Natural Girl - Beauty and Lace Online Magazine
Natural products and Eco News
I have been lucky enough to try out a new laundry product this week and not only will my children and my backyard be thanking me but so will my washing machine.
New isn’t actually the right word to describe Lightning Euca Laundry Powder because Lightning Products was established in the 1950′s in Victoria as a distiller of Eucalyptus oil, now they offer a broad range of environmentally friendly cleaning solutions.
Hand-painted and tablecloth aren’t two words that you usually associate with one another, but brother and sister duo Carmel and Benjy Stoch have created a range of fabric homewares and accessories which are unique works of art for their brand “Hand Painted by Carmel”.
The idea of hand painted linen might sound disastrous in theory, but these aren’t your regular tablecloths, they are mess free and are resistant to most stains and liquids. Even more interesting is that they aren’t made from plastic, these pieces are 100% cotton and treated with a special Textile Shield which is where the magic comes in. And I do mean magic because anything that needs no washing feels like the work of a fairy godmother.
In fact, washing is strictly prohibited (yes!), they are waterproof to a certain extent…a quick wipe will remove your food and drink stains but a heavy soaking can damage the design. This is good for the planet too, less water, less electricity and less detergents being used.
The tablecloths can be used on your indoor or outdoor tables (just keep out of that super heavy rain and it will be fine) and come in a range of sizes and patterns. They are packaged folded so a quick iron to the underside will help to remove any creases.
You can choose the design that most suits your setting, and make your tablecloth the focal point or use it to compliment something more elaborate.
Prices start at $95.00 for a 4 seater tablecloth (150cm x 150cm) and there are also place mats available.
For more information please visit: www.handpaintedbycarmel.com.au or call 1300 960 037.
Candles can add ambiance and a lovely welcoming feel to your home but the regular paraffin kind can create fumes which can be toxic to your lungs and the environment, especially in a non ventilated room. Paraffin is derived from petroleum and the reason this is used is because it is cheap. The downside to price is that they dirty the air and are they are made from a non-renewable resource.
You may have noticed a significant switch to soy based candles which are a much cleaner alternative, but I have discovered a range that is even more beautiful and safe to use, which is Suz E Bee’s Pure Australian Beeswax Candles.
I haven’t thought about Beeswax candles for a long time, as a child my mother used to burn them and I forgot how much I loved the scent. Suz E Bee Candles are all handmade in Australia from pure beeswax and the ingredients for each couldn’t be simpler – Beeswax and a Cotton Wick. There are no added fragrances and no hidden chemicals, bleaches, hardeners or lead, just a gorgeous honey-ish smell that is perfect all year round.
These candles don’t smoke (it’s a bad habit, you know) and instead of hindering the air quality they actually help to purify it.
The votives or tealights would be a classic addition to a wedding, and the dinner candles would be effective in a candelabra. The best thing about these candles is they burn for hours, and while you might feel like they are more of an investment than the paraffin kind, they are much healthier for you and your family – and they burn for ages (a tiny tealight will burn for 6-8 hours which gives you some perspective.)
Suz E Bee Candles support local beekeepers in New South Wales.
Visit the website: www.suzebeecandles.com.au
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