Hold The Triclosan, Please

A little over 2 years ago I blogged about the potential dangers of Triclosan's use in liquid soaps and other household products. Today I've once again stumbled across an article that brought it to the forefront of my mind. There are many findings which show it has an overall negative effect when it comes out of the hospital and is used wide scale by the general public. These not so good effects include but are not limited to aiding the development of drug resistant "super bugs" and causing environmental and wildlife damage.

Despite these facts, the usage of Triclosan in products on the mass market level has actually increased by 40% over the past 2 years! Items such as "Anti-bacterial" toiletries, cutting boards with "Microban", and clothes with "Biofresh" all contain Triclosan; another toxic chemical now ending up in water systems in larger quantities than ever before. Going down the drain does not render it inert or safe.

We at ALOF believe it is unnecessary to add to this issue by using any soaps and other toiletries containing Triclosan. The 100% Olive Oil Liquid Castile Soap that we make is the same soap that we use to wash our bodies, our children and our homes every day. Varieties of the soap which contain essential oils such as Tea Tree and Lavender not only smell pleasant but the aromatics are proven to have antiseptic benefits. Cleaning confidently, efficiently and effectively can add a gentle pleasure to life, without creating "superbugs" and poisoning our waters!

Hello and Happy Memorial Day!

Hello! Your friendly neighborhood missing A Little Ol'Factory owner and blogger here! I’ve been a bit wrapped up, as many of us have been in this economy, with the reorganization of my personal and business worlds, including moving. I am finally getting settled in and am working on restructuring my offerings and time. I haven’t even made bar soap since last year! How crazy is that for a soap maker?

It is the unofficial start of summer this weekend already! Sheesh! It is time for me to get back to it and put out the fabulous jewels from Mother Nature’s treasure box that A Little Ol’Factory and CZ Luxe offer. Join my Yahoo discussion group Oils-Herbs-Etc and look for exclusive list only limited offers as I carefully re-evaluate my current inventory and offerings of my aromatic endeavors :-)

And last but certainly not least today: Happy Memorial Day! Thanks to all who have served and the families who support them :)

CZ Luxe - Believe in Natural Beauty
A Little Ol'Factory - 10 Year Anniversary!

Vanilla Amber Base

While looking for something in my art studio, I stumbled upon a perfumery experiment that I began back in May of 2006! 2 bottles of Vanilla Amber Base, one with a base of jojoba and the other a base of grain alcohol.

It has mellowed so nicely over time! While I've not searched out the recipe in my notebook, I know the blend contains macerated vanilla beans, benzoin, styrax and a host of other delicious aromatics.

I look forward to playing with this now that it is back on my aromatic paint pallet :)

Tea Tree - The Wonder from Down Under

Have you got your bottle of Tea Tree oil?

While rummaging through the medicine cabinet for my vitamins this morning I noticed the little bottle of Tea Tree oil that I keep in there and was reminded of just how wonderful this oil is and how essential it is in my home’s medicine cabinet!

Tea Tree oil is steam distilled from the leaves of Australia’s Melaleuca alternifolia plant. It has a strong, rather medicinal smell, but it is not malodorous, and once you get past that, its all good from there!

It has properties of being antiseptic, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. There are quite a few scientific studies that back up the claims of tea tree oil being effective at fighting a variety of infections. Many folks use Tea Tree oil for many reasons, including acne, dandruff, toe nail fungus, athlete’s foot, insect bites, scrapes, etc .. I also use it in house cleaning formulas.

Contrary to what some say, be sure to always dilute Tea Tree oil properly before applying it to the skin! When it comes to using essential oils, especially on the skin, less is more and always diluting your essential oils is a smart practice and safer choice than using them "neat" (which means undiluted)! Commonly available carriers are sweet almond oil, fractionated coconut oil, olive oil & jojoba.

Floral Waxes

Always wanted to use real jasmine but thought it was way too expensive? Try the floral wax!

For years this fragrant by-product of the absolute making process was mostly discarded!

Then, not long ago, floral waxes became more widely discovered to be a wonderful resource for fragrancing. Scent wise 1 oz of the floral wax is equivalent to 1/2 oz of the corresponding absolute at an INCREDIBLE saving!

For example - currently 1/2 oz of Tuberose Absolute costs about $170 retail. Meanwhile, 1 oz of tuberose floral wax is currently on sale at my site for $10.

That certainly makes creating a fine soap, candle, cream or solid perfume scented with the lovely natural fragrance of tuberose much more affordable!

Currently we have available and ON SALE - Clary Sage Floral Wax, Helichrysum Everlasting Floral Wax, Jasmine Grandiflorum Floral Wax, Jasmine Sambac Floral Wax, Lavender Floral Wax, Tuberose Floral Wax, Violet Leaf Floral Wax & Wild Chamomile Floral Wax.

Rose Floral Wax, Frangipani Floral Wax & Pink Lotus Blossom Floral Wax all will be coming back into stock this Autumn.

With such precious, natural, exotic aromatics at prices like these why wait any longer to indulge? Click here to experience and enjoy these affordable olfactory delights now! http://alittleolfactory.com/waxes.htm