Our Inspiration

IS YOUR SOAP BIODEGRADABLE?

 

Firstly, it is important to define what “biodegradable” actually means, and a good working definition goes along the lines of “a product that has the ability to break down, safely and relatively quickly, by biological means, into the raw materials of nature and disappear into the environment.” And if this happens we can be assured of nice clean waterways and a clean environment.

We are bombarded daily with buzzwords, and “biodegradable” is probably the most misused and misunderstood. One of the difficulties is that for long time there were no guidelines or regulations, and therefore many products have been described as biodegradable without any real justification, and at the same time not often used for products (such as soap or paper) that really are biodegradable.

OK, now here is an important point in answering the question “is your soap biodegradable?” Soap itself is a natural organic product that is inherently biodegradable, and the soapy greywater from a single household may biodegrade easily if drained into a backyard where it comes into direct contact with soil and soil microorganisms. But, if that same soap went into a sewage line shared with many other households, and this line fed into a waterway along with other sewage lines, then we have problems. There would be more soap going into that waterway than the microorganisms to biodegrade, and therefore under these circumstances your soap is not biodegradable.

If you check the ingredients of Indochine Natural soap, you will find that they are made entirely from plant materials; therefore we could say they are 100% biodegradable. But the real issue here is where and how they are used that ultimately determines their biodegradability.

Soap Myth Busted

 

SOAP MYTH: Soap with hot water is more effective in killing germs than soap with cold water.

Scientific research has demonstrated that hot water with soap for hand washing is no more effective than cold water with soap. For example, in a report published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (J Occup Environ Med. 2005 Apr; 47(4): 434-5.) it is reported that for subjects who had their hands contaminated with microorganisms and then were instructed to wash their hands with soap for 25 seconds in water ranging in temperature from 4 Celsius to 49 Celsius, the various temperatures had “no effect on transient or resident bacterial reduction.”

One study done way back in 1938 by a Dr. PB Price had similar results. In 80 studies over a period of nine years subjects washed their hands with soap in temperatures ranging from 24°C up to 56°C. He found that the temperature made no real difference in how well the hands were cleansed of germs. The results showed that most significant factor in removing germs were the vigorousness of scrubbing the hands.

A few things to keep in mind when using hot water and soap. Firstly, hot water can make some soaps more irritating to the skin, and can cause contact dermatitis. Secondly, using less heat to produce hot water for hand washing can save money. Thirdly, it is impossible to kill the bacteria on your skin only via the temperature of hot water as the temperature needed to kill bacteria is over 80°C. This is certainly hot enough to scald your skin.

Check out the unique range of Indochine Natural hamdmade soaps HERE

Gingergrass soap

Hi Everyone,

We are really excited with the release this week our new Gingergrass soap. This is a particularly nice morning soap that has an earthy, spicy aroma that can be emotionally uplifting and at the same time calming. A great way to start the day!!!!

As usual with all of our soaps, we superfat  to 7%, which provides a particularly mild and moisturizing soap suitable for all skin types, and especially those with dry skin. 

We have some limited numbers in stock now (first in best dressed), and are now taking new orders for this new soap.

Dish Wash Soap made from Recycled Cooking Oil

Indochine Natural Sdn. Bhd. in cooperation with the Asia Community Service's Stepping Stone Centre is very excited to launch in January 2010 our 100% biodegradable dish wash paste made from recycled cooking oil. Pure Kaffir Lime essential oil is used to provide a fresh fragrance for this very eco-friendly kitchen product, and we are packaging this together with a biodegradable kitchen loofah.

Our partner, the Stepping Stone Centre in Balik Pulau, provides a work place for people with special needs. By providing work for members with intellectual disabilities, the Centre provides a stepping-stone for improved economic independence and greater acceptance in the broader community.

The dish wash paste is made entirely from recycled cooking oil, which is simply saponified (converted into soap) with the addition of a strong alkali. 100% natural Kaffir Lime essential oil is then is added to provide the fragrance. After the soap has set, it is left to cure for about 30 days before being packaged.

This dish wash paste has excellent cleaning properties, can be used in cold water, is long lasting, and 100% biodegradable.

We will be exporting this product to the USA for distribution to Fair Trade retail stores. The mission of these Fair Trade retailers is to provide retail opportunities for disadvantaged communities, thereby enabling these communities to uplift and empower themselves by earning good incomes independently and with dignity and self-respect.