While shopping for an authentic 1980s outfit at American Apparel, I noticed a display of Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap for sale. It seamed completely out-of-place in a store chalked full of oversized neon tee-shirts, leg warmers, and hair scrunchies.
I asked the sales person why an 80s apparel shop would sell organic vegetable soap – something you would more likely find at a farmer’s market.
“Don’t you know why it’s called American Apparel?” he asked.
“Ummm…I guess I thought the 1980s are so quintessentially American?” I replied.
“Noooo! It’s because everything we carry in here is made in America!” he explained.
Does this mean if I wanted to support American workers I would have to look like this all the time?
This is not a story, however, of how the American textile industry never advanced past 1989, this is a story of Castile soap. A product I use all the time and never knew it was made here in the good old USA.
If you don’t already have a bottle of Castile soap, it is a must-have item. This soap is so pure, you could eat it. It is a simple formula made from organic coconut and organic olive, palm, hemp, jojoba and essential oils. There is nothing synthetic and is totally biodegradable.
They claim it has 18 different uses, but my favorites are:
- Dish soap
- Kids shampoo
- Fruits and vegetable wash
It is so gentle and hydrating, you will end up grabbing it to clean many other things too. Many grocery stores and pharmacies carry it, but Whole Foods and Target are a sure thing. It is about $6 for an 8oz bottle and it is so concentrated, it will last you months!
Dalai Lina 