CasaSugar

Casa Verde: New Soap, Old Bottle

CasaSugar — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:00:32 -0700

We've seen some pretty innovative repurposing of plastic bottles lately, like that self-watering vase and Michelle Brand's ethereal lights, room dividers, and light shades made from the bottoms of soda bottles. But, what's so wrong with reusing them for their original purpose - storing liquids? Absolutely nothing. New Soap, Old Bottle, which sells new liquid soap packaged in old plastic soda bottles, plastic water bottles and glass beer bottles, is onto this. They buy name-brand liquid soaps and cleaners by the barrel, too, like 409 and Windex, so not only do they cut costs, but you know what to expect from the product (though it would be even cooler if they used eco soaps and products in the bottles). This business strategy helps clean up the environment in more ways than one - if only they would wash my dishes for me. Oh, and don't worry, each bottle is cleaned, sanitized, and processed before reuse. I also like that each bottle isn't slapped with a company's logo; it makes me feel like less of a sheep being herded by commerce.
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Cool Idea: Minimalist Soap Holder

CasaSugar — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 08:00:53 -0700

I come across a lot of Cool Ideas that may be innovative, but aren't quite practical, or are simply too expensive to have mass appeal. The Banus Soap Holder definitely does not fall into those categories. It was designed especially for the overflow holes of the bathroom sink. It keeps the soap dry and clean, and it doesn't require any installation. Not only does it save sink top space, but it keeps your sink from crudding up with soap scum. The design is only a prototype right now, but I honestly don't see why it's not in every bathroom worldwide. It was actually designed by a scientist who specializes in Alzheimer's disease, named Marcos Shayo. What do you think? Pretty clever, eh?

Steal of the Day: Stainless Steel Soap

CasaSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:15:14 -0700

Stainless steel has magical deodorizing/odor neutralizing power that can wipe the pungent scents from things like garlic, onion, and fish away from your skin. There isn't a clear chemical explanation for this, but it's been hypothesized that sulfurous compounds are somehow catalyzed by the steel. So, some clever entrepreneur came up with a stainless steel "soap" product, essentially a block of metal in soap shape, to rid your skin of whatever stink ails you. But rubbing your hands across a stainless steel knife, spoon, or other utensil will have the same effect. Knowing that you can you use any old piece of stainless steel is certainly a deterrent from purchasing a bar of the soap, but I think it makes a good gag gift (or stocking stuffer!) for a fisherman or chef friend of yours. Luckily, the Uma Stainless Steel Soap ($8, reduced from $12.50) is on sale.

Nice and New: Mrs. Meyer's Basil Collection

CasaSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:30:00 -0700

Mrs. Meyer's has just released a new collection of basil-scented aromatherapeutic household cleaners, including shower cleaner, window spray, automatic dishwashing liquid, scent diffusers, bar soap, and toilet bowl cleaner. Prices range from $4.99 to $34.99. What could be sweeter than having a house that smells as fresh as your garden? Mrs. Meyer's is known for its environmentally friendly cleaning products, which gives them bonus points in my book. I'm a big basil fan so these products are right up my alley; how about you?

DIY: Eco Liquid Soap

CasaSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:00:24 -0700

So, it turns out that many cleaning fluids, such as anti-bacterial liquid soap, contain something called methylisothiazolinone, a chemical found to be allergenic, cytotoxic and linked to nerve cell death, as well as Triclosan, another anti-bacterial chemical registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as a pesticide and is believed to destroy fragile aquatic ecosystems. The obvious alternative to using these chemical-filled detergents is simply to use all-natural bar soap. But, waaa, you don't like bar soap because it slips into the sink, looks messy and "dirty" sitting in its dish, and then it gets so tiny that you can't use it anymore. What to do? You can make natural liquid soap from a bar! To learn how, read more.

Supplies

4 oz. bar of natural soap
Grater
1 gallon of distilled water
1 big pot
Hand mixer

Here are the steps, summarized from Suite 101:

Grate your bar of soap.
Heat the water just enough to steam.
Add the grated soap to the water.
Take the mixture off of the heat, and let it sit for 15 minutes.
Blend the mixture, with a hand mixer if you have one.
Let it sit overnight.
Make sure the mixture is completely blended. If not, blend again, and let it sit. Then, blend again.
Pour it into an olive oil bottle and wash your hands!

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Love It or Hate It? Baby Hand Soaps

CasaSugar — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 08:00:35 -0800

Foliage Baby Hand Soaps ($20) are actual soaps, shaped like infant hands! So, you can "wash your hands with hands." Each is handmade, slightly different, and skin-toned. 20 bucks will get you at least 10 soaps, which are lightly scented and made of goat’s milk and vegetable glycerin. I know how I feel about this unusual product; what about you?

Liquid Soap For Home Entertaining

CasaSugar — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 16:32:53 -0800

Last week, I shared with you iVillage's list of items that are essential to throwing a good home-based party. One of them was soaps: According to iVillage, "fancy soaps, whether molded or French milled, will make your guests feel pampered." At my recent Feuerzangenbowle extravaganza party, my fancy bar soaps, I have to admit, were pretty icky by the end of the night. This leads me to the conclusion that the best solution is liquid soap. There are plenty of fancy liquid soaps out there now to choose from. Crabtree & Evelyn has a great selection, and I love love love their Gardeners Hand Therapy Caddy Set ($32). The set comes with liquid hand wash and shea butter hand cream in a charming rust-proof sink caddy. The green clover, lavender, sage rosemary and thyme scents keep all of your guests smelling fresh, and more importantly, clean. You can always go back to the bar soaps when your party is over. But in the interest of keeping things looking nice, entertain with non-icky liquid soaps.

KateD's Dandy Dish Soap Dispenser

CasaSugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:00:14 -0800

KateD wanted to perk up her kitchen sink and save dollars buying soap in bulk, as I did with my olive-oil dish-soap bottle. Instead, she chose to use a lotion dispenser from Bed Bath & Beyond. She said:

It's so much easier than turning the soap bottle over, and the dispenser doesn't get covered in soap like a regular bottle would. And of course not only is it prettier, but I have a Costco-sized jug of soap I refill it with so I don't waste little bottles.

Let's brainstorm a bit and devise some alternatives for ridding our kitchens of the ugly and commercial! Leave comments below with your thoughts.

Rethinking Pink: Pink Ribbon Soaps

CasaSugar — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 05:15:18 -0700

Pink isn't necessarily always my decorating go-to color, but since it is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I'm all for it. I'm tickled pink even more so if the sale of the products benefits breast cancer research. So, when I spotted these beautiful Pink Ribbon Soaps from Gianna Rose Atelier, I knew I had to share.

The four French-milled soaps are scented with fresh-linen (yum), embossed with a pink ribbon, and come nestled in a beautiful gift box. I love the gift box on its own; I'd use it as a pencil case after the suds are gone. More importantly, 15% of the proceeds from the sale of these soaps will be donated by Gianna Rose Atelier to the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation.

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Cool Idea: Vintage French Soap Hook

CasaSugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 05:54:43 -0800

I just stumbled upon this Vintage French Soap Hook ($40) at Apartment Therapy's shop. It's a solid chrome bracket with a bar of soap screwed on, which spins as you use it. The price AT sells the hook for is kind of absurd, considering that it was originally designed for French public schools. But, it's clever and good-looking, so I won't wash my hands of it.

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