SUSTAINABLE OR CLEAN PRODUCT REVIEWS #3

With how difficult it’s become to do my usual sustainable practices (see more about how to be more eco-friendly right now), I’ve been researching more sustainable products to add into our repertoire that are reusable, compostable, or something better than wasteful – to at least make up for our takeout meals to continue supporting small businesses I hope.

Alas. Since it looks as though abstention from reusable bags and comfortably eating in public are here to stay for a while, I’ll continue making our home a less wasteful place when and where we can.

I can’t emphasize enough how much this book is helping me find ways or think of ideas that are manageable for our home!

Crystal Nail File Review

I hated nail files for a long time. No idea why; I think I just wasn’t used to them. Then I bought these glass emery boards for C at the suggestions of a friend. I love that they’re sturdy and how forgiving they are with filing his nails.

After a few months, I decided to see if there were glass emery boards for adults (I know, I’m behind). I found this crystal nail file. I like that I knew the brand and that it was an inexpensive experiment to see how it worked.

Considering nail salons still aren’t on my visit list at the moment, this board couldn’t have come at a better time. It does such a great job; I haven’t even been using my nail trimmers. 

The pointed end on this particular board is rather pointy. I’ve found myself poking a finger or toe next to the one I’m getting into shape on more than one occasion. Because the board is made from glass/crystal, you can also wash/sanitize it as you wish – something those disposable emery boards certainly can’t handle!

Loofah Dish Sponge Review

My husband and I have been inactively looking for a new dish sponge. I have a small bamboo-handled dish brush that I quite like, but he doesn’t and it isn’t useful for every need. We’ve tried a few others and for one reason or another, they haven’t passed muster.

I almost caved and just bought those blue disposable ones we’ve used for years until I found a loofah sponge on my last visit to Refill Madness. Sadly the colors were only vibrant, so I picked orange (crazy for me!). I wasn’t sure how it would hold up, but we’ve both really liked it.

It cleans and scrubs nicely. It hasn’t broken down after 3-4 weeks with multiple uses per day. And it holds soap pretty well. I”m also happy to report some of the vegetable dye has disappeared and now it’s a pretty peach color.

The only thing I will note is that the loofah holds onto water VERY well, so squeeze out as much liquid as possible before storing it and be on the lookout for water to drain out. We keep ours in a little sponge holder (use code “luci10” for 10% off) and then just empty the holder each time.

I do also want to try copper sponges for intense scrubbing and for removing writing from containers to reuse.

Native Natural Deodorant Review

So. This is was the last natural deodorant I was going to try. After three other failed attempts at finding a natural deodorant, I was ready to just go back to my normal one that works for me – no matter what was in it. I’d just find something else to replace with clean products.

The three other brands I’ve tried are Schmidt’s, A-type, and Tom’s of Maine. I only wear unscented deodorant, so that was the type of each that I tried.

My skin broke out in little red bumps with the Schmidt brand. If I didn’t shower every single day, my armpits just started hurting with the A-type (regardless of whether I reapplied each day or not). And the Tom’s worked well for a few hours and then I was sweating and stinking again.

My dear friend has been raving about Native for a few years now probably. For some silly reason, I didn’t try it sooner. Truth be told, I didn’t need much deodorant during my pregnancy and first 6 months postpartum. And then once I stopped breastfeeding and my hormones returned to normal, I NEEDED DEODORANT.

So I bought the Native off Amazon and told myself this was the last attempt. And you all, I LIKE IT! I apply it every morning and for two weeks, I’ve had no breakouts, no pain, and no body odor!! So, moral of the story, listen to your friends! 

Native does have quite a few other scents. My friend did say you have to play around with the scents to find one that works for your body type. Target does sell a number of scents in stores, so you can smell those in person. And you can also subscribe for deliveries from Native once you find the scent you want!

I did finally buy a safety razor. I’m still very much getting used to it, so hopefully that will be in the next sustainable product review roundup. I’ve also tried my own batch of toilet bowl cleaning pods, and I’m going to experiment with natural moth repellent sachets.

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