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| This homemade foaming soap avoids toxic ingredients and is just as effective. Follow Foods For Long Life on Pinterest and Facebook. Download my eBook, Health begins in the Kitchen. |
Why you should Stop Buying Antibacterial Products
Everyone should be washing their hands often during flu season. It's one of the most effective ways of avoiding colds and flu. But you shouldn't be using store-bought antibacterial soaps. Here's why.
Most liquid antibacterial soaps, as well as certain bar soaps, wipes, hand gels and more, contained the chemical triclosan. Although this chemical has been used for many years, it wasn't until last September that the Food and Drug Administration banned its use in hand soaps. It gave companies until September, 2017, to remove this chemical from hand soaps and it banned 18 other antibacterial ingredients found in soap products. Triclosan is still used in some body washes, antibacterial dish soaps, and Colgate total toothpaste.
Triclosan can act as endocrine disruptors. Animal studies have shown that this chemical can interfere with the regulation of thyroid hormone. In humans, triclosan could possibly cause infertility, obesity, and even cancer.
As we have seen time and time again, the overuse of antibiotics can lead to superbugs. The overuse of antibacterial soaps may also contribute to this problem.
In addition, triclosan containing products are bad for the environment and are frequently detected in streams and some water supplies.
Soap and Water Just as Effective
There is no evidence that these expensive and toxic antibacterial soaps are any more effective that plain old soap and water. So why not use them? Today I'm going to show you a super easy way to make your own foaming hand soap that is safer and just as effective in protecting you and your family from germs.
Essential Oils
Adding essential oils to your liquid soap can boost its a ability to fight germs. There are quite a few that have this ability. Here are a few that I used in my soap today.
Tea Tree Oil has antibacterial, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties. It has been used for treating staph wounds and can eliminate MRSA from the skin.
Thyme Oil is a powerful antibacterial agent and is effective is protecting against MRSA and staph.
I like adding Lavender Oil to the soap. After all, the name itself comes from the Latin word "Lavare", which means "to wash". But it's also has antibacterial and antiseptic properties and has a lovely scent.
Peppermint Oil also has a nice smell and has antibacterial, anti fungal, and antiviral properties.
Other essential oils that have antibacterial properties including basil, bergamot, cinnamon, clover, eucalyptus, lemongrass, oregano, and rosemary. So mix and match as you will with regard to the selection of essential oils and the amounts.
Moisturizing Properties
When making hand soap, you can also add moisturizing ingredients that can soothe, heal, and soften your skin. This recipe adds a touch of jojoba oil and vitamin E.
Jojoba oil is one of my favorites. It's actually a liquid wax and resembles sebum, which is produced by our skin glands. Because of this property, it acts as a natural skin conditioner.
Vitamin E, an strong antioxidant, fights free radicals that damage your skin. Used in this liquid soap, it will help soften and moisturize your skin.
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Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap
Ingredients
1 BPA-free liquid hand soap dispenser with foaming pump
Scant 3/4 cups filtered water
1/4 cup natural soap (such as Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap)
1 tablespoon jojoba oil
1/2 teaspoon vitamin E
5 drops lavender oil
5 drops thyme oil
5 drops tea tree oil
5 drops peppermint oil
Directions
Place the water in the soap dispenser (water ALWAYS goes in first.)
Add the soap, jojoba oil, vitamin E, and essential oils.
Screw on the pump and shake well to combine all the ingredients. You will have to shake it each time you use it.
