Ida's Soap Box

The USDA has developed a three-tier system for labeling certified organic products. Although you may see many different "organic" logos, symbols, and badges on products, signs, and websites, there are only two that have any real meaning. They are the circular "USDA Organic" logo and the logo from a USDA accredited certifying agency.

When you need soap, body wash or household cleaners, do you reach for products labeled “antibacterial?” Consumers often believe that antibacterial products are more effective at preventing the spread of germs, but there is no scientific evidence that they are more effective than plain soap and water. In fact, some data suggests that antibacterial ingredients may do more harm than good over the long-term.

Fragrance oils are made from synthetic compounds. they are cheaper, offer greater variety, and retain their scent for a longer period of time. Many people have grown accustomed to the fruity scents available from stores like Bath and Body Works. It is often impossible to obtain certain scent blends with pure essential oils. There is a much greater variety of blends available with fragrance oils.

Essential oils are natural aromatic extracts from plant material including grasses, leaves, flowers, needles, twigs, peels of fruit, seeds, bark, and roots. The aromatic essential oil compounds are stored in tiny pockets in plant material and must be released. The type of plant material being used determines which method of extraction will produce the best results.