The CleanSuds Blog
Where education and truthful facts are easy to come by.
How to Clean Your Menstrual Cup
Do you struggle with finding a safe and effective way to clean your menstrual cup? Worry no more – castile soap is here to the rescue! Castile soap is an all-natural, plant-based liquid made from oils like olive oil so it's gentle on skin and offers natural cleansing properties that make it perfect for cleaning your menstrual cup.
Let's see how you can use castile soap to keep your menstrual cup clean and sanitary every month.
Is Castile Soap Safe for Cleaning Menstrual Cup?
Yes, castile soap can be used to clean menstrual cups. It is a mild and generally natural soap that can effectively clean menstrual cups without degrading the material or causing irritation when used appropriately.
Here are some points to consider:
Mildness: Castile soap is typically gentle and free of harsh chemicals, making it suitable for cleaning menstrual cups.
Unscented and Oil-Free: Many sources recommend using an unscented, oil-free soap for cleaning menstrual cups. Castile soap, like Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap, fits this description.
Effectiveness: Many users have reported that they use castile soap for cleaning their menstrual cups and find it effective.
However, always ensure that the soap is thoroughly rinsed off the cup to avoid any potential irritation. Also, while castile soap can be used for regular cleaning, it's recommended to sterilize the cup (usually by boiling) at the end of each menstrual cycle.
Please note that some specific brands, like DivaCup, may advise against the use of castile soap for their products, so it's crucial to check the manufacturer's instructions for your specific cup.
How to Use Castile Soap to Clean Your Menstrual Cup?
To clean a menstrual cup using castile soap, follow these steps:
- Empty the Cup: First, empty the contents of your menstrual cup into the toilet or sink.
- Rinse with Warm Water: Rinse the cup thoroughly with warm water. This will help remove any residual material from the cup.
- Apply Castile Soap: Apply a small amount of mild, oil-free, and fragrance-free castile soap like Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap. It's important to use a soap that is gentle and free of harsh chemicals as these can degrade the silicone material of the cup over time.
- Scrub Gently: Use your fingers to gently scrub the cup, paying special attention to the rim and any grooves where material might be trapped.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the cup thoroughly under warm water to ensure all soap residue is removed. Leaving soap on your cup could lead to irritation when you reinsert it.
- Dry and Store: Allow the cup to air dry completely before storing it in a breathable cotton bag.
It's also recommended to boil your menstrual cup for 2-3 minutes at the end of each cycle to sterilize it. Always check the manufacturer's instructions for your specific cup as some may have different cleaning recommendations.
Sources:
Put A Cup In It & Little Urban Life
Is Real Soap Tear Free?
Due to the very definition of soap, the answer is a hard no. Most of the products that sits on store shelves isn't technically soap at all. Tear-free soaps are synthetic products marketed specifically for babies and toddlers.
To understand why castile soap isn't tear-free, first you need to understand the concept of pH. pH stands for “potential hydrogen” and is a measure of how acidic or alkaline something is on a scale of 0 to 14. A solution can be considered neutral if it has a pH of 7; any solution below 7 is considered acidic and anything above 7 is alkaline.
Real soap needs to have a pH higher than 8 in order to be considered soap.
Although castile soaps come with many benefits due to their natural ingredients, it's important for those who use them regularly (especially around the eyes) to remember that these products are not tear-free. One solution to is pour 1-2 tablespoons into the bath water and just wash baby from the water. This is more than enough soap to wash their hair and skin. A quick rinse and you're done!
How to Strip your Laundry
• Workout clothes, bedding and towels are likely to be the biggest accumulators of residue.
• To deep clean clothes, a stripping recipe consisting of Borax, Washing Soda, Oxygen Powder and Soap should be used.
• To strip laundry, separate colors from whites; submerge items in hot water with the cleaning ingredients; soak for several hours; drain and transfer to washing machine and wash on hot with extra rinse cycle.
Can Castile Soap Replace Your Shampoo?
• Using castile soap as a shampoo can be beneficial, but it should be used with caution.
• It is suggested that those with color-treated hair or hair that tangles easily be cautious about using this product.
• Castile soap should be diluted with water before use and followed with a rinse of an acidic solution to cleanse residue.
• Those looking for natural alternatives, have sensitive skin, or the patience to experiment may find they prefer castile soap as their shampoo.
• Benefits of using castile soap include being gentle, hydrating and versatile, as it can work for makeup removal and household cleaning in addition to washing one's hair.
Which is better: Hand Sanitizer or Soap?
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We create and sell both (hit up the Homemade Essential oil hand sanitizer page!), and believe in both.
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But, hands down, we support the power of SOAP!
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True, effective, All natural organic hand SOAP.
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Hand Sanitizer is great when you’re out and about, on the go, at the park, on the playground, in a pinch. But it doesn’t attach to the germs on your hands and rinse them away.
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Only SOAP does that. Hand sanitizer is better than nothing. Hear us loud and clear there.
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But washing your hands (yes, for at least twenty seconds) with real SOAP is the only way to rinse those germs off your hands.
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Don’t overlook the power of a good hand washing session with a good bottle of effective soap. Especially right now.
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It’s time to stock up. And, probably time to go wash your hands right now, too. Go, go! And then stock up on our organic hand soap. 👊🏼
Can Soap ruin my Clothes or Washer?
Laundry is based on science. You need something that cleans. Sure, it's not black and white, our water systems are so different from region to region making laundry hit or miss for many people. What works for you may not work for my household. But there is still science behind it. Salts and minerals soften water and do crazy scientific and ionic things to help the soap or surfactants do their thing- which is getting the dirt out of your laundry.
If you're here on this site, you're probably trying to find a more earth-conscious company to wash with. If you've turned to Facebook groups you have probably heard many people claim that soap-based laundry products don't work and can ruin your machine and your clothes. They claim all soap-based laundry products leave behind a residue.
NOT TRUE.
Many soap makers create soaps (both liquid and bar) that have extra fat in them. This is called superfatting. In the end, it creates a product that has extra fat that has been left behind during saponification. The thought is that these extra fats make a soap that is more moisturizing and emollient (soothing and softening).
MamaSuds does not superfat their liquid soap. Why? Many people who have skin issues react to anything left behind from soap.
Creating a liquid soap that is zero superfat also means it won't leave any oils behind during cleaning. Which is great news for people who need a laundry soap that does not leave a residue behind! This is a link to a great explanation of superfatting soaps.
MamaSuds DOES work for all types of clothes (including cloth diapers). If you've read this article about how DIY laundry recipes ruin your washer (and yes they CAN if you aren't using the right soap!), you can use MamaSuds Castile Soap as you soap in your DIY recipe!
5 Baby-Friendly Cleaning Products for Every Home
It's a responsibility for every parent at home to keep their kids safe and secure. However, this doesn't look like an easy task to accomplish for most of us, but it's worth it. As parents, we have failed to know exactly where we should focus our efforts and time in ensuring that our babies are kept safe at home. So the big question remains for us, where can we start? In regards to how our kids are curious about everything that seems to cross their way, most of the cleaning products fuel the chances of risk to our babies. This is the point where we can now get started to ensure a clean home and safety in our families. Therefore, these 5 baby-friendly cleaning products are the best choice for every parent to consider.
1. Safe Floor Cleaner
When your baby reaches the age of crawling, you need to ensure that all floors of your house are clean. If you want your floors to look their best, vacuum often, especially tile floors. There are various baby-safe household cleaning products that will help you achieve this. Try using unscented MamaSuds Castile Soap. This will keep off the bacteria from the floor. Fragrance features will also not encourage babies to be curious in licking the floor as pleasant smells always attract them.
2. Safe Baby-Friendly Laundry Products
Your laundry is likely to grow big when your family grows, and usually, those bundles of clothes can bring a big mess to your family. You may be tempted to use chemical detergents to clean your baby's clothes. It's vital to know that most of these chemical products are harmful to your kid's skin and can chase away their happiness. Therefore, it's crucial to manage your laundry with a non-toxic laundry product. Don't be tempted to purchase a product specifically geared toward "baby" as this is likely filled with synthetic ingredients and marked up in price. MamaSuds Laundry Soap is not only gentle enough for sensitive skin, it's designed for cloth diapering. This product is safe for your little ones and will bring more happiness to them.
3. Safe Kitchen and Bathroom Cleaners
Bathtubs and toilet cleaners are packed with a synthetic chemical that is harmful to inhale. Therefore, consider using cleaning products that are safe for kids. Instead of using these harmful chemicals, opt for safe products. You can try using white vinegar to clean bathroom. Also, plain baking soda can work best in cleaning the bathtub. It's also recommended to use castile soap when cleaning the toilets instead of using chemical-based detergents.
4. Dishwashing Detergents
Dishwashing detergents should also top your things-to-care list when it comes to choosing best cleaning product for your utensils. Avoid using harsh dishwashing products which dirty your dishes with harmful chemicals that can bring breathability problems when exposed to air. Instead, choose natural dishwashing products like MamaSuds Automatic Dishwasher Powder which does not include any synthetic or harmful ingredients.
5. Baby-Friendly All-Purpose Cleaners
When you have a tight schedule at home, an effective all-purpose cleaner can be the better option for a baby-friendly cleaning product. This will get any type of surface cleaned and leave your family in a safe and clean home. Since kids will never run short off their cheekiness, they will want to swim on the floor playing all styles of games. Therefore, be sure to use a natural cleaning product that will be safe for them after their games. Consider trying Baking soda and table salt as they can handle tough stains on the floor or MamaSuds All-Purpose Cleaner spray.
Creating a happy family is number one priority for every parent. Therefore, be sure to use eco-friendly cleaning products. These products are not only ideal for your kid's health but also bring happiness to your family. In addition, they enhance your laundry and make your home clean. So, it's vital to consider having these 5 baby-friendly cleaning products for every home and create a worry-free home for your family. These products will make you have a good experience at home. Enjoy!
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Liz Buckley is a part of the Content team at Best Vacuum Expert, sharing expert knowledge and best tips on how to have a clean house.
Digging Deep: How to Deep Clean Your Messiest Rooms
• To deep clean, start with decluttering the room by breaking it into sections and reorganizing shelves, cabinets and drawers.
• Dusting from top to bottom is essential as well as vacuuming/sweeping the floor and wiping down any surfaces.
• Cleaning with spray cleaners is one of the final steps, focusing on horizontal surfaces, windows and sticky spots.
• Completing these steps should make any room in your home look fresh and clean!
How to Create a Natural Homey Feeling Without Breaking the Bank
Maybe you’ve just moved into a new home, or you’re hoping to rearrange a well-loved space. You’re seeking a comfortable, homey feeling but you don’t want to spend a fortune, and you want to keep it natural. Luckily, there are several things that you can do to make sure that you stick to natural products, while still making sure your home feels welcoming.
Lighting
When decorating a space, consider where the lights are placed and the type of lightbulbs you are using. Many homes use incandescent light because they have a warm yellow light. But these light bulbs burn out fairly quickly compared to LED lights, and it takes more of them to light a space. Try replacing your incandescent lights with LED lights and placing them strategically around the room. You can use lampshades and other coverings to diffuse the light, giving the room a similar feeling to incandescent bulbs with much less expense.
Textiles
Area rugs, throw pillows, and blankets are easy ways to add color and texture to a space. These items are available in a wide range of colors, patterns, and designs to suit many different aesthetic styles. Even in a kitchen setting, adding a plush area rug to a high-traffic area can help to break up the space and add a homey feel. Living rooms and bedrooms are signature spots for adding cozy throws and pillows.
Fragrance
Our homes smell like a lot of different things. Sometimes, when we have been cooking or baking, that smell can be fantastic, but there are other times when you want the smell gone as fast as possible. Increasing air flow between rooms can help disperse smells, but you can also cover it up using a diffuser. Essential oils are a great natural way to disperse good smells throughout your home, without having to rely on the chemicals or artificial smells. Cinnamon and citrus oils are particularly popular for covering up unpleasant odors.
Wall Décor
Canvases, photographs, and tapestries are wonderful ways to add a homey feel to a space. You might plan out a color scheme that wall art helps to tie together, or you may let your personal preferences lead and simply select images, patterns, and colors that appeal to your intuitive side. Contrasting colors, like colors, and tone on tone art are all options for beautifying a space. If you have outer walls that tend to get cold during the winter, consider covering them with hangings or tapestries. Not only does this look great, but it also provides a little extra insulation.
There are a lot of things that you can do to make your home a little more like you, but it doesn’t have to break the bank, and you can still stay natural. Use these tips to create your ideal living space.