How to Remove Stains Naturally

Leave a comment

This blog was inspired by our Kitchen Salt and Spice Bar, which has been known to work all kinds of miracles! This is a soap that can remove beet juice stains. This is a soap that can remove the strong smell of onion and garlic from your hands. This soap also makes a great dish washing soap for camping! Having methods for removing stains is extremely helpful. Here are some natural methods to remove different kinds of stains.

How to remove blood stains naturally

Little cuts and scrapes happen all the time! While our first priority is to find a band-aid, what will we do about the bloodstain on the couch cushion?! Hydrogen peroxide might be all you need! Method taken from The Maids, “How to Remove Blood Stains Naturally”

  • Immediately soak the clothing in cold water or run cold water over the stain until it fades.
  • Soak a microfiber cloth in 3% hydrogen peroxide and lightly scrub the stain.
  • Apply a pre-treatment of a few drops of liquid laundry detergent to the blood stain.
  • Wash the stained clothing in cold water with a natural bleaching agent like hydrogen peroxide, distilled white vinegar, or baking soda.
  • Let the clothing air dry and then see if the stain is gone. Don’t dry your clothing after the wash; the heat could set any remaining stain.
  • If the stain is gone, wash and dry your clothing like you usually would.
  • If you still see the blood stain, scrub it again with hydrogen peroxide and repeat the washing instructions above.

How to remove juice stains naturally

Drinks spill all of the time, and fruit juice stains are some of the most difficult to clean…especially grape juice! These stains can still be removed though!

Method taken from Stain Solutions

  1. Soak for 15 minutes in mixture of one quart lukewarm water, one-half teaspoon liquid hand dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon white vinegar. Rinse.
  2. Sponge with rubbing alcohol, using light motions from center to edge of stain.
  3. Soak for 30 minutes in one quart warm water with one tablespoon enzyme presoak products.
  4. If color stain remains, launder in chlorine bleach if safe for the fabric, or in oxygen bleach.

How to remove butter stains naturally

Greasy foods make for some messy times and messy means spills! Now worries, butter stains aren’t as hard to remove as you thought!

Method taken from The Maids

  • Blot or scrape away as much of the butter as you can from the surface you are trying to remove the stain from.
  • Pour baking soda onto the stain and gently rub it into the stain. Let the baking soda sit for 15 minutes to absorb the oils from the butter.
  • Scrape away the baking soda and repeat the step above until no more oil is being absorbed.
  • Pat the stained area dry with a clean white cloth and then vacuum up the remaining baking soda.

Helpful hints on removing stains from different kinds of fabrics

The porosity and structure of different fabrics can alter the way they stain and influence what you use to remove stains! Here are some interesting tidbits from Art of Manliness.

Cotton: can endure soaking, drying, and heat (though you want to avoid the latter for most stains — warm water is fine, but dry heat just sets the stain). It’s easy to bleach white cotton, but very hard on the fabric, so use chlorine bleaches as a last resort, and dilute them well. The best stain treatments for cotton are detergents and light acids (lemon juice, vinegar, etc.).

Wool: is much more heat-sensitive than cotton, and needs to be treated gently. You can soak it, but you have to lay it flat as it dries to prevent distortion. Use only wool-safe detergents and lukewarm (not hot) water — bleaches and acidic treatments will damage the wool permanently. Treat with water or a wool detergent as soon as possible, and then get the garment to the dry cleaner at the first opportunity.

Synthetics: vary depending on the material. Rayon and polyester can be washed and scrubbed more harshly than cotton, but will be destroyed by oxidizing bleaches like hydrogen peroxide. It’s usually best to clean them with a standard laundry detergent, or with dish soap for grease-heavy stains.

Silk: is exceedingly temperamental. You can treat stains on silk with water, but rather than letting the wet spot dry on its own, rinse the whole garment thoroughly — otherwise you’ll get water spotting, nearly as bad as the original stain. Glycerin stain remover is also effective and neutral.

Of course, if none of these methods work you can always just give our Kitchen Salt and Spice Bar a try!

Much love,

Nora

How To Fix Oily Roots and Dry ends

2 Comments

Greasy roots and dry ends can ruin a good hair day. The key to fixing greasy roots is a shampoo that helps balance the scalps oil production. What kind of shampoo fixes oily roots? The best kind of shampoo for dealing with oily roots is a moisturizing shampoo that also has an ingredient that actively absorbs oil (like clay). Your roots get cleaned and your dry ends get the hydration they need.

Roots Get Greasy Fast?

Many people will try to combat oily roots by overwashing their hair with shampoos that contain harsh detergents to lift oil from the scalp. 

Short term, this seems like a solution, but your scalp produces oil for a reason. The oil your scalp produces is called sebum, which actually benefits your hair when the appropriate amount is distributed along your hair shaft (usually occurring naturally when you brush your hair). 

Sebum protects your hair shaft and makes it shine, but too much leads to oily roots. When you constantly strip your scalp of oil it sends a message to your scalp that it needs to produce even more oil…leaving you with greasy roots.

A moisturizing shampoo made with oils that protect the ends of your hair and gently cleanse your scalp won’t cause your scalp to overproduce sebum. The best moisturizing soaps are natural soaps and shampoos.

Why Do My Roots Get So Greasy?

There are many reasons why you might be more prone to oily roots including genetics, acne and bacterial issues, skin conditions, and overwashing. If you want to fix your oily roots and be able to go longer between washdays you have to set your hair up for success. 

Using a shampoo with clay will help decrease the amount and appearance of oil in your roots. Clay has an absorption power that pulls in oil and clarifies your scalp. You can read about the clays we use and their beauty benefits here. 

Greasy Roots Shampoo

My roots get greasy after 24 hours and I’ve found great success with this Rhassoul and Avocado shampoo bar. This bar was formulated with ingredients to combat problematic hair! And will keep the ends of your hair moisturized!

Rhassoul Clay:

  • Contains a high percentage of silica, magnesium, potassium, and calcium
  • Absorbs oil and impurities from both the skin and hair

Avocado oil and Avocado butter:

  • Softens and soothes skin
  • Increases production of collagen
  • Locks in moisture
  • Fatty acids gives hair shine and silky texture
  • Helps fight frizz

Aloe vera:

  • Contains proteolytic enzymes which repairs dead skin cells on the scalp.
  • Rich in vitamin C, E and beta carotene which nourishes skin and scalp deeply. 
  • Has antifungal and antiviral properties, it prevents itching and reduces dandruff and flaking
  • Also has very potent anti-inflammatory properties which help reduce redness and inflammation. 

“I am absolutely in love with my shampoo bar!! This was the first time I tried shampoo bars and I did so much research to find the cleanest brand. There was no question AVNS won that category by a long shot. Then they won because they offer 5oz bars instead of 2oz like most others. Then they won on the price. I have very oily hair and struggle to find hair products so I was nervous and kind of negative about whether or not it would work. Well, I used it ONE time and I was never turning back. My hair has never lasted so long without being oily. It doesn’t have any residue or waxy feel leftover after showering, it smells amazing, feels great, and moisturizes my scalp- which usually flakes with other shampoos. I was shocked and amazed and I have recommended AVNS to everyone I know. I also used the baking soda trick (I love that they offer so many blog posts and tips, especially since I was a first time user) and the Lavender Mint hair rinse. Another amazing product I highly recommend. I was getting so many compliments on my hair and people asked what I was doing. I was happy to say “only AVNS!” If you’re on the fence, just go for it. It’s worth it. Thank you AVNS for making clean products that actually work.”

-Satisfied Customer

Acid Hair Rinse To Clarify Roots

Another great way to clarify your scalp and hair is with an acidic hair rinse. An apple cider vinegar rinse will remove build up from your hair and smooth your hair shaft, our Herbal Hair Rinse is made with herbs to further strengthen and cleanse your scalp and hair. This rinse is made to aid the soothing of skin conditions and may help prevent acne!

I hope we’ve helped to “clarify” when it comes to questions about how to get rid of oily roots! Follow our blog for more information on who we are and the natural products we make!

Much Love,

Nora

How To: Traditional Wet Shave

2 Comments

The benefit of a traditional shave or a traditional wet shave is that it will give you a smoother, cleaner, closer cut. All you need for a traditional shave is a quality shaving soap, water, a single bladed razor, and a brush. A traditional shave is sustainable and pairs with with our natural shaving products which are long-lasting, cruelty free, and eco-friendly.

How to do a Traditional Shave

  • Wet your brush under running hot water and allow it adequate time to absorb water.
  • Don‘t tap too much excess water off the brush, then lather up the soap using circular motions directly in a container or vessel of your choice. At first, the bubbles will appear large, but as you keep going, they will increase in number and become smaller. After a short while you should have achieved a thick, warm lather.
  • Apply and massage the warm lather with the soaped brush evenly across your face in circular motions. This will also increase the lather‘s density, soften your whiskers, and allow them to stand up, allowing the razor to sit close to the base of the hair follicle. 

How to Get a Good Shaving Soap Lather

The longer you whisk in circles, the richer the lather, the smoother the shave and the more your skin will be protected.

The Key to a Good Shaving Soap

A high fat content so skin is protected during the shave, it will also nourish your skin so it doesn’t become dry and irritated. A good shaving soap is economically a great choice as it lasts a long time, and it is a wonderful option for your skin because it adds, not detracts, moisture. Ingredients such as olive oil, shea butter and avocado will do just that, nourish and protect skin during and after the shave. Our Men’s Shaving Soaps are all this and more as we’ve also added bentonite clay which brings slip to help the razor glide over the skin, and colloidal oats which help protect and soothe.

Benefits of a Traditional Wet Shave

  1. Effectiveness: cleaner, closer, smoother shave
  2. Non-problematic: reduces amount of ingrown hairs
  3. Process: is more relaxing and enjoyable than shaving with an electric razor
  4. Appearance: a stone shaving bowl set looks much more classy than a metal can of shaving foam.

Easy After Shave Routine Using Natural Products

  1. Gently rinse the shaved area
  2. Pat dry
  3. Spritz an organic facial toner over the area to help clean and balance the skin.
  4. Rub in a few drops of argan or jojoba oil over area to protect and moisturize.

Our Natural Shaving Products

Shaving Bowl and Brush Sets

These beautifully hand crafted, wheel thrown ceramic shaving sets are a must have for those who love the traditional shave. They are a perfect compliment to our round Traditional Shaving Soaps and offer an eco-friendly option for storing and lathering up your soap.  Made specifically for AVNS by 5 Elements Clayworks in Florida, “each piece is hand crafted and therefore no 2 are ever identical. Even similar forms and same glaze combos used can yield different results based on the kiln atmosphere or clay batch used, so you can always look forward to a unique piece. While it is not intended for food use, all glazes are food safe and non-toxic.” 

Select from two amazing colors:

River Rock – Glazed in a combination of blue and brown glazes that create a variegated effect that almost resembles the wet rocks found on a river bed.

Midnight Sky – Glazed in a combination of three blues that create the effect of a moonlit night sky on a clear night.

Bowl/Cup Measure Approximately 3.5-3.75″ in width and 1.5-2″ in height.

Brush Measures approximately 3.5″ in height 1.5″ in width

Shaving Brush

The brush is made from a top quality synthetic nylon that gives a soft, luxurious brushing experience. Plus, as the fibers are synthetic it doesn’t shed nearly as much as many natural hair brushes. These brushes are by nature vegan and perfectly suited for men who are allergic to animal hair or badger hair. When using a synthetic brush, it’s good to know that you will also need about half of the amount of shaving cream or soap compared to an animal hair brush.

FOR A LIMITED TIME, PURCHASE ONE OF THESE SETS AND GET ONE OF OUR TRADITIONAL SHAVING SOAPS 50% OFF!!!

Simply place 1 of these Shaving Sets and 1 of our Traditional Shaving Soaps in your basket, and the soap will automatically be discounted.

(Shaving soap not included with Shaving Bowl and Brush Set unless placed in basket to purchase with promotion.)

“My glazes are personal recipes that either I personally developed over the years or had a hand in developing in ceramics studios. The very few commercial glazes that I use are from an American based company (Potters Choice by Amaco and Mayco. Both are companies that provide safety data sheets for each individual glaze they sell) and they do not use lead in their glazes. This (that there is lead in the glaze even when the company states it’s not in there) is a common misconception that dates back to ceramics from Mexico and other countries that have a long history of lead based glazes, but here in the United States it is very heavily regulated and it is mandatory to disclose such things….I research every product I use. If I think in any way it will be toxic in any way lead or not, I opt out of using it entirely….The truth of the matter is that lead in and of itself is harmless in pottery if it is fired to maturity. It is usually lead in earthenware which is low fired clay that often leaches into food. If the glaze and claybody are fired to full maturity, any and all components are sealed into the piece and removes the threat of leaching.”

–The Potter Virginia Franceschi

The Classic Shaving Soap

A warm woodsy scent with a hint of spice. This shaving soap is great for all skin types, but Classic’s blend of essential oils may assist those with oily skin. Cedarwood can help soothe irritation, inflammation, redness, and itchiness. Frankincense has powerful antiseptic and healing properties, bergamot is a natural cleanser so helps remove dirt and impurities and is great for those with oily skin as it helps to unclog pores, it also has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Patchouli helps regenerate skin cells, which assists the healing of wounds and helps fade scars. Litsea cubeba contains antiseptic and astringent properties which makes it an excellent tonic for your skin, it also helps balance sebum levels on the skin surface and controls its production. And coriander is very soothing, plus has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and anti-fungal properties.

Ingredients: saponified oils of organic olive, organic coconut, organic sustainable palm, castor bean, organic shea nut butter, and avocado. Bentonite clay, organic colloidal oats, rosemary oil extract, and essential oils of organic cedarwood, bergaptene free bergamot, frankincense, patchouli, organic litsea cubeba, coriander.

The Rugged Shaving Soap

A fresh outdoors scent with a touch of citrus and a hint of woodsy spice. It is also great for all skin types, but the blend of essential oils may benefit those with dry skin. Jamarosa oil is an exotic addition which is known for its anti inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Bay is warm and spicy plus offers antimicrobial and antioxidant benefits. Cedarwood can help soothe irritation, inflammation, redness, and itchiness, and ho wood has antiseptic, analgesic, antimicrobial, and soothing properties.

Ingredients: Saponified oils of organic olive, organic coconut, organic sustainable palm, castor bean, organic shea nut butter, and avocado. Bentonite clay, organic colloidal oats, and essential oils of bay, jamarosa root, organic cedarwood, organic ho wood.  Rosemary oil extract.

Man 2.0 Shaving, Shampoo, and Body Bar

Men, now you can have your soap, shampoo, and shaving cream too. Made with organic olive oil, organic shea nut butter, and organic jojoba oil for an ultra gentle, moisturizing treatment, as well as bentonite clay for slip and silk on your face when shaving, this deliciously scented shampoo bar lathers like crazy and will leave you looking, feeling, and smelling like a million bucks in a few short minutes.

Ingredients: saponified oils of organic coconut, organic sustainable palm, castor bean, organic olive, organic sunflower, apricot kernel, organic shea nut butter, and organic jojoba, bentonite clay, rosemary oil extract, and essential oils of bay, orange, and cedarwood.

Man, after writing this I feel like, as a woman, I might be missing out on this shaving experience! Which begs the question, can this same method work on legs? Guess there’s only one way to find out!

Much Love,

Nora