Daisy says she’s raising apes.  If she leaves out liquid soap or bar soap by the kitchen sink, the natives attack.  She noticed however, that her Parmesan shaker can of baking soda and tea tree oil “carpet cleaner” remains untouched.  So, she started using it to wash her hands.  Even hands she thought were relatively clean yield murky wash water against her white porcelain sink.  Who knew?

That Darn Equation on Which Deanna Keeps Harping

Temperature (1) + Agitation(2) + Chemistry(3) + Time (4) = CLEAN

 Unlike the hair routine I shared yesterday, this routine takes advantage of BOTH cleaning aspects of baking soda:  scouring(2) and the change in pH(3).  If you also use warmer water, you get the temperature advantage (1).  I can’t imagine she lets it sit on her hands for any length of time, but if they were really funky, I suppose that would be another step up in power.

If you only use soap, with the minimal rubbing required to bubble it up, you are only getting the chemistry advantage(3).  That’s why the gurus say to get  clean with soap, you need to RUB every inch of your hands(2) including nail beds and the backs for at least 20 seconds and use warm water(1).

How To Do It

  1. Fill an empty clean can of Parmesan half full with baking soda.
  2. (Optional) Put in twenty or so drops of your favorite antibacterial essential oil.
  3. Close top and shake to mix.
  4. Turn on water and shake a teaspoon into your hand.
  5. Scour your hands with it.
  6. Rinse.