Eco-Friendly Products

If you’ve already started to make changes to your lifestyle and are heading toward a more eco-conscious or eco-friendly existence, then you may have already experienced a few ‘trial and error’ moments.

First of all, one of the first lessons on the sustainability path is not to just go crazy and replace perfectly working items for those that are plastic-free or sustainable, just because you want to make a statement about your new-found zero waste lifestyle. If you’ve got Tupperware in your cupboard, then damn well use that stuff until it’s no longer fit for purpose. Only when you’ve exhausted all available items should you even consider swapping to zero waste solutions.

However, let’s say you’re a little way down the line and you’ve made space for some new products to enter your sustainable life, but, on trying them out you have to admit (even if only to yourself) that they are not quite up to the task. It happens. And when it happens, what should we do?

Well first of all, don’t beat yourself up! You’re trying your hardest to do the right thing. You’ve spent time and no doubt considerable money on a new product that you think will be the answer to your zero waste dreams, but it just isn’t working out. Let’s see what you can do about it…

Have you given it enough time?

When it comes to changing a daily product that you’ve spent years getting used to, like cosmetic products such as shampoo, toothpaste or body cream, it is bound to take time to adjust to something entirely different. With solid shampoo it is well documented that most people need to go through a period of adjustment while your hair and body adjust to the new regime of natural oils and butters. This adjustment time can vary wildly from person to person and in some it will be two weeks while others might take six months. Not only is it an adjustment to the product itself but also the way it’s used. If you’re used to squirting liquid shampoo onto your hair and getting a generous lather, but now you have to work at getting the right technique to generate lather from a solid shampoo, then it will take time to make that new habit feel normal. This can apply to simple things like wax wraps replacing cling film or loofah pads replacing wash up sponges but it will take time and you need to allow a decent adjustment period for all the changes you might be making.

Could someone else benefit from the product?

A large part of our journeys to zero waste or our moves toward a more sustainable lifestyle become completely fulfilling when we tell others about it and they start to make changes too. It only takes one conversation to start a ripple effect where suddenly all your peer group are reporting back to you on their eco finds or zero waste wins! Given that it’s highly possible you have mentioned your eco warrior endeavours to a few people already, could you pass the new product on to one of them? What doesn’t work for you might be the perfect solution for someone else. You might be out of pocket but if it’s a generous gift then tell the beneficiary it is their early birthday present and that you’re trying to be a responsible consumer so won’t be getting them something new and shiny when their birthday (or Christmas) does come round.

Should you try something else?

If you’ve given it enough time and you’ve managed to pass on the unhelpful zero waste or sustainable item to a friend, colleague, dogsitter, neighbour etc. in a responsible way with nothing ending up in the bin, then maybe it’s time to try again. Perhaps there is another product out there better suited to your hair type, skin type, washing up type (assuming there is such a thing!) or general needs. The market for eco products across the world is growing by the day and with a little time and a bit more research, you’re bound to find another product to try. If you’re going to look for new eco solutions to your needs, try to make sure you shop responsibly and buy from small, local businesses with as little carbon footprint as you can.

Get in touch with the supplier

If something hasn’t worked out for you, for whatever reason, do get in touch with the people you bought from in the first place. Giving your feedback is vital, especially for small businesses trying to make their mark in the eco marketplace. Even if your feedback might be negative, any shop/store/producer will be keen to hear from you. You might find they have some tips or tricks to help you use the product better or in a more effective way. They might also stock an alternative you can try, and better still, they might offer you a discount for shopping with them again. Turn your bad experience into a good one by getting in touch with the supplier for advice. Even better if you can tag them in a post, comment (kindly) on one of their posts or simply send them a message via email or social media. All contact will be appreciated, especially if it’s a small local business who can offer you another eco solution.

If all else fails…

Well what happens here depends on the product and the situation of course, but if you find you’ve exhausted all eco avenues and have tried your hardest to replace a product and it’s really not worked out for you, then sometimes we have to accept that some of the eco products on the market today just don’t live up to our less eco-friendly staples. You might find that you have to return to the dreaded plastic bottle (gasp!) or the dreaded tube of classic toothpaste or the shop-bought washing up liquid or dishwasher tabs just one more time……. We don’t recommend you do this for long though! But we have to give ourselves a break and know that every step we take on our eco journey or our quest to a more sustainable lifestyle is a step in the right direction. If your bathroom is plastic free but you can’t give up your washing up sponge or if you’ve got top marks in the kitchen but find natural toothpaste makes you want to heave then just take it one step at a time and know that you’re probably doing better than most on the grand scheme of things.

Overall, the message is to do what you can and tell others (and your suppliers) about your zero waste wins and little by little those changes that are harder to make, will come to you in time. Keep going eco warriors, we’ve got your back and think you’re doing great.

Are there any eco products you’re struggling with? Let us know in the comments!

This weekend (28th – 29th July) at the Festival Arte Sano in San Pedro de Alcántara we sold a lot of our shampoo bars and didn’t have the time to speak to everyone individually about methods on how to make the switch from liquid shampoo to solid all-natural ones. So we have brought you the advice from the manufacturer themselves (Anni from Funky Soap Shop) on ways you can make the adjustment:

Please do not use a shampoo bar once or twice and decide that you don’t like it. Everyone is different and everyone’s hair is different and what works for one person may not be good for another. You may need to give your shampoo bar several days maybe even up to two weeks to remove the old residues from your commercial shampoo. Give your hair time to get used to to the lack of chemicals, and remove product buildup. You might not experience an adjustment period at all, but if you do, here is some advice.

During the adjustment period you may notice your hair feeling dry, brittle or just not at its best. It may feel as if there is a coating, waxiness, or buildup on your hair. Those who use heavy styling products and/or have long hair may notice this effect (which will subside over time) more than those who use minimal styling products or who have short hair. This effect is caused by styling product build up and by the fact that our shampoo bars do not contain Sodium Laurel Sulphate to remove the build up. Shampoo bars also do not contain artificial chemicals or silicone that smooth the hair. There are people who have used shampoo bars and found their scalp over producing oil (because they used to use a harsh shampoo).

Sticking with it, the scalp will soon realize its oils are not being stripped and it will stop over producing. Eventually, your hair will feel great. Hard water may produce a similar build-up experience, so a vinegar rinse is highly recommended.

But the most common e-mail I receive from new shampoo bar users with hair adjustment troubles goes like this…”I just love the idea of using an all natural shampoo, but my hair feels strange and has a waxy texture!” Although we have many customers who have no adjustment problems at all, weird or waxy feeling hair it is not an uncommon issue, even after several weeks of use.

Adjustments periods can range from a few days to a few weeks, most adjust within the first week. We also had some customers who simply do not like shampoo bars. I have received e-mails from customers who tried shampoo bars for weeks and stopped using them, only to try again in a month, and have great success. Unfortunately, there is no single common thread in those with adjustment issues. Most of the time your hair simply needs to adjust as you switch from one type of shampoo to another.

Whether you realize it or not your commercial liquid shampoos and conditioners often contain synthetic silicones and silica that coat your hair, to make it “feel” nice, but leave a residue in your hair. For that reason, many hairdressers will tell you that it is a good idea to change commercial shampoo brands regularly.

This is a common scenario when you try a new shampoo . . .at first your hair feels funny, then you love it for a week or two, but then your hair seems dull and lifeless again. The fist week it was stripping your hair of the old shampoo residue, then it begins to leave its own! Other hair care products can also leave residues in your hair.

Synthetic silicones are derived from polymers which are soft, plastic, gel-like substances that are hard to remove from your hair and scalp. The detergent shampoos with with loads of SLS (Soduim Laurel Sulphate) are very good at stripping EVERYTHING (even those natural oils we want). When you switch to an All Natural shampoo bar, you no longer have those chemicals to strip away residue (which in the end is a VERY good thing). Our shampoo bars are very gentle cleansers.

Some find it helpful, especially in the beginning, NOT to rub the bar directly on their hair. They use a sponge to create foam, and only use the foam to wash. It can be very helpful in making the hair less tacky until the adjustment takes place.You can also try rinsing your hair with the help of some exfoliating gloves. Massage your hair with them to remove the residue!

You need to give the shampoo bars about a week to rid your hair of the old residues from your commercial shampoo. Because shampoo bar soaps do not strip hair in the same way as detergent based shampoos, you may notice your wet hair feeling different after washing than you may be accustomed. This is perfectly normal, you’ll love how your hair feels after it dries.

When you first begin using shampoo bars it is best to clarify your hair and scalp at least once a week using either with an:

1. Cider Vinegar Rinse

Mix 1 part vinegar, apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar with 2 parts water. To minimize odour, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil. Use as a final rinse after you shampoo

2. Baking Soda Rinse

1 tablespoon baking soda 1 – 2 cups warm water Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle or cup. Wet hair and spray or pour the rinse on your hair and work it through. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

3. Rhassoul Clay Clarifying treatment

Add some Rhassoul clay into a bowl. Shake it level and just cover the clay powder in water. Leave the clay alone to hydrate and activate for about 10 minutes. The add more water or powder if needed to achieve the right consistency for the intended use. The clay can be stirred before use to assure a homogeneous consistency. For most uses, a yogurt like consistency is ideal. Wet the hair, then massage the clay-water mix into the scalp for a few minutes. Add a little more water to the scalp to keep the clay fluid. Do not rub the clay into the hair, just let the hair hang, it will be cleaned during the rinse. Rinse the hair and allow it to dry naturally.

If you are used to commercial shampoo and shampoo twice, you will have already noticed that the second wash produces a lot more lather. The first wash is mixing with the dirt and excess oil in your hair so the second wash is working on cleaner hair. The same is true for our shampoo bars.

So lather up, once, twice, maybe even three times at first. Then be sure to rinse, rinse, rinse!!! Again, if you have long hair, pay special attention to the middle back of the hair so that you rinse all of the soap out of your hair.

Hard water can make it more difficult to rinse all of the shampoo from your hair. You will feel the waxy soap residue in your hair length, especially if your hair is long. Some of our customers with very hard water suggest rinsing your hair with rain water.

We would love to hear your own experiences with our solid shampoo bars, so please email in with any questions or feedback to hello@eleanord3.sg-host.com – Thank you!