Sustainable/Clean Products Review #1

Everybody I talk to is on board with using sustainable and clean products, but then we all wonder if they work. Or you just go for it and find later, they don’t…

I’ve been trying to add items that are “better” in one way or another each month. So I’ve been thinking I should have a place where I can start sharing what I’ve tried, what’s worked (or hasn’t), and a few things I’m hoping to try soon. No reason you should have to wait for me to try something to know about it!

March Sustainable or Clean Products Review

Toothpaste Tablets

So I pulled the plug on the toothpaste tablets first. I ordered Bite Toothpaste Bites. They’re little bits of toothpaste. You use one tablet per brush. Just chew the tablet and brush like normal.

The first time I used it, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it. And by the second day, I was totally used to it and loved how fun it was. I have noticed that my teeth have been much whiter since I started using the tablets.

One thing to note is that the tablets don’t have fluoride. The greener, cleaner world is against fluoride for health concerns, but dentists advocated fluoride to help prevent teeth decay. So the real taste came at my dentist appointment last month…

So, I’m not actually the best person to talk about this… Because of pregnancy, breastfeeding, and the stress of new parent life (and moving and buying a house – yeesh!), my teeth weren’t in perfect condition like they have been lately. My new dentist really encouraged toothpaste with fluoride.

Instead of skipping the tablets, however, she suggested brushing with the tablets in the morning and then with a toothpaste with fluoride at night – not rinsing to let the fluoride sit on my teeth. So that’s what I’ve been doing. Were it not for all that other stuff, however, it might have all been fine.

Overall, I really like the toothpaste tablets, however! I’m just figuring out the fluoride thing as I go.

{UPDATE (03/2021): So I’ve taken a break from the toothpaste tablets for now. I really enjoy using them and think they’re great for giving a bit of a polish to your teeth (i.e. whitening them). I’m experiencing some dental sensitivity, however, and the tablets seem to be a bit more abrasive that I can handle at the moment). If I can, I’ll go back to the tablets).

Silk Floss

On the topic dental hygiene, but sadly without the same good luck… silk floss. Floss seemed liked such an easy swap to make, but sadly it isn’t.

In place of plastic floss in a plastic container, you can use silk floss (that’s biodegradable/compostable) that comes in either a cardboard box (with a little metal cutter) or a small glass bottle (also with a little metal cutter).

I’ve tried two so far.. The first was Bambo Earth Silk Floss. I found it on Amazon and loved the glass container. It’s a bit thicker than plastic floss, but it also breaks easily…

I’ve been using these reusable flossers for years. It’s honestly the only reason I’ve been so diligent about flossing daily since I was a teenager. Well the Bambo silk floss was difficult to get between my teeth and then it snapped after a few teeth. I tried a few pieces all with the same luck. I even just used the floss wrapped around my fingers and it broke. So it was a fail.

Then I picked up the SenzaBamboo silk floss from Refill Madness here in Sacramento (my sustainable, clean product haven). I had the same issue with the floss breaking in my reusable flosser, but it works fine wrapped around my fingers.

It is thicker than the plastic floss I was using. And I truthfully hate sticking my hands in my mouth to floss, so I’m going to keep trying other brands.

{UPDATE (03/2021): Similar to the toothpaste tablets above, I had to stop using this floss a few months ago as it was irritating my gums. It is actually a great floss for cleaning between your teeth, but I need something far more gentle at the moment). Hoping to find another thinner, sustainable option or to use this again in the future).

Stojo Collapsible Mug + Water Bottle Review

So this collapsible mug thing was immediately of interest once I learned about it. I’ve long been using my reusable water bottle and coffee cup. The problem comes, however, when I’m traveling!

I will always make room for my water bottle, but it takes up so much darn room. And then I’m SO IRRITATED when I have to use single use coffee cups and know I LOVE MY COFFEE.

So I ordered a few sizes and items from Stojo. I got the 8oz mug, the 12 oz mug (with a straw), and the 20 oz water bottle. I’ve been able to put them to the test a few times now…

So, I basically love the 20oz. collapsible water bottle. It only holds ½ the water of my normal bottle (I told you I drink a lot of water), but takes up about ⅕ of the space when collapsed, so…TOTALLY WORTH IT!

As for the collapsible cups. They aren’t as insulating as my stainless steel cup (science at work here obviously), but they aren’t bad on that front. And they have sleeves that come with them that work well to keep your hand from burning or freezing!

Once you get the lid all screwed on, then the cups/mugs are great. They even have a little “stopper.” My only complaint is that the lid can be a little tricky to screw on correctly. And that only bothers me when the cup is really full. But my 8 oz cup is usually filled to the top and I’ve spilled coffee on myself a number of times.

Otherwise, however, love them and they always get some attention at coffee shops! See all their sizes and colors here at the Stojo store on Amazon

Other Green + Clean Products to Try

And then some other sustainable, green, or clean products I desperately want to try…

Last Swab + Last Tissue {use code “LUCISMORSELS” for 10% off} – the company LastObject has created reusable “cotton” swabs and they’re soon launching a tissue pack of reusable tissues. We ordered the tissues and I’ll be getting the swabs when they’re all available!

Non-Disposable Razors – So it’s time to replace my razor soon. Trust me, it’s bad – and I’ve only got one more cartridge refill, so it’s time on two levels! The world of plastic-free razors is growing. The beautiful stainless steel ones are pricey, however. There are a few brands, but so far I’ve been really looking into Leaf (read my LEAF razor review here) and Bambaw (buy blades separately).

We’re still figuring out how to buy meat without the plastic and styrofoam. The other day I ordered meat from the butcher counter at the market and it was put into a plastic bag and then the paper. I’m thinking of having some specially dedicated containers for raw meats, but I haven’t figured that out yet!