Sponge Question?

Hi all ! I just wanted to share this with you B/C it worked for me. my husband was working on my car this weekend and his hands got very greasy so he got a bar of soap from the dollar store called "LAVA" is made to get tough paint, grease, tar stains etc. from hands but it is very mild I was so impressed with the results on his hands that I went to the store to get a bar for my sponges it worked so well that it even took stains off my older sponges and brushes. it comes in 2 different forms liquid and bar it does not smell like roses, but once rinsed the sponges wont smell like it. also has moisturizers so it leaves brushes feeling soft. it comes in a red package and big letters "LAVA” I think Wall-Mart has it too. Like I said just want to share, if anyone tries it led me know how well it worked just to know if there is something better.
http://www.lavasoap.com/

Thanks for sharing Dendia!!

Lava soap AKA solvol in Australia

If you are using LAVA make sure you rinse very well. The reason it cleans so well is because it contains pumice, a by-product of volcanic activity, and is an abrasive. It is not intended for use on children's faces - please rinse very well.

so, maybe I should'nt use it.

That's why using Ivory is the best, it's gentle & cleans well. I also won't use Pink Soap(for cleaning brushes) or Brush bath(recommended by SF). The 1st one is not meant for skin & the 2nd has products that may cause allergic reactions.

laundry detergent isn't for use on the skin either but yet folks still wash their sponges in it.....just think about the cleansing agents in detergent. I mean unless you are using a product like 7th generation or another eco friendly brand.....you aren't really fairing any better. I have been using brush bath since it came out and haven't had any issues at all.

But, as I have stated in previous threads you have to experiment with product until you find what works best for you.

No one product will ever be all things to all people. Find what you like and if there are no ill effects or adverse reactions........stick with it.

If the day should come that I do run across someone who has an issue as a result of my using the brush bath.......I will re-evaluate the use of that product as part of my work set up.

ChangingFaceDesigns wrote:laundry detergent isn't for use on the skin either but yet folks still wash their sponges in it.....just think about the cleansing agents in detergent. I mean unless you are using a product like 7th generation or another eco friendly brand.....you aren't really fairing any better. I have been using brush bath since it came out and haven't had any issues at all.

Sorry, that made me laugh... we wash our CLOTHES in laundry detergent and then WEAR them on our skin 24/7... you really think washing a sponge that is in contact for a few seconds is going to be any more "harmful" than that?

In the powder form I'm allergic to it - it makes me uncontrollably sneeze, and if it touches my skin I get red and itchy - I haven't managed to find a brand that doesn't set me off.
I have to double rinse - once on hot - to make sure it's all out of my clothes.
If some of the powder got in the sponge and didn't dissolve properly it would be a disaster for me..... so she's right in saying it's not for the skin..... and could easily be an allergen.

One has to make their own decision on what they feel they need to do for anything... There are many people allergic to various detergents so if you are you take precautions.

I feel, personally and generally, that I am not ultimately responsible for attempting to negate all possible reactions or allergies for anyone - I am not a medical practitioner or in anyway in an industry that requires sterile, inert materials be used.

I do my due diligence, I work in a santitary manner using commonly used, recommended and acceptable methods of cleaning my equipment. Which in my case, is soap and water for sponges, and soap and 70% ispropyl alcohol saturation for brushes...

Other than that it is up to the individual to make the decision to get painted. After all, getting face painted is at their own risk. And everything is a potetial allergen... if we were going to paint completely allergy free for everyone in the world we wouldn't be able to use any brand of face paint - because there are people allergice to EVERY brand, EVERY ingredient, and EVERY other product and material used.

Oh yeah, if you use a washing machine and use the second rinse, generally the spin cycle and the rinse will get the detergent out... better than squeezing by hand I imagine.

Shannon people have skin reactions to detergents all the time....so it is not as far off the mark as you may think.............. which is the whole reason they started to come out with dye free, perfume free and took out some of the additives that were originally used. So the point being if it is ok for people to wash their sponges in laundry detergent with the residues that are left behind ( I don't care how many cycles you run it through there will always be trace elements left in the spong especially if a repeated practice.... and still use them....so is the use of other products that pose no more risk in causing an adverse reaction than they do.

Hand washing is my preferred method.

One thing to note is laundry detergents and top brand dish soaps as opposed to bath soaps have a degreaser in them. Degreasers are activated by warm/hot water - which is why those stain removers suggest washing at hottest setting thee fabric can handle. Degreasers and hot water will cut thru the carrier agents found in the top face paint brands.

So rinse, rinse, rinse - soak a while or a long while - your choice - but wash with a soap.

My preferred is one with a degreaser or 100% real soap - meaning old fashion hot processed soap (like Ivory and why LAVA works but yes it has pumice). I make my own soap and it works soooo well! Good old fashion real hot processed soap! I like Masters Bar soap too and have found my homemade soap to be equal.

As for the laundry soap - read the MSDS it is safe for use on your sponges.
We use only liquid. Powdered laundry soap is a some soap and filler - the filler is sodium aka salt. Why some people get dry and itchy. We use scent free, color free liquid.

One reason I hand rinse is to see the sponges ring free of pigments and residue soap. When you see clear clean water that is the best you can do.

I do not bleach my sponges as the bleach breaks the sponge fibers down quickly. And Vinegar stinks. Bleach and vinegar kill will kill bactreria, mold and some viruses. A preferred cleaner is Isopropyl Alcohol as it kills bacteria, mold and viruses and is much safer, being evaoprated out of the sponges during the drying process.

Drying face painting sponges well is critical. Hand ring and pat dry then dry in the sun or I guess your dryer (in 10 yrs I have done this only twice in a hurry to finish the sun drying process). And you can zap them - while still damp wet zap in the microwave - 1-3 min depending on how many sponges are placed in the mirowave oven. Then dry them well.

The trace element issue.... if a painter has those concerns then this (maybe) isn't the business for them - trace elements could be from crossing brands of makeup in the sponges, and could be found in the brushes, on the side of the water well, and in the water and in the environment in which you are painting..... unless you are lab testing you will not, can not know this reality. Indeed facial reactions are possible for some- less than more as based in my experience as a painter and in being painted. The painted assumes the risk. There is no way for the painter to know what the painted person's skin has had on it or what they have come in contact with prior to being painted.
Agreed, there is no possible way to paint 100% allergen free.

In 10 years as a face painting professional and in living with a scientist and chemist I can say we have read everything and well researched many (most all) face and body painting related topics. I was a grant researcher / proposal write I do my homework on all the topics. Certainly it can be debated that there are those with sensitive skin issues/ allergies and that some residue could remain, or that one method is better than another. I am with Shannon the legal and ethical concerns are that you have done due diligence and strive to meet the highest professional standards set by industry leaders.

Honestly, if most painters who fawn over famous painters knew how dirty those instructors kits are ................. industry leaders are those in places like this - experienced seasoned pros telling you they know what works.
Trust that and wash and dry those sponges well.

So if I wash my sponges in the washing machine using the second rinse cycle and my usual liquid detergent for sensitive skin, then dry them in the dryer... is this okay? I guess I'm confused by the posts.

this is the soap I've started using, works beautifully
www.exitsoap.com.au