth pads instead of disposables or choose a menstrual cup instead of tampons, if you can.



If you manage this, you'll receive a star and 10 points.

Good luck!

Note! If you are a newcomer who wishes to jump on board the Sew for a change challenge, then you'll start with 33 points instead of 75. Check out all the rules here. Welcome!!

5 comments:

  1. Vegetabiliska hudkrämer gör min hud skör men purelan av rent lanolin gör den mjuk och skön. JAg rekomenderar den istället för alla krämer med långa innehållsförteckningar.

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  2. Alexander, I've been following your project all years. Thanks once again for picking up the Wartime Wardrobe Challenge baton, tweaking it and reaching a whole new host of readers who think a little more about what we are collectively consuming.

    You're definitely more of a stitcher than me (I do some sewing but am more of a knitter) so I'd love t hear your thoughts on the following: how much of our wardrobe do you think somebody with moderately good sewing skills could make themselves? I think skirts, t-shirts and even coats are doable with a bit of practice but what about the more mundane articles that are subject to greater wear and tear? I'm thinking of knickers, bras, socks and stockings...? I've dabbled in stitching undies and bras and knit some of my own socks but I'd love your thoughts on this question. I'm happy for you to contact me offline at: megandgosia [at] gmail [dot] com.

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  3. megan - have you seen so zo's free knickers/pants pattern? http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/free-downloadable-pdf-pattern-pants_4.html I have made some from old t shirts (you know, when they go short and wide) and they were fairly easy and I've worn them lots. The downside for me was it cost me £2 a go in foldover/knicker elastic. I'm thinking of trying to change the pattern so you can use "normal" elastic. So I think, pants are totally do able. Bra's however, a little more challenging and socks clearly require knitting. Leggings should be ok though, about to try the Cake Espresso one's myself. Sorry for butting in, hope you don't mind!

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    Replies
    1. Hi! No I haven't tried that pattern, but I might! It's a great use for old t-shirts - then you get really silky soft knickers! The elastic part is not my favourite either. I do have a cover lock machine where I am learning to use the bias binder. That, I think, may be a faster way to get enough stretch around the openings without using any elastics at all. It takes for ever (for me) to find the perfect settings though. It is one cranky piece of machinery, but I have several Janome loving friends who swear by it, so that has kept me from throwing it out the window :D

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    2. Just found a tutorial that includes sewing with "normal" elastic http://verypurpleperson.com/2013/01/tutorial-sewing-panties/, I may give this a go soon, although I'm off to Birmingham at the weekend and hope to sneak in a quick look around the rag market, cheaper knicker elastic is on my list of things to look out for! I only have a sewing machine to play with so it has to be elastic for me, although i was musing on female trunk style underwear - the ones I find in shops are ridiculously short and I find them as uncomfy as a thong, but if I made a pair based on the Comox trunks I made hubby (but without the complicated front arrangement obviously) they might be nice...

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