Just a quick update on how my Eco Guinea Pig Mum is getting on with the Faith in Nature hair and body products she’s been trying.

She says she’s loving the shampoo and conditioner (Aloe Vera variety).

She adds a ‘but’ though… (I was going to say - “She’s got a big ‘but’”.. how awfully rude!!)

The conditioner is making her hair so soft that she can’t do a thing with it! (I have no sympathy.. I’ve inherited her fine fly-away wispy hair, so it serves her right!).

I recommend that she gets herself a big afro perm like she had in the 80’s… it was a great look Barb!!

I’ve had an email from Barbie-Cleaning-Freak. I’m very proud of her for trying all these new things and changing the habits of a life time. If my Mum can do it, anyone can! Over to Barb in sunny Selsey..

“I have started to use your soap powder now [Bio-D's soap powder, I didn't make it or anything], and like it very much. Yes I have only been using what they say on the packet! I have also started to use the bath and shower gel [Faith in Nature], I put one squeeze in the bath and get a good amount of bubbles, but I do not get a very good lather on my sponge I have to put two squeezes on that to get bubbles, well the amount I like. Also not keen on the smell so I will try a different flavour next time [she's got the Tea Tree one, think it's a bit feisty for her relaxing bath time, I'll try her on the Seaweed one next time]. Haven’t tried the shampoo yet. Well that’s my report on the things I have tried, I will need washing up liquid very soon, I think I said I like that very much [Ecover]“

Update on the Update! Mum’s emailed again today …

“I forgot to say yesterday the bubble/ shower gel [Faith in Nature] makes my skin feel nice and soft, I have had a little bit of eczema on my legs and arms, and it does seem a lot better”

“It’s not easy to teach an old dog new tricks, but I want to try to be green” - Barb Hughes, Racheal’s Mum, in a bungalow in Selsey.

Gawd bless her. My mum is a housework obsessive. She can spend all day, everyday cleaning her home, and still thinks there’s lots to be done. She’s the sort of lady that irons her tights, you get the picture! 

Well, the lovely Barb has spent her life bleaching the hecky peck out of anything and everything. She’s a bit of a cleaning product addict. She has a chemical cleaner cocktail cabinet under her kitchen sink in Selsey. Flash, Cif, Bleach, oven stuff, hob stuff, floor stuff. The loo, sink, bath, mirror, shower all have a different chemical solution to keep them clean.

Last week Mum placed an order for a few eco friendly products. “I’ll start with a couple and see how I get on”. She has already been using E-Cloths, and loves them, but hadn’t tried anything else. I took her some Ecover washing up liquid, loo cleaner, and fabric softener (and some MORE e-cloths.. what’s she doing with them all!).

I rang her yesterday for a quick chat about Mum and Dad coming for a visit tomorrow. (1 hour 15 minutes, one flat phone battery, a very red ear, and pins and needles in my phone holding hand!). Anyway, I asked how she was getting on with the Ecover products. She seems really pleased with them because the do the same job as the old chemically products! 

Mum is going to bring over some empty containers tomorrow to get them refilled with green products! She says she needs more Fabric Softener.

Me - “Mum, you can’t have used a litre of fabric softener in 1 week, there’s only 2 of you”, says me.

Barbie - “I do, it’s all gone. I do 2 or 3 loads a day.”

Me - “Glossing over the fact that that is a ridiculous amount of washing for 2 people, you still shouldn’t have used a litre in one week. How much are you putting in?”

Barbie-clean-freak - “I only fill the little tray up to the top, that’s all”

Me - “Mum, you’re only meant to put a cap full in. The little pink cap on the top of the bottle. Just one of those will do!”

So, anyway, she’s bringing her empty bottle back to be refilled. And she’s going to take some more things to give them a try. I’ll report back with how she’s getting on learning a greener, healthier way to clean!