Eco-Friendly Home Recommendations
For years, I’ve wanted to make my home eco-friendlier with cleaning products, food storage and beauty products for myself and my family – but I never had the time to research, sort through and test the overwhelming number of options.
I recently visited my dear friend Janeen Barnett who has been dedicated to eliminating plastics and using the products that had the least impact on the environment while being the best for her family’s health for years. She took me on a tour of her home and here’s what she’s shared – along with a few other products.
Where to Buy
Janeen shops at the Unpacked Living store in Beverly, MA where she’s able to supply and refill many of her products (they also offer free shipping on orders over $50 in the US).
The rest she gets from Thrive Market or Whole Foods.
Thrive Market is an online membership-based retailer specializing in healthy, sustainable, and organic food and products.
It operates on a membership model, offering discounted prices. You can receive 20% off your first order, have a 30-day free trial and it costs $60/year for an annual membership – with a up to $60 free gift when you join.
Surprisingly, Unpacked Living and Thrive Market were often cheaper than Amazon!
My apologies if any of the links expire over time!
Do share your favorite products and recommendations in the comments!
Home Cleaning
Don’t use bleach – it pollutes our water, irritates our lungs, skin and eyes and creates harmful byproducts.
Distilled white vinegar and baking soda, alongside essential oils, clean just as well.
Here are some specific home cleaning formulas:
-
- Paste Cleaner:
- Mix baking soda with a little water to form a paste.
- Apply the paste to the surface you want to clean.
- Spray with vinegar.
- Scrub and rinse with water.
- Spray Cleaner:
- Mix 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1/4 cup of baking soda into 1/2 gallon of water.
- For a more concentrated spray, combine 1/4 cup of vinegar, 2 cups of hot water, 1 teaspoon of dish soap, and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice in a spray bottle.
- Essential oils can be added for fragrance.
- Shake well before using and spray on the surface, then wipe clean.
- Tub and Tile Cleaner:
- Mix 1 2/3 cups of baking soda, 1/2 cup of liquid soap, and 1/2 cup of water.
- Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar.
- Mix well and apply to the surface you want to clean.
- Scrub and rinse thoroughly.
- Wood Floor Cleaner
- Combine 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water.
- Glass Cleaner
- Combine 2 cups of lukewarm water
- 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar
- 1/3 teaspoon of grease-cutting liquid dish soap in a spray bottle.
- Burnt Pan Cleaner
- Fill the burnt pan with enough water to cover the burnt area, then add white vinegar (about a cup of each).
- Once the vinegar and water mixture is boiling, carefully add baking soda (about 2 tablespoons) and let it fizz.
- Allow the pan to cool slightly, then scrub the burnt residue with a sponge or scrubber.
- For stubborn spots, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply it to the affected area, let it sit, then scrub again.
- Thoroughly rinse the pan to remove any remaining residue.
- Paste Cleaner:
KITCHEN
Bon Ami Powder Cleanser
Thrive Market – Bon Ami Cleaning Powder
Amazon – Bon Ami Powder Cleanser (2-Pack)
Biokleen Free & Clear Dish Liquid
https://biokleenhome.com/
Amazon – Biokleen Free & Clear Dish Soap
Simple Green Cleaner or Biokleen Cleaner
https://biokleenhome.com/
Amazon- Simple Green Cleaner
N3 Nano Wood Finish Cleaner (Maintenance Spray)
Amazon – N3 Nano Wood Pro Kit (includes Maintenance Spray)
7ᵗʰ Generation Dishwasher Detergent
Thrive Market – 7th Generation Dishwasher Gel
Amazon – 7th Generation Dishwasher Gel (6 pack)
7th Generation Rinse Aid
Thrive Market – 7th Generation Rinse Aid
Amazon – 7th Generation Rinse Aid
Chainmail Scrubber for Cast Iron
Amazon – Chainmail Scrubber for Cast Iron Pots
Sponges
Try ones from Thrive or Unpacked Living and leave a comment on what works – or share which products you love!
FOOD STORAGE
Silicone Stasher Bags
Whole Foods – Stasher Aqua Sandwich Bag
Amazon – Stasher Premium Silicone Reusable Bags (4-Pack)
For Good by Full Circle Gallon Zipper Bags
Full Circle Home
Thrive also has a number of options for other brands
If You Care Compostable Parchment Baking Paper
Unpacked Living – Parchment Paper
Thrive Market – Parchment Paper
Amazon – Parchment Paper
If You Care Compostable Trash Bags
Unpacked Living – Compostable Trash Bags
Amazon – Compostable Trash Bags
If You Care Kitchen Twine
Unpacked Living – Kitchen Twine
Amazon – Kitchen Twine
Bee’s Wax Wrap – Alternative to Plastic Wrap
Unpacked Living – Bee’s Wrap
Thrive Market – Bee’s Wrap
Amazon – Bee’s Wrap
Silicone Food Covers
Unpacked Living – Silicone Food Covers
BATHROOM
7th Generation Toilet Paper
Thrive Market – 7th Generation Toilet Paper
Amazon – 7th Generation Toilet Paper
Bite Toothpaste Tablets
Bite Toothpaste Bits
Bamboo Toothbrush
Unpacked Living – Bamboo Toothbrushes
Oneka Body Lotion, Shampoo, Conditioner & Hand Soap
https://www.onekaelements.com/
BEAUTY PRODUCTS
Blue Lizard Sunscreen
Amazon – Blue Lizard Sunscreen
Ultra sheer Neutrogena Sunscreen for Face
Amazon – Face Sunscreen
Routine Deodorant
Unpacked Living – Routine Deodorant
Amazon – Routine Deodorant
Zefiro Waste Cotton Swabs
Unpacked Living – Cotton Swabs
May Lindstrom Face & Skin Moisturizer & Honey Mud Cleanser – pricey
May Lindstrom
Burt’s Bees Face Wash, Deep Facial Cleansing Cream – more affordable option
Thrive Market – Face Wash
Amazon – Face Wash (pack of 3)
LAUNDRY
Biokleen Free & Clear Laundry Detergent Sheets
Amazon – Biokleen Laundry Detergent Sheets (hypoallergenic)
Wool Dryer Balls – eliminates dryer sheets
Amazon Wool Dryer Balls
HOUSE
7th Generation Unbleached Paper Towels
Thrive Market – Paper Towels (6 count)
Amazon – Paper Towels (24 count)
If you have products or recommendations that you love, leave a comment!
Here’s to a world that takes care for our Mama Earth into our homes, family and daily lives.
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