My Low Waste Swaps

In my journey towards living a more initial, low waste life I’ve found a few products that have easily replaced more toxic, plastic encased options. Below you can learn about my favorites. While I am not a brand representative, a few of the items include my referral code link. I may receive a small commission or incentive if you chose to use my code. Below are my favorites that are effective and replace my former toxic versions

Kitchen

Dropps dishwasher detergent: These are a great replacement for Cascade or other type premeasured brands. They dissolve well, clean my loads well and smell amazing. They come delivered in recyclable cardboard boxes and are rated fairly well on the EWG scale. If you’d like to give them a try, here is my referral code: https://share.dropps.com/sharon294 .You’ll get 30% off of your order.

No Tox Life Solid Dish soap: Rather than a large plastic bottle of dish soap with questionable ingredients. Why not opt for something that doesn’t charge you for the water to dilute the product, is compact and convenient. I love my solid dish soap bar and often opt to buy the year supply box when it is available. Combined with this dish brush and I have the perfect cleaning duo.

Swedish Dish Clothes: I don’t use a specific brand of these and will pick them up in almost any store I see them in as well as Amazon. They are great for cleaning, as reusable paper towels and other everyday uses. They get a little stiff and out of shape after the first use but are a great reusable option compared to paper towels

Mason and Glass Jars: I am working towards removing plastic storage containers and shifting to glass and metal. I have converted most of my OXO pop top containers to glass jars with bamboo lids from Ikea. I also keep jars from items I purchase and repurpose them into storage around my home. I like symmetry and matching so I also purchase mason jars and store various items in those. Mason jars are fairly inexpensive and easy to find in your local stores. They come in various sizes to meet all of your storage needs and here lately I'm noticing they are coming in different textures and colors.

Laundry

Dropps Laundry detergent: Dropps to the rescue again. I love the convenience of premeasured tablets as well as the light clean fragrance of these cleaner. It’s a very subtle fragrance in comparison to something like Gain or Tide. They clean exceptionally well. I also love that it is well rated on the EWG scale. I have both the dish and laundry detergent on subscription, so I never run out. If you’d like to try these, here is my referral code: https://share.dropps.com/sharon294 .

Wool Dryer Balls:

I don’t have a specific brand of wool dryer balls I recommend but I purchased my original set from Trader Joes. You can find these everywhere. They are a great addition to your dryer allowing you to dry your clothes and reduce static without adding toxic chemicals. It won’t add a scent but I’ve heard some people spray a light coating of essential oils on the balls before adding to the dryer to impart a light scent. I also suggest purchasing organic wool dryer balls to reduce coming into contact with chemicals.

Personal Care

Sugar in the Raw Deodorant: Deodorant has been my nemesis in this low waste, less harmful journey. I have tried sooooooooo many natural deodorants. Like any product, not all work for every person, body chemistry, level of activity etc. But let me tell you, natural deodorant has been a FAIL for me. Toms, Alafia, deodorant crystals, Native, I have gone through a range of natural products. My biggest issue has been the fragrance of the natural deodorant combined with my natural body chemistry. I don’t need a fragrance coming from my armpits but I also don’t want to smell my sweat and natural deodorant fragrance. In the end, Raw Sugar’s Vanilla Bean and Charcoal deodorant is my favorite. I love the light scent, how well it works and that it comes in a cardboard dispenser rather than plastic.

Who Gives a Crap TP: I have been ordering my toilet paper from Who Gives a Crap since 2018. At the time, I loved that I could buy a year supply at a time, it was made from bamboo and also provided sanitary facilities for communities in need. During COVID, I felt fortunate to have purchased my year supply already as I watch people panic buy during the early days of COVID. Today I still love Who Gives a Crap and I continue to buy a year supply however with the installation of a bidet, I find my TP is lasting longer and I may need to change my subscription frequency. If you’d like to try Who Gives a Crap, here is my referral code: https://www.talkable.com/x/hbUAT3 .

Bidet Attachment: The 2020 TP shortage made me finaly give bidets consideration. I had read about bidets but was hesitant to get one for some strange reason. Fast forward to today and I don’t know why it took me so long. I just don’t feel like I’m properly clean without one. Strange I know. There are many bidet brands but I’ll be honest and say I purchased the cheapest one with the best reviews on Amazon. Here is the version I own. I hear great things about Tushy and I’m sure a number of other brands are great as well.

Things I haven’t changed:

Toothpaste: I’ve tried various types of replacements such as homemade toothpaste, David’s, toothpaste tabs etc. I liked David’s the most but it became an inconsistent product in my local stores and I’d find myself having to choose between a new low waste product I wasn’t familiar with or an old faithful like Colgate that I had grown up using but was full of things I didn’t want. For now, I continue to use an old faithful. I may try out another low waste option in the near future. One thing I know is I absolutely do not like any oral care products in a tablet form but I won’t overshare right now.

Soap: I have extremely sensitive skin that has seemed to only get more sensitive over time. I’m staying with Dove unscented sensitive soap because I never have any problems from using it. Many low waste soaps while made with great ingredients, use something for fragrance whether essential or fragrance oils that just don’t agree with my skin.

Mouthwash: I’ve mentioned I don’t like anything in tablet form that is for oral care. I’ve tried the mouthwash tablets where you just add water buuuuut. I don’t like them. It’s personal preference and one day I may change my mind but not today. That’s the great thing about a minimalist, low waste, intentional life. You have the freedom to do the things that fit your life best and adjust as times change.

Shampoo and Conditioner: This has been another adventurous let down. Solid shampoo and conditioner just don’t work for my dry, sensitive scalp and curly thick hair. Solid shampoo, and I’ve tried many versions, dry my scalp out or make my scalp extremely flakey. Maybe it’s me, maybe I’m not rinsing enough but until I figure out the issue, I’ll stick to my plastic bottle shampoo. Solid conditioner on the other hand is just too difficult to manage with my thick curls. I can’t get it to distribute evenly in my hair. My hair did not feel well nourished and the solid conditioners I found were expensive for a small amount. I’ve considered using Plaine Products but haven’t yet. I may explore that option again in the future.

Lotion: Back to my sensitive skin. Lotion bars and solid moisturizers just don’t seem to work for me. They are often too oily and heavy and don’t leave me feeling moisturized, more oily/slippery. I am also not fond of lavender and other floral scents that seem to dominate these types of moisturizers. For the time being, I’m staying with my fragrance free Cerave.

Over time, I know I will continue to fine tune my personal care and household products as I discover what works best for me. I will update this periodically so you can see what changes over time. Thank you taking this journey with me.

Sharon