Shower Treat Soap

New Letter from our Women for Women Sister!

2011-06-07T14:27:00.003-04:00

You all know that Shower Treat Soap uses five percent of our profits to sponsor two women and their families each year through Women for Women International. So far with your love and support we've sponsored 14 women from all around the world! I thought you might enjoy reading this latest letter from Florida, our sister in Rwanda. It was sent around Christmas time, but every letter must be sent then translated, so it often takes a long time to arrive.

"Dear beloved sponsor, how are you doing over their and how is life? The reason for this letter is to send my greetings and sincere thanks for your support. Your actions have been very supportive. I have been leading a very bad life made of poverty and loneliness, and ignorance. So because of this program, I am making forward steps in order to reduce poverty. For loneliness, it is no longer there because I work with a big number of women with different ideas. For literacy, I get knowledge and skills from school. So you can see how my problems have gone. All these are important issues in our day to day life. We aquired knowledge of AIDS prevention and family planning. Also sanitation and hygiene, be it on your body or the environment. Fight for human rights. So this is all I can say, God bless you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Florida

Great job, everyone!!

Laura

First Day at Kalamazoo Farmer's Market!

2011-05-07T18:16:00.001-04:00

Had a wonderful first day with perfect weather!

A Letter from Beatrice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

2011-03-04T12:30:00.004-05:00

We received a letter from Beatrice, one of our sisters in the Democratic Republic of the Congo! So excited to receive a letter, this one is dated October 15, 2010. It takes some time to send or receive letters, they must be translated first and there are many letters to do!
_________________________________________________________________

Hello to my friend, I am doing well. Thanks a lot for the financial support you are sending me through Women for Women International, I am really glad to get it.

My name is Beatrice *** *** . I have not a husband. I am 22 years old and have three children, they are not going to school. The first born is 3 years old, the second born is 2 years old, the third born is 1 year old.

I bought a chicken with the money you gave me. May God bless you.
_________________________________________________________________

With your help we've been supporting Beatrice, and another sister Florida (has never written, some of the ladies don't.) for the last year. Thank you all for your generosity and love! Interested in supporting your own sister? Visit http://www.womenforwomen.org

Laura

HE Machines & Cloth Diapers- What You Should Know

2011-02-13T14:58:00.003-05:00

We get feedback from folks who buy our laundry soap- here's a recent one from our Etsy shop:

"Garden scent smells lovely. Works great on everything but urine (potty training toddlers is messy business)."

When we get this kind of feedback I know that the person has an HE machine, a high efficiency model that uses less water than traditional top loading machines. The problem isn't the soap, it's the small amount of water! Quite often HE machines just don't use enough water to do a thorough job.

I wrote back to our customer:

"Thanks for your feedback! If you're still getting a urine smell after washing, try running the clothes through a cold water wash with no soap first, then washing as usual with detergent. Just like you would with cloth diapers. There can be a lot of urine in training pants, and one run through, especially in an HE washer with the low water level, may not dilute the urine enough to get everything out."

She tried it, here's what she had to say:

"That's a good point. I hadn't thought about the HE machine making a difference. You were right. I ran a comparison test using Method just to be sure. And it was the same result with both detergents. It turns out that just adding an extra rinse or tweaking the soil level setting on the HE machine did the trick and got the smells out; both urine and work smells."

The cloth diapers of today are super absorbent. With the small amount of water in an HE machine, much of that water is simply absorbed by the diapers, right along with a LOT of urine. To get diapers really clean, a rinse is needed first before the wash.

The same can be true for other heavily soiled laundry, people will write to me trying to get body odor smells out of clothing. Try the extra rinse, or simply add an extra bucket of water in the washer along with the clothing before running the cycle. You have to have water to clean thoroughly, try this and see for yourself. =0)

Soap Soap Soap!

2011-01-22T16:45:00.019-05:00

Ever wonder how soap is made? Here we're weighing our solid oils.

Next we weigh out our lye. It will be mixed with distilled water, then into the warm oils.

Melting our solid oils here, olive oil will be added after these melt.

While the oils are melting, measure out your fragrance. Fragrances must be formulated for skin contact, we use pure essential oils or cosmetic grade, phlalate free fragrance oils.

Stirring the lye/water solution into the melted oils. Fragrances and any extra goodies like oatmeal are added here. We grow most of the herbs used in our soap, including lavender, rosemary, peppermint & spearmint leaves, rose petals and calendula. Our goat milk and honey come from local farms.

Soap poured into the molds. We'll be putting the molds into a warm oven, it's 10 degrees outside and my workshop is a little cold for soap.

You can see the soap in the tray mold, starting it's gel phase:

After the gel phase, the soap is left in the mold for 24 hours or so. Once out of the mold, we cut it into bars then let the bars dry or "cure" for 3 or 4 weeks. Curing helps the bar last longer and ensures mildness. Here's some rose soap, about a week into curing time:

Some Lavender Oatmeal soap, all wrapped up and ready for our fabulous customers!

Jessie's Girl

2010-05-24T07:49:00.004-04:00

Had so much fun this weekend at our son's final performance of the year! Here's Jessie's Girl by Simply Men at Vicksburg High School. Our son is third from the left, enjoy!

Journey of the Body Butter

2009-10-08T08:12:00.009-04:00

December 2008- finally have extra time on my hands, decide to play with a body butter recipe. People have been asking us for a lotion to match their soap for years. Research recipes and ingredients with giddy anticipation....

Later that day- Order ingredients needed then impatiently start a test batch with oils and butters already on hand. Whip like crazy, getting butter on my hands, apron and more. Hands are slippery, I've got butter in my hair now, what was I thinking?

The supplies arrive- I can't wait to start a "real" batch. Follow the recipe exactly, the butter looks great- so excited! Wait, why is it so greasy? More research...

January 2009- Try again. This batch is less greasy, but feels like I have chalk dust on my hands after I use it. Shoot! What do I do with all this body butter? Take a break to regroup.

February 2009- Better! Put batch aside and bask in the victory. Go back a week later and the oil has separated out of the butter....another failure, more research, more ingredients....

So goes every new product- try and fail, try and fail, try and fail not so badly, adjust, try and better, keep trying and finally- perfect! The body butter is in our shop after almost a year of tweaking, we love it and hope you do too!

Blessings.....

2009-07-27T08:38:00.003-04:00

Today is our 15th wedding anniversary! Every day I thank God for the wonderful man in my life. For my children, the roof over our heads, food on the table and the peacefulness of our everyday lives.

I met my husband 17 years ago- a single mom with a special needs baby. That wonderful man stepped right up and became a father to our daughter, and adopted her legally in 1994. I remember the judge telling Kent to think before he signed the adoption papers. That by signing the paper, he would be responsible for Jen and her needs for the rest of his life. Kent listened, then signed the paper without even hesitating. Makes me cry to this day to think about it.

Happy anniversary, Sweetheart! You are the joy of my life!

Laura

Clementine & Zijada Graduate- We've Got Two New Sisters!

2009-07-14T07:54:00.003-04:00

Clementine is in Rwanda, she sent a final letter and has graduated from her year of support through Women for Women International. She writes that she used the support she received from all of you during the last year to buy a cow, two chickens and two rabbits! She's planning on forming a co-op with other women in her group, isn't that fabulous?

Zijada is in Bosnia- we never really got to know her well as she chose not to write letters. She wrote in her exit interview that she used her support to buy food for her family, that her housing conditions, self confidence and support network all improved, and that her awareness of her rights is much stronger.

Our newest sisters are both in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Faila is 26 years old, is divorced and has two children, a boy and a girl. She is also caring for FIVE of her younger brothers and sisters, the woman takes care of 7 children! She is unable to read or write. Their home is listed as a hut or a shack, with no electricity; a cooking fire is used for cooking meals and water comes from the nearby river. She has some animals for support of her family. Faila says that her family's health is poor, that she cannot afford medical care when needed and there are security concerns when leaving her group. She has lost family members to violence. Faila is looking forward to being more active in her community and developing friendships and a support network through the program.

Mapendo is 27 years old, is married and has three children. She has been in the Women for Women International program for several months, but her sponsor was unable to continue so we're going to finish out her sponsorship. Besides her own children she takes care of a younger brother and sister- that makes 5 children in her family. Mapendo is unable to read and write more than her name. They live in a house with no electricity and no running water, water comes from a nearby river. They have access to batteries for lighting their home. Mapendo has animals to tend to support her family, but rates her family's health as poor. She cannot afford medical care when needed and has lost family members to violence. Mapendo especially wants literacy training as she goes through her program.

Women for Women sent information on the Democratic Republic of the Congo- you can read for yourself here: http://www.womenforwomen.org/global-initiatives-helping-women/help-women-congo.php

I'll be writing our first letters to our sister this week, telling them both about the support we receive from all of you. Thank you so much for helping us help these ladies!

Laura

Getting to Know You...an Interview with Shower Treat Soap

2009-06-08T08:04:00.015-04:00

1. What products are your main focus? What is your main ingredient?

Our specialty product is soap in all it's forms. I started with bar soaps, then learned to make liquid hand soaps and body wash.

Eventually we added whipped soap, dish soap, powdered laundry soap and even a natural dishwasher detergent. Olive oil is my very favorite ingredient to use, I love the way it feels on the skin and that feeling carries over into the soap.

2. How did you get started? When?

My mom sent me a natural bar of soap for Christmas in 1996. I had young children at the time, the shower was the one place in the house I could be alone, LOL! That bar of soap pampered my body and my soul, the creamy lather, wonderful herbal scent, the smoothness and richness of the bar. We lived in a very small town and it was pre-internet, I couldn't find anywhere to buy more soap! My first batch of soap came from a library book and a wooden spoon. I still have a bar of my first successful batch- Orange Spice.

3. Why do you do what you do?

I never planned on developing a business, it just kind of evolved over time. Most soapers will tell you that making soap gets into your blood, which is so true! Soon I was turning out way more soap than we could use, and I wanted to make more. Friends and family got more soap than they wanted, they started passing it on to friends and soon people were calling asking for soap! Turning the soap into a business fit perfectly into our lives; it was a way for me to make some income and still be home with our children. Since then it's become one of my greatest joys; I love everything about making and selling our products.

4. Where else to you vend your products?

We sell locally at 2-3 farmers markets, as well as on Etsy and our own website, www.showertreatsoap.com. This year we've done a few fundraisers for the local schools in support of the music program. Our products are also available at one of the health food stores here in town.

5. Where do you live?

We're located in rural Southwest Michigan.

6. How long have you been selling on Etsy? Do you have any advice?

We opened our shop on Etsy in 2006, but didn't tend it seriously until 2007. My advice for Etsy shop owners? Do what you love, do it well, or don't bother to do it at all.

7. What is your favorite scent?

Rosemary and lemongrass essential oils, blended together are simply wonderful!

8. What oil do you enjoy most?

Olive oil- there's nothing like it on skin.

9. What do you do for fun?

I am passionate about knitting, especially with wool. All winter long while the local soap business calms down I'm knitting felted wool handbags to sell the next season.

I've been slowly learning to spin my own wool yarn from roving, very exciting!

Shower Treat Soap Makes the Kalamazoo Gazette!

2009-05-11T07:43:00.004-04:00

Our local paper did a lovely feature on our soap business! So exciting!

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kzgazette/citylife/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-0/1241238120117390.xml&coll=7

Earth Friendly Money Saving Tips

2009-04-23T07:55:00.005-04:00

With all the fences we put up, money that changes hands, we people think we own the land but we're really just in charge of it for a time. Eventually someone else will take care of that same section of land, and someone else after that. Being good stewards of the Earth while we live on it and from it is our responsibility. Here are a few of my favorite ways to nurture the planet and save you some money at the same time.

1. The clothesline- You can't beat it for savings, we hang our clothes 7 months of the year and our utility bill goes down an easy $20 a month as a result. Your clothes smell fresh and clean, they stay wrinkle free until you take them down, very often they'll dry faster on the line then they will in the dryer. If your clothes dry a little stiff then you can tumble them on fluff with no heat in the dryer for 5 minutes, they'll be nice and soft. Another plus? You never have to replace the timer or the heat element on your clothesline.

2. Newspaper- If you've got a hamster or other critter in a cage, shred the newspaper in your shredder and use it for bedding material. Speedy, the hamster with incredible longevity, lived for 4 years in piles of fluffy shredded newspaper, it works beautifully. Have you priced small animal bedding? When your cage needs freshening the newspaper can go right into the compost pile for use in the garden later. Newspaper can also be shredded to use as packing material for all you Etsy shippers.

3. Compost your leaves, people! If you live where the leaves fall, find a corner of your yard and start a compost pile. A HUGE pile of leaves will cook down into rich dark soil- garden gold - by spring, and you won't be driving to the garden store and paying for plastic bags of compost. If you've got established garden beds, simply deposit raked leaves on top every fall. Till the leaves into the soil in early spring and you'll have wonderful soil to plant in. For potatoes, all you have to do is put seed potatoes on your garden bed, then cover with a thick blanket of leaves, about 2 feet. The leaves will decompose over the summer, the potato shoots will grow right up through the leaf covering. When you want potatoes during the year just move the leaves aside and pick them up, no digging required!

4. Make a decision now- NO paper plates! It isn't that hard to wash dishes!

5. Cloth diapers are easy to use, save you thousands of dollars over disposables, and keep HUGE amounts of waste from the Earth. Etsy is loaded with wonderful cloth diaper designs, wool soakers and more. We cloth diapered two children, once you get into the routine it becomes quite easy, I promise! I admit, we did use disposables a few times. One particular time when our son was ill, and on a few cross country trips by airplane. They have their place, but rarely.

What are your favorite eco-friendly tips? I'd love to hear them!

Laura :0)

Who Needs a Gym Membership?

2009-04-11T19:25:00.004-04:00

Hubby and I cutting trees into firewood from last years' storms.

Whipped Cream Soaps ...

2009-03-30T23:52:00.006-04:00

Are my newest passion! Learning to make a decent cream soap was a struggle but so worth the effort. Thick, creamy and rich, cream soap is perfect for shaving, leaves skin smooth and soft. The soap is thick enough to suspend sugar, salt or pumice for a moisturizing scrub. A little on a bath sponge brings loads of bubbles and leaves a lotion like feel to the skin.

Here's the finished base, all ready to whip up:

Finished cream soap- isn't it beautiful?

Clementine sends a letter....

2009-02-24T10:20:00.002-05:00

We received a new letter from Clementine, one of the sisters we sponsor through Women for Women International. Since all of you who buy our products play a part in sponsoring our ladies, I thought you might enjoy reading the letter.

"Dear Sister,

I wanted to truly thank you for your good support I received it.

I'm married since 1985, together we have 9 children among which 6 are girls. The first born is 21, just completed secondary school. Second born is 18 years old, he was in senior school but his daddy is in prison, it was tricky to keep him in school. The third is 16 years, just completed primary 6. Then the other four are still in primary school. Two haven't started yet.

I'm 42 years old my husband is 46 years old. It has been 2 1/2 years since he went into prison, we depend on cultivation plus a few domestic animals we have. I'm so glad to have your support.

Allow me to stop here until next time, goodbye for now.

Yours, K. Clementine"

Thanks to all of you for creating joy and good in the world!

Laura

An Unscheduled Day

2009-01-15T08:12:00.008-05:00

For the first time in months, I find myself without a schedule. No soap to make, no book work to do, no appointments to keep, the house is clean and the family is at work and school. I fantasize about days like this in the busiest part of the summer, when even an unscheduled moment is precious, but a whole day? What do I do now?

So many opportunities! I'm toying with knitting the day away, but I have the urge to move, to do something wonderful. Okay, going outside isn't an option. As I write it's -5 outside with a windchill of -21. Not being fond of the cold, today's activity is going to be indoors. Looks like we'll see the sun today, the first time in a week, and that has me energized. I absolutely love bright sunny days.

My latest knitting project:

Proud Mama:

Off to shower and ponder the day, what would you do with a blissful, unscheduled day?

Natural Bar Soap VS Body Wash

2008-12-26T08:56:00.008-05:00

You've tried cold process bar soaps and you love what they do for your skin, but do you prefer a liquid soap? Is there any such thing as a natural body wash?

You absolutely can get the same wonderful benefits from a natural liquid soap! Making a liquid soap is basically the same process as making bar soap, the difference is a different type of lye. Sodium hydroxide produces a firm bar soap, potassium hydroxide produces a sticky paste that the soapmaker mixes with water to make liquid soap. If you want a gel you use less water in the paste, if you want a liquid you add more water. The same wonderful base oils are used and the glycerin stays in the finished soap, leaving skin nice and soft.

When you're looking for a natural liquid soap, read the labels to make sure you're getting a soap that is made from scratch, not a pre-made base. If the ingredients are not listed, or if you see ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate or tetrasodium EDTA, it is most likely a commercial base, not a natural product. I'll use our ingredients as a reference point for you.

Ingredients: Olive, coconut and palm oil, cocoa butter, distilled water, potassium hydroxide, essential or fragrance oils, natural colorants if used.

If you're not sure if a soapmaker makes the product or uses a base, ask them. Ask for the ingredients and a basic explanation of how the soap is made. If they can't or won't tell you, move on.

Body washes that are made from scratch may have to be shaken every so often, don't be alarmed if they separate with non use. A good shake is the perfect alternative to chemical emulsifiers. Soaps may be clear or opaque, either is fine. Our body wash gets more opaque in cold temperatures and clearer in warm, this is normal and doesn't affect product quality.

You won't see as many natural liquids for sale because liquid soaps are more labor intensive to make. They're also heavier to ship with the water content, and more expensive because they have to be packaged in plastic. We offer large refill sizes on our website, www.showertreatsoap.com to help cut down on packaging expenses.

Here are a few Etsy sellers that sell a made from scratch natural liquid soap:

ShowerTreatSoap

CotterJames

PennyLaneBoutique

SUNFLOWERFARM

Try a natural liquid hand soap or body wash, you won't be disappointed!

Kindness- A Lost Art?

2008-12-04T10:03:00.004-05:00

Kindness makes the world a better place for all of us to live in. I honestly think that people are simply too busy to be kind. Always in a hurry, we zoom up on people in traffic and tailgate until they move. Check our cell phones while the elderly woman in front of us at the grocery store struggles to lift the items from her cart. Barely acknowledge our children as they excitedly try to tell us about their day. Sound familiar?

Kindness really doesn't take that much time, and it is so satisfying! Kindness will stay with you, make your world bigger, warmer, a wonderful place to be. Here are a few tips to get you started, not one of these takes more than a minute or two.

When your children come home today, stop what you're doing and listen, REALLY listen. It's important to them, they love you and want to connect. Have an actual conversation.

Kiss your spouse and tell them you love them when they get home from work. Make eye contact and put some feeling into it.

Say thank you when someone does something nice for you. Not just the big stuff, the little stuff too. Notice the little niceties in life. Our daughter emptied the dishwasher last night without being asked, such a little thing but so helpful! Today I think I'll surprise her by doing and folding a load of her laundry.

When the dog or cat nuzzles you tonight, looking for a little affection, spend a minute or two lavishing some love on the family pet. Let the kitty snuggle up in your lap while you rub her ears. Throw the ball for your dog and see the joy in his eyes.

Joy goes beyond our families, imagine the possibilities if we showed even one kindness to a stranger each day!

Leave a huge tip for the obviously pregnant waitress

Hold the door for the person behind you- people aren't used to it anymore

Smile at people- even the most surly will usually crumble if faced with a smiling face

Help the short person at the grocery store reach the top shelf

Buy a GOOD toy to donate this year, not the dollar store junk

Elderly people next door? Shovel their snow like it's your own. Call and ask if they need anything if you're on your way to a store

Pay the toll for the car behind you on the freeway

What's your favorite way to show kindness in the world? I'd love to hear them!

EGCG Black Friday Week Long Sale!

2008-11-21T08:36:00.009-05:00

Beginning November 28th through December 4, the Etsy Green and Clean Guild is offering a group wide sale! A minimum of 15% off in each shop, please visit the individual shops below for any exclusions or extras.

Shower Treat Soap- Featuring fabulous olive oil soap, natural laundry soaps, handmade body washes and more! 15% off all products storewide!

Dark Temptations- We offer a different and quirky spin to our handmade vegan soaps and bath products. We believe "vegan" isn't always drab, and "good for you" isn't always boring.

Jadewicks Being in love with all things fragrant, my work into candles and body care came pretty naturally. I love how a candle can change an environment with its soft glow dancing off the walls and working double duty by giving any space an awesome aroma! 15% off storewide

Twindreamcreations We are a sister team from Michigan who created Twin Dream Creations in 2001 to make and sell our moisturizing, uniquely fun soaps and other scrumptious bath and body products --- which we consider usable art.

Domaly - 15% off storewide
Urbbody - 15% off storewide

S tepha n ie k My goal is to provide items that are simple and as close to nature as possible. These natural perfumes and bath and body products are handcrafted from essential oils and botanicals, never fragrance oils or synthetic materials. 20% off storewide

Soapstore - We specialize in natural, artistic handmade soap, bath and body products. 20% off storewide (with exceptions)

Morganstre et Morgan Street is committed to providing products that have a high level of wholesomeness, effectiveness and freshness.- 15% off storewide (with exceptions)

JBSoaps I make Cold Process, Hot Process soaps and Melt and Pour method. I used Excellent quality ingredients in my soaps for your personal used. - 15% off storewide

Bunny Butt Apothecary Purveyors of fine hand-crafted soap, balms, butters, perfumes, and
other lovely smelly things. Here at Bunny Butt, we firmly adhere to the principle that what goes on your body, goes in your body. That's why we're here to bring you no-nonsense body care that's as fresh as it gets in a full line of delightful smells. 20% off storewide

Faerie Made Soaps -All my soaps are vegetarian and many are vegan. In addition, my soaps weigh in at minimum of 4.5 ounces. I only use plant based essential oils to scent. No animal oils ever are used. 15% off storewide!

Clean Your Home Without Harsh Chemicals

2008-11-17T12:55:00.000-05:00

Home cleaning products don't need to contain harsh or toxic chemicals, there are natural solutions for almost every household cleaning job. By making your own you'll help the environment and save a little money to boot. Go green with these simple recipes!

Non-streaking spray glass cleaner

1/4 cup vinegar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 cups warm water

Add all ingredients to a spray bottle and shake well to dissolve the cornstarch. Spray your surface and buff to a shine with a lint-free microfiber cloth.

All purpose spray surface cleaner- daily shower spray

1 tablespoon vegetable based liquid soap
1 cup rubbing alcohol
2 cups water
5 drops of your favorite essential oil

Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well to blend. This cleaner will take hairspray off of bathroom fixtures, and works beautifully on countertops, showers, and kitchen surfaces. Spray daily after your shower to keep your shower clean and fresh!

Non toxic toilet bowl cleaner

1 cup borax
1/2 cup vinegar

Flush the toilet to wet the sides of the bowl. Sprinkle the borax around the bowl, then drizzle with vinegar. Leave for about an hour to remove hard water stains and to sanitize. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush clean. Don't like to scrub? Leave several hours or overnight.