We do all of our dishes by hand and I was wondering if there isn't a dish soap that is milder or that has less chemicals than Dawn or Joy? I have seen some in health food stores, but have never tried any. Has anyone a recommendation? I have used plastic/rubber gloves, but I am forever washing off counters, etc. and don't take the time to get all "gloved up".

-- (Mamafila@aol.com), January 16, 2002

Answers

It may not be the detergent. I've found that it's the hard water. Install a water softner; it just may solve your problem.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2222@hotmail.com), January 16, 2002.

I just started making our own soap, so I mill it and melt it with extra water to make my dishsoap. The suds don't last as long as store bought, cleans just the same. I have tried health food store brands, it was nice but kinda pricey!!!

-- Suzanne (weir@frontiernet.net), January 16, 2002.

I don't have any ideas about soap but if you have problems with dry chapped hands I suggest Corn Huskers Lotion. It's not greasy or oily and rubs right in.

-- Darren (df1@infi.net), January 16, 2002.

There's the home made version of dish soap, by grating Dove soap and adding warm water, shake till it's mostly dissolved and use it just like dish soap...plus your dishes will look ten years younger (ha!)

-- claudia in NY (cooleyville@aol.com), January 16, 2002.

Put gloves on it's cheaper and nothing ages you like wrinkly hands.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), January 16, 2002.

Dawn has just come out with a new liquid called Ultra Dawn Plus Hand Care. I've used one bottle and started on the second and it has helped my hands. They are not as dry as they used to be.

-- ruby (mcfays@aol.com), January 16, 2002.

I agree with using gloves. If you can, buy a larger pair than normal, slather your hands with cream or lotion, put on a pair of cotton gloves, then your rubber gloves. The heat from the water will then penetrate through the gloves to your hands and help the lotion or cream do its job.

If you don't want to use gloves, use a good olive oil castile soap.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), January 16, 2002.

Claudia in NY: Thanks for a great big belly laugh - that was SO funny!

-- Katie (homesteader@accessnevada.com), January 16, 2002.

We use both Dawn and Joy most of the time, except for the winter months, then we switch to Palmolive because the others chap our hands and they burn like fire!

-- Judy C. (corwinsusa@netscape.net), January 16, 2002.

MANY years ago I was told Dove was best for hands but since that time there are lots of new ones?

-- DW (djwallace@sotc.net), January 16, 2002.

Yes, Dermassage, it has been around for decades and is THE best for your hands and lathers extremely well in hard water. Plus it's very cheap, 22 ounce bottle for 89 cents, on sale for 69 cents some times.

I have used only Dermassage for 25 years now, and have tried all the others and keep coming back to using the Dermassage. If I ever hear they are going to stop making it, I will buy cases of the stuff!!!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 17, 2002.