Can you replace at least 2 of your daily/weekly/monthly household items with something less toxic/wasteful?

Beauty products, cleaning products, food products, etc.

So far what I have done:

returned a new box of Arm & Hammer detergent. Used the money to buy Ecos brand detergent. It claims to be safe for septic and greywater systems.
It is a company that does not test on animals.

in the next week or so I am returning the overpriced facial wash/toner/lotion and am going to try using Burt's Bees products. The stuff I was using tests on animals and the ratings for it on cosemticsdatabase.com rate it at I think a 7 (0-10, 10 being the most hazardous).

I am also downsizing our stock of toiletries (3 different brands of deodorant and none of them work for me...FFS if anyone wants to try Tom's of Maine calendula, Kiss My Face Patchouli, or Almay clear gel, all hardly used)....


So, what can YOU do?

Well, laundry soap and facial products are both something I am not willing to switch to just because they are natural; they have to perform, as well; and I know laundry soap doesn't, and facial products, for creams and stuff, you need really work to find the right one, which I don't have the money to mess around with. Facial WASH, though, I am happy to try! :p

For my own house, I don't actually use many products beyond that. I HAVE been meaning to buy a crystal, rather than more antiperspirant, but never had the $6-7 vs $2 at the time of buying, but will try plan ahead this time! :lol: And dish soap. We already use a completely natural shampoo bar, with no conditioner, and handmade natural soaps.

Other than that, I use soft scrub cleanser, which I don't like using baking soda as a replacement for, and I have a bottle of disinfectant, specifically for sterilizing the spots the non-completely housebroken puppy makes a mess on! :vent:

Wow, I use way less than I thought I did! :p

dang...double post.

I agree about laundry soaps and dishsoaps; I tried the Planet brand dishsoap..it sucks.

I don't see much of a difference in laundry soaps though, but I suppose we are not that hard on clothes. I use evil Spray N Wash for most stains and we have decent water. However, the Ecos brand detergent that I just switched to totally deodorized 3 loads of stinky laundry hand me downs, you know, that over powering left-in-the-washer-for-a-few-days mildewy sour smell.

Years ago, I used to make my own laundry soap with Kirk's barsoap grated (or liquid dr.bronner's), washing soda, baking powder, and tons of water.
This left a film on diapers. It did not get out stains, but it did seem to deodorize stinky teenage boy socks.

As far as shampoo/conditoners: tried the Avalon brand, that stuff did not work at all. My hair constantly felt and looked stringy and greasy.
I want to try Burt's Bees, but it's about $8 for a bottle, and that is expensive if it doesn't work!
So I use Tresemme. It isn't the most environmentally friendly stuff and I personally think it has a funky smell to it, but it gets my hair cleaner than anything I have ever used. One plus is, they don't test on animals. That, and it's super cheap.

And I totally hear you on the deodorant thing! I have tried averything out there at one point or another, except antiperspirants, I won't wear those, hence offering the Almay stuff, used once (for a wedding in a satin dress).
I had some Desert Essence tea tree deodorant that seemed to work better than most of the "hippy stuff" as my friends call it. I think that even though it is a few dollars more, it is worth it if it works for you. Less chemicals in your body.

Regarding Soft Scrub- have you tried the tub scrub recipe from "Clean House, Clean Planet"? It is comparable to Soft Scrub. I can pm you the recipe if you want. I clean houses and use it for scrubbing everything.

I'd love the soft scrub alternative. :) I clean houses, too, and while most of the products are environmentally friendly (it's one of the selling points for my boss), and I have gotten the cleaning down to a science so I actually use very little product, soft scrub is the one thing I can't let go of. And oven cleaner for final cleans. Ugh, those ovens can get bad. :shake: :lol:

For shampoo, I actually use a Lush shampoo bar...it took me a few months of greasy mess for my super greasy hair to adjust, but now that it has, the difference is AWESOME! I don't have quite as greasy hair, and can go for a two or three days now without shampooing, where I used to have to shampoo every single day, and since coloring my hair (now THERE'S a non-friendly product! :p ) I don't get the frizzies and washing out in two days even for permanent I used to get! AND it's natural and enviro-friendly! :cuc: :p

And deodorant, ugh. I can't even use the natural stuff...I have tried MANY brands, all highly recommended, and usually end up smelling like a cat in heat. :shake: I didn't used to get this bad before ds was born, but he changed a lot of hormonal things in my body, and that was one of them. Yuck! :p But I have found that I can use a crystal for a week, and then once with antiperspirant, and then back to crystal again, and it keeps me reasonable, even during summer....I just haven't bought the crystal in over a year. :rolleyes:

With the official start of Autumn upon me I will be dropping using shampoo and just using conditioner again. I have to use shampoo in the summer between seating and swimming. Maybe I can work harder on using an enviromentally friendly conditioner. I'll be switching soaps, too but it's an ivory for Dove trade so it's rather horizontal.

I'm STILL using up all the cleaners left here by my Dad and step-mom. It's driving me a bit mad.

Oi, I'm going to have to think for a bit about what two products I could change!

If you're serious about unloading the Tom's and Kiss my Face deodorants FFS, I'll take them. Unless you wanted someone to take them to try them out. I happen to know DS would use the Tom's, and I already use the KMF patchouli (have for years).

Two products, you say? All I can think of that's left is shampoo and conditioner. Who wants to recommend a natural conditioner that actually works on long hair? I could hack it all off for the sake of saving the planet and use the awful stuff I've tried in the past, but I'd rather hear about a good conditioner. Once I'm out of my shampoo, I'll try ACV again. I got a lot of compliments on my hair the first few weeks I tried it.

Seriously, though. I'll try a new face lotion this week since I'm out of the Aveeno, but the Dermalogica my sister sells is a nice and relatively natural product, and it's what I use when I have it on hand. Ran out of that, too. Guess I'll call her from the HFS and see what she likes.

Murali - you you get Mrs Meyer's products down your way? Her scrubby stuff is divine. It's a powder, but man does it work, and it smells so yum.

And speaking of cleaning, I really am going to get up and do some of that now.

Murali - you you get Mrs Meyer's products down your way? Her scrubby stuff is divine. It's a powder, but man does it work, and it smells so yum.



Never heard of it, actually. Not that I would have bothered looking down here, cause the selections at your local HFS are sad, bordering on pathetic. There are a few good products, but basically, walking into one is an exercise in despair, lol. Man, makes me miss a proper one SO BAD. A Mrs. Gooch's, or Erewhon, or Down to Earth in Hawaii. :wah: :wah: :wah:

just 2 products...hang on ,this might take a while. We use so very little in the first place.

I'll be back when I find something to get rid of.

Chole

THis is going to take me a while as well. We do pretty darn well around here. I have to admit I purchase Dr Bronners Aloe bar soap. Since I live in New Zealand, it is shipped half way across the world. I could make my own soap(if I learned) from more local ingredients. but, most vegetable oils are shipped in as well..ugh.

For cleaning I use baking soda, vinegar and some essential oils. also natural laundry soap...no chemicals/petroleum prods whatsoever. PErsonal prods are all natural. hmm....thinking...

Linda, what do you use for laundry soap?

So Lala and enchantingmama are going to put together a book proposal and a book about cleaning?

I can't really think of anything to replace right now. Does not consuming, not purchasing, and not using count?

ari

From what I've read Mrs Meyer's is "healthy home, healthy planet" recipes with seriously nice essential oil mixes.

The founder is an alum of P&G. For that matter, the Method team- former P&G execs.

ari

When you step out of the shower, immediately dab baking soda on your armpits. THis works awesome as a deodorant for many people - even when exercising in the heat.

started using mostly vinegar for cleaning
bought 7th generation dish soap- actually pretty cheap at Target
AND *bonus* using recycled paper toilet paper- yeah it's not cloth, but we have a septic tank and I can't risk it getting flushed by accident

I've been using Ecos for a year now and I love it! :)

I don't use much for cleaning products, cosmetics or toiletries either. I'm not sure I'm willing to give up what little I already use. lol

When you step out of the shower, immediately dab baking soda on your armpits. THis works awesome as a deodorant for many people - even when exercising in the heat.

OMG AMINA!!

I did this today, and it totally works! I have been eating onions and mildly sweating, and have been sticking my nose into my pits all day to test this!

I am way impressed!

Only now at 11pm do I have a very slight stink.

You all were dying to know that, right? Lol

Linda, what do you use for laundry soap?
Bio-Kleen

I like Ecover perchlorate 'bleach' too.
Some mamas here use soapnuts. I have not tried them. Can't get them here.
In A Soapnut Shell (http://www.inasoapnutshell.com/)
they look very cool. imported, but compostable! and inexpensive.

Linda, what do you use for laundry soap?

not Linda but I've been using homemade lye soap from a friend of mine in KY. Fantastic stuff. I love the soft sort of "non smell" smell and my whites are so nice and white. I keep a bar and small holed cheese grater near the washer and just grate in a 1/4-1/2 cup fresh for each wash. Any stains I get a little wet and scrub with the bar before tossing in.

Chole

I LOVEEEEEEEEE Burt's Bees products. We use the shampoos and liquid body wash. I used to use Avalon as well and it was nothing but grease in a bottle. I have extremely thick curly hair that goes down to my waist so it is crucial to find something good. The grapefruit and sugar beet shampoo and conditioner works wonders. My older daughter has waist length hair as well but it is a bit thinner. She uses the raspberry shampoo and conditioner. I use the scrubs, toners, and lotions. My skin has never looked better. I used to use Clinique and I really think Burt's is better, it's just a matter of finding the right combination of products.

We use Purex laundry detergent, it's not as good as the natural stuff, but it is dye and fragrance free, and is supposed to be hypoallergetic. Oh did I mention that it is also CHEAP. I also buy the seventh generation chlorine free bleach aka hydrogen peroxide and water. It gets even the tough stains out.

For dish soap we use use ultra dishmate, by earth friendly products. We like the almond scented one. I think it works pretty well but most of our dishes get put in the dishwasher.

We use the crystal DO. It allows you to sweat but takes away the smell by killing the bacteria under your arm. You can also use it on your feet. Mine lasts close to a year.

Oh if you have children I highly recommend the California Baby line. Its completely natural and smells unbelievably good. Reminds me of that sleepy time tea.

If you have dogs/pets we use Buddy Wash, Buddy Conditioner, and Buddy Bar Soap. Its made mostly from herbs, all natural, and it claims that humans can use it too. Smells like lavendar and mint. Its hard to find in stores but you can order here: CloudStar.com -- "Good stuff for good pets" (http://www.cloudstar.com)
They also carry natural dog treats.

I found something!

I have stainless steel counter tops and would LOVE to find an alternative to the polish spray that I use. Most of the time I have been wiping them with a damp microfiber cloth and then polishing them with a dry microfiber but it just doesn't have the same shine as using the toxic spray (which I usually save for when I'm having people over). I've also been getting some water spots and having to wipe the counters twice just so they look OK is annoying. I've also got stainless appliances and while I wipe them less frequently, it's that much more used of that rotten spray when I do use it.

Does anyone have ANY ideas for stainless polish?

Chole

Target sels Method brand cleaners and I have seen a stainless steel spray and I think wipes.

Also, i am not expert, but I am pretty sure that citrus/orange based sprays work good on stainless...?
I would think that any sort of semi degreaser with a little oil (like oil of orange?) would be a good blend.

I dont have anything steel though.

I found something!

I have stainless steel counter tops and would LOVE to find an alternative to the polish spray that I use. Most of the time I have been wiping them with a damp microfiber cloth and then polishing them with a dry microfiber but it just doesn't have the same shine as using the toxic spray (which I usually save for when I'm having people over). I've also been getting some water spots and having to wipe the counters twice just so they look OK is annoying. I've also got stainless appliances and while I wipe them less frequently, it's that much more used of that rotten spray when I do use it.

Does anyone have ANY ideas for stainless polish?

Chole

We use a ss polish spray in our cleaning, and while it's just labeled as the stuff, and ingredients are kept a mystery, I have this nagging feeling it is just something like mineral oil or something. It has no scent, it's a light, clear oil or something, and just wipes on. I am POSITIVE it is something as simple as that, and that's why they tell us nothing about what it is, lol. But it works beautifully.

Target sels Method brand cleaners and I have seen a stainless steel spray and I think wipes.

I am using the Method stuff. It's the only kind I can find around here. I just am not convinced it's a good green choice, YK. I'd love it to be something as simple as mineral oil. Heck, I think I'm going to try that. I tried olive oil once (when I accidentally spilled some :lol:) but while it looked nice for a while, it was too thick & left the counter feeling greasy.

Chole

OK, todays update. I did some searching & found the suggest to use distilled white vinegar and a microfiber cloth on stainless. So I did the counters and then asked SO what he thought. He says they look great (I agree). Now to just see if that lasts and to try adding EO to the vinegar. It's a little strong in the scent department but at least a "kitcheny" smell, right?

1 chemical down, off to find another to eliminate.

Chole

Now to just see if that lasts and to try adding EO to the vinegar. It's a little strong in the scent department but at least a "kitcheny" smell, right?

Chole

I have added EOs to vinegar before, I think it works great!

Make sure to shake it well before spraying or pouring on.

Oh, and when I first found method cleaners, I looked them up cause they just seemed to good to be true...the company, from what I read on their site, isnt half bad. They are making a noble effort to be a little more environmentally friendly with their products.....

my fave all purpose spray, though, is Bac-Out and Biokleen concentrates, mixed in a spray bottle with a little vinegar and some EOs.

I have very few left. I use Sears he detergent and although it's not Ecover or 7th Gen, it's soooo cheap, doesn't bother our extremely sensitive skin, and seems to be very low in fillers (based on how little you use it). I am not willing to switch that. The only other "mainstream" stuff we use is shampoo and conditioner. I love the Giovanni products (xt, their "smooth as silk" cond is what works for me) but can't afford them right now. I have tried going shampoo free with varying results (works for a while, then gets gross/greasy). I have long, straight, fine hair that tends toward greasy at the scalp and dry at the ends and doesn't respond well to lots of brushing.

Marcal is one of the brands of tp that is recycled. We switched from Scott brand a year ago when I found that out! NRDC has info on their website on which are recycled but from what I remember, Marcal was the best/easiest to find of the mainstream brands.

I did recently drop 2 items. We stopped buying paper towels altogether (before had bought a 12pack every 6 mos or so) after we ran out. And I ran out of toilet bowl cleaner, so have been using baking soda and vinegar to clean it with.

I use Cascade Complete in the dishwasher and whatever non-ultra, non-antibacterial dishsoap we can find - usually Sun Light or another one that's citrus and semi-natural, I forget the brand. Ecover is a nice splurge when I can afford it (not now). Those are my only other "mainstream" cleaners and I'm so not willing to let them go right now. I've tried natural dishwasher detergent and have not found one I'm happy with.

Everything else is baking soda, vinegar, oh a bit of Bon Ami or a steel wool pad on really tough pots/pans.

How do I get my hands on an Ecolovable mop? I can buy one this weekend, I think. When I google, all that comes up are threads talking about how great they are, but not a site.

That would wipe out two ineffective plastic mops. Plus, maybe, maybe, microfiber cloths, but I"m not holding my breath on that.

Ari, waving possible money in the direction of a possible mop store.

Ari, you want microfiber cloths? The Dollar Tree near me sells them for a buck each.

All I have left is deodorant. I've been using the Adidas cotton tech. I'll try the baking soda. Otherwise I've tried all of the natural ones with no success, with the exception of Lush (haven't tried it).

I used to use baking soda with success when I was a teenager, even during Chicago summers, but since ds, it doesn't even come close to touching my pong (where's the barfing smiley?? :shake: :p )

I came across deodorant Cystals in 1992 or so. I've used them ever since. You do have to give your body some time to get use to them and if you are "toxic" you will have BO. So, a good detox on self and then use the crystal should have positive results.
I've used borax and baking soda w/ vinegar in my wash for many years now, although not all the time anymore. I've been warned that this method is what is killing my elastic in diapers and under garments???
I used Mama Pads for 3 years, not now, I've got some problems w AF which will require surgery to correct (sorry TMI there).
CD, Cloth Napkin... No cloth TP here, just not going to risk kids flushing them. Kitchen towels and rags for clean ups rather than Paper Towels, although I buy paper towels. I keep old bath towels for big spills.
There are 2 household cleaners I will not skimp on - Dishwasher Detergent and Toilet Bowl Cleaner, everything else can be cleaned with Dr. B's soap and water and baking soda or vinegar -- and scented to my liking w EOs.
Clean House Clean Planet is a really nice book to have on hand.
Honestly, I've never tried a commercial Environmentally Friendly product to replace my Electrasol dishwasher stuff or Lysol toilet cleaner. Oh and I need an He washing machine detergent now (Charlies Soap suds too much). I saw Target carries Method and I think that is good???
I was pleased w 7th generation trashbags.

Yeah my baking soda and vinegar in the toilet - 2 weeks in and my toilet looks like sh!t (pun intended).

So my holdouts are:
Clorox toilet bowl cleaner
Sears he laundry detergent (but this is pretty decent stuff, not chemmy)
Cascade Complete
Cheap dish soap b/c I can't afford Ecover or Dishmate all the time
Cheap shampoo/conditioner for now
(I use Kirk's Castile for body soap and it's awesome)

OMG AMINA!!

I did this today, and it totally works! I have been eating onions and mildly sweating, and have been sticking my nose into my pits all day to test this!

I am way impressed!

Only now at 11pm do I have a very slight stink.

You all were dying to know that, right? Lol


Good stuff, eh!? :D

I swear by it and recommend it to anyone who will listen. ;)

Bio-Kleen

I like Ecover perchlorate 'bleach' too.
Some mamas here use soapnuts. I have not tried them. Can't get them here.
In A Soapnut Shell (http://www.inasoapnutshell.com/)
they look very cool. imported, but compostable! and inexpensive.

We just used some soapnuts! We got a small sample bag from our health food store. I wouldn't dare use them on diapers, and anything else disgusting...but for our regular laundry, I thought they worked pretty well. :) Once the nuts have been through the wash, they smell so yummy (hard to explain, but they almost smell like cherries or something very fruity).

Things left to go green in my house/on my person:

Perfume - I'm starting to get sinus headaches from the synthetic stuff I have. I'm looking at Mountain Rose Herbs Aroma Sprays...
Dryer Sheets - Do they exist or should I make them myself? Suggestions?
All Makeup - This is going to be $$$ which is why I've been putting it off. I think I'll just get one product at a time.
Moisturizer - I really want something from Jurlique or Dr. Hauscka but that's so expensive.
Carpet Cleaner - The cat throws up and I swear nothing natural ever works
Clothing - I would love to be able to afford an organic wardrobe!!! I currently use the ever toxic Folex and it's the holy grail of cleaners, IMHO.

If anyone is interested in what I currently use:
Shampoo - Aveda Shampure
Conditioner - Avalon Organics Peppermint and/or Coconut Oil
Face Wash - Lush - Fresh Farmacy
Soap - Burt's Bees Tomato Soap
Handsoap - 5th Element Soaps
I make my own All Purpose Cleaner - Distilled White Vinegar, Water & Tea Tree Oil and I scrub with Baking Soda.
Then there's the obvious things...using cloth napkins instead of papertowels etc.
Laundry Detergent - Ecos
Dishsoap - Seventh Generation

I was always pretty nontoxic and green but since doing a preschool program at home I have had to add bleach (a requirement disinfecting) and paper towels into my home (another requirement by my state).

Sigh.

Fiddle!

I was always pretty nontoxic and green but since doing a preschool program at home I have had to add bleach (a requirement disinfecting) and paper towels into my home (another requirement by my state).

Sigh.

Fiddle!


not that you can argue much with the state requirements, but I have heard that grapefruit seed extract is a very good antibacterial....?
tea tree is supposed to be good, as is white vinegar.
My FAVE though is lavender.

I use dr.bronner's lavender liquid soap as our handsoap. diluted, it still works as well and might actually be better for little hands ot rinse off if it is diluted by 50%.

And you know what, don't feel bad about using bleach. I know it isn't good for the environment, but my theory is, it would be wonderful if we could all use only nontoxic stuff, eat only vegan organic, fresh out of our own garden meals, bike instead of drive, use solar power, etc etc.
You are doing the best you can!

My holdouts are glass cleaner and about once a month I use a toilet bowl cleaner (I use vinegar and EO's the rest of the time).

We really like Jason's Lavendar shampoo and conditioner and the kiddos love Jason's kids only shampoo. We use Biokleen laundry soap also.

Umm, I scrub my toilet bowl with a squirt of shampoo, or toothpaste, or handwash- whatever is on hand. When I do this nearly daily, everything stays clean. When I have a week without, then the porcelain starts getting rusty- looking. I'll swab around in the bowl with whatever is at hand when I'm having to supervise baths, or other just looking. I don't wipe up the outside of the toilet ( Is there anything grosser than how one has to stick one's nose near the toilet to wipe up the back of it?) just scrub around in the bowl with the wand, and then walk off.

There is a book asserting that one can clean one's bathroom in 3 minutes. This, with the caveat emptor that one has already picked up all the mess, (2) there isn't much mess to begin with, and (3) one does this daily. I am going to assume this also does not include scrubbing bathub rings in hardwater areas. One does this by spraying the mirror, then spraying the sink and toilet. One wipes the mirror,the hand basin, then scrubs the toilet, then wipes down the outside of the toilet, and then wipes the floor with the now- damp cleaning cloth. As you can see, this ignores the tub. I don't do this daily, but darn it's useful when unexpected company calls.

The book is Don Aslett's "Is there life after housework?" He makes fun of natural cleaners, but he does have a lot of good things to say about what he does specialize in- cleaning, make readies, painting, and so on. The opening of the book praises wives and mothers, so it's pretty inspiring. The biggest thing I learned was spray down an area with cleaner, and then let it work for a minute or so before wiping up.

Me?

I have to turn in my green card, since I am not going to give up any more of my chemicals. And I've added a bottle of bleach since this thread started. We just got a cat- I'm so crazy allergic to it. I need to rinse the washer in bleach, and probably other stuff to clean it between cat bed washes.

ari