I found something interesting while browsing the web a while back. Apparently a community consisting of “players” is jumping ship on commercial soap and swimming towards alternative homebrew methods of all natural soap. The reason I finds this especially intriguing is that being players these guys are very serious about their looks, hygiene, grooming, etc.
The original post can be found here.(note content on page may be found offensive)
A forum authority by the name of *****driven (PD), made a post about how he had switched from soaps to vinegar. The first step to acquiring effective hygiene PD claims is to realize that soap is ultimately the enemy.
“You must also realize that soap is at the root of your problem. Soap has a pH value of far above 7 making it nearly poisonous (or at least harmful) for your skin, hair and nails. Soap makes your skin more acceptable(?) for virus (warts and more), fungi (rashes, ringworm and more) and bacteria (infections, acne and smell).”
So when one cuts out all of their soap what are they supposed to wash with? Vinegar. PD gives us his vinegar plan.
“The vinegar plan In the beginning I would do this daily but it’s so effective that I only found it nescesary twice a week. The rest of the time I wash with clean water - nothing else. I still use a bar of soap (or liquid soap) for hands (mostly because it looks kinda gross not to have a bar of soap at the toilet sink) but no other soap products.
1. Get a large plastic bowl. 2. A washcloth and/or a nailbrush 3. A solution of 2-4% vinegar (appr. 3:1 for cooking vinegar and 10:1 for cleaning acid) Caution: I sometimes use a stronger solution if I have a specific trouble spot like rough heels or elbows (up to 10-12%), acne on back (8-10%), smelly feet(8-10%) or fungi attack somewhere (5-8%). You will sometimes feel a burning sensation around nails, anus and penis head, but if you’re below 4% it’s perfectly safe. Watch the eyes, though. 4. Clean yourself everywhere ending by pouring the remaining vinegar water over hair. Careful with eyes. 5. Let it sit for a few seconds. 6. Rinse well with water. Rinse hair especially well. After leaving the shower you will still have a faint smell from the vinegar. It will evaporate in a few minutes.”
By simply using gentle acids they have made their own homebrew all natural soap, what I like about their method is that it doesn’t involve any dangerous chemical mixing, no acids or bases, or lye. By sticking with a liquid they can skip the nonessential step of making an actual bar, this is safer, easier, faster, and cheaper.
Several other members responded with nothing but positive results when it comes to the vinegar method. Some had claimed to have been using the method for some time.
Another member wrote the following stating that the simple solution had acted as a mild antidote for his eczema.
“I thought I just had terrible looking irritated skin. Vinegar cleared that up. It also cleared up some eczema that I had had bothering the shit out of me for two years. Whenever it tries to come back I rub some on full strength. It stings a little, but then leaves me alone for weeks.
Thanks a million for posting about this, and for everyone who doubts, at least try it before you say it’s totally useless.”
Another message board authority “ijjjji” chimed in the mention that the vinegar solution prevents and removes wrinkles if the mixture is strong enough. He then calls the community to action by asking them to join his WAR ON SOAP!!!
Typically it is not men who are interested in grooming, hygiene, and bath products, but these guys may be on to something when it comes to scrapping the expensive soaps and conditioners and making their own all natural soap.
(click the upper right hand corner link that says “dryness and experiments.” to see how my own vinegar challenege is going.)
Technorati Tags: All Natural Soap, Organic Soap