The ABCs of Hand Washing AND Making Liquid Handsoap

I've been taking a kitchen safety class and learning some new things.

One of the things I've learned is a helpful hint about washing hands? Did you know that you are supposed to wash your hands long enough to sing the ABC Song or Happy Birthday twice?

Want to try an experiment that demonstrates the difference?
First, mix oil with cinnamon and rub it on your hands.

The first time you wash your hands for only 10 seconds in cold.
Here was mija's result:

You then can repeat the process washing for 10 seconds in warm water. Third, you do 10 seconds using soap in warm water.

A little better, but watch what happens after washing with soap and warm water while singing the ABC Song:

Yup, those are clean hands...the sink is filthy, but the hands are clean.

Now, a way to save money while washing your hands. How about making your own liquid hand soap?

I tried it out this week for the first time using a bar of soap, glycerin, and water.

Here's the site where I found out about how to do it:

Make sure to read all the comments. The next morning it started out as as a soft solid but after I stirred it, it turned into kind of a mucus. I added some more water and warmed it up. Still ended up soft solid and turned gelatinous. Added water and warmed one more time, but this time I whisked it. It made a difference.

It's not big on lather, but works just fine.

So now you know how to wash your hands AND have soap to use!

Olive Oil uses besides cooking---make sure your house is level

Many have extolled Olive Oil for it's cooking benefits. Every Food Network star is BFFs with EVOO. But Olive Oil is AKA a household and health helper. 

So here's the 411 on some of the recent things I've done with it.

WD40 out and EVOO in for squeaky door hinges. In fact I find more convenient to use than WD40. I just pour a little olive oil in a paper towel or old rag and rub it on the hinges. I open and shut the door as I do this to get it throughout the offending hinges.

Here's the kicker!

The house we are living in is soooo unlevel that now that I've EVOO'd the hinges, the door won't stay shut! That is why I mentioned to make sure your house is level.

As a health helper, EVOO can help with your ears. 

My ears were itchy. I frequently used a Q-tip thinking I needed to clean my ear, but to no avail. My doctor explained that I actually do not have enough earwax, so my ear canal is dry and feels itchy. She recommended that I put some mineral oil on a Q-tip and rub it gently in my ear canal.

 Well, I did not want to purchase or use mineral oil. Do you know that mineral oil is a petroleum product? It's related to the motor oil you put into your vehicle! Yuck!

So I used good ol' EVOO on a Q-tip for my dry ears! And before you say anything about sticking something in my ear, remember, the doctor told me to do it! Generally, it is severely frowned upon. So, stick at your own risk!

I have also read of using warm EVOO to soften excessive ear wax or to help with an earache.

Door hinges and dry ear are just two ways I've used EVOO in a 911!  Here's a little meme with some other ideas and don't forget to Google!