#BeautyTipTuesday: Minimize Hair in the Shower Drain

I wanted to say this is a hair tip, but "hygiene tip" would probably be more accurate.

I have long hair, so finding at least one strand of my hair in every room is highly possible. Multiply that by a hundred (or couple of hundred) and you basically have an idea of what my shower looks like after I wash my hair. Well, what my shower looked like years ago, especially during stressful times. Past tense. And although I love cleaning, I'm so not a drain-cleaning kinda gal. Sure, I'd pull my hair out of the drain, and then cut all my nails and scrub it with a nail brush because, depending how long it's been there, you get other bits of gross stuff, too: dust, soap, crap. Eeuw.

Everyone's hair will reach the end of it's life cycle and it will come out a couple of times in our lives, but I think I've got this shower-drain business waxed.

How to minimize the amount of hair in the shower drain:
(This also applies to head hair left on your body, between your butt cheeks and between your toes when you're done washing...)

1) Brush/comb your hair BEFORE you wash it. By doing this, you're brushing out the "loose" hairs that have already detached from your papilla which supplies its nourishment. These hairs may have come out while washing/rinsing your hair. And please, clean your brushes/combs regularly.

2) When you wash your hair, do so from root to tip and when you get to the ends, grab all the unattached hairs that usually hang from the ends. Bundle 'em up and put them aside in the shower, or throw them out of the shower. Whatever works for you. I usually twirl it around my index finger and put it in the corner of the shower where the door opens. Mainly so that I don't forget to take it out, which sometimes happens anyway. Sorry, Man Person.

3) Same applies for rinsing and conditioner application, even if you apply your conditioner from mid-length. As well as for that additional rinse you do at the end before getting out of the shower. I see you.

4) When you squeeze out the water from your hair before getting out or towel-drying, DO NOT wring your hair. This can cause breakage, and who wants that? Don't pull it too hard, either. Just do that "sexy hair washing" motion that people do on ads and in the movies. Go from your forehead/hairline, as if you're gathering your hair to tie a ponytail. And squeeze your hair out in sections as you move down your "ponytail". And when you get to the ends, grab the unattached hair before it falls into the shower, and ends up in the drain.

5) Check the shower floor. It's so much better picking up hairs on the floor than digging in the drain. It's possible that one or a few hairs may have escaped you, so look down for a second and pick it up.

6) So a few hairs ended up in the drain cover/screen/strainer thingy (what is that thing called?)... It's not as much as it could've been. Take it out if you have no issues. If you're squeamish, use a tissue or toilet paper. I'll admit to have using a toothpick to lift the hairs out of the drain and then either put it in the bin or flush it down the toilet.

7) Remember to remove it from the shower, or the shower mat, or wherever you decided to put it; especially if you share a home/bathroom with others.

It sounds like a lot of effort, but if takes less than a minute in total, versus being on your hands and knees scratching in the drain. Ain't nobody got the time, surn. If you weren't clearing your hair from the shower/drain before, you'll need to clean it first. Starting to twirl and bundle up your hair now is not going to clear the crap in the drain from the last year. You may even need some drain cleaner, but you should probably get advice about that from someone else. I will not be held responsible for inappropriate drain cleaning fluids ruining your pipes and water disposal system, sorry. I don't know much about this, I have a pair of gloves, a bucket and a reasonable retching reflex on most days. I kick it old school. And I love the word 'retching'. Retching. Retch retch retch. Retch for the stars. Haha. Gross. Sorry.

Do you have any tips and tricks on how to minimize the amount of hair going into the shower drain? Please feel free to share in the comments section.



Miss B

Cleaning more naturally

Many people are "freaking out" trying to do things the more natural and organic way. It's not always as easy as it seems, but there are few simple things you can do at home. For starters you may clean your home with essential oils instead of chemical detergents. I love essential oils, and I love the scent throughout the house after I've cleaned with them. My favourites are Lavender, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus oil. Essential oils are available at most, if not all, pharmacies. You may also get them from natural/organic markets. Some retailers and supermarkets also stock them. If you do not want to trade in your usual household detergents, you may add essential oils to your usual cleaning routine.

Note that many essential oils have different properties, but when it comes to cleaning, you want to use the anti-bacterial and anti-septic ones and add a few drops of other oils you like for scent.

When purchasing Ess. oils, they must be in dark, glass bottles: this filters out UV light. After opening and using it, make sure you close it properly and tightly, and store in a cool, dry place. Citrus ess. oils are most prone to oxidation. Also, ess. oils are flammable, so store them safely away from your oven and candle-light. You may refrigerate essential oils, but I prefer to store them in a box at the back of the bottom shelf either in the bathroom, or a wardrobe/closet.

Here are a few mixtures to try:

Floor Cleaner:

• add ¼ cup white vinegar to a bucket of water
• 10 drops lemon oil, lavender or eucalyptus
• 5 drops oregano oil, pine, spruce, tea tree or lemon, lavender or eucalyptus (whichever one you didn't use above)

Window cleaner:

• Mix 1 cup vinegar and water in spray bottle.
• Add 10-15 drops lemon essential oil.
• Shake and use.

Vinegar leaves windows shining. But nobody said your house needs to smell like vinegar. 

Fly Repelling Window Cleaner:

In summer, wipe down windows with a damp cloth containing fly-repelling essential oils such as lavender or lemongrass.

• For every 50 ml water, add 10 drops of lavender or lemongrass

Sounds much but you don't need much water to WIPE down your windows. 

Laundry:
Essential oils may be used to enhance the cleanliness and fragrance of your laundry. Dust mites live in your bedding and feed from the dead skin cells we constantly shed. I know it's unpleasant, I'm scratching my skin just thinking about it. Research has shown that eucalyptus oil kills dust mites. To achieve effective dust mite control, add 25 drops of eucalyptus to each washing machine load, or approximately 15ml to a bottle of liquid detergent.

You may also add several drops of essential oils to the rinse cycle, such as fir, spruce, juniper, lavender, cedarwood, wintergreen/birch, tea tree or rosewood.

Another thing you may do is make a mixture of 1 cup vodka and 20-30 drops of eucalyptus essential oil and put it into a spray bottle. Spray your pillows and bedding a couple times per week. Use the spray on upholstery and carpets as well.

When hanging up bedding after it's been washed, hang it in the sun or tumble dry it. The heat may also kill micro-organisms, and the sun has sterilizing properties.

Stain Removal:

• Use a drop or two of lemon essential oil on stains.
• Let it stand and rub off with a clean cloth or throw into laundry cycle.

In the Dryer:

• Instead of using toxic and irritating softeners in the dryer, toss in a dampened washcloth with 10 drops of lavender, lemon, tea tree, bergamot, or other oils.
• While the oils will not reduce static cling, they will leave a lovely fragrance to the clothes.

Kitchens and bathrooms:

• Mix 2 drops rosemary, 4 drops lemon, 3 drops eucalyptus, and 4 drops lavender oil in warm (not hot) water in a spray bottle
• Shake well
• Shake again before using

Dishwashing Soap:

To add fragrance or to improve the antiseptic action of your liquid soap , add several drops of essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, fir, spruce, pine, lemon, bergamot, and/or orange.

Hot tubs and saunas:

• Use 3 drops (per person) of lavender, cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, thyme, lemon, or grapefruit to disinfect and freshen the water.
• For saunas, add several drops rosemary, thyme, pine, or lavender to a spray bottle with water and spray surfaces. This water can also be used to splash onto hot sauna stones.

Deodorizing kitchens and bathrooms, etc.

The kitchen and bathroom are often a source of odors and bacteria. The following mixtures may help to freshen, deodorize, and disinfect the air, work areas, cupboards, bathroom fixtures, sinks, tiles, woodwork, and carpets. These blends are safe for the family and for the environment. They will clean the air instead of masking the odors.

Always shake well and keep on shaking the bottle as you use these mixtures, as oils may separate from water. 

• 4 cups water
• 2 drops rosemary
• 4 drops lemon
• 3 drops Eucalyptus
• 4 drops lavender
• Shake well and put in a spray bottle

OR

• 4 cups water
• 5 drops pine
• 4 drops chamomile
• 4 drops tea tree, 4 drops lemongrass, or 4 drops clove

Basic Disinfectant/ Household cleaner:

Add your favorite antiseptic, anti-bacterial essential oils. Make sure it includes lemon.

• Spray bottle with water
• A squirt of natural soap (or dishwashing liquid)
• 5 drops each of lavender, lemon, and lemongrass
• Shake well

OR

Add a drop or two of eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, pine, juniper, thyme, or rosemary to a damp cloth and wipe down the surfaces.

Note: Use natural cleaning tools (natural sponge, mop) because essential oils can react with plastic.

Happy cleaning!

Miss B